Volume 16 Number 2 - June 27th

As a travel nurse, you’re familiar with moving. A lot. With the help of Access Nurses, every 13 weeks you pack up your life and head off to a new travel nursing adventure, where you’ll try to create a comfortable living space all over again. Though it would be easy to forgo decorating and just accept your surroundings, why not embrace your temporary residence and make it something special—a place you want to come back to after a long shift at the hospital?Adding pizzazz to your décor doesn’t have to be a strenuous or expensive activity. Here are some simple and inexpensive tricks for going from blah to beautiful and turning your travel nursing housing into a home.Use Nature as Decoration.
Owning house plants as a travel nurse isn’t very practical. Even silk plants can be annoying to take with you when you move every few months. But that doesn’t mean you need to forgo color and life in your apartment. Having a fresh vase full of flowers will add a burst of color and cheer when you walk into the room. You can make a fun and edible decoration by using big bowls of fruit as centerpieces. Or, bottle up beach sand and sea shells from your coastal travel nurse assignment and display it as artwork.

Little Changes, Big Difference.
Since free housing and furniture are part of the travel nurse package, you don’t need to break the bank to make your apartment pop; it’s all about accessorizing. Little changes like adding a floor rug or adding some throw pillows can make a big difference and show off your personality and creativity too. Look for reasonably-priced rugs, lamps and other home decor at local craft fairs, flea markets and thrift stores.

Do-it-Yourself Artwork.
As a travel nurse, you may not be looking to invest in expensive art, but you don’t have to settle for bare, white walls either. You can create unique and personal artwork to adorn your apartment. Fill a shadow box with mementos from previous travel assignments to hang on the wall. Frame unusual items from your travels like maps from your road trip through Arizona or a subway ticket from a weekend trip to New York. Design a collage of your favorite travel nursing snapshots.

Clear Out the Clutter.
This may sound like a cleaning tip, but it’s actually an easy and cheap decorating tip. Clearing the counters and surfaces—from the piles of mail in the entry way to the clothes and knick-knacks scattered in every room—will give your apartment a clean and modern upgrade. Besides, clutter and a mobile lifestyle just don’t mix. Designate areas for all of your belongings, like having a basket for mail and magazines or only displaying your favorite pictures and collectibles and storing the rest in a closet.

Now playing on NurseTV!

Caring for the Wounded A burn survivor herself, this amazing burn and wound care nurse is helping those with painful injuries overcome their physical and emotional challenges.

A Robot in the OR Named after the legendary inventor, the da Vinci Surgical System is using robotics to transform how surgeries are performed.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, is made up of mostly charming residential areas and friendly residents. But mixed in with the neighborhoods, is an extensive downtown skyline and a fantastic variety of attractions and entertainment, including botanical gardens, historic plantations, museums and art centers. Experience the diversity of the city with the many restaurants and cultural fairs throughout the year.
Weather: Summer: High: 83, Low: 63 Winter: High: 61, Low: 39
Population: 664,332
Nearby Cities: Gastonia, Hickory, Albemarle


Hot Jobs Contact your recruiter or call Access Nurses at 1-866-687-7390 to inquire about the following jobs!Charlotte, North Carolina
ICU
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Elk City, Oklahoma
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
CCU and ICU
Positions: Six
Shift: 8-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Santa Barbara, California
ICU
Positions: Eight
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Sacramento, California
ER
Positions: Five
Shift: 12-hour variable
Start Date: July 7

Atchison, Kansas
L&D
Positions: Two
Shift: Days and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Bel Air, Maryland
IMC
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Westminster, Colorado
ER
Shift: 12-hour days, evenings and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Columbia, Missouri
CICU and Step-Down
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Amarillo, Texas
Psych
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Bakersfield, California
NICU
Positions: Three
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Las Vegas, Nevada
ER
Positions: Two
Shift: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Riverside, California
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Englewood, Colorado
PCU
Positions: One
Shift: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Featured Forum Topic

Best Travel Companies

Can anyone shed some light on the best travel companies to work for? I’m looking for top pay and consistent communication. Thanks for any help!

