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Tips for Travel Nursing in 2021

9/22/2021

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​Travel nursing has always been a volatile market in comparison to permanent employment options. Jobs open and close, sometimes within minutes and there are so many different staffing companies who all have different positions, in different locations, and at different pay rates. It’s chaotic, overwhelming, and scary (especially when you’re experiencing it for the first time), but don’t let it stop you from taking the plunge!

The benefits of travel nursing in 2021 are big. With adequate preparation, navigating this environment is easier and will make you more successful. Here are some guidelines for setting yourself up for success as a travel nurse in a hot market:

Know your motivations.

Why do you want to be a travel nurse in the first place? What are you searching for? Common motivations for travelers fall into a few buckets; Which one are you in?
  • Financially Motivated (make more money!). It’s no secret that travel nurses can make a big paycheck. Travel nursing is often used to expedite student loan payoff, save for a home downpayment, or simply to make the money you deserve as a nurse. However, there are associated expenses (housing, travel, etc), differing pay packages, gaps in employment etc. that can offset the higher income ... knowing how to navigate each will increase your take home and decrease the associated expenses.
  • Travel and Adventure- Seeing new places and seeking experiences you’d never have the opportunity to on a one week vacation--few careers offer this type of travel better than travel nursing. Your travel career can act as a powerful vehicle for exploring the U.S. (and further) in a way that allows you to experience your environment like a local, without breaking the bank.
  • Career Advancement- I remember the first travel nurse I met (and who motivated me to take this path) was so squared away as a nurse. She truly had seen it all - she’d experienced different styles of practicing medicine, worked in a range of facility sizes, advanced trauma levels, most charting systems, various patient populations ... she was knowledgable in a way that felt so complete. She had the confidence to do what she knew was best, and the humility to raise her hand when she was unsure. The exposure you receive as a traveling healthcare professional can sharpen your tools as a clinician in ways a perm position cannot offer.
  • Control- I’m sick of MediTech. I’m over night shift. I’m ready to be near the beach. I hate wearing white scrubs. With travel nursing, all of that is in your hands - every 13 weeks. You have the control to choose when, where, and what you’ll be doing on that next assignment. If you end up somewhere less than desirable, it’ll only be for the duration of that contract. Having control over your career is unique to this flexible career path as a nurse.

Identifying “why” behind your motivation to be a travel nurse is important to at first, expose, and then hold on to throughout your career. Having it as your “North Star” will ensure you make the right-for-you career path decisions quickly when you hit a fork in the road (and you will often as a traveler). Holding onto the “why” will also help you keep motivated when the going gets tough (and it will).

Find and hold onto your North Star.
  1. Things move fast and you need to make decisions quickly. When a recruiter is pressuring you toward a contract you should be able to quickly remind yourself what it is you want, and recognize if it fits your needs. Sometimes a contract can sound awesome on paper but if you’re getting into travel nursing because you want to experience nursing in a larger hospital and want to be close to the mountains - don’t be tempted by that high paying contract in a rural facility in El Paso, TX.
  2. It gets tough as a traveler. Especially in the first weeks of your assignment. You’re out of your comfort zone and having to adapt very quickly (new policies, doctors, charge nurses, unit layout, equipment, supply room, codes for all the doors). You’re going to challenge yourself in those low points “What the hell am I doing here? Why did I agree to this?” and having that North Star to remind you “Oh, because I’m making X more dollars a week and will pay off those student loans so much faster” - it can help get you through the rough patches.

