In praise of the “super” traveling, volunteering nurse

In a nutshell, nursing is “altruism” defined, that being said, it’s still hard to imagine any nurse ever having the extra energy and time to further contribute to their local communities. There are always exceptions of course and if you find yourself to be one of those inexhaustible, philanthropist types, first, bless you and your foot masseuse. Second, I have dedicated this post to aid you in your quest to give back to your community, whether it be for Thanksgiving or any time you find yourself in the mood to spread the local love!

Volunteering is a very dynamic form of goodwill. There are about as many if not more forms of it than there are of nursing, with new areas being created almost yearly. You will quickly discover that just as you may have a specialty or specialties, in your nursing profession, many regular volunteers have a specialty in the manner they choose to volunteer with. There are some that don’t even possess any specific skill set or industry background; they just love the rush of helping others and donating time to their communities in any available capacity. Every community has a need for volunteers – churches, community groups, schools, city governments; all of which are usually woefully understaffed and underfunded, especially in today’s times of reoccurring budget cuts.

Chances are, if you are on a travel assignment you will often find yourself in new surroundings during the holidays you are probably more accustomed to being surrounded by good food, family and friends. The best traveling nurses know how to turn this potentially grievous situation on its head by turning the negatives into positives which is where volunteering can really pay off in terms of morale.
Hospitals are probably the first thing to come to mind for us and why shouldn’t they be? There are countless programs, in your assigned hospital, or somewhere else in town that would gladly welcome the extra care and set of hands. Volunteering at a hospital might be the most convenient form of volunteering simply because it doesn’t always require driving to another location.

Charities exist at the local and national levels; some are even multi-national! Finding your local chapter for a lot of charities is as easy as a basic web search, but sometimes smaller, more localized charities might require a phone book or a personal visit.

Just remember, nurses are busy, a lot of overtime and long days on our feet leave us with very little desire to do much else than curl up with a good book, our favorite shows or a relaxing hobby when we finally make it to our temporary homes. You are expected to want and allowed to have some “me time” – if not both career and private life would surely suffer. So make sure you are well rested and focused on your patients well-being and if you find yourself with a few hours of idle time you would like to donate to a local office or activity, contribute at a pace that keeps all facets of your life in a healthy balance.

I have compiled a list of community starting points and national organizations to consider whenever an assignment takes you out of your hometown. Happy Travels!
Local
Homeless shelters
Food banks
State Parks
City Programs
Hospitals
Animal Shelters
Senior Citizens
Adopt a highway
Library
Comm. Cleanup Days
National programs
Guideposts Sweater Project
Ronald McDonald House
Special Olympics
Goodwill stores
Habitat For Humanity
Salvation Army
United Way
Red Cross
Sierra Club
Meals on wheels
Coats for kids
Resources
Serve.gov
Volunteermatch.gov

The Budget Savvy Winter Wardrobe

As traveling nurses, admittedly, we’re pretty spoiled, getting to travel all over the country to amazing and unique destinations most only get to read about or see on tv. While some of us are self-proclaimed beach bums and seek warmer climate assignments where hot soups, furry boots and blankets aplenty are completely out of question, there may come that “can’t be missed” assignment that lands you ¬¬– gulp!, in a location that actually closes the pools in the fall and winter months.
Fret thee not my fellow sun-loving traveler, there is hope for you yet. The cardinal rule in preparing for a locale that frequently encounters colder climates is layering – learn to layer comfortably and you’ve mastered one of winter’s most fierce clothing challenges. However daunting and maddeningly expensive it may sound; there are several options available worth considering so that your budget is not left out in the cold.
First on the list and possibly the most wallet-friendly; consider asking friends and relatives if they have any old or underused winter apparel they wouldn’t mind lending to you for a particular assignment or permanently. You would probably be surprised to find out what most people have stowed away in their closets, attics or storage units that they will gladly lend or rid themselves of for the benefit of another. In the same free-giving spirit, a grassroots organization that has experienced significant growth in the last few years, Freecycle, aims to reduce landfill waste via Craigslist style, transaction-less giving. While we’re thinking about it, Craigslist may be another viable resource; featuring localized selling markets to keep further travel to a minimum.
Another way to keep your wallet warm and ease the numbing sticker shock of buying at full retail is to scour the aisles at thrift and consignment stores either in your community or the one you will eventually be traveling to. Garage and yard sales also present another low cost option for those who do not mind their gear a little second hand, who knows you might even find some skis too!
If you are of the more hands-on, fearless retail shopper variety and prefer to buy to your own tastes right off the rack, may I suggest buying after the holiday sales to find the best past season prices providing you have the opportunity to plan that far ahead. If you have less time to prepare and find yourself needing your winter wear in a more expedited fashion; campmor.com, sierratradingpost.com, reioutlet.com and altrec.com are some of the online apparel clearance sites you should familiarize yourself with as they usually always have top name gear at rock bottom prices. Great deals can be found if you don’t mind getting last season’s gear or colors. After all, you may decide all this winter stuff simply isn’t your mug of hot cocoa or the furry lining to your snow boot, or the – well you get the idea.
So I hope I have been able to bring you out of the cold on some more cost efficient winter clothing options. Remember, this is one of the perks of your profession, our country’s varied winter scenery features some of the most breathtaking sights found anywhere in the world and we should all take full advantage of their offerings if given the opportunity, albeit, safely and comfortably. Remember to dress accordingly with layering options when you will be exposed to the elements outside of your assignment’s walls and be prepared for wintry weather encounters with a winter car safety kit.
Life’s not always a beach, it’s just as fun to be a kid again and take a snow day! Safe Travels and remote start ignitions to you all!

