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As of October 2020, these are the most recent COVID-19 updates for travel nurses including case counts, hospitalization rates, and how that is affecting travel nursing.
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Essentially, the U.S. is on the brink of its dreaded second surge right now, although much remains to be seen about just how the winter months will affect outcomes with those who are infected. Countries that were thought to have kicked corona’s butt, like Italy, are now imposing harsh nationwide lockdowns yet again, showing that there is still so much we have to learn about how to live with this virus.
As of right now, almost every single state in the country is seeing a spike in COVID cases. According to NPR’s daily state case tracker, the highest risk areas right now–meaning 25+ daily new positive tests, which indicates uncontrolled community spread–are: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Wisconsin even had to open an overflow facility to care for infected patients at a local state fair area.
Other states that have earned a highest risk rating include many more rural states that avoided widespread outbreaks during the spring, such as Indiana, Kentucky. Tennessee, Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, and even Alaska and Rhode Island. Part of the problem with the virus hitting more rural communities is that they do not have as many hospitals as urban areas, so even a relatively “small” outbreak can be devastating to the community. And on top of that, some patients may have delayed care for other healthcare needs out of fear of visiting a provider or trying to stay home to protect others, which can complicate their health if they do get sick with COVID-19.
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Patient wise, so far, it appears that even as virus numbers and hospitalizations increase, overall, the health consequences to patients are not nearly as severe as they were in the spring. For example, the weekly surveillance data from the CDC shows an increase in COVID infections, but overall deaths and complications have decreased since the spring, although they are still above endemic levels. This may be attributed to an increase in efficient and effective treatment, increased symptom recognition and more available testing.
The CDC does note that both complications and deaths from COVID and other respiratory illnesses like the flu — because let’s not forget we are now officially in flu season — are expected to increase in the coming weeks, however.
Staff wise, however, things aren’t looking as good. Some hospitals are facing dire shortages of staff nurses–meaning more travel nursing agencies are being employed. For instance, this month, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is reporting an increase in the number of travel nurses they are utilizing, primarily linked to a decrease in staff nurses.
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As the pandemic continues on in the U.S., the effects to the nursing workforce will become ever more apparent. On one hand, there has been an unfortunate increase in the nursing shortage that has already plagued the healthcare world. Many hospitals across the country are seeing a high number of staff nurses leaving their positions due to burnout, exhaustion, their own health needs or family responsibilities that may require them to be home more with their children. Some nurses were even laid off by hospitals during pandemic-related financial strains, and have elected not to return to work at all, or have found different employment.
And while a mass exodus of staff nurses is definitely not good for anyone, on the other hand, it does mean that the opportunity for travel nursing will only increase. Especially for travel nurses who have speciality experience, COVID-19 care experience or are simply well-versed in the unique challenges that travel nursing can entail (hello, moving cross-country with a day’s notice!), the demand may be especially high.
As of right now, the most in-demand specialties seem to be for travel nurses with ICU, MICU, ER, and general Med/Surg experience.
Currently, travel nursing job boards indicate these states and positions offer the highest pay rates:
Remember, then nature of the game with travel nursing — and even more so in a pandemic — is that things can change very quickly, so be sure to keep your eyes peeling for new updates and job postings if you’re looking to take on a travel nursing assignment in the near future.
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The flexibility of the job makes it possible to go back to school while travel nursing.
Travel nursing is the perfect accompaniment to furthering your education. That’s because it offers many benefits including high pay, a flexible schedule, and perks like tuition assistance.
Some nurses might be afraid that going back to school isn’t possible while working, but that’s just not true. Here are some tips for how to navigate going back to school while travel nursing.
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If you can, seek out other travel nurses who have gone back to school while still maintaining their travel nurse assignments.
Ask them how they made it work: did they choose to take on reduced schedules during school or take a break? Is online school or in-person a better choice?
Hearing from real-life RNs who have walked before you will be invaluable as you make your own educational decisions.
There are many benefits to speaking with your nurse recruiter or your agency contact before you make the decision to enroll.
First of all, talking to your recruiter can help you check on any education policies your agency offers. Many travel nursing agencies offer some kind of tuition assistance plan to help you pay for your education, either partially or in full.