Get & Stay Organized

Once you dip your toes into the travel healthcare world, things will move quickly. Get your ducks in a row or you’re going to miss the best opportunities. It’s no surprise that a contract you think is perfect is also catching the eye of other qualified candidates. The better the contract, the greater the competition. See below tips for how to get organized as a travel nurse and ensure you present yourself with your best foot forward:
  • Rebuild your Resume- Whether it’s through a resource like Kamana, or via the guidance of a travel nurse recruiter you want to reconsider your resume. Hospitals look for a succinct layout of specific skills and experiences on a travel nurse resume (much different than for a perm position) and the closer your resume is to articulating your unique experiences in the perfect format, the faster your recruiter will be able to submit your profile for placement. Learn more about the ideal travel nurse resume here.
  • Organize your Credentials- Off the bat, things are going to be needed from you. It’s annoying, especially if you’re re-sending it to multiple recruiters. But at the end of the day, they need details and documents to generate a profile for submission. Delaying that submission means you’re going to get skipped over. Organizing your licenses, certifications, medical history docs, references, skills checklists, etc. is simplified with your Kamana Profile, and allows you to maintain one professional portfolio.
  • Be prepared to share your professional profile quickly. It’s the cowboy with the fastest draw (not the biggest gun) who wins the dual. When you’re presented with the perfect contract -- be ready to shoot from the hip and win it. Quickly providing that recruiter with what they need to place your profile at the top of the list is going to ensure your success with landing it. And don’t expect the timing to happen when you’re sitting at your laptop - they will call you with the position while you’re on a hike, at the bar, or managing a busy patient assignment - it’s never when you’re sitting ready in front of your laptop with all your credentials on hand. So have it packaged and ready to share. Your Kamana profile can be shared from your phone with a few clicks. Anyplace, anytime.

Play it Safe

Lastly, don’t be reckless with your data. You’ll be encouraged by recruiters to quickly email or text your personal-sensitive info. Would you do that with patient data? So don’t do it with your own! Some agencies have a secure portal for uploading sensitive documents (ask for it), either way, your Kamana Profile is equipped with the power of encrypted sharing (and un-sharing) so you can protect your data while providing access to who you feel needs it.
Broaden your options. Realistically, no single recruiter or staffing agency can land you a contract in every city and always guarantee a higher paying contract than all their competitors. One recruiter does not have it all, you gotta work with a few (I suggest 5). It sounds overwhelming to maintain more than one recruiter relationship (and even unfaithful in a strange way) but you can do it tactfully and in a manner that respects your recruiter relationships and everyone’s time. Recruiters spend many hours finding and connecting nurses with facility needs. When you’re open about working with other agencies, organized with your documentation, and clear with your expectations – it will allow them (and you) to quickly identify if they have a match.
Get after it. You're entering the travel healthcare world for a reason (money, control, career advancement, adventure/exploring) so whatever the reason - make it your part time job to be the best traveler for you, and for your own success. Just like in the nursing practice there are so many resources out there to help us navigate, learn, and grow in this career path. Check out some of the best ones here.
       
 Written by John Modica, RN
John Modica, RN and Kamana co-founder, has over a decade of experience in healthcare, spending the majority of his career working as a travel nurse in hospitals across the United States. Having seen first-hand the inefficiencies of the industry, he fully understands the frustrations and dissatisfaction held by the healthcare workforce. John is customer zero. Kamana is his solution. 

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TravCon 2021: Everything You Need to Know

9/16/2021

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TravCon is the one time a year where ALL healthcare travel professionals, recruiting companies, and niche-specific services that serve our community gather to network, make everlasting relationships, and educate one another. This year, TravCon will be held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on September 26-29th, 2021. Below is a list of everything you need to know before attending the conference of a LIFETIME!