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Humor

Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly, with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which relate to your profession.

Volume 16 Number 1 - June 20th

Nursing without Borders

In her first nursing experience outside the U.S., former travel nurse Kathy W.H. journeyed to Iraq, where she works as an Occupational Health nurse.
Kathy W.H.’s nursing skills go beyond the borders of the United States. After working in healthcare as an LPN, RN and travel nurse for nearly 30 years, she’s taken her nursing skills overseas to Baghdad, Iraq.Now, she works as a civilian contractor for Comprehensive Health Services (CHS), a leading independent workforce health management company, doing Occupational Health. She is one of four medical personnel with CHS to administer physicals to Iraq citizens.“This is a major accomplishment here in Iraq because medical care is not the greatest for the Iraq citizens,” said Kathy, a 50-year-old mother of two from Chattanooga, Tenn. “The citizens are so grateful for this medical care and express their appreciation for each and everything we do for them. They never forget your name or the kindness that you have showed to them.”When a friend encouraged her to apply for the job, Kathy took a chance and submitted an application online. After being accepted, she spent a week living in barracks training with the military through the CRC, including instruction on what to do in case she is taken hostage. Armed with the bare essentials—a six-month supply of medicine, basic toiletries and the CHS-issued uniforms—Kathy began her journey.

“Every day I pray and ask God to help me in this new venture and to help make it successful,” said Kathy. “In my heart, something told me it was meant to be. I wanted to see how things were handled in a time of war, especially medical care.”

A typical day for Kathy starts at 8 a.m., when she comes to the office to set up before beginning the physicals. For Iraqis who pass a written and oral language test and the security CI screening, Kathy gives a complete physical exam, including drug screenings and blood tests. She works 12 hours a day, six days a week, plus she’s on call 24 hours a day.

“It has been really interesting [being] a part of getting everything set up. We walked in with only the supplies CHS had for us. Starting from the ground up was a great experience…something that will help me in my career on down the road.”

Kathy has worked in a variety of nursing specialties, but this is her first time working as an RN outside the U.S. Her contract is for a year, and she plans to extend for another year before returning to work as a travel nurse for Access Nurses.

“I only worked with Access Nurses for six months, but it was a great six months,” she said.

Until then, Kathy is grateful for her current situation and her experience thus far.

“This has been one of the most rewarding jobs in my career,” she said. “Always meeting someone new and with a different story to share with you—stories of happiness and sadness—but ones that will always be with you the rest of your life. My heart only gets larger every time I hear one of those stories.”

Special Delivery on NurseTV Go inside the NICU at Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas and watch the dedicated nursing staff care for newborn triplets.

Travel Nursing in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a booming metropolis, packed with many world-class museums and restaurants. Chicago is not only Illinois largest city, it s the third most populous in the nation. With big cities come a variety of entertainment and diverse culture. There are dozens of comedy clubs, music venues and performance theatres. Be sure to check out a sports game; after all, Chicago has four major professional teams to choose from (Bears, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox).
Weather: Summer: High: 76, Low: 56 Winter: High: 44, Low: 28
Population: 2,873,790
Nearby Cities: Evanston, Wheaton, Geneva



Travel Nursing Hot Jobs Contact your recruiter or call Access Nurses at 1-866-687-7390 to inquire about the following jobs!Chicago, Illinois
Cath Lab
Shift: 12-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Rancho Mirage, California
Open Heart Recovery
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Brooklyn, New York
Endoscopy/GI Lab
Positions: Eight
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Anaheim, California
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Charleston, South Carolina
OR
Positions: One
Shift: Variable days
Start Date: ASAP

Augusta, Georgia
Burn ICU
Positions: Four
Shift: Two days and two nights, with rotating
Start Date: ASAP

Englewood, Colorado
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Taos, New Mexico
OR and Med Surg
Positions: Two
Shift: Flexible 12-hour
Start Date: ASAP

Westminster, Colorado
Neuro Trauma ICU
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Peach Springs, Arizona
Ambulatory Care and Out Patient
Positions: One
Shift: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Start Date: June 27