The only catch? You’ll want to be sure you know exactly what is required to meet eligibility requirements so you can take full advantage of any assistance they do offer. For instance, some agencies may have a minimum work requirement you need to meet before you are eligible, while others may approve tuition assistance only at select educational facilities. The bottom line? Know their policy inside and out before you make any decisions, so you know exactly what kind of help is available to you first. And although it should go without saying, once you find out what the policies are, be sure to follow them to a “t” so you take full advantage of every dollar.
Don’t be afraid to communicate openly and honestly with your nurse recruiter about what you hope to gain from your education. You don’t have to fear that your agency will somehow penalize you for having different availability; on the contrary, your agency may openly embrace you pursuing an advanced education, especially if it’s an in-demand area.
If you’re not sure how your travel nursing career and your education can co-exist at the same time, be sure to speak with your recruiter. They can help you by offering you travel assignments that work with your schedule while you go back to school. If you’re only available on weekends or need shorter shifts so you have time to study, tell them! You have nothing to fear by gaining more education.
Talk to a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments today.
If you have a home base hospital where you hope to work primarily either through travel nursing or if you make the decision to take a staff position, you can also talk directly with the healthcare facility to see what kind of educational assistance they offer. For instance, if you get introduced to a hospital while on a travel assignment that you absolutely love and want to explore working there someday, it may be worth your time to talk with their HR program to see what kind of tuition assistance they offer in exchange for a work commitment.
Although many nurses choose to go back to school via an online route for convenience’s sake, if you’re a travel nurse, you can take your pick of where you’d like to attend school because you could get an assignment in that area and attend school at the same time.
While online school can be convenient and done from anywhere, it’s often also more expensive than attending in-person. So, choosing a school that offers an in-person or even a hybrid option may be more affordable. Plus, if you’re the type of person who learns better in-person, you shouldn’t rule out attending a physical campus. As far as prices go, you may have to check with the school on their rules for what constitutes “in-state” pricing if you’re only in the area temporarily for a travel nursing assignment.
There are many expenses that you can incur while going back to school, such as housing, tuition, meals, books, and even increased data for all that researching and writing.
Whenever possible, check with your agency on what kind of stipends are available in your potential assignment package so you can overlap expenses. For instance, if you will need to move to attend school, securing a short-term assignment in the same location may help you get your moving expenses covered.
Or, if your agency offers a continuing ed stipend, see if you can use it towards books or registration fees.
Although going back to school as a travel nurse is definitely not something to undertake without planning and consideration, there are many benefits to combining a career as a travel nurse with furthering your education. If you have the dream of advancing your education, you can get started today — and working as a travel nurse might just help you reach your dreams even faster.
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These travel nursing specialties remain in demand as COVID-19 continues to impact healthcare in the United States. And while the initial panic has quelled, the hard truth is that the overall infection rates have not. According to the most recent data, new infection rates are actually rising in the United States — which means that travel nurses may be seeing a new surge in demand all over again this fall.
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No one can completely predict what the novel coronavirus will do this fall, but public health experts are definitely cautious.
Factors such as other competing viruses (including seasonal flu), more people gathering indoors thanks to cold weather, holiday travel, and of course, in-person school starting in many states could all play a role in driving infections up again.
Europe has already declared that it is seeing a second wave of coronavirus and some areas have implemented restrictions. Israel, for instance, has imposed a second national lockdown in an attempt to stop the infection from spreading and after seeing a rise in infections allegedly driven by younger people, Italy has closed dance venues and nightclubs.
And while we can’t predict exactly what will happen with COVID-19 in the fall and winter months, what we know about how viruses work in the colder seasons definitely points to infection rates spiking and symptoms potentially becoming more severe. For example, the air is drier in the cold, allowing viruses to travel more easily, people’s immune systems naturally decline slightly in the winter, and there just isn’t as much to do outdoors, driving more people to gather inside without fresh air.
There are also additional considerations, such as that depression tends to increase in colder months, people may be fatigued over restrictions, and chronic health conditions that have been neglected as a result of people not seeking care during the pandemic may start to add up.
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All that to say: we don’t exactly know what travel nursing jobs will be in high demand this fall, but based on what we already know about the coronavirus and what is likely to happen, here are some of the specialties you can expect to be needed.
Interestingly enough, case management has been a rising specialty in the middle of the pandemic. There are different aspects to case management, but in general, they have been more in-demand as patient cases have become more complex due to pandemic restrictions. For instance, a case manager might be needed to help patients and families navigate health crises when no visitors are allowed in a hospital. Or, patients who will be going home with ongoing medical needs may require additional assistance navigating virtual appointments or finding services.
