Nurse Education
One of the most obvious ways to combat dwindling nurse staffing levels (besides enacting legislation to protect patient ratios) is to make nursing more attractive, education potential nursing students about the career potential nursing holds and remove the barriers to receiving quality nursing education. Rep. Lois Capps, a nurse serving in Congress, has proposed [...]
Nurse Staffing Levels
As nurses and travel nurses are probably aware, this country is experiencing a shortage of registered nurses. This shortage results in overworked nurses and can easily patient safety into question. Nurses on all levels, in all departments need to push their employers for better pay and working conditions. Better pay and conditions for [...]
Harm Reduction
This important issue addresses programs that intend to reduce the ill-effects that are typically associated with dangerous and potentially dangerous lifestyle choices. These programs are broad in scope and can range from designated driver/drunk driving awareness campaigns to condom/birth control distribution in public schools and public needle exchange programs for those addicted to drugs [...]
The next time you walk into your travel nurse placement and cringe at the nurse-to-patient ratios, think of one word for your next assignment: California. The Golden State’s safe hospital staffing law has recently seen its latest phase-in period thanks to relentless advocacy by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC). The new ratios, [...]
As a travel nurse, you are probably registered with a handful (maybe even a dozen) travel nurse staffing agencies throughout the U.S. And, even though you have probably only used two or three of them during the last year or so, you do your diligent part by keeping your paperwork up-to-date with each of the [...]
The concept of having a travel nurse’s license recognized mutually by states that belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact generally increases the ability of travel nurses (and nurses in general) to find assignments and employment in a number of states. It also allows for the delivery of new, innovative practices such as telenursing.
As well, the [...]
The Nurse Licensure Compact is enforceable as law and can’t be changed without the consent of all party states.
A travel nurse practicing in an NLC party state is subject to the nursing practice laws and regulations of that remote party state. The travel nurse must know and conform to those laws, rules and regulations affecting [...]
As part of the NLC, a travel nurse can hold a home state license in only state at any given time. If a travel nurse changes their permanent residence from one NLC state to another , then the travel nurse has to relinquish their license in the former state of residence and apply for [...]
How The Multistate Licensure Model Works
The model is very similar to the current driver’s license model. Someone holding a driver’s license in his/her home state is allowed by law to drive in other states without applying for a driver’s license in each state they drive through. Although requirements to obtain a driver’s license are very [...]
Origins of the Nurse Licensure Compact
In 1996, the United States Congress passed the Telecommunications Act as a way to address to the rapidly increasing use of electronics in the healthcare industry. The Telecommunications Act allowed for the development of standards and a telecommunications infrastructure for the industry. The national nursing regulatory model in place [...]
The eyes of some travel nurses get big and eager when they hear the words “completion bonus.” But before we all start raving about the fact that it’s extra money, let’s look into a few things.
Completion bonuses are considered by the IRS to be ‘non-earned income’. You know you earned that money, but the way [...]
Here are two more tips for those times when a travel nurse must deal with recruiters:
#1: Have more than one recruiter. This may not make sense to some travel nurses, but it’s good advice. Some travel nurse staffing agencies are only able to place travel nurses in specific hospitals in specific parts of the [...]
California State University now offers a fast track program to a B.S. in Nursing for nurses. Will this fast track nursing program guide new nurses into a career as a travel nurse?
In an effort to keep a supply of new nurses flowing into the medical system, California State University has introduced an accelerated BSN program. [...]
Being a travel nurse means more than just showing up for work. So it’s no wonder why some new travel nurses get frustrated when they don’t get the greatest assignments, have to wait on agencies for their assignments, and generally wonder why their travel nurse staffing agency isn’t doing more to help.
What successful travel [...]
Last year’s Healthcare Staffing Summit in Chicago, IL brought some feedback from hospitals staffing agencies and travel nurses alike.
Here are some of the main highlights from the Healthcare Staffing Summit In Chicago, IL:
Large travel nurse agencies are paying the lowest rates
More hospitals are planning to use travel nurses
Hospitals are planning on using more travel [...]