Healthcare Initiatives and Talking Points in the Face of Cuts Since its creation in 1965, Medicare has long been one of the most beloved federal programs in the U.S. Now that program benefits are on the table for deep cuts, healthcare professionals and the patients they care for are optimistic that the Obama Administration and Congress can achieve small cuts to Medicare—just 2% across the board. Current healthcare reform proposes $500 billion in Medicare savings by exempting older patients from cuts, and relying on the lobbying and advertising clout of healthcare employers.  Endeavors such as these have led to Medicare Advantage plans that offer, in some states, programs like “Silver Sneakers� that encourage seniors to use the YMCA gym, free of cost. Other Medicare Friendly Advice to Pass on to Patients For registered nurses specializing in geriatrics, or for those who work in skilled nursing facilities, the state of Medicare seems fragile; with 81 million seniors expected to enroll by 2030, healthcare initiatives are becoming more popular. According to the CDC, heart disease and stroke, costs the United States $312.6 billion each year in health care services, medications and lost productivity. In the lifestyles of those who [+]

There is a feeling of helplessness that overwhelms parents when their child is admitted to the hospital as well as a feeling of hope that the NICU, PICU, and Pediatric nurses will nurture them back to health. Steps are being taken, however, to make this traumatic experience more comfortable for the patient and their families. With the help of the non-profit group, Facilities Guidelines Institute, several hospitals have invested to upgrade their children’s facilities in order to accommodate parents and elevate the healing process of children. One may think of it as holistic medical treatment for the entire family. Children’s Hospitals are Evolving In June 2012, Nationwide Children’s Hospital located in Columbus,Ohio opened a $783 million facility that provides private rooms for everyone, an atrium full of giant carved animals and a clubhouse for siblings and parents. A recent report focused on the physical environment of a hospital and warned that the noise and confusion can increase stress and anxiety. Noise reduction solutions helps to alleviate some of the problem and a proper interior design involving colors, furniture and carpet can actually promote the healing process by creating a safe and soothing environment. While physical changes are costly and parental involvement can be cumbersome, [+]

Read her story about flexible travel nurse jobs and where they are taking her Ask travel nurse Linda DeLeon if she’s curled up with a good book lately, and the ER nurse is likely to tell you that yes, she’s been reading and writing her own literature to pass the wintry nights. In addition to being a busy R.N. travel nurse book signing in Delaware, the Louisiana native has also managed to pen, since 2010, two vampire novels with a third on the way. American Traveler caught up with Linda on an evening shortly before Christmas to talk about her books, Veil of Time and Fall Into Darkness; these tales of immortal love that span the 17th Century and into present day are part of a series, featuring a love triangle between James, a history professor, Vanessa and the enigmatic Claire, the protagonist in all three stories who Linda says is a character derived from her own life. And what a life! Linda has been a travel nurse before, but her current assignment is her first nursing job with American Traveler. She and her husband, who met in Las Vegas across a black jack [+]

To limit liabilities associated with under-qualified nurses, American Traveler takes diligent steps to ensure all RN traveling nurses placed by the agency meet or exceed the level of competence expected by clients.  Clinical testing and evaluations, reference verifications and performance tracking are just a few ways the nurse staffing company achieves client satisfaction contract after nurse contract. "Our Joint Commission Surveyor confirmed that our registered nurse staffing processes ensure competence," said Clinical Account Manager Deborah Bacurin, RN. "Moreover, our nurses continue to earn kudos among client facilities for promptness, professionalism and job knowledge." Medication errors by nurses - or incidents where bedside care suffered because an RN didn’t follow hospital protocol - rock the healthcare staffing world. They remind hospital administrators and nurse staffing agencies alike of the important role nurse competency testing plays in patient safety. It’s in this light that American Traveler goes to great lengths to provide competent nurses with proven track records of quality patient care. “I’m proud to say our larger healthcare providers have been with us for years because we continue to provide them with highly competent nurses who watch out for the best interest of their patients. In our [+]