We’ve seen travel nursing positions around the $2.5K/week wage in Wisconsin, and some of the areas of the country that have been hit by wildfire as well have been reporting new needs for case management travel nurses. And in some areas of the country, there are also opportunities for remote case managers, so ironically, your next travel nursing position may not even require travel.
In general, demand tends to be high for ICU and MICU travel nurses because ICU is a specialty that’s always needed — and in a pandemic, can change in an instant.
California has openings for night shift general ICU/MICU travel nurses in the $5.5K/week range, while Oklahoma is offering day shift for around $4.7K/week.
We are learning more about how COVID affects the vascular system, and some patients have experienced vascular complications, including blood clots and DVTS. Hemodialysis has been needed for some patients, in addition to regular dialysis patients, and travel nurses are wanted in some states to help meet those needs.
Nurses with hemodialysis experience willing to travel to Massachusetts can get perks such as tuition reimbursement and PTO that can be cashed in for pay. And a bonus: most hemodialysis positions are day shift only if nights just aren’t your thing.
Telemetry is also high in demand, as it’s the first stop for many patients admitted with COVID or COVID-like symptoms for monitoring. In California, telemetry travel RN positions have been seen for as high as $5.5K on night shift and over to the $3K range in Massachusetts right now.
ER positions aren’t as high in-demand at the moment as they were at the height of the pandemic, but there are current positions open in New York for an average of $3K/week, Texas for just over $3.6K/week, and even as far-flung as Missouri, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Oregon, and Illinois for right around the $3K or just under mark. And again, with the fall approaching, especially in eastern states, ER positions could become high in-demand once again.
Louisiana has one of the highest weekly wages for Med-Surg right now, at $4K for a night shift position. Iowa is offering $3.7K/week, and Missouri, Connecticut, and South Dakota all have around $3K/week openings currently as well.
One aspect of medicine that is not affected by a global pandemic? Having babies. And in fact, if you do your math, you may predict that the months of December and January may just see a baby boom as a result of that extra time at home starting in March. Massachusetts has openings for $3.7K/week, while New York is offering $3/5K/week.
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As we have learned, the data with COVID-19 infections is constantly changing. There has even been a report of the first reinfection in the U.S., which is news that we definitely don’t need, but there you have it. So one of the hardest parts for hospitals is being ready for what the numbers will look like in two weeks from no — not just right now.
The virus carries an approximately 2-week incubation period, as well as a sometimes delayed onset of more serious symptoms that could require hospitalization, so new infections today could turn into new hospitalizations in weeks or even months from now.
That means that if you are considering a travel nursing position for the fall, it is best to be prepared. Especially if you have a specialty skill or experience in one of the in-demand positions, it’s a good idea to update your resume, speak with your nursing recruiter, and let them know what areas you are interested in getting hired in. You’ll also want to be sure you have your compact nursing license ready-to-go in case you decide to work in a state that allows it.
Additionally, if you are interested in expanding your skillset to one of the more in-demand specialties, now is a good time to pursue certification in those areas so you can add that to your travel nursing resume. More specialization means more money when it comes to travel nursing jobs, so follow your passion so you can give back and take care of your patients while reaching your highest potential. Talk to a recruiter about available assignments for your specialty.
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Demand to fill COVID-19 travel nursing positions has not slowed as cases continue to occur across the country the threat of a second wave continues to loom.
As many parts of the country have appeared to move back into normalcy — with some workers heading back to in-person offices and children in states like Michigan, Texas, and Florida starting school only a few weeks ago — it may seem like the threat of COVID-19 is finally slowing.
But infection rates in the U.S. have not exactly slowed down. As one simulated tracker illustrates, a new COVID-19 case is reported approximately every 2 seconds in the U.S, just close behind India, where a new case is being reported about every second.
It remains a bit uncertain what will happen with COVID-19 in the fall, but there are still plenty of opportunities for travel nursing positions available. Read on for more info on what you should expect from a second wave and what states are hiring right now.
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With reports that Europe is now seeing a second wave of COVID-19, there are concerns about what will happen in the states this fall with the virus. Unlike Europe, the U.S. never really lowered infection rates, so a second wave could have potentially damaging effects. Many parts of Europe have already put lockdowns and social restrictions back into place over fears of the second wave and experts here across the ocean health experts are cautiously monitoring what could prove to be a complicated fall and winter.
