08.03.14
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A Travel Nurse Volunteer in Liberia: The Adventure Continues

The Gypsy Nurse is heading to Liberia with Cross Cultural Care As you probably already read, The Gypsy Nurse is volunteering in Liberia.  I plan to bring you along with me; virtually and give you a ‘feet on the ground’ accounting of the entire process. CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS SEGMENTS OF THIS SERIES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO […]

The post A Travel Nurse Volunteer in Liberia: The Adventure Continues appeared first on The Gypsy Nurse.

08.01.14
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Are You Addicted to Travel?

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Travel Nurse on mountaintop

Travel Nursing makes you feel on top of the world!

Happy Friday, Travel Nurses!

I came across a BuzzFeed listicle (one of the site’s popular list-based articles) this week that made me think of you. “24 Signs You Are Completely Addicted To Travel” had several points that match the attitudes of most Travel Nurses, such as:

#7 — You can’t imagine staying in the same city your entire life.

#8 — In fact, you can barely imagine staying in the same city for a whole year.   

#13 — Nothing makes you happier than the feeling toy get when embarking on a new adventure.   

#23 — You believe that home is wherever you want it to be.

Several people in the comments remark that they identify with the list, but that for them it’s all fantasy due to a lack of finances to fund their travels. That’s what’s so awesome about Travel Nursing! You get to have your travel and get paid for it too.

Sure, it’s the passion for nursing that gets you started in the industry, but often it’s the passion for new locations and adventure that steer RNs towards Travel Nursing. And, honestly, it’s an amazing opportunity that’s pretty unique to nurses. (Trust me, I’m jealous!)

So, travel addicts, where have you been that really got you hooked and made you want to travel more? Let us know in the comments.

08.01.14
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Grand Itasca negotiations ‘respectful’

Negotiations between nurses and Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids were marked by ‘mutual respect’ this spring, leading to a new contract that benefits nurses and patients.

“We had very respectful bargaining,” said Grand Itasca Bargaining Unit Chair Pam Nordstrom. “Negotiations moved more smoothly and we won some major improvements for members.”

“We always tried to keep patients at the forefront during negotiations,” said bargaining committee member Carol Forneris. “We wanted to ensure quality staff, because that goes hand in hand with good patient care. “

Members ratified the new contract on June 16. It includes:

  • 6.5 percent raises for hospital RNs over three years;
  • 8 percent raises for clinic RNs over three years;
  • Staffing language that supports acuity and nursing intensity. MNA and Grand Itasca will develop staffing plans that take patient care needs/acuity, unit census, and skill level of professional nursing staff into account. Grand Itasca will consider input from the charge nurses or primary care nurses when making staffing decisions.
  • Language that preserves the union if the hospital’s ownership changes.