Before You Go
Registration- Whether you are thinking about traveling, accepting your first assignment, or are a veteran traveler- TravCon is the place for you. But first, you’ll need to head over to www.travcon.org and pick between the four registration types. All registration types come with CEU credits. 
  • Newbie ($359)- This package is for the new traveler or the staff member thinking about going into traveling. This ticket includes an “NewBie Boot Camp” held on Sunday, September 26th. 
  • Spanish Bundle Ticket ($359)- This ticket provides you with a full day medical terminology Spanish course offered on either Sunday the 26th or Wednesday the 29th. 
  • Mainstage ($289)- This ticket gives you full access to the conference and all the perks that comes with it which we will discuss later 
  • Virtual- ($0)- In light of the pandemic TravCon will be, for the first time ever, offering every educational seminar virtually for FREE. 
  • Add Ons- (Prices Vary)- TravCon offers several CE’s or Certificates that you can checkoff while attending the conference. Be sure to look at your Kamana Profile to see your upcoming credential expirations (BLS, NRP, ACLS, PALS) so that your next assignment submission is seamless.
​​​Book your Room- This year TravCon is held at the Paris Hotel and Casino. There are a number of blocked rooms, which tend to sell out fast, so head over to https://travcon.org/hotel-travel/ to see the availability. There are also several more affordable hotels nearby on the strip, but from experience you’re going to want to stay where the conference is held. Las Vegas is very hot in September and the hotels may seem close but are very spread out.
Book your Flight- Las Vegas is one of the most accessible airports in the United States. Wherever you are on assignment, the flights to Las Vegas should be within reason. 
Packing for TravCon- The general dress code during the event is business casual. You are going to want to bring party attire for the happy hour events and the official Travcon afterparty on Tuesday night. The days leading up to TravCon (Saturday and Sunday), agencies also host pool happy hours and since Las Vegas is hot in September, we recommend bringing a swimsuit. Finally, we suggest leaving room in your suitcase or bringing an extra duffle/suitcase because of the amount of swag (think pens, compression socks, stress balls, etc.) that you will receive from the exhibitor hall. Keep in mind that a 50lb suitcase may not be enough.
***Pro-tip: Remember that since this is an educational event, all expenses incurred can be written off on your taxes**

What to Expect 
Educational Seminars- These sessions are geared towards everything you need to know as a traveling healthcare professional. Topics include, but are not limited to, tax advice, contract negotiations, a keynote speaker, self-care, finding community, and much, much more. Our suggestion is to attend at least 2-3 sessions per day and if there are two sessions happening at the same time, grab a friend, split up, and share notes. This year’s event will also be hybrid meaning there will be some sessions available online for replay. Check the TravCon website to see which sessions.
Exhibitor Hall at the Paris Conference Room- This is one of our favorite parts of the whole experience. The conference room holds 150+ vendors that are wanting to get to know YOU! The exhibitor booths range anywhere from travel agencies, healthcare brands, or other niche specific services that serve YOU. The booths in 2019 were very interactive and fun, so we imagine this year will be just as good! Some of the booths have games, special guests, prizes, and a TON of free swag! This is also your chance to get to meet your favorite recruiter or company IN PERSON. Come stop by and say hello to us at the MedVenture Booth #412 for some free swag and special giveaways. 
Food- Breakfast and Lunch is included in your ticket and are provided on the 27th and 28th in the Exhibitor Hall. When we attended in 2019 we were pleasantly surprised by the variety of foods, it’s presentation, and how good it tasted. If you are a throughout the day snacker, bringing some snacks or bars to sustain you may be wise.
Drai’s NightClub After Party- Once the conference comes to an end on the 28th, your ticket includes admission to the exclusive TravCon afterparty. This is an all inclusive event (food, drinks, and adult beverages) with a live DJ where you can party the night away with your new best TravCon traveler friends. 
Farewell Brunch- This is perhaps the saddest part of the whole experience. This is where you say goodbye (for now) to all of the new traveler friends you’ve made. This all-inclusive brunch is held on Wednesday September 29th from 10:00AM-12:30 PM. 
Happy Hours and other perks- In addition to the events listed above, TravCon also hosts morning yoga and networking events. Several agencies host nightly happy hours, dinners, party buses, and other events before the conference as well as during. To learn more about these events we suggest you join the official TravCon Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/110354919604541 as well as the UN-OFFICIAL SHENANIGANS GROUP for ALL Travel Healthcare Conferences https://www.facebook.com/groups/TravConShenanigans.
***For a full list of TravCon Events go to https://travcon.org/schedule/ to learn more***


Final Thoughts
TravCon holds a special place in our hearts. We, the founders of MedVenture App, met at TravCon in 2019 and have been working on the MedVenture App ever since. We saw the value in connecting travelers and providing resources within TravCon, so we created a platform that does this year round. Even though TravCon took a hiatus from last year due to the COVID pandemic, this year will surely be a celebration of all the hard work and sacrifice every traveling healthcare professional has made this past year. If you find yourself at TravCon this September, don't forget to visit us at Booth #412; we hope to see you there! 