Recent Study Released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation BOCA RATON, FL 11/13/12 – Nurse staffing agency American Traveler emphasizes the need for culturally-sensitive nurses in areas of the country prone to diversity. Twenty-year nurse study positions traveling nurses as more ethnically and racially diverse and capable of treating disparate patient populations. For hospitals and health systems in parts of the country where nurses aren’t as plentiful, travel nursing or contract staff nurses may be the answer, according to a recent study* released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Authors examined registered nurse (RN) data from years 1984 to 2008 to find that RNs contracted through nurse staffing agencies have education levels similar to permanent nurse staff and are more ethnically and racially diverse. Read the complete Press Release More Healthcare Industry Press Releases *Source: Study released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [+]

Today is an important reminder to Americans, of the sacrifices and commitment of all who serve or did serve in our military. As members of the American Traveler healthcare team wake up today, they’ll head off to therapy and nursing jobs that serve a large number of veterans; some of you may even work in Veteran’s hospitals where the appearance of an American flag pin on your hospital scrubs is a welcome sight.  If you’re an R.N. who’d like to brush up on your Veteran’s Day knowledge and what it’s meant to Americans historically, this mini-list of facts about the holiday, helps you live in the moment. Are you an R.N. chatting with a Veteran Patient Today? For those nurses and therapists who treat veterans in healthcare facilities around the country, here’s a little bit of Q&A meant to enrich your Veterans Day. How does Veterans Day set itself apart from Memorial Day? The May holiday is a tribute to military troops who died, whereas this day in November is in remembrance of all active and retired military. What is Veterans Day called in other parts of the world? It’s called Remembrance Day or Armistice Day, [+]

It is amazing how travel nurses can be in one part of the country, doing what they do for their patients, and then be in another part of the world, doing just the same.  As a travel nurse you are able to see and experience new places, which is just one of the advantages.  Kevin, who has been working PICU nursing jobs through American Traveler, shared some photos of his time in Austin, Texas when he worked at a Children’s Hospital, as well as his time helping children in Najaf, Iraq.  In Iraq, he was on a Medical Mission, before starting his next assignment in Washington D.C.  It just comes to show that even when not on a travel nurse assignment through American Traveler, our nurses go above and beyond to help people in other parts of the world. Here are some photos of his mission in Iraq and time in Austin where he enjoyed horseback riding, and explored other parts of Texas with his travel family. Do you have interesting nursing story to share? Please leave comments and send in photos if you wish, we would love to publish [+]

One of our valued American Traveler Client Hospitals, just outside New York City, has been at the center of Hurricane Sandy. Widespread flooding, power outages, blocked roads and storm damage have made it difficult for staff to make it to the hospital -- and for emergency responders to reach those in need. Local citizens with storm-related injuries and acute conditions (that must be treated even when it is so hard to get to the hospital) have presented this facility with many urgent situations in the last 24 hours. Debbie Bacurin, Clinical Account Manager at American Traveler, checked in with the RN Administration at this facility to see how things are going. The administration staff reported that three of American Traveler's RN's -- Brian, Emmanuel, and Elson -- "have been wonderful." They clocked in before the storm hit full force, pulled double shifts, and as of Tuesday afternoon were finally resting. The hospital now feels the worst of the storm has passed. They have begun to clean up and wait for things to get back to normal. Nowhere are RN's like these more needed -- and appreciated -- than in situations like this. [+]

Can you hear that? It must be the footsteps of a fast approaching Halloween. While some limit their celebration of this fun holiday to decorations and candy, there are others with a keen interest in touring well-known haunted spots. If you’re an R.N. who loves a good fright, then this post is for you—as so many “on the map� places for hauntings and ghost sightings just happen to be hospitals. There’s a high concentration of paranormal activity in The Buck Eye State, putting Ohio nursing jobs close to the scariest places on earth; there are also haunted hospitals worth a closer look near nurse jobs in Georgia and NY travel nursing jobs. This ghost hunter’s preferred list of haunted hospitals is ordered from supremely spooky to just plain scary. Should you decide to tour one, call the facility first to ensure tours are still happening; consider making arrangements, if possible, to stay overnight in charming hotel lodgings these cities are known for. Patients at Highland View Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio get the willies when window shades move of their own accord and doors lock shut without help. Far north of the [+]