The travel nursing industry is getting a lot of press these days and therefore is growing considerably. With headlines touting impressive travel nurse salaries, and pictures of idyllic wonders of nature it’s no surprise. But for registered nurses who are thinking to take the plunge and jump from a staff job to travel nursing, a thorough investigation is necessary.

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/17/2021 -- How Much Do Travel Nurses Make and How Hard Do They Work?

The travel nursing industry is getting a lot of press these days and therefore is growing considerably. With headlines touting impressive travel nurse salaries, and pictures of idyllic wonders of nature it's no surprise. But for registered nurses who are thinking to take the plunge and jump from a staff job to travel nursing, a thorough investigation is necessary.

When one does a simple Google search for "How much do travel nurses make?" a quick glance over the top results on the page will show that the numbers vary widely, and yet almost always show an impressive weekly or hourly pay rate. Consequently, nurses looking at travel RN jobs can get hung up on how much RNs make and bypass good opportunities because they don't have all the information. There are some pretty frustrating myths rolling around about travel nursing that foster a mentality that travel nursing is all about the money.

Read on to learn about these myths so that one will know exactly what they are getting into when they choose a travel nurse career.

Low Pay Means It's Not Going to Be Worth It
This one is unfortunately all too common, moreover, it's absolutely false. The hourly rate offered up in a travel nursing contract is contingent on several factors. One big factor is the cost of living for the city or town that ones contract is in. Not every city or town in the country has a sky-high cost of living such as good old New York City, and thank heavens for that! When they figure out their living expenses and housing reimbursement in a low cost of living state and compare it to their living expenses and housing in a high cost of living state they might sometimes find that there isn't as big of a difference in their take-home pay between the two as one originally thought.

This table shows the eight states with the lowest cost of living and the eighth highest cost of living:

Lowest
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Kansas
Missouri
Georgia
Alabama
New Mexico

Highest
Hawaii
California
New York
Oregon
Massachusetts
Alaska
Maryland
Connecticut

Before one says no to a contract that is offering what one feels like is a low pay rate, broaden their perspective and look for the non-financial gains.

What is the job? Will it offer one experience in a new unit or specialty? Maybe it will help build or broaden ones nursing career. Where is the job? Do a little digging about the town or city and see what one finds. Maybe the community offers professionals sports games or outdoor recreation opportunities that one enjoys, maybe the food or the music in the area is unique. There's more to be gained in a travel nurse career than the money.

High Pay Means It'll Be Brutal
Not necessarily. Yes, some crisis response contracts offer high pay and can be emotionally and physically daunting in return. However, that isn't always the case. As previously mentioned, cost of living also factors in for the pay scale. Also, sometimes locations that have had a hard time attracting travel nurses consequently offer higher compensation to lure nurses in. One will need more information about the contract than just the hourly rate.

Sometimes rural travel nursing assignments fit this criterion, and I can tell a person looking into traveling nursing that if they want to broaden their perspective and knowledge as a nurse, a rural assignment is a must. If they are considering a rural contract, we've written an article for them, "Do They Have What it Takes for Rural Travel Nursing Jobs?"

One Can Get Rich
Maybe. Although that depends on their definition of rich, about how careful one can be with their finances, including the stipends and reimbursements, and many contracts one works over the course of a year. Elite Specialty Staffing offers a generous housing stipend. One might find one option more financially favorable than the other.

One thing to be especially mindful of is their taxes. While it's technically possible to do their own taxes, we strongly recommend one to hire a professional. Even better if one finds a tax professional who has experience with travel nurses. Be careful with taxes. Albeit caution with one's taxes won't make one rich, it will help maximize the benefits that come with the occupation and avoid costly tax fees or penalties (shudder).

These Travel Nursing Contracts Limit My Income
When one asks the question of how much nurses make, their limiting themselves information from the outset. Travel nursing contracts set one's pay for the duration of the contract. Nevertheless, while the hourly rate (or alternatively the weekly rate) is set, some may include sign-on bonuses or completion bonuses.