Written By: Ryan and Emily, Co-Founders of MedVenture App


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Expect the Unexpected

9/3/2021

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     "I’m young and careful," "That would never happen to me." Do these statements ever cross your mind when signing up for a travel contract? They crossed mine and when trouble occurred, I wasn’t in the best  position to prepare for the unexpected. I am here to tell you, fellow travelers, how to prevent or make the most out of a injury while on assignment.
    While working my fourth contract in Virginia I injured my neck and shoulders. The funny thing was, I wasn’t even at work when my injuries occurred. Unable to perform my duties as a nurse my contract was cancelled. My insurance soon after was also terminated. They weren’t work related injuries, so I was left paying all the medical bills (physical therapy and orthopedic visits in NY and VA) on my own. So where do I go from here?
    First: Check the insurance provided to you by your travel agency. I remember when I started travel nursing, getting injured to the point that I couldn’t work never crossed my mind. When I got injured the first time and was told I needed to do physical therapy before I could work again. Then, to have another accident that made my first injury worse and took me out of work even longer, yeah, that was definitely a blow. I thought about finances, how I’d pay for the three visits to two urgent cares and didn’t even know that my insurance was terminated. In the paperwork that came with my insurance it said that I was eligible for continued coverage if I was involuntarily terminated. I thought that it immediately rolled over to that coverage, but it’s actually a whole different process. You have to make sure to talk with your human resources representative and make sure that they send you the introductory letter or email to start the process for getting your continued coverage. Make sure you fill that paperwork out quickly because there is a window you have to be in to apply! I applied back in the beginning of July 2021 and my coverage didn’t resume until the end of August 2021! This can be and has been very stressful with the weekly phone calls to all those services and going through the insurance carrier, but also TASC, the third-party benefits administrator. Lastly, while you are applying for continued insurance after your contract is terminated, look for the sheet stating to apply to the ARP, this plan will help pay for your premium for your insurance.
    Second: See if they offer any disability coverage (short term). This I wish I knew about before I even applied to travel nursing. When I was talking with my parents, my father told me to check and see if my company has any short-term disability services that I could apply for. Never knew that was a thing. I then checked in with my human resources again. Unfortunately, they said that they didn’t have that service (I know my per diem job back at my first hospital did), all they could recommend to me was to apply for unemployment. Since I was employed in Virginia and also had a job back in New York, they couldn’t tell me who or which one to apply to. 
    Third: Applying for unemployment. This can only be done once you are fully terminated from your contract. Now, if you have a per diem job in your home state too, chances are you will end up calling both states to see which unemployment benefit is higher. After choosing which state to apply for unemployment, you will have to call their unemployment department of labor agency and sit through a long list of prompts that you will have to answer. I hated this part because this took me from 830am to 1230pm because every time I’d be on a call with the representative the phone call would cut out and I’d have to repeat the whole process over again. Long story short, once you are finished applying for unemployment remember to certify your account and then certify for your benefits every week. Also, follow up every week to make sure your unemployment claim is being processed. I started this in Julyand I am still waiting for my claim to be either approved or denied. Other warning to heed, make sure you get your questionnaire and fill that out quickly. I was told I was going to receive one in the mail after I finished talking with a representative and never did, I had to reach out again to make sure the representative sent me one. Be prepared to wait a long period of time and to be hung up on multiple times. If that wasn’t enough, I was supposed to upload all my doctor’s notes into the portal for the department of labor. I was told by several representatives that there should be an option to upload, I promise there isn’t. I’ve called four days in a row for this issue and finally they said I can fax all the documentation (the questionnaire, the doctor’s notes and medical summaries). I refused that idea because the questionnaire has your full social security number and other personal identifiers, I didn’t want to risk the fax going somewhere it wasn’t supposed to go. So, I sent them through mail. A week went by and I never heard anything so I called again, when I finally got through, I was told they received the information I sent, but a few of the doctor’s notes were too light to read and was asked to send them again. I asked why I wasn’t informed that they received or even needed more copies of these documents and they simply said it isn’t there job to follow up with us. Finally, I did get a call from a case worker from the department of labor and they basically went over all the facts and documentation they needed to make and told me I should hopefully hear if my claim would be approved or denied. I've been working on this since June 2021 and it’s now September 2021.
    Fourth: HSA and Emergency Fund. I was so thankful that my travel company had an HSA account set up for me. This benefit actually takes money from your paycheck and puts it into an account to pay for medical services. Definitely check if your travel company provides that benefit!  The funds in that account helped me for a while, but unfortunately, I had to reach into my savings that were originally meant for graduate school. Even if it’s not for something in particular, I would highly recommend to everyone who travels to have an emergency fund. Not just for medical issues, but any unanticipated events that may come about in the unforeseen future. 
    Accidents can happen at any point in time. I was lucky mine weren’t too severe and just temporary. I’m in my twenties and in general a healthy person, I never thought I’d be injured to the point where I couldn’t work for a good chunk of time. Let my blunder be your friendly advice and please look into your benefits and services provided by your company. It might just save you from burning a big hole in your pocket.
As always, have fun, learn a lot and stay safe out there!
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Written by: Kristina Marie, BSN, RN Neuro & General PCU
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Accompanied by: Shadow, Travel Pup & Emotional support animal

