25 June 2009 - 9:45
By Terry McDermott
As is painfully obvious to members of the travel nursing industry, the demand for travel nurses has declined significantly. This downturn in demand is directly related to the current economic conditions which has forced many nurses back into the workforce and prompted many travel nurses to seek permanent positions. Consequently, there are less job openings and less need for travel nurses to fill gaps during the hiring process or during seasonal upswings.
This situation is a relief for hospital staffing administrators as the pool of available nursing candidates expands and openings are filled quickly and with high quality personnel. But the apparent easing of the ongoing nursing shortage could be a smokescreen that worsens the situation down the road.
According to an article in Modern Healthcare, more than a few healthcare executives are concerned that the current abundant pool of nurse candidates could present a false sense of security among administrators and send the wrong signal to those who aspire to a nursing career.
A quote from the Chief Nursing Officer of Providence Health & Services provides keen insight into the challenges facing healthcare employers. Said Deborah Burton, CNO at Providence, “To those who don’t take the long view in workforce planning, it looks like everything is better—when, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.”
The article cites numerous statistics that make it very clear that the current situation is better but the nursing shortage is far from being solved. In fact, the significant decline in job openings for nurses could have the effect of worsening the problem in the long run. Those nurses having difficulty finding a position could leave the profession and students hearing about the lack of opportunities may decide to pursue a different career. This could prove disastrous given the demographic trends in both the general and nursing populations.
The simple fact is that the baby boomers will be taxing the healthcare system as they age. And with the average age of an RN pushing 50 years old, it is not hard to project that patient census will be going up and the nursing population will be going down as more nurses hit retirement age. If the current employment situation discourages students from pursuing a nursing career, there will be major challenges in the future.
I strongly encourage you to read this article in Modern Healthcare. Our feeling is that, even though it is more challenging finding travel nursing jobs right now, the nursing shortage has just been temporarily camouflaged and may be worse than ever when the economy turns around.
To quote Cynthia Kinnis, president of the healthcare staffing division at Clinical One, “Administrators who have been around for a long time will know that it always comes back with a vengeance.”
Bad news for healthcare administrators. Good news for travel nurses! Pursue a career as a travel nurse and find your travel nursing job today! Or take a minute to learn more about the nursing shortage.
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20090518/SUB/905159977
Terry McDermott is VP of Marketing for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses. Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.
No Comments | Tags: Nursing Schools, Nursing Shortage, Nursing Shortage Solutions, Special Nurses, Travel nursing jobs, nursing issues
11 June 2009 - 9:51
By Erica Ronchetti
It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is becoming increasingly demanding for nurses and traveling nurses, who must now care for the rising numbers of aging baby boomers and other health care demanders. In contrast, the number of prospective nurses and nursing students who will become professional nurses and travel nurses is decreasing, despite the growing community of people who require health care and medical assistance. Travel nurse agencies have been a remedy for this widening gap between patients, nurses, and travel nurses. They provide nursing staff for hospitals and other healthcare services, and fulfill both patients and facilities needs.
Many schools and universities are experiencing a significant shortage of students who are studying to become professional nurses. There are insufficient numbers of these students compared to the increasing demands of the United States population and their projected healthcare needs. Over past years, there has been little to no maintenance of nursing student enrollment levels, and now 73% of Americans acknowledge that this shortage of nurses is a concern, and one that is on the rise.
Companies like Travel Nurse Source and other travel nursing agencies have been developed to address this growing need for healthcare professionals and provide solutions for nurses who are interested in traveling and healthcare facilities who need to fill staffing gaps. Travel Nurse Source operates with the nursing shortage directly in mind, staffing hospitals and facilities across the country to prevent the worsening nursing shortage in the USA. Travel nurse agencies are not a new occurrence; they’ve been in existence for almost two decades with the aim to solve staffing shortages, mainly in facilities that have employee and population turnover based on the seasonal changes.
In light of the nursing shortage, pursuing a career as a travel nurse or finding travel nurse employment has become a good opportunity for stability and professional growth. Travel nurses can travel all over the US and nursing assignments last from 90 days up to six months, depending on the specific contract. The travel nursing job can be in a variety of states or regions and facilities, and that is up to the nurse to choose. Salaries for nurses who choose a travel nursing career tend to be on average, higher then nurses who stay in one location or healthcare venue. Excelling housing benefits go along with the competitive salary, as well as health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits that travel nurse agencies offer.
Companies like Travel Nurse Source are indeed valuable assets for the healthcare industry. To learn more about travel nursing jobs and travel nurse employment, visit our website! Travel Nurse Source offers exciting travel nursing employment opportunities, such as travel nurse jobs Hawaii, California travel nursing, Florida travel nursing, New York travel nursing, and travel nursing in Alaska!