Pinion, Arizona
ER, Urgent Care, Ambulatory and Out Patient
Positions: Three
Shift: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Richmond, Virginia
Case Management and Utilization Review
Positions: Two
Shift: 8 and 10-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Orlando, Florida
OR and CVOR
Positions: Three
Shift: 8-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Redlands, California
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Homer, Arkansas
OB/GYN
Positions: Two
Shift: Nights
Start Date: End of June

Kansas City, Missouri
NICU
Positions: Four
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Atchison, Kansas
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Featured Forum Topic

Travel Nursing with a Family

I am a fairly new nurse thinking about travel nursing to find just the right place to settle down with the family. We want to move somewhere warm. Any ideas?

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Humor

Life is either a great adventure or nothing.

-Helen Keller

Volume 15 Number 9 - June 13th

Fast-paced schedules, demanding shifts and long hours—Oh, the life of a nurse on the job. Nursing professionals are at high risk for experiencing feelings of burnout. But you can fight through the stresses and rejuvenate your career through travel nursing. Read on to learn how you can be a nurse who chooses to kick the nursing blues to the curb and get back to your energetic, motivated and passionate self again by becoming a travel nurse.Open yourself up.
Travel nursing exposes you to a variety of staffs, personalities and cultures during your assignments. Don’t shy away from developing friendships at work. Your coworkers are the ones who know firsthand what you encounter day in and day out at the hospital. Forming a bond with your fellow staff will create a warmer environment and make work a more inviting place. And as a travel nurse, you have the luxury of being selective of your working environment when accepting your assignments.Move your body.
Sure you’re constantly on the move at the hospital, but it’s important to engage in activities outside of work too. Travel nurses enjoy a flexible work schedule that allows ample time for fun and play when you’re off the clock. Whether you enjoy running, playing basketball, bike riding or rock climbing—you’ll have the time to do it all. Plus, working out is a great stress-reliever which will help you stay focused and motivated.

Learn to relax.
You’re going to experience stress as a nurse; that’s a given. But one of the great benefits of travel nursing is the freedom you’ll feel. You have a recruiter and travel liaison to guide you through the ins and outs of your assignment, from start to finish. They take care of the work, so you can focus on the job you love and the free time you need. You can relax knowing that you have a team of dedicated travel specialists there to ensure you have the best assignment possible.

Explore new challenges.
Stress has a harder time grabbing hold of the nurse who’s always seeking new adventures in her career. You can avoid stress buildup by embracing variety—whether in job location or nursing specialty. Travel nursing provides a unique opportunity for RNs to avoid monotony in a nursing career. The traveling nurse lifestyle is a breath of fresh air for nurses stuck in a rut. You can enjoy different work environments, plus experience cities all over the country while giving your career a much-needed boost.

Now playing on NurseTV!

From Scrubbing to Scrubs See how an accomplished surgical nurse went from scrubbing the OR floors as a janitor to running the operating room.

City to See!

Travel Nursing in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is renowned for its unique culture and the city hosts a number of fun fairs. Another favorite is the Charleston Maritime Festival, featuring the Charleston to Bermuda Race. Explore the history of Charleston through a wide variety of museums and architecture. Plus, because of the city’s rich culture, be sure to check out the numerous fantastic restaurants integrating the flavors of West African, southern American and French cuisine.
Weather: High: 76, Low: 55
Population: 118,270
Nearby Cities: North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Hanaham


Hot Travel Nursing Jobs Contact your recruiter or call Access Nurses at 1-866-687-7390 to inquire about the following jobs!Charleston, South Carolina
OR
Positions: One
Shift: Variable day shift
Start Date: ASAP

Englewood, Colorado
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Torrance, California
NICU
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

San Jose, California
Cath Lab
Positions: One
Shift: 8 to 10-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

San Francisco, California
ICU and Tele
Positions: Two
Shift: Rotating 12-hour shifts
Start Date: ASAP

Bakersfield, California
PACU
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Chico, California
ER
Positions: Two
Shift: Days and evenings
Start Date: ASAP

