RN’s in the nation’s best travel nurse jobs are setting a great example for colleagues and patients by showing their hearts are in the right place. On February 4th many of them will observe “Wear Red Day” to help raise awareness on stroke and heart attack prevention. But every good travel nurse knows this isn’t enough. Throughout the calendar year, it’s important to raise cardiac health awareness and practice what we preach by living an active, smoke-free lifestyle and eating right.

A Travel Nurse Career Makes Your Heart Fuller!

Valentine’s Day has amazing potential for RN’s and therapists in featured travel nurse jobs from coast to coast. Leave your heart in San Francisco in high-paying California nursing jobs, or get cozy for the rest of the winter in New England nursing jobs. Don’t like the cold? Catch a romantic sunset in Florida nursing jobs—no matter where you go on the nursing career path, when it’s with American Traveler you decide the length of your assignment and work closely with our recruiters to find ideal free private housing in the city of your dreams.

If you need inspiration, click on these related Valentine’s Day stories:

• Travel nurse who fell in love in time for Valentine’s Day
• R.N.s who really love their travel nurse jobs

American Traveler wishes everyone a happy Valentine’s Day, and encourages those who crave an exciting, action-packed travel nurse career to call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today.  Members of our full-time team enjoy top pay and benefits that include free private housing with amenities like gyms, swimming pools and nearby recreation that keep our R.N.s and therapists happy and healthy in all 50 U.S. States! What’s not to love about that?

Did you know…

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and American Heart Association have acknowledged the first Friday in February as “Wear Red” Day since the 1960s, but it’s just a small part of the war being waged against America’s #1 cause of death. Over 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year and over half of those incidents are recurrent coronary events; while these statistics are sobering, millions of us are heartened to know that prevention is key!

Footnote: If you’re  looking for a comprehensive guide on symptoms and prevention tips, visit the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. Dietary approaches for avoiding hypertension, as well as exercise guidelines and targeted information for both men and women concerned about heart disease are available through the CDC and American Heart Association.

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American Traveler had the pleasure of checking in with a new member of our travel nursing staff, Cindy Burbatt, R.N. who shared some of the details of her first travel nurse job in Kansas City, Missouri. We talked with Cindy on the eve of her birthday. She was full of excitement for the road trip planned the following morning, departing from North Carolina en route to the heart of the Midwest. As the mother of three grown children, Cindy decided it was the right time to change up her 16-year background as a permanent staff telemetry/med surge nurse by accepting a travel nurse job in America’s heartland.

While the truck she drives may not be anything that unusual for a R.N. moving to Kansas City, one standout detail is the 17ft. long trailer attached. It accommodates her longstanding and beloved pets, George and Ash; these are Cindy’s horses, and during the car trip to Missouri they’ll be staying in farms sprinkled throughout various states—places Cindy found through an online network called Horse Motel. When they arrive in Kansas City, Cindy will take up residence in a townhome, compliments of American Traveler’s private housing arrangement. George and Ash will live in a stable close by, on hand for Cindy to ride in her time off from the hospital.

How Did She Work Out a Travel Nurse Assignment that Suits the Whole Family?

While admitting to being an adventurous and take-charge person, Cindy credits her consultant, Jennie Rayner with convincing her how rewarding and fun the travel nurse lifestyle can be; in fact, at the end of Cindy’s nursing job in the Show Me State she hopes to go further west in her travel nurse pursuits, exploring Utah travel nurse jobs. With her bright smile and self-admitted “hippie cowgirl” approach to things, Cindy should be a wonderful addition to that landscape, and we’re looking forward to hearing how she fares in the Midwest too!

Are you on the fence about leaving your permanent R.N. or therapist job in favor of the travel nurse lifestyle? We look forward to hearing more stories like Cindy’s: about skilled R.N.s adding their talents to hospitals, clinics, out-patient centers and home health jobs across America—sharing their positive attitude along the way. It should be as Cindy says: “not so much about leading your life, but letting your life lead you—to see where you can go!” Call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today to start your own travel nurse adventure!

Learn more about a travel nurse lifestyle – What’s a travel nurse

It’s catching on as quickly as a smoking habit itself: more hospitals in more states putting an end to hiring registered nurse smokers. So far, Pennsylvania and Georgia, Missouri, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas lead the pack. Others are expected to follow.

“Hospital administrators say it’s about improving worker productivity, reducing healthcare costs and promoting healthy living,” said Clinical Account Manager, Deborah Bacurin for American Traveler Staffing Professionals, a leading provider of Florida nursing jobs.  “We’re getting more calls for travel nurse nicotine screens and the buzz nationwide is to expand the practice.”