Erica Ronchetti is Account Manager for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses. Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.
No Comments | Tags: Nurse Educators, Nursing Schools, Nursing Shortage, Nursing Shortage Solutions, Nursing Students, Special Nurses, Travel Nurse Agency, Travel Nurse Destinations, Travel nursing jobs, nurse compensation, nursing issues
3 June 2009 - 9:41
By Erica Ronchetti
A travel nursing job is unlike any other form of business traveling assignment. Generally, if you are traveling for any other business purpose, there is not much time for relaxation, sight-seeing, dining out, shopping, or other enjoyable activities. You’d be expected to spend most of your trip sitting in on important business meetings or getting the latest information about your industry at a trade show or convention. Travel nursing is altogether different, as your job allows for plenty of free time to experience your destination’s beauty, culture, and unique charm. Why? Because when you accept a travel nursing job you actually live for an extended period of time in the area you select.
Another aspect of a travel nurse employment that nurses find enjoyable is the opportunity to combine travel nursing with a traveling mindset, specifically meeting new people. Other nurses enjoy the challenges presented by working in different locations. In addition to meeting new people and enjoying different locations, active travel nurses have the chance to experience many great nursing opportunities in many different facilities around the United States. By embarking upon a travel nurse career, you not only gain extremely valuable nursing experience in different settings and different working environments, but also begin to develop a broad mind set and excellent nursing skills. Travel nursing will take you to some of the top medical facilities in the United States. Many travel nurses feel it is important to share their skills, knowledge, and compassion with people from all over the country. Seeing the country and making a difference in people’s lives, in addition to gaining a quality and diverse nursing education, are reasons to consider a travel nursing career and contact a recruiting agency.
A travel nursing career is the best idea for fulfilling your love for travel and love for nursing. Popular destinations include California travel nursing, travel nurse jobs Hawaii, travel nursing Alaska, Florida travel nursing, and New York travel nursing. During time away from the facility you work at, you can roam around and soak up local culture, shop, and experience fantastic local sporting events and entertainment.
Now is an excellent time to learn more about the many wonderful opportunities travel nursing has to offer you and your career. Visit www.travelnursesource.com for more information.
Travel nurses, what other travel nursing advantages can you think of?
Erica Ronchetti is Account Manager for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses. Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.
No Comments | Tags: Nursing Schools, Travel Nurse Destinations, Travel nursing jobs, nurse compensation
27 May 2009 - 10:23
By Erica Ronchetti
Before signing up to travel the United States as a travel nurse, there are several important things you may be interested to know. Travel nursing can be extremely rewarding as well as enjoyable; a paid vacation to the beaches of Hawaii and California is certainly appealing but before departing on your next travel nursing job, take a minute to read the following information.
Salary is very different from typical hospital employment. Travel nurses are paid significantly higher hourly wages then staff nurses who work at hospitals. The reason travel nurses are paid larger salaries is because of the “sacrifices” they make to uproot their lives and work away from their families and homes. Placed in an attractive location, many nurses don’t see their travel nursing assignment as sacrifices, and many enjoy their days off enjoying gorgeous scenery, excellent weather, and interesting culture. When negotiating salary with your travel nurse agency, make sure they are willing to negotiate the highest rate of pay before you sign any contracts to a travel nursing assignment. Certainly don’t feel pressured to accept the first travel offer that comes your way; you may be able to find a better one. It might be good to compare different agencies and select the one willing to assist your move, provide you with a competitive salary, and perhaps even a monthly housing stipend.
Here are some important questions to consider asking your travel nurse agency before starting a travel nursing assignment:
1. Does the travel nurse agency I’m considering guarantee my travel assignment in writing?
2. What hours will I be working? Are these hours guaranteed?
3. How often will I get paid? (Weekly, bi-weekly, etc…)
4. Will the travel nurse agency help me pay for my move?
Travel nurses with experience: do you agree or disagree? If you’re an experienced travel nurse and can provide any additional information or useful questions novice travel nurses might need to know, don’t hesitate to post a response or comment.
Erica Ronchetti is Account Manager for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses. Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.
No Comments | Tags: Travel Nurse Agency, Travel Nurse Blogs, Travel Nurse Characters, Travel Nurse Destinations, Travel nursing jobs
26 May 2009 - 10:24
By Erica Ronchetti
If you’ve avoided travel nursing jobs because you were unwilling to leave your loved ones behind, then be sure to read this article. Not only do travel nurses get to visit many exciting locations and meet new people all over the country, they can do so while earning a considerable salary. Re-location can be pretty frequent as travel assignments typically run for about 13 weeks. The good news is despite the relatively long time span of assignments, many travel nurse agencies do take into account that nurses have families and are willing to work out arrangements that are accommodating.