There are many factors that could contribute to a second wave of COVID-19 also occurring here in the states: colder weather bringing more events inside, dry air facilitating the spread of the virus (just like the flu and common cold viruses in the colder months), and increased gatherings at schools.
“We could see a perfect storm of accelerated COVID-19 activity as people gather more inside in particular, as they become increasingly fatigued with the mask wearing, social distancing and the hand hygiene, and as they are exposed to seasonal influenza,” noted Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the infectious diseases division of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, at a news briefing from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, or IDSA on September 10.
Additionally, some experts fear that even if symptoms for both viruses of the flu and COVID-19 are relatively mild in a lot of individuals, getting both viruses at once could pose new complications and cause more severe symptoms. (And here’s your reminder to get your flu shot, folks!) Although that’s typically not what happens with viruses, as one virus tends to “dominate” a host, like a lot of things with the novel coronavirus, experts just aren’t 100% sure what to expect.
Currently, there are still plenty of travel nursing jobs open in areas like general Med/Surg, ER, and ICU units. There are also travel nursing positions open in some of the western states that have seen wildfire devastation, such as California and Oregon.
According to our research, some of the highest-paying states with travel nursing positions open right now are:
Talk to a travel nursing recruiter today.
This is a tough question: one hand, there are benefits to getting a secure placement now, before things potentially get more complicated with more infections during the fall. But on the other hand, more in-demand generally equals higher pay. So it really depends on what type of experience you are looking for. If you’re looking for a fast pace and high wages, you could always take your time for a last-minute position, but if you prefer a little more stability and to take your time on decision-making, you may consider taking a position right now.
One thing is for certain: while COVID-19 has decimated many people’s jobs and forced millions into cobbling together a living out of freelance work, if you’re a nurse — or are considering becoming one — you have priceless job security and the freedom to choose what works for you.
Whether you choose to try out a travel nursing position this fall, or take on a temporary position until we have a more clear picture of what COVID-19 will look like, there will be plenty of opportunities for employment available to you.
Looking for a travel nursing assignment? Talk to a recruiter today.
Travel nurses are in demand in several states as COVID-19 cases spike across the country, particularly in Southern and Western parts of the country.
Florida has consistently been breaking its own single-day record, reaching 13,965 new cases and 156 deaths in one day on July 16, 2020. Miami, FL has been called the new “Wuhan, China” and some experts have warned that it’s too late to contain the spread, so more hospitalizations are likely in the future.
Other states reporting rising COVID-19 infections and related hospitalizations include Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, and California. And according to data from NPR, COVID cases have increased by over 100% compared to 2 weeks ago in Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Montana, as well as Puerto Rico.
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So, what’s with all the spikes? It may be natural to assume that the increasing number of infections can be attributed to more testing, but you can easily determine if that’s true by looking at the percentage of positive tests as compared to the number of tests given out.
In short, if there’s still a high rate of positive tests even with correspondingly high levels of testing, you know that the infection rate is increasing — not just picking up positive cases that would have already been there. For a visual on this, you can see some easy charts via Time Magazine. Additionally, increasing hospitalization rates — as both Texas and Arizona are seeing — is a huge indication that the infections are indeed new.
Because the numbers show a clear increase in cases, experts have speculated this may be the second wave of COVID or a resurgence in infection rates as states move through reopening phases. Additionally, factors like summer holidays, public attitude becoming more relaxed and people returning to normal travel patterns, and recent public gatherings including protests and a handful of rallies, are thought to have played a role.
There is also some evidence that the spikes may be higher in states that reopened bars on an earlier timeline, as bars may be a ripe environment for spreading the virus, with poor ventilation, small inside areas, and attracting large crowds.
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Travel nursing opportunities are still available in many parts of the country, especially as hospitals and facilities are playing “catch-up” on procedures and patients who may have delayed care during the pandemic.
But scouring leading travel nursing websites from across the web reveals that a few states are especially seeking travel nurses in specialties like ICU and ER. From our research, we have found nursing travel opportunities with higher-than-average pay in:
The data with COVID-19 infections is constantly changing and one of the hardest parts for hospitals is being ready for what the numbers will look like in two weeks from now — not just right now. Because of the way the virus works, with an approximately 2-week incubation period, as well as a sometimes delayed onset of more serious symptoms that could require hospitalization, new infections today could turn into new hospitalizations in weeks or even months from now.
That means that you are a valuable asset as a travel nurse, especially if you have experience working with COVID-19 patients, and are ready to take on an assignment when one is available.