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COVID Detour: Getting Stuck in Quarantine En Route to my Contract

9/3/2021

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The Rona finally got me...and at the worst possible time; but that’s how she rolls, right? 
         I have been a labor and delivery travel nurse for just over three years and just finished an unforgettable contract in Boston, Massachusetts. I was looking forward to my next contract in Austin, Texas and was visiting my family and packing my car in Bend, Oregon. I started driving through California and made it to Arizona when I developed congestion. I took two at home COVID tests (Clear Vue from Walgreens, 2 for $26 if you ever need them) and they were both positive. This obviously threw a wrench into my plans. 
        I let my manager and occupational health from my new facility know about my COVID results, then proceeded to get a PCR test to send to them in order to confirm my diagnosis. Luckily, my sister works for Hilton and I was able to stay in a cheap room for a few days in Phoenix and work on online orientation and modules. I also have several friends in Phoenix who were incredibly supportive, bringing me groceries, supplements, and FaceTiming me to help pass the quarantine time. Even with the hotel discount, this started to get expensive, but I was able to transfer my quarantine to dog and cat sit at my friend’s apartment, which was such a nice change of pace. Shout out to my support team (including the MedVenture fam) far and wide, who sent Door Dash gift cards and offered advice and friendly conversation!
I’m not sure about you all, but I have mentioned to friends and family in the past how a COVID diagnosis would be super difficult in multiple ways...a 10-14 day quarantine away from my loved ones being one of the biggest struggles. Thankfully, I received my Moderna Vaccine in January, so my experience with COVID hasn’t been life threatening. I had the usual congestion, headache, muscle aches, brain fog, fatigue, and loss of taste and smell...all mild to moderate symptoms and nothing ever scary like shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. But the boredom definitely set in after I finished my modules and binge watched two seasons of Outer Banks in two days (oops). 
      I believe most hospitals are doing this, but I will be cleared to initiate my floor orientation at work 10 days after my initial symptoms, as long as I have been asymptomatic for 24 hours. This was definitely an inopportune moment for Miss Rona to get me, but I am grateful that this only pushed back my start date back by technically one week.
In conclusion, here are some tips and tricks for getting through COVID: -If you have known exposure, isolate yourself and get tested 3-5 days after exposure. -If you are in the Phoenix Area, Embry Women’s Health has multiple locations with free PCR testing! -After a positive result, quarantine according to the CDC and your employer’s guidelines. -Monitor your symptoms and call your healthcare provider if you are concerned. -Rest, drink fluids, and take approved and suggested supplements such as B complex, D3, Vitamin C, etc. -Have a visit from a mobile IV infusion clinic to help hydrate you and receive vitamins! -Contact American Red Cross to see your eligibility with donating blood. If you have COVID antibodies, your blood can help a critically ill patient! -Video chat, watch Netflix, and listen to your body. If the boredom sets in, do something gentle like yoga! Don’t overexert yourself during this necessary time of rest!
Stay safe & healthy, friends!

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Written by Amy Miller, BSN, RN

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