Oregon — Fall in love with autumn all over again!

Oregon is a travel nursing destination worth discovering anytime of year… in fact the state is actually characterized by a diversity of climates almost unequaled in the U.S. But as true as this may be, picturing the state’s landscape, it’s hard not to favor the autumn season.

Carved by Ice Age floodwaters, the Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood area offers a breathtaking 80-mi landscape, which includes mountains and waterfalls. In early fall look for maple, tamarack, and aspen trees bursting with brilliant red and gold color. While here, an even better way to see the fabulous display is to let someone else do the driving — take the Mount Hood Railroad.

The Mount Hood Railroad even offers fall foliage train rides during Autumn Fest, giving train riders full access to the season’s vivid leaves from the comfort of a rumbling locomotive. You’ll depart from Mt. Hood Railroad Depot in Hood River and head in the direction of Parkdale, where the train stops for a layover of “live music, fresh produce, fine art” and the foliage of surrounding orchards and hills.

If you want to experience an entirely different side of fall then you have to move to the coast. Autumn at the Oregon Coast means the best weather of the year, with warm sunny days and less wind, during the “Second Summer.” Visitors who are lucky enough to come to the Newport area during the first part of autumn are sure to find adventure and fun with less foliage and more nature. Visitors can explore tidepools, watch seabirds, seals and whales, hike around the head or climb to the top of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, all in one location.

Visitors will find the tidepools at Cobble Beach accessible by a smooth paved path weaving its way into the area. Sea urchins, sea lemons, sea stars, anemones, barnacles, snails, crabs and small fish can be seen when viewing the tidepools. Visitors can also take the path around the natural area, stopping to view seals and sea lions at Seal Island. Harbor seals spend time on Seal Island, sunning themselves and resting. Seabirds can be seen at Colony Rock. During the annual whale migration along the Oregon Coast, gray whales are spotting traveling south in the winter and north in the spring. Watch for blows from the whales, towering from the water into the air. Yaquina Head is an excellent spot for whale watching.

Fall in Oregon’s big sky country features aspens in golden splendor, grand vistas, and a taste of the freedom of the open range. Take the Steens Mountain Loop Road as it gradually climbs up the less-steep west side, through grasslands and juniper forest. The road is gravel and rough in some places, so be careful and take your time enjoying the scenery.
Located east of Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon, the Fremont-Winema National Forests offer miles of scenic drives where the color is most spectacular in the lower, wetter areas of the forest.

The list of places to go to fall in love with Oregon during autumn could just keep going. Really the entire state offers something for everyone… it’s best to discover for yourself and find out what you like best.

“America’s Most Beautiful Drive” – The Pacific Coast Highway

For many a travel nurse, the road is our home away from home – but… there’s a catch. We don’t just mean each new destination where the job takes us – we mean the honest-to-goodness bumper-to-bumper, brake light busted, bottlenecked, and backed-up road itself!

That’s right – the hours we log on the blacktop are nearly as numerous as the time spent on the floor – and when you’re involved in a long-term relationship like that, you come to know every twist and turn. Speaking of which, there’s just one drive in America that’s simply too good to pass up (ok, ok, besides Route 66) and that is U.S. 101 – the Pacific Coast Highway.

Linking the southern tip of California all the way north to the furthest reaches of our border with Canada in the great state of Washington, this famous roadway has welcomed residents and travelers alike with its majestic mix of breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and lush woodlands and forests to its east. But the view isn’t the only thing that makes this drive a must – it’s the great variety of towns, activities, people and places that can be found off every exit that make this trek truly one to remember.