So, if you are interested in signing on for a travel nursing assignment in emerging COVID-19 hotspots, or just want to offer your experiences as a veteran COVID-19 nurse, now is the time to get your paperwork in order and speak with a recruiter who can alert you of any position matches.
Ready to start travel nursing? Start here!
In the wake of the first wave of COVID-19 cases, hospitals and healthcare workers are left to evaluate our healthcare system. As we ask hard questions about what’s working and what’s not, travel nurses are uniquely positioned to provide answers.
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As the country seems to be recovering from the initial wave of COVID-19, hospitals and healthcare workers are taking a literal and physical deep breath. Fears of not having enough resources, ventilators, and staff are quelling and healthcare workers may be lowering their masks (outside of work, socially-distanced, of course) for the first time in a long time.
And as we move into post-pandemic life — and hope a second wave is not in our future — many in healthcare are left trying to answer the question: Did we do a good enough job? And what did COVID-19 show us needs to change in our healthcare system?
Being faced with a pandemic from a novel virus laid bare some of the challenges the healthcare system has faced. Racial disparity in healthcare, for one, became glaringly obvious, as COVID-19 hospitalization rates hit black and Hispanic individuals the highest. We also saw more clearly the impact that dangers of delaying care based on the fears of being able to pay that many low-income and uninsured Americans can have. For instance, delaying care could potentially lead to more serious healthcare problems for the individual because what could have been a minor problem with early intervention turns into a more serious condition, as well as a more expensive issue for the healthcare facility.
And more narrowly, the pandemic also revealed aspects of how individual hospitals and healthcare facilities are equipped to handle an emergency like a pandemic. For instance, according to data from travel nurse company NurseFly, we now have a clearer understanding of how important factors like personal protective equipment (PPE) levels, crisis training for staff, mental health resources for healthcare workers, and communication protocols are.
“We are committed to bringing transparency to the travel nursing industry, by providing nurses the most comprehensive picture of travel assignments including pay and hospital conditions,” said Parth Bhakta, NurseFly CEO, in a press release. “The perspectives of nurses shed a light on the fault lines within our public health system, and serve as call-to-action to healthcare policymakers, public, and decision-makers on what needs to be done to protect our healthcare workers.”
NurseFly pooled responses from over 1,380 healthcare workers from their travel nursing community to glean some valuable insight on what those workers found about hospital preparedness, hospital operations, and what changes might be necessary for the future. The survey revealed important information about healthcare, such as:
Speak with a recruiter today about available travel nursing assignments.
As the snapshot shows, travel nurses can provide valuable insight into how hospitals measure up against each other. Because unlike staff nurses, who stay at one facility in one geographical career for their entire careers or for a large portion of it, travel nurses have the advantage of moving from facility-to-facility and to geographical areas across the country.
Thanks to their movement, input from travel nurses can provide crucial information about key areas that could be improved upon. For instance, a travel nurse who has worked in one hospital in Detroit who then works in a hospital in California could see huge fluctuations in resources, facility culture, and practices — and reporting on those differences could help paint a broader picture of any gaps in the healthcare picture.
So, how can you help? The first step is simple — work as a travel nurse! That step alone is a vital one, as any experience as a travel nurse will not only expose you to different healthcare environments but also increase your own knowledge and ability to think critically about any gaps or challenges you see that might need to be addressed. Being exposed to different ways of doing things and having the knowledge to compare and contrast situations are crucial.
Next, work with your travel nurse agency on any surveying protocol they may already have in place. If they offer you a survey about your experience, you can consider sharing your input and experience with them to help paint that bigger picture of the challenges in healthcare that need to be addressed.
If your experience with low levels of PPE at one facility concerns you, or you see a better system of communication implemented at another hospital, share that information. As a travel nurse, your input is vital and matters to the entire healthcare system — and along with making an immediate difference in your patients’ lives, you could impact the entire future of healthcare too.
RN’s can earn up to $2,300 per week as a travel nurse. Speak to a recruiter today!
As a travel nurse, you might see some benefit to working exclusively with one travel nurse agency instead of multiple recruiters. For instance, there could be benefits like loyalty pay, a recruiter who can really get to know you and find positions that match you well and being able to rely on someone you trust.
But although there may be some undisputed benefits to finding a recruiter you can count on, there are also benefits to working with multiple recruiters that can’t be denied.