Rochester, New York
ICU
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Ketchum, Idaho
L&D, PP and Mother Baby
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Chicago, Illinois
Peds Float
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Silverdale, Washington
Nursery
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Sun City, Arizona
ICU
Positions: Four
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Kansas City, Missouri
L&D, Post Partum and Mother Baby
Positions: Four
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Anchorage, Alaska
LPN (Outpatient Clinic)
Positions: One
Shift: 7:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Start Date: July 7

Billings, Montana
ICU
Positions: Five
Shift: Nights and weekends
Start Date: ASAP

Featured Forum Topic

Seeking Advice from Experienced Travelers

Hey all of you experienced travelers! I am looking for any info you may want to give on what to ask a new facility before you accept an assignment. Thanks!

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Humor

“If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best effort, eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you are ready for greater challenges.”
Pat Riley

Volume 15 Number 8 - June 6th

It’s impossible to ignore the cost of gas anymore. The prices aren’t just slowly sneaking up every few months; now they are making noticeable leaps every couple of days. And it’s the same in every state across the country. If you aren’t already feeling the effects in your wallet, it’s only a matter of time.As a travel nurse, do you really want to spend all of your hard-earned paycheck at the gas pump? Wouldn’t you rather put that money toward a weekend getaway, a new gadget or some other luxury? Travel nurses have the unique advantage to elude the rising cost of gas. Travel nursing offers RNs the opportunity to work in public transit-friendly areas and opting for alternate modes of transportation, which will do yourself, your wallet and the environment a favor.Choosing to take public transportation is an obvious cost-efficient alternative to driving a personal automobile. You will also save on time spent stuck in traffic. Subway and metro systems in New York City and Washington D.C. are well-known for their convenience in transporting locals and tourists all over the city. You’ll feel more like a local in both New York and D.C. since the percentage of residents who use public transportation is 54 percent and 34 percent, respectively.

You can also partake in public transportation above ground like buses in Chicago and street cars in San Francisco. The bus and street car routes reach all corners of these big cities, making it easy for you to get from home to work, work to home and all the other places in between. Purchasing a monthly pass will save you even more money, and you won’t have to worry about dealing with traffic. Bring a book or your iPod with you and just enjoy the ride.

Save money and get a workout during your commute, by taking a travel assignment in biker-friendly cities like Portland and Boulder. Biking is like walking for residents in these cities. With miles of bike paths and a high percentage of bike commuters, you’ll want to grab a helmet and ride right along side the locals. And since you aren’t confined to any bus or subway schedule, you have the freedom to travel where and when you want.

Not ready to make the transition into alternate commuter travel? Access Nurses makes it easy for nurses who want to take their cars with them on assignment. In addition to working with the best properties, Access Nurses places nurses in convenient housing located near the healthcare facility. So you can still keep the amount of time spent in the car to a minimum during your travel assignment.

No matter how you choose to cut back on fill-ups at the gas station, travel nursing makes it easy. Talk to your recruiter about finding a travel nursing assignment in a public transit-friendly city. And your wallet will appreciate the effort too.

Hot Travel Nursing  Jobs Contact your recruiter or call Access Nurses at 1-866-687-7390 to inquire about the following jobs!Thousand Oaks, California
OR
Positions: One
Shift: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Witchita, Kansas
OR
Positions: Two
Shift: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

San Jose, California
Cath Lab
Positions: One
Shift: 8 and 10-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Chicago, Illinois
Tele
Positions: One
Shift: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Taos, New Mexico
OR and Med Surg
Shift: Flexible 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Westminster, Colorado
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Sonora, California
Med Surg
Positions: Five
Shift: Rotating
Start Date: June 10

Dayton, Ohio
Tele
Positions: Four
Shift: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Tucson, Arizona
ER
Positions: Two
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: July 7

Manhattan, New York
ICU
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: June 30

Featured Forum Topic

Owning a Home as a Traveler

I was wondering if you all keep your house as you travel? Thanks so much. I have traveled before, I just never owned a house while I did it.

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Humor

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
~ Brian Tracy