If you have children, you can still be a successful travel nurse. There are even advantages to travel nursing that will positively affect your children’s lives, such as providing them the opportunity to experience many parts of the country. While your children get to travel, your successful nursing career will provide you with an excellent salary and benefits. Travel nursing salaries are usually 10%-15% higher than typical pay of regular staff nurses. In addition to the higher salary, recruiting agencies are sometimes able to provide free housing for your family, or assist you in locating additional rooms or alternative housing for family members.
Other agencies try to provide travel nurses with placements customized to their individual lifestyles and requirements, such as flexible shift times that allow them to spend more time with their families. Often times travel nurses choose to home school their children and married couples who both travel have the option to arrange their work schedules so that one of them is home to take care of kids while the other is on a travel nursing assignment. There are even some travel nurse jobs that last up to 9 months so that a child would be able to attend the same school for an entire year. It’s possible that with some research and scheduling, a traveling nurse can have a great career while raising their family.
Due to the ongoing nursing shortage, there is a huge demand for qualified nurses nationwide. Many healthcare staffing agencies and travel nurse recruiting agencies are looking to hire qualified travel nurses to fill in staffing positions, and finding adequate housing for nurses and families is not a difficult task. Extra needs and requirements, such as pets and larger spaces can easily be accommodated. Don’t hesitate to learn more about travel nursing and the great benefits that go along with it: great compensation, excellent health care coverage, and many others. If you’re currently a travel nurse or would like to find out more information about travel nursing jobs, now is an excellent time to pursue this fast growing and popular health field.
Erica Ronchetti is Account Manager for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses. Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.
No Comments | Tags: Nursing Shortage, Nursing Shortage Solutions, Special Nurses, Travel Nurse Agency, Travel Nurse Blogs, Travel Nurse Destinations, nursing issues
18 May 2009 - 9:54
By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN
A Harvard University medical study found that once public health disparities such as age, socioeconomic factors, and access to health insurance are evened out, the effects of chronic disease are improved. Unfortunately, based on the current health care design, most patients will have to wait until they are 65 years old and become eligible for Medicare coverage in order to see these improvements. The moral of the study appears to be an obvious one – when health care coverage is universal, so are the patient outcomes. The study showed racial disparities in systolic blood pressure readings decreasing by 60 percent, and educational disparities in diabetes and high cholesterol also improving those results.
For nurses and travel nurses who have studied public health, this is barely news. Nurses learn in the public health segments of our nursing education how factors such as socioeconomic differences, race, income, age and other trends, have the power to shape patient health patterns in a community. It stands to reason that if every patient, regardless of those factors, has equal access to the same amount and quality of health care, that the patient outcomes should eventually grow more similar. Is this a reasonable argument for universal health care? From a patient care standpoint, yes. From the financial angle, I still find it nearly impossible to envision how such a plan could be implemented.
In the meantime, travel nurses have a unique opportunity to act as unofficial public health nurse researchers and ambassadors. They can observe the communities they work in across the country, and see for themselves what may happen when every patient, regardless of financial and other factors, has the same access to good health.
 Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.
No Comments | Tags: Travel nursing jobs, nursing issues
14 May 2009 - 10:11
By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN
Aloha travel nurses! What is the only downside of a travel nursing job in Hawaii? There’s too much to do on your days off! Whether you catch a wave, catch some rays or catch a scenic helicopter ride over some of the world’s most gorgeous scenery, it’s difficult to accurately characterize a travel nursing assignment in Hawaii as “work.”
The Hawaiian Islands are technically in the tropics but, thanks to the constant easterly trade winds, residents and visitors avoid the humidity. Temperatures on the islands hover in the 80’s year round, making it one of the world’s top tourist destinations in the summer and wintertime alike.
Quality health care is needed by the tourists, residents and the 1.3% of the state’s total population that is made up of military personnel. As of May 2007, the average RN salary was $74,220 (keep in mind that travel nurses usually earn above average salaries for assignments). The Hawaii Workforce Informer projected a 16.3% increase in the number of nurses needed from 2008 to 2009. The greatest projected increase was in nursing and residential care facilities, undoubtedly due to the aging population of patients in Hawaii and across the country. Of all the islands, Oahu has the densest population (one million residents in 597 square miles) and therefore the most staffing needs.
On a much smaller scale in comparison, Hawaii has implemented some of the same health care system goals the current administration dreams of making reality on a national scale. 95% of Hawaii’s residents are ensured, due to the policy requiring employers to insure any employees working 20 hours per week or more. The state also boasts an emphasis on preventative health care that keeps medical costs in check.