Here’s why it’s important for travel nurses to work with multiple recruiters whenever possible.
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As Travel Nursing Insider explains on YouTube, working with multiple recruiters is actually a smart negotiation strategy that travel nurses can utilize. Although it might feel like you are “cheating” on your recruiter or being disloyal, it’s very much in your benefit to talk with multiple recruiters so you can get a better understanding of the types of positions and pay being offered by different travel nursing agencies.
Think about it this way: if you are choosing your dinner from a menu, would you rather see all the options that are being offered, or just pick from what the waiter recommends?
Sometimes, it can be more advantageous for you to build a broad picture of everything that is available before you make your decision. Remember, your recruiter works for you, not the other way around.
There are also several practical benefits to working with multiple recruiters that you should be aware of:
Click here to talk to a travel nursing recruiter.
When you do decide to work with multiple recruiters, you will want to be sure that you include recruiters from a wide range of travel nursing agencies. For instance, you should include:
Hearing offers from a wide range of travel nursing agencies can help you be sure you know exactly what type of agency might be right for you. You may think that only the “big” agencies can provide you with the best base pay or stipends, but this isn’t always the case–and in some situations, smaller agencies may be willing to work more closely with you to find the best fit, or help guide you more if it’s your first assignment.
The important thing to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all, and it’s best to go with the agency that makes the most sense for you as an individual, not just because it’s the agency everyone else loves.
As Travel Nursing Insider points out, working with multiple recruiters also ensures that you have the opportunity to “test out” recruiters with different personality types. Just like nurses, all recruiters are different, and there simply may be a recruiter that you mesh with better than others — and that’s OK.
Finding someone you trust, no matter what credentials the actual agency boasts, maybe even more important than the agency choice itself, so it’s always to your advantage to give yourself the most options by working with multiple recruiters.
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Recent testing across the country reveals a huge increase in the number of positive COVID cases.
As the country seems to be a mix of people cautiously venturing outside again and those who never really embraced the mask, one thing has become increasingly clear: the pandemic is definitely not over.
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Some of the states that are showing spikes of coronavirus include Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Arizona.
Alabama, CNBC reports, has 29,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a quarter of those were verified in just the last two weeks. Florida reached a record-high rate on June 20th, reporting 4,049 new cases on just that day alone–numbers that were high enough to prompt some concern from the NBA, slated to begin playing in Orlando in July.
Meanwhile, Houston reported over 1,800 new cases by the weekend, and The Texas Medical Center’s hospitals analyzed data that showed the greater Houston area had 400 new hospital admissions in only the past two days. The Arizona Department of Health Services released their numbers as 52,300 cases with 1,339 known deaths, a 5.2% new infection rate, and a record number of new hospitalizations for COVID. A local sheriff scheduled to meet with the President even tested positive upon arriving at the White House — but says he will not wear a mask or enforce mask mandates after his quarantine is over.
So, what’s with all the spikes? It may be natural to assume that the increasing number of infections can be attributed to more testing, but you can easily determine if that’s true by looking at the percentage of positive tests as compared to the number of tests given out.
In short, if there’s still a high rate of positive tests even with correspondingly high levels of testing, you know that the infection rate is increasing — not just picking up positive cases that would have already been there. For a visual on this, you can see some easy charts via Time Magazine. Additionally, increasing hospitalization rates — as both Texas and Arizona are seeing — is a huge indication that the infections are indeed new.
Because the numbers show a clear increase in cases, experts have speculated this may be the second wave of COVID or a resurgence in infection rates as states move through reopening phases.
Travel nursing assignments available in COVID affected areas.
Surprisingly, preliminary research has found that the states that had large numbers of protestors in the wake of George Floyd’s death and escalating racial tension did not result in a large number of new COVID infections.
Minnesota, which served as the ground zero for the protests over three weeks ago — and feared incubator of the virus — rolled out aggressive testing sites near the protests in an effort to curb the spread. According to reports, the testing sites saw large numbers of protesters who were swabbed, not necessarily because they were showing symptoms, but because they were aware of the risks they had exposed themselves to. So far, the results of the testing show a 1.8% positive rate, which experts have hailed as a relief.
Other states that saw protest numbers were high included New York, Illinois, and Washington, and so far, the numbers are coming back consistent with far less-than-expected positive rates. So why didn’t the spike that experts feared would happen actually happen? Experts aren’t entirely sure but have theorized that it’s a combination of protesters wearing masks, being outdoors, and practicing social distancing even during the events.