In a readers poll conducted by media giant, Tribune Company, more than half of 522 respondents said healthcare employers should ban smoking. Thirty-nine percent answered “no way,” it’s a violation of smoker’s rights, and five percent were undecided.*

Cleveland Clinic director, Paul Turpeluk, told the New York Times** earlier in the year that his organization had received numerous requests in recent months from healthcare employers looking to transit to non-smoking environments. Cleveland Clinic stopped hiring smokers in 2007, pioneering a contagious movement to cut costs and improve employee performance. On average, smokers cost healthcare employers almost $3,400 more per worker per year for lost productivity and health care, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Though worker’s rights groups like the National Workrights Institute and American Civil Liberties Union object to smoking bans at hospitals, saying the practice discriminates against smokers and those who use “lawful products” – it’s unlikely either will win this battle, Bacurin said. There are simply too many proven health risks, including cancer and death, associated with smoking.

Join the Great American Smokeout

Every year on November 17^th, the American Cancer Society holds the Great American Smokeout, a day dedicated to encouraging smokers nationwide to quit and to live healthier lives. Now in its 36^th year, the saying for the day is “Help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”

While some healthcare employers will celebrate the Great American Smokeout for just one day, others will ban smoking permanently, and even more will ask for nicotine screens in travel nurse drug tests.

Want to learn more about Travel Nurse Jobs, Nursing Jobs in Florida, or other spectacular communities? Call American Traveler at 800-884-8788 or apply online today.

Read about living longer and happier as a travel nurse

American Cancer Society Guide to Quitting Smoking

*Poll: Should hospitals ban smoking? Sun-sentinel October 18, 2011. Results not scientific.

**A. G. SULZBERGER Hospitals Shift Smoking Bans to Smoker Ban, New York Times, February 10, 2011.

Looks like you just landed a new travel nurse or travel therapy job. Congratulations! Your next step is to pack light and relocate to your new city. You brought your skills, bright smile and determination; your consultant at American Traveler is handling the rest, and will soon send a detailed driving route and other vital information to make your assignment worry-free and the ultimate healthcare travel job experience!

Travel Nurse Housing Essentials

For a complete pack list, click on up-to-date Suggestions for Completing Your Apartment, and be sure to bookmark the American Traveler Housing Tips page for future reference. Here are the basics!

• Kitchen: A good set of kitchen knives, complete set of cutlery, silverware tray, waste basket, coffee maker & mugs,  toaster oven, veggie peeler, can opener, cork screw, strainer, cookie sheet and frying pan. Don’t forget to pack or purchase, a dustpan and broom, and all the bowls & plates you’ll need during your travel nurse assignment.
• Electronics: Your important electronic possessions may include a T.V., DVR , cell phone, PC or laptop,  printer, alarm clock, iPad, stereo system. Bring all that apply, and don’t forget the phone charger, spare package of batteries and/or battery recharger.
• Bedroom: With furnished apartments, the only things you need are a bedspread, blankets, pillows and pillow cases, queen sized fitted sheets and flat sheets.
• Bathroom: A bath mat, bath towels and linens, shower curtain, liner and the hooks to hang them. You can buy the cleaning supplies later, and pick up a small waste basket if you didn’t pack one already; these small bins are a nice way to transport smaller odds and ends.

We Work Closely With Our Travel Nurses

Your consultant helps set your mind at ease when you move into, or out of travel nurse housing, and are on call 24/7 should you have a question about moving. The following is a shortlist of the things we advocate for every Traveler embarking on a new travel nurse job:

• Of Upmost Importance: a walk-thru before moving in. Document and submit to the landlord and the recruiting agency anything in need of repair; retain a copy for yourself. When traveling with American Traveler, we ask you when possible, to submit before and after pictures to our housing department at housing@americantraveler.com
• We also recommend—especially for travelers with pets—arranging a “Condition upon Departure” walk through when you move out of travel nurse job housing.
• Create checklists that help you clean every room thoroughly, including the inside of the oven, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, drawers, carpets and/or tile floors.
• Remember to return all door keys, fitness room keys, mailbox, storage, and gate keys to the rental office before you leave your travel nurse housing

Make American Traveler Your #1 Nursing Career Resource!