Want to learn more about travel nurse jobs in the Aloha State? Contact a travel nurse agency recruiter today.
Hawaii nurse licensing questions: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/nursing
Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.
2 Comments | Tags: Travel Nurse Destinations, Travel nursing jobs
12 May 2009 - 10:40
By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN
Contrary to popular belief in nursing, there are job opportunities for practical nurses (LVNs and LPNs) outside of nursing homes. This is not to “bash” nursing homes in any way. My first nursing job was in a nursing home and it was an amazing learning experience that prepared me for the jobs that followed. My point is that practical nurses have similar opportunities as RNs, and that includes travel nursing.
Similar to traveling RNs, traveling LPNs can also work in nursing assignments from sunny California to scenic New England. Working as a practical nurse is also a smart way to experience the ins and outs of the nursing field step by step, rather than all at once as a new graduate RN. Those who transition from LPN can solidify their practical nursing skills first and then build on those with RN training later on. As a traveling practical nurse, you also have the advantage of learning skills in a national training environment, versus in just one local facility. Another perk of working as a traveling LPN is the higher pay than most LPNs normally make in a staff position.
As with travel RNs, traveling LPNs should do their research and find an agency that best suits their salary expectations, career goals (especially in regards to further education), benefits, standard contract terms and referral bonuses. It’s also a good idea to find out which travel agencies have the most assignments in the region of the country you are most interested in being assigned to. For those who do their research, are persistent and allow themselves to dream big – opportunities await.
Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.
4 Comments | Tags: Travel Nurse Agency, Travel nursing jobs
11 May 2009 - 10:22
Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN
As a freelance medical writer and writing business owner for several years now, I’ve had my fair share of experience with the fluctuating economy and survival tactics to stay financially afloat. One of my most reliable standby methods of doing this is to continuously stay registered with several temporary employment agencies. Despite having to sometimes adopt the identity of “just a temp,” I’ve found that there are excellent benefits of working with professional recruiters.
Travel nurses and staff nurses can also benefit from this way of thinking. Travel nurse recruiting agencies can be your active job search partner, seeking out new travel nursing jobs before they are even advertised. In addition to your normal job search methods including networking on job boards, submitting your resume through job sites such as monster.com, and developing relationships with human resource departments at hospitals you would like to work at, be sure and follow up with your recruiter or recruiters, instead of waiting for their phone call.
It is also smart and creative to approach your job search from the standpoint of a business owner instead of as an employee. You are, in many ways, the CEO of your own company and it is up to you to make it a financial success. Networking, following up, aggressively researching leads on the internet and developing clever ways to market yourself, are all effective entrepreneurial tools that should not be limited to small business owners. Travel nurses should see themselves as owners of an ever-changing company with locations all around the country and a diverse list of clients.
Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.
No Comments | Tags: Travel nursing jobs
7 May 2009 - 12:26
By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN
It seems like the idea of universal health care in America (emphasis on the word “idea”) has been a popular notion for the politicians and the people for as long as flying cars have been discussed. Although if the automakers can create “green” flying cars, then that notion may still have legs. Universal health care may be a little trickier.
The current administration has slapped a $600 billion dollar price tag on “health care reform,” while placing more emphasis on the results they would like to achieve, rather than on how on earth they’ll be able to do achieve those results. Isn’t that like writing a nursing care plan with the nursing diagnosis and outcomes and no planned interventions? Could it be that the administration has no idea how they’re going to do it and they’re hiding behind the promise of utopia?
The first issue I have is with the wording – health care “reform.” Since we don’t currently have anything resembling universal health care how is it reform versus a complete recycling and starting from scratch? Health insurance is distributed on a situational basis, by employment status, financial ability or government aid. Not to point out the obvious, but that’s why a lot of people don’t have it – their personal situation doesn’t facilitate medical care.
Next, there is there is the obvious issue of how we could even implement such a plan that would give every single American access to health care. Since the new census has just started, the powers-that-be may be quite surprised by how many Americans that is. Last I heard, they were still trying to figure out how to provide Tamiflu for every American if need be, due to the H1N1 virus.
On top of all this Forbes.com recently concluded that countries that already have implemented universal health care are experiencing a lot more economic trouble than the U.S. and that their health care costs aren’t exactly under control either.
I don’t mean to be the doomsday blogger, but I believe that these are legitimate questions to ask of our leaders. Especially for nurses and travel nurses who are caring for an aging population of patients who have either limited access or no access to medical care.
Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.
No Comments | Tags: Travel nursing jobs, nursing issues
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