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A spike in COVID-19 cases across the country obviously means that there could be increased opportunities for travel nursing positions in hard-hit areas. And if you’ve already had experience working in a COVID unit, you can be a valuable asset to any travel nursing agency.
You may be especially critical if you have experience in areas such as:
If you have been infected with the novel coronavirus yourself, or have tested positive for the antibodies, you may (rightly so) be wondering how that could affect your employment potential. And while it can be definitely helpful if you want to share that information with your nurse recruiter, as of right now, there are no official policies that are granting preference for nurses with COVID-19 antibodies.
Some antibody tests are still being tested for accuracy, and some may have been faulty to begin with, so more research on their validity is needed. In addition, because the novel coronavirus is, well, novel, scientists still aren’t 100% sure what mutations of the virus may look like–and what that could mean for potential reinfection rates.
In the meantime, however, if you are interested in signing on for a travel nursing assignment in emerging COVID-19 hotspots, or just want to offer your experiences as a veteran COVID-19 nurse, now is the time to get your paperwork in order and speak with a recruiter who can alert you of any position matches.
Looking for travel nursing assignments? Start here.
As a travel nurse, sometimes it can feel like it’s hard enough just to get through your shift, come back to your housing, collapse in exhaustion, get up and do it all over again. But if you’re committed to making fitness a priority in your life — or want to see if making exercise a regular habit can make a difference in your days as a travel nurse, we want to help.
You’re a healthcare professional, so we don’t have to convince you of the tremendous benefits that exercise has for you, but especially as a travel nurse, incorporating exercise into your life regularly can help you stay energized, maintain your sleep schedule, and keep your stress levels down. Bottom line? Exercise is important for everyone, so here are some tips to fit in fitness while working as a travel nurse.
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Did you know that some hospitals have an on-site gym for employees? Yeah, me either. But my eyes have been opened thanks to other dedicated RNs who have made a point to work out on their lunch breaks, or before or after their shifts.
For instance, travel nurse Kelsea Drzewiecki found out that her former hospital had a small exercise room for employees, so she would squeeze in a short workout during her lunch break, following a modified version of her gym’s daily programming.
If your facility doesn’t have an on-site gym, check with employee wellness or HR or your recruiter what kind of fitness resources are offered–you may be able to snag a temporary free pass to a local gym or access some at-home fitness apps to help you stay on track. Your insurance company may have some fitness benefits you can tap into as well, so be sure to check what benefits they offer too.
One easy way to get motivated to work out? Follow other travel RNs who can help inspire you. For instance, @fit.gypsy.nurse posts plenty of workouts she does on the road, meal ideas, and motivational tips to workout even when you’re exhausted at the end of that shift.
Seriously, if you do nothing else, consider bringing just one favorite piece of equipment with you. It could be one set of dumbbells or an ultra-lightweight resistance band. Alternatively, ask a local gym if they offer dumbbell rentals (yes, it’s a thing). You might be amazed at how effective of a workout you can fit in with just one pair of dumbbells. From thrusters to shoulder presses to lunges-in-place, the possibilities are endless. And if all else fails, look up how to do a complete workout with just a kitchen towel. It will burn, promise.
If the thought of hardcore working out sounds absolutely terrible with your current assignment, don’t force yourself to get through a grueling, sweaty workout. Instead, calm your body and your mind with some free Yoga with Adriene workouts on YouTube. She has years of free, full-length videos that are effective, hit every fitness level, and will help center you. It’s important to remember that fitness doesn’t have to be slamming weights into the ground and sweating all over the place–challenging your muscles and your mind together in a way that makes sense for you always takes priority.
Yup, you knew it was coming. But if you can meal prep ahead of your shifts, it will free up more time for you to have to actually fit in a workout instead of cooking. And, as a bonus, you might eat healthier meals to complement your new exercise routine too. If meal prepping sounds absolutely terrible, look into a local or national meal delivery service that can help you stay on track while you’re on assignment. Freshly is a good option for single-serve, ready-to-eat meals.
Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated — it could be as simple as taking a walk, doing some yoga in your living room, or simply turning on your favorite playlist and dancing it out for 30 minutes. Just get moving in a way that makes your body feel good.
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When she has a shift, @thefittravelnurse makes a point to fit in a quick workout before she heads to the hospital. “Trust me,” she explains on her Instagram page. “I don’t want to get out of bed that early most days…so I set my alarm for 4:45 am and have a talk (with myself) about how I will feel if I DON’T get up!”