Got a question? Go ahead and ask it! We enjoy getting to know you, and want to see you succeed in all your travel nurse jobs. Whether you are wondering whether or not it’s okay to bring your pet? (it definitely is!), have specific concerns about a first floor apartment, a certain amenity, or have questions regarding a housing stipend, filling out a “Got a Quick Question” form on our website is a great help, or email our travel nurse housing department. You can also call 800-884-8788 or apply online today to expedite travel nurse jobs and their exciting possibilities in all 50 U.S. States! We hope to see you soon!

Related Page: Traveling Nurse Housing Tips

Spreading the word about the importance of an annual flu shot means you’re in good company with the Center for Disease Control. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months-old and up get vaccinated. The 2011-2012 flu strain is identical to last year’s, including the H1N1 virus; that means if you were vaccinated last year, you need only receive 1 shot this go around. Click here to find flu shots near you and be sure to post a comment on our Facebook page when you’ve done your good deed for the day!

American Traveler Encourages Flu Prevention Tactics For R.N.s

Some controversy has surrounded mandating the flu shot for medical personnel. Interested Registered Nurses can read about this on a related healthcare employer blog that discusses flu season in America and the waivers some hospitals are willing to grant: if the reluctant hospital staff agrees to wear a badge alerting patients and colleagues, as well as a mask that covers the nose and mouth. As American Traveler has always believed travel nurses need flu shots, we encourage everyone in R.N. and travel therapy jobs to do the responsible thing by getting vaccinated ASAP this Fall.

We don’t have to remind our registered nurses how to stay healthy during flu season, or how to manage the illness if they do succumb. But for refresher’s sake, we would like to offer a few gentle reminders.

A Travel Nurse’s Dos and don’ts During Flu Season:

• Do use hand soap at your work station, in restrooms and at home.
• Don’t go out if you’re sick. Stay in bed!
• Do take a multivitamin, and try incorporating more garlic and Vitamin C into your daily diet
• Don’t stress! The last thing you want is an increase in your body’s production of cortisol.
• Do drink plenty of water and exercise between glasses. It’ll help flush toxins out of your body!

American Traveler’s Flu Season Tips Keep Your Nursing Career in Good Health

If you’re looking for even more flu fighting facts, visit this government website that offers a flu app for your iPhone and other handy features; one of which will track the rate of flu in your neighborhood. Again, we cannot stress enough how important it is to avoid stress, and would point R.N.s who want to relax, toward our travel nurse jobs in tranquil areas with plenty of forests, parks and fields to roam. Call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today to keep your spirits in good health. Here’s to navigating your way through another healthy flu season!

What will nursing education look like in the future? Beginning this fall, The National Simulation Study (NSS) aims to find out. Researchers and volunteer participants spanning 10 different U.S. schools are familiarizing nursing students with SimMan, METIman, and Noelle with Newborn Hal; not actors but high-fidelity mannequins, with chests that rise and fall. Studies find that many nursing students prefer this to the traditional clinical experience of live patients. Just click on the Meet the Sims link to read more about why they appeal to faculty and students alike.

In Sim settings, nursing students make decisions and see the results without posing risk to a living person, as well as better predict how the patient will respond to care. The NSS study also revealed that Sim patients allow students to fully take on the role of a nurse, and that faculty like the option of role playing a doctor—or even a member of the patient’s family.

If you’re in med/surg nursing jobs you may know why simulation training is catching on like this. Using a med/surg environment as a clinical training site is a challenge, as the number of nursing students the faculty supervise impede the ideal clinical experience; it’s much the same in pediatric units where more nursing students continue to receive Sim training to eliminate risk. With all its advantages, hospital employers predict that simulation training is here to stay.

Video – NCSBN National Simulation Study Overview

American Traveler Reports the Latest Healthcare Trends, Offers Superior R.N. Jobs

Nursing students in the NSS study are evaluated for clinical competency and judgment, better preparing them for the PBDS test most healthcare employers give upon hire. Click here to read more about this important nursing test. Know that we report on trends, gadgets and technologies that are improving hospitals nationwide, like the mobile vans that will travel to schools and hospitals offering simulation training, and centers. It’s the shape of things to come in nursing education. You heard it here first!

A premier staffing agency, we welcome registered nurses with a minimum of 12 months acute care clinical experience, and urge you to learn more by liking us on Facebook. Remember that once you fill out an online application, it’s easy to return and update your skills in our database. Before you know it, a recruiter will be calling with travel nurse job opportunities from coast to coast. It’s a chance to reap the rewards of referral bonuses, as well as free private housing and other amazing benefits. Who needs Sim City when you could be working in the real life city of your dreams? Call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today!