Any travel nurse looking for adventure, and especially those looking for the perfect excuse to put that convertible to good use, are going to fall in love with the drive that’s been called “America’s Best Free Attraction.” Better still, with travel nursing opportunities along the Pacific Northwest on the rise, now just might be the perfect time to cruise the scenery.

While the California leg of this journey will put you just a stone’s throw from the major metropolitan areas of San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, many of California’s most charming, albeit smaller, destinations reside along U.S. 101. Whether it’s the affluence of Santa Barbara, the mystique of Big Sur and the grandeur of the infamous Redwoods, or the allure of the vineyards in Napa Valley just to the east, much of the Pacific Coast Highway’s popularity stems from points of interest found in CA.

Though don’t think for a second that the good people of Oregon or Washington would have you believe the Pacific Coast Highway is only about California! The drive through Oregon alone is a near 365-mile stretch with hardly a moment where you’ll lose sight of the beautiful coastline and Pacific Ocean. The change of pace during this portion of the drive is welcome, with even smaller towns and quaint shops celebrating the great outdoor heritage of the region.

The same goes for the Washington leg of this road trip. Here, not only will you find awe-inspiring wildlife and greenery, but you’ll be amazed at the rugged ingenuity and people who populate this region – from Native American fishing villages to good old-fashioned lumber towns, the Pacific Coast Highway through WA is the perfect end to a long and satisfying journey. What are you waiting for? Find an assignment, fill up the tank and discover this American jewel for yourself.

National Parks – Start with one, then discover them all!

The natural beauty of our land inspired it’s own preservation. Artist George Catlin, while capturing the splendor of the wilderness on canvas, became concerned about it’s possible destruction. With the help of many other painters of the time, who slowly brought the unspoiled nature and spectacular natural areas into the public eye through works of art, came the idea and interest of saving such amazing spaces.
Today, the United States has 58 protected areas known as national parks, which are operated by the National Park Service. However, the National Park System is actually comprised of 392 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state (except Delaware), the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.
The very first national park was Yellowstone, which was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, followed by Sequoia and Yosemite in 1890. The Organic Act of 1916 created the National Park Service “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Since that time, the American people have entrusted the National Park Service (NPS) with the care of their national parks. With the help of volunteers and park partners, the NPS is proud to safeguard these nearly 400 places and to share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year.
For an area to be designated as a National Park it must be established by an act of the United States Congress. From the Badlands of South Dakota to the Everglades of Florida, from the Grand Canyon of Arizona to Mount Rainer of Washington, each and every state park offers a unique and rich natural surrounding.
Interesting Facts About Our National Parks:
• The largest National Park is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, AK – over 8,000,000 acres
• The smallest National Park is Hot Springs, AR, at less than 6,000 acres
• The most-visited national park is the Great Smoky Mountains, with over nine million visitors in 2008, followed by the Grand Canyon, with over four million.[
• Alaska and California have the most National Park, each with eight, followed by Utah with five and Colorado with four.
• The newest National Park is the Great Sand Dunes, CO established in 2004.
• The total area protected by national parks is approximately 51,900,000 acres
Ultimately, writer and historian Wallace Stegner said it best when he called national parks “the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.”
To find out specific information on each of our National Parks, visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm

Who Says There Ain’t No Cure for the Summertime Blues?

So you may have noticed the real “dog days” of summer are starting to kick in. After we’ve had our fill of backyard BBQ’s, fireworks and dips in the pool to beat the heat, it’s easy to sit back and let these long, lazy days slide by until fall arrives.
Fortunately for you, the Travel Girl’s been scouring the web for an eclectic list of summertime activities that skirt the norm and opt for something unique instead. Behold, a cure for the summertime blues!

Let’s start about as far away as you can get from those piercing UV rays and head indoors. While it’s possible to feel like you’re letting the day slip away by staying inside, there’s no shame in leaving the sunglasses and suntan to someone else (especially for us fair-skinned types!). Let the A/C unit work its magic and take up dancing lessons, a jewelry making course or perhaps wine tasting! The more you stray from the old standby’s of catching the latest summer blockbuster in theatres and spring for something that can teach you a new skill or dance step, the more fulfilled you’ll feel.

If you’re just too full of energy to be cooped up inside however, braving the outdoors can have its advantages. Take the normal water activities one step further and visit a coastal aquarium, where swimming with dolphins and sharks (safely, we promise) makes for one heck of a story to tell the family. Better still, if you’re on assignment away from the coast, lakeside jet ski rentals and other boating excursions are a great way to keep cool and give into the adventurer in you.

The most important thing to remember about rounding out your summer in style is to be responsible. The heat’s no joke – and we should know – treating patients for heat exhaustion and over-exposure to the sun becomes all too common place during these next few weeks and months. Of course, when we’re not busy caring for others, we’re caring for ourselves, and however you decide to enjoy your summer vacation, just remember you don’t have to suffer the high temps to have a good time! Have fun!

Good For You

Nurses know a thing or two about staying healthy. It’s just that travel nurses may know a few more! When you count up all the hours spent driving and being on assignment, it’s safe to say that a travel nurse becomes an expert at dealing with life on the road – and namely, how to maintain good health while doing it. To give you an idea of what it takes to treat the sick and injured without becoming, you know, sick or injured, here’s some tips!

Plan Accordingly

Even before the first (or next) assignment begins, it’s a good idea for any travel nurse to research their destination. If you’re headed to Miami in the middle of June, bring sunscreen. Boston in the winter? Yup, warm jacket. While the most obvious climates are usually the easiest to prepare for, it’s that extra effort that means the difference between catching something contagious or catching up on your leisure time activities. No one with allergies wants to show up unprepared in a city with high pollen count in spring. Do yourself a favor and do the research.

Travel Smart

Once you’re packed and ready to go, remember that your trip – and your mission to stay healthy – is just beginning. One essential travel companion is hand sanitizer. From the pumps at the gas stations to the public restrooms you’ll frequent along the way, it’s the perfect remedy to germs aplenty.

Another helpful travel tip towards better health is eating well. Don’t let the convenient lure of greasy and fried fast food joints fool you, they’re a road-trippers worst nightmare. It’s not easy to burn calories while sitting behind the wheel, and if you aren’t already making plans to pit stop along the way for exercise, it’s best to stick with low-fat and high-protein snacks. Better still, these healthier foods will keep you more alert when passing through that bottleneck rush-hour traffic!

Act Fast

Now that you’re in town and officially “on assignment,” your routines for staying healthy will have to adapt to your new surroundings. If you do happen to find yourself coming down with something (and let’s face it – it’s going to happen), it’s easy to pick yourself right back up – if you act fast! When a sore throat creeps in, try an old stand-by like ginger ale or chicken soup. For the sniffles, maybe a nice hot shower helps do the trick to clear up the sinuses. Every little bit helps, and every second you save before letting a sickness linger is worth it.

By following a few simple steps, you can make your next travel nursing trip a healthy and happy experience. Better still, here in the midst of April, the only “spring fever” you’ll come down with will be the kind that boosts your energy and lifts y

Healthcare Reform – What it means for Nurses

As the nation’s most extensive social legislation in 40 years, there’s no doubt the healthcare reform bill signed into law this past March is a huge deal for many Americans. Yet amidst the media frenzy surrounding the uninsured, pre-existing conditions, and those in opposition of reform, the impact this new legislation has on the nursing profession shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle. After all, we are the largest single group of clinical healthcare professionals in the country!

To help you make sense of what the bill means for nurses in the near future and beyond, it’s important to remember that the American Nurses Association (ANA) has been championing healthcare reform for the past 20 years. Clearly, the need for change has been a long time coming, and while specific issues under the umbrella of healthcare reform continue to inspire lively and necessary debate, we as nurses must learn to adapt to the changes on our doorstep.

Perhaps the most sweeping changes reside in patient care – namely, the fact that patients will now have greater protection against losing or being denied coverage while also having better access to primary care and prevention programs. At a purely ethical level, nurses will be pleased to know that their care will now reach a much wider audience and that their positive impact on the lives of millions more is now possible.

To that end, the new healthcare bill includes key legislation that seeks to expand the nursing workforce by amending the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. It stands to reason that our numbers must increase as the number of patients we treat also rises. Quite simply, this means more job opportunities for current and future nurses – and with a bigger voice – even more change for the better becomes possible. Furthermore, more aid to nursing programs means more nurses will be directed to areas of greater need, including departments of public health and community health centers.

Next, the healthcare reform bill recognizes the importance of advanced practice registered nurses and their essential role in ensuring primary care. The bill increases reimbursement for nurse midwives and recognizes nurse practitioners as leaders of medical home coordinated care models. The support given to nurse-managed health centers also sees positive support and new guidelines within the framework of the bill.

To truly understand the impact of the new healthcare reform bill, we also urge you to click here to read the ANA’s comprehensive rundown and explanations of ALL the legislation that directly affects nurses.

Ultimately, as caregivers, our primary concerns lie in the quality of our service to patients. What works needs to be strengthened, what doesn’t needs to be done away with or revised for the better. Learning to adapt to these changes and making them work for us so that we can work for others is key to the bill’s success. Our representation in society is strong and our voice has been heard. Now let’s keep up the good work!

It’s no trade off to attend a trade show.

When most people think of trade shows, nursing probably isn’t the first profession that comes to mind… we tend to think of travel and tourism, fashion, and the auto industries. However, when you consider the purpose behind trade shows and conferences – to further your knowledge and learn breaking trends in the industry – it makes perfect sense that nursing is a major player.

The healthcare industry as a whole is very volatile; it is constantly changing and progressing. As a result, more and more shows and conferences have emerged for various nursing specialties. Trade shows present a great opportunity to learn about new and cutting-edge products and services that have not even hit the hospitals yet. They may also present new possibilities when it comes to where you want to work. You may visit booths of different hospitals or healthcare systems or even learn more about the exciting field of travel nursing.

Attending trade shows and conferences might be a tough sell in today’s economy, but when pitching your boss or even convincing yourself it’s money well spent, it’s worth remembering that these are definitely the best way to stay ahead of the curve. Once you do get time off, it’s important to make sure you network properly and get the most out of your experience at the trade show.

The very first thing you should is register in advance for the show or conference you plan on attending. Doing this should provide you with a list of vendors who will be attending. Once you have a list of vendors, you can go over it and make decisions on which ones you would like to meet with. Have an “A” list and “B” list… the A’s being those vendors you absolutely want to talk to in person and the B’s can be those you want to meet with if you have time. You should never be nervous about going up to a trade show exhibit. That is what it is there for, to meet you and people like you.

Sometimes trade shows will offer seminars and workshops. These are very important for you to attend because they will educate you on a new product or service and give you first-hand demonstrations and face-to-face information.

One more thing you might want to do to get the most out of your trade show experience… get there early and do a once over. Try to cruise through quickly and undisturbed. The booths are devoid of people at this time and you can get a good overview. While you do this, carry a small pad and take notes that will help you remember the important things.

Overall, trade shows are worth experiencing. They will open your mind to many things you might have never thought of before.

Send the price of your ski vacation downhill

One of the luxuries of being a travel nurse is that you get to pick and choose where to spend your winters, springs, summers and falls! This can really work in your favor if you have a hobby that requires a certain climate, such as skiing.

As it is, ski vacations can be expensive and in this economy that can really be a deal breaker. However, as a travel nurse you have an unfair advantage. You can work in, or close to, a ski town for the entire ski season. Plus, it gets better because you can actually live rent-free too! Of course, even with your lodging covered there are additional ways to ski & save. Just follow the simple suggestions listed below and there is no doubt you’ll feel uplifted when heading downhill.

1. Ski on the off days and off season- As a nurse there is good chance you’ll be working 12-hour shifts which could leave you with some mid-weekdays off. These are better days to hit the slopes because you’ll avoid the crowds that were only there to ski a long weekend. You can also book a 13-week assignment that will have you there during late fall and early spring, which are not part of the high-peak season but still offer up awesome powder. January is also a good time to be on assignment because by mid month the holiday rush is over.

2. Book assignments in lesser know ski towns- Some of the world’s most obscure mountains boast the best terrain. Utah is a paradise for frugal skiers, with the affordable Brighton, Snowbasin, and Solitude resorts all near Salt Lake City! Other resorts that promise to give you no-strings-attached value include Mad River in Vermont, and Mount Baker in Washington.

3. Clip coupons- Yes that’s right. Even skiers can partake in this ritual usually associated with “Soccer Moms” and “PTA Presidents.” You can start by visiting skicoupons.com.

4. Don’t let getting up the mountain be an uphill battle- Lift ticket prices can be expensive. The good news is that “skiers in the know” never pay full price. So how do you get and stay “in the know”? Simple. Online ski forums where ski employees often hook members up with discounts. Ski clubs are also a great way to get special offers. Credit Cards, American Express in particular, are very good about allowing cardholders to redeem their points for ski packages. And finally, get gas. Believe it or not local ski town gas stations often offer discount lift tickets when you fill up your tank.

5. Surf before you Ski- Search the internet regularly for deals. There is no other better way. Ski deals are not normally aired on TV stations or radio stations. It is very rare. You will have to make searches yourself. Go to Google.com or Yahoo.com and type the search phrase “ski discounts”. You will be amazed at the vast results you will get. In fact, there’s a go chance you’ll be able to pick and choose the offer that’s best for you.

Ultimately, skiing is great fun but we guarantee that the more you save the better the experience will be.