Half of the battle of working out is figuring out what you want your workout to actually be, which is why having an easy library of go-to workouts can really help. You can bookmark some favorite free workouts on YouTube, keep it simple by DIYing your own go-to moves like burpees and push-ups, or purchase a workout library like BeachBody on Demand or Daily Burn. Having easy access can ensure that you don’t waste any precious limited time by messing around, trying to decide on a workout to do, and instead, you can get right to it.
As a travel nurse, you know fitness is important, but do you know the actual official recommendations? According to the American Heart Association, 300 minutes (or 5 hours) of exercise per week is ideal and 150 minutes (2.5 hours) is considered the minimum. That boils down to either 1-hour workouts 5 days per week or 30-minute workouts 5 days per week. Either way, it’s time to get moving!
Nurses have a pretty physically demanding job already, so give yourself credit for all that physical activity you’re doing at work anyways. Consider picking up an activity tracker or simple pedometer so you can track how many steps you’re logging at work — that way, you can see how much fitness you still need to incorporate.
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According to the most recent data, after an initial surge in March and April, the demand for travel nurses has slowed significantly heading into the summer months.
Hard-hit areas such as Washington and New York City, which preemptively hired travel nurses in record numbers — and sometimes for record wages — have slowed their hiring and canceled many contracts. Although COVID-related travel nursing jobs are still available across the country, some with crisis wages, the numbers are not as high as they were through the past two months.
The future of travel nursing in the next coming months may be difficult to predict, but here is more on what we think travel nurses should prepare for.
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As you can imagine, COVID had a significant impact on the travel nursing industry, especially in areas where COVID affected higher numbers of people or had more severe health effects. The demand for critical care specialties, like ICU and ER, jumped considerably, while other nursing areas actually saw a significant decrease in demand.
Data shows that the following areas saw the largest increase in demand for travel nurses:
The data also revealed that certain areas of the country had the most significant increases in travel nurse demand:
And of course, you can’t forget the pay increases. Thanks to crisis pay, rapid response pay, bonuses, and other reimbursements for emergency-declared areas, travel nursing wages in crisis positions went up a whopping 76% in some areas.
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If you had hoped to sign up for a COVID travel nursing assignment, there are still positions available. A search on some of the leading travel nurse job listing pages, such as TaleMed, reveal crisis COVID-19 positions scattered around the country from Florida to New Hampshire. While the intense demand may have waned, there are still some areas offering crisis COVID-19 wages, so if that’s the type of position you’re looking for, it comes down to finding an area that you’re willing to travel to.
Some healthcare facilities may also find they are in need of travel nurses as they reopen previously closed services, such as elective procedural units, or offices. For instance, data showed that the demand for nursing roles in the following areas decreased as a result of COVID:
With the reopening, it’s feasible to expect that the job demand for those areas will once again rise, and may even be higher than before the shutdowns were enacted, due to demand and staff availability. For instance, there may be a large influx of patients who delayed care or staff who had been laid off may elect not to return at all, leaving gaps in the workforce. And as the entire country has started the reopening process, it’s also possible that additional COVID hotspots could crop up among states that had previously low numbers.
The future of travel nursing may also pivot to include more non-clinical roles. For instance, some healthcare staffing agencies, such as AMN, are prepping for a future workforce that will need more skilled labor solutions away from the bedside, such as data analysis, case management, and clinical documentation improvement. Although non-clinical roles are not traditionally travel nursing positions, there may be a larger need in the future for healthcare facilities to turn to travel nurses to fill temporary non-clinical needs.
Overall, just like health experts aren’t entirely sure how this virus will affect the country in the coming months, there’s a lot to be seen about what the demands will be for travel nurses.
What is certain, however, is that the need for travel nurses will never go away. So if you’re considering taking a travel RN position in the future–or just curious to explore the possibility — now is a great time to get started on all of the preliminary steps you need to sign on. Your checklist should include:
And if you do decide to take a COVID position, keep in mind that many of the benefits offered to travel nurses during the peak of the infection, like free housing, meals, and even transportation, are waning or no longer available. Although that shouldn’t affect your pay rate or ability to do your job as a travel nurse, it’s just a good reminder to be sure to check your contract over extra carefully before taking on any assignments, as we’ve all seen how quickly circumstances can change in the world of healthcare.