All compassionate people, which include R.N.s, doctors, therapists and travel nurses have a unique opportunity this month to help create more birthdays. Getting started is as easy as clicking a link to find a breast cancer awareness event near you, or spending some time on the National Breast Cancer Awareness site to connect with the most recognizable organizations in this fight.

We’re proud of our participation in breast cancer awareness events over the years, in efforts that include corporate staff making strides, or blogging about R.N.s’ revolutionizing work in preventing breast cancer patient hair loss during chemotherapy. We encourage our registered nurses to use their clinical training in helping to disseminate knowledge on the early detection of breast cancer, as well as tips on living a healthier lifestyle.

R.N.s Make Strides on the Right Nursing Career Path

American Traveler is your direct link to landing a permanent or travel nurse job in one of the nation’s best hospitals; 80% of our affiliates top the list in U.S. News & World Report, featuring the most prestigious teaching and rehabilitation hospitals where groundbreaking treatments for different cancers are on an uptick with survival rates moving in the same positive direction. If you’re an R.N. trained in oncology jobs or advanced practice nursing jobs in Med/Surg, be sure to look for your perfect career fit here!

Medical Surgical Nursing Job Search

American Traveler Helps You Make a Difference

Call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today for a chance to improve the lives of the patients who need you! Great benefits, free private housing, bonuses and travel reimbursements await you in both permanent and travel nurse jobs that span all 50 U.S. States! Remember, you don’t have to be an oncology nurse to make a positive difference in the lives of breast cancer patients and survivors—every nurse who spreads awareness gets us that much closer to a cure.

Related blogs:  Travel Nurses Hope to “Make Strides” in 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Month includes tips on how to stay healthy in your remission from breast cancer.

American Traveler congratulates our recent hires on landing the ultimate in therapist and registered nurse jobs! You’re well poised for rapid career advancement in travel nurse jobs offering top pay and benefits package that include free private housing, health insurance, referral bonuses and more! Checking in with the real life professionals in our travel nurse video is a testament to just how fulfilling and exciting all of this can be—and yet those first few days on the job often result in butterflies.

Don’t despair! Calm yourself with the following travel nurse tips and positive affirmations:

Tip: It almost sounds too simple, but keep smiling. A pleasant demeanor shows you welcome change; plus your new colleagues are all the more likely to offer their help.
Why this tip works: With new procedures to learn and equipment to master, you’ll want to make friends in every new travel nurse job. Your fellow RN’s are the ones to brief you on everything from patients to supervisors, to helping you remember where you parked your car.

Affirmation: This hospital chose me.
Why this positive affirmation works: Because American Traveler staffs in America’s best hospitals, competition was fierce when you interviewed and got the job; they knew you’d be a great fit with current staff, and quite capable of negotiating the learning curve that comes with any new travel nurse job.

Tip: Get acquainted ASAP with the best online resources for new travel nurses; visit our travel nursing job FAQs to learn more about travel nursing jobs in all 50 U.S. states.
Why this tip works: Using American Traveler’s career resources page is one-click access to important links and articles in healthcare jobs today.

Affirmation: I enjoy sharing my interests and hobbies with others.
Why this positive affirmation works: It’s always a good idea to share your pastimes with colleagues, because with any luck, a few locals are listening—and they know where the best of everything is. Case in point: one of our American Travelers loved trying the local chili wherever he went, shared his love of taste testing with co-workers and enjoyed the camaraderie when they showed him where to get his next bowl full.

Orientate yourself to the Best Travel Nurse Jobs in America

So there you have it: tips and mantras that get you well on your way to making the most of your travel nurse career.

Orientation is the best time to ask questions and get clarification on procedures. After all, no one knows absolutely everything on the first day. If you’re still looking for the right travel nurse job, and, subsequently, the best “first day” an R.N. can have, call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online. Good luck to all past, present and future travelers!

Travel nurses and travel therapists have the best of both worlds; a great career that allows them to help others while earning top pay and a chance to travel and work at different locations throughout the United States. As a travel nurse or travel therapist, you get a lot of perks and benefits with each assignment, such as free private furnished housing, tax advantage plan, matched 401 (k) plan, free group health, dental and life insurance, and bonuses!

Now, in addition to the regular referral bonus American Traveler offers our nurses and therapists, we are also offering a limited time referral bonus of $1,000.

We are looking for:

• RNs in the following specialties: OR, L&D, PICU or NICU
• Allied: Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists