eJane

Summer’s here. Officially. If you’re in the south like those of us at eJane, you might try to tell us that summer started two months ago, but if you by the calendar there’s no way out of it.

And if you’re like thousands of other travel nurses, you’ve got your eyes on some nice beach locations for a future travel assignment. What’s better than getting out of work and heading to beach for some relaxation - maybe even some exercise. Whether you’ve been on a coastal assignment one time, or one hundred times, here are some tips that’ll make your time at the beach safer and more enjoyable:

Protect Yourself from the Sun. The American Cancer Society has done its part to keep you safe from harmful UV rays by creating the phrase “slip, slop, slap and wrap.”

• Slip: Cover-up with clothing…even better, cover up with UV protective clothing available at Coolibar and Solumbra.
• Slop: The sound sunscreen should make when it hits your body. Most of us don’t use enough sunscreen and rarely apply it often enough.
• Slap: When your hat slaps your head you know you’re covered. A hat with a wide brim can protect your ears, the back of your neck and your face from harmful UV rays.
• Wrap: Sunglasses that wrap around your face offer much more protection that standard glasses. Don’t worry, we’re not talking Blublockers here, either. Fashion and protection are now available in sunglasses.

More Helpful Tips:

• Apply sunscreen to dry skin before applying makeup and at least 20 minutes before exposure to the sun.
• Purchase lip balm with sun protection built-in
• Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays and typically contain avobenzone, ecamsule, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
• You should reapply sunscreen every two hours. More often if you’re exercising or in the water.
• To avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• The sun is most intense between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Check the UV Index in your travel nurse assignment area at the EPA’s website.

With just a little bit of preparation, you can spend your time away from your travel nurse assignment relaxing and playing on the beach. We’ll have more summer tips to come.