New Report: Health Insurance Marketplace will have 25 percent more issuers in 2015
Monthly Archives: September 2014
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Nurses Plan Informational Picket
Tuesday, September 30 from 4 – 6 p.m.
As Contract Talks Stall Over Staffing, Overtime and Wages
NORTHAMPTON, MA — The registered nurses of Cooley Dic…
Town Hall: Scranton
The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 215,000 registered nurses (RNs) in the Commonwealth, invites professional nurses, nursing students and the community to attend a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2014. The Town Hall allows PSNA to share current legislative priorities and practice concerns affecting Pennsylvania’s nurses. The event will be held at the University of Scranton’s DeNaples Center (407A, The Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny Ballroom) and will run from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
The meeting, sponsored by PSNA and PSNA District 4 will give nurses the opportunity to discuss issues including safe staffing, violence against health care workers and APRN scopes of practice. A question and answer period will be included. Guest speakers include Senator John Blake (D-22), Representative Marty Flynn (D-113), PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook and PSNA Director of Government Affairs Kevin J. Busher.
“PSNA looks forward to the open dialogue the Town Hall creates,” said PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “Face-to-face communication allows us to better understand nurses’ needs and effectively advocate for the profession.”
For more information, contact Kevin J. Busher at 717-798-8908.
New to Practice Event: Hershey
PSNA is pleased to announce the unveiling of our Young Nurse Professionals group. Young professionals have a clear vision of their ideal work setting, community and future. As you know, they also have a heavy work schedule, leaving them just a few hours of free time. This group is a simple, fun solution to using their time to advance their careers! With the Young Nurse Professionals, they can build a community of peers, discuss career-related concerns, provide insight into the needs of new RNs and make their community a better place to live.
Now we need your help as we work to build a team of new nurse colleagues. Are you — or do you know — a young RN that:
- Feels passionate about active volunteerism?
- Understands the importance of career networking?
- Desires to expand their professional horizons?
Interested RNs can contact PSNA headquarters at communications@psna.org. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Register Today for Our First Event!
Where: The Vineyard at Hershey
When: Friday, October 17 / 5 – 8 pm
Who: Young Nurse Professionals (up to 5 years in practice)
What: A fun evening of wine tasting, networking and karaoke
Cost: Just $10!!
Click to register
A Single Insurer Holds Obamacare Fate In Two States
Where did the insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act struggle the most? The answer lies in commerce, not politics.
Too Many People Die In Hospital Instead Of Home. Here’s Why.
Surveys show Americans would prefer not to die in a hospital. Yet, in New York City, the majority of people do. But the “why” is not simple – a variety of of factors create this culture.
HHS announces $99 million in new grants to improve mental health services for young people
HHS announces $99 million in new grants to improve mental health services for young people
Leominster Hospital CEO Refuses to Meet With RNs
The nurses at UMass Memorial/Health Alliance Leominster Hospital were alarmed to learn this week that their CEO Deborah Weymouth has refused to meet with them t…
Ask a Travel Nurse: What questions should I ask my Travel Nurse recruiter?
Ask a Travel Nurse Question:
What questions should I ask my Travel Nurse recruiter that I probably wouldn’t know to ask?
Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:
There is no “set” list of questions you should ask, other than those on which you feel you need more information. If you don’t understand what a “tax advantage program” entails, how the company handles your housing, if they match anything for their 401K plan, basically anything on which you lack knowledge, feel free to ask.
Your recruiter should be your resource in the company and should be willing to spend the time with you to answer all your questions. This is also a good assessment tool in knowing how good a recruiter you may have been paired with, as those who do not have much experience may not know the answers, fumble through them, or even grow impatient with having to answer them. As much of your travel experience is dependent on having a great recruiter, you will want to assess this any time you begin with a new company. Whether or not you are with a good “company” is only half the battle — a recruiter matters a lot!
If you’d like any assistance with getting paired up with some great recruiters, feel free to email me at david@travelnursesbible.com
Hope this helps.
David
david@travelnursesbible.com
4 Ways Travel Nurses Can Keep Their Energy Up
To state the utterly obvious, nursing is exhausting work! And, as a Travel Nurse, you’re often just as on the go on your days off — out exploring the world and all the cool stuff to see and do around your current location. So how can a Travel Nurse keep his or energy up with everything they’ve got going on, both on and off the job?
Here are 4 ways Travel Nurses can keep their energy up:
Eat Right
I know it’s hard when you’re so busy, but try to make time to eat right and you’ll notice a payoff when it comes to your energy levels. Your body needs fuel to run, just like a car. And if you don’t eat enough or give it the right nutrition, that’s like putting sugar in the gas tank, so to speak. Think nuts — walnuts or almonds are great, whole grains, and protein. Also, don’t skip meals and make sure you get plenty of water to stay properly hydrated!
Exercise
I know you get plenty of exercise walking around on the job, but dedicate some time for yourself to exercise that’s just about you. It sounds counterintuitive when all you want to do is crash on the couch, but exercise is proven to help maintain overall energy levels. And it’s great mental exercise to be able to move your body when your brain isn’t focused on patient care. It’s a great time to take stock of your life or let your mind wander — it can be almost meditative. Whether you hit the gym, trail, or just take a stroll around your neighborhood, we promise you’ll feel better!
Coffee!
Tell me something I don’t know! Right? Most nurses have a close personal relationship with their java. Plus, every other study that comes out says coffee is good for your health. So, you’ve got about a 50/50 chance that you’re benefitting your health while also reviving yourself to take on the day (or night)! Can’t drink coffee? Try green tea. Most varieties have a lighter dose of caffeine and it’s a great option for those who are sensitive to coffee.
Chat With a Friend
Whether by phone, Skype, or in person, connecting with a friend is a great way to energize your mind and spirit — which also has a physical impact. Get in touch with someone you love, have a laugh, and catch up. Just connecting with someone else who gets you can be a real boon for your energy levels. No frenemies or toxic people — that will only backfire.
Do you have anything else to add to our list of 4 ways Travel Nurses can keep their energy up? Please share anything that works well for you in the comments!