One can also inquire if overtime pay or shift differentials for nights or holidays are available. Additionally, there are other ways to earn when a traveling nurse teams up with Elite Specialty Staffing. Our impressive benefits package includes the potential to earn a full-time hourly bonus, a referral bonus, and travel reimbursement.

Don't Make Assumptions
The saying goes about making assumptions. Worse, these assumptions are to one's disadvantage because they will close doors of opportunity. Approach each location contract with an open mind, and look for opportunity.

Sometimes these opportunities will be in the form of building up professional experience and networking contacts. Sometimes, they'll be about the relationships one builds in making new friends. One will definitely have opportunities to see the beauty of our great nation, and while not every location contract can be in a paradise frequently seen and romanticized in movies (aka Hawaii-everyone wants Hawaii) One will be surprised to find that the unique wonder and beauty of each place is there waiting for them if only one has taken the time to look for it.

About Elite Specialty Staffing
We've grown into a full RN/BSN-based professional nursing agency with locations in Idaho, Oregon and Utah and we operate nationally.

We specialize in both per diem and travel nursing contracts for experienced ED, ICU, OB, OR/PACU, NICU, and MS nurses.

Since 2004, we've built up a significant pool of highly competent, flexible and reliable travel nurses. Our stability and growth over the years is a demonstration of the clinical competence and positive demeanor our nurses bring to every clinical setting.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A shortage of nurses that’s existed since the 1930s continues to increase and drive the need for travel nurses and other allied healthcare professionals who work on a contract basis.

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/12/2021 -- Travel Nurses Help Care for Patients in Alabama

Across the United States, reports are coming in that show travel nurses are not only an important piece of a hospital's frontline arsenal against COVID-19 – but a necessity. One nurse out of Montgomery, Alabama – Kymbreon Anderson, left her home about six months ago to go help during this pandemic on her first travel nursing assignment.

"I think for any health care worker, right now is hard. I mean this is something that we've never experienced before. I think everywhere, every hospital is pretty much short-staffed and just overworked. With COVID patients, sometimes you don't know what to expect. You've always got to be on your p's and your q's because they can go south at any given time, so it is difficult seeing that."

The president of the Alabama Hospital Association, Don Williamson, said that even though the  daily numbers of COVID-19 within the state have steadily decreased over recent weeks, the need for travel nurses continues. According to Williamson, "without question, travel nurses are in high demand, and finding them is very very difficult."

Why the Nursing Shortage Exists and When Did It Begin?
An article from the University of Pennsylvania discussed the nursing shortage and how it emerged in the 1930s. During that time, people increased their use of hospital care. As such, the demand for hospitals and other institutions grew and this early part of the century witnessed the construction of many new healthcare facilities.

During this same era, nurses had a reduction of hours in a workday (which was a good thing, as they were sometimes forced to work long hours or even days), and the technology inside of the hospitals also became more complex (which required skilled professionals for operation).

The World War II-era further increased the demand for nurses and also brought about the training and introduction of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) into the field. However, throughout the 30s and 40s, several documented reports revealed that nurses were dramatically underpaid and often endured very poor working conditions (eh-em, still a problem in the nursing industry today, but travel nursing can help compensate for the financial part of this equation). Therefore, the shortage would continue for decades and still is alive and real in today's strained world of healthcare staffing.

Travel Nurses Started as an Answer to Seasonal Shortages
Florida and Arizona were among the first states to hire nurses on a seasonal or contracted basis to deal with the higher influx of patients the hospitals experienced during the winter months. People who travel to warmer climates during the winter, also known as "snow-birds", are usually of retirement age. Because it is usually an older population that has an influx into an area, there is a higher percentage of people who are more likely to, for example, fall and break a hip or end up in the hospital for other medical reasons.

The trend caught on, and hospitals across the nation in every state began looking at their nursing shortages and doing something about it by hiring travel nurses. By the 1990s, travel nursing had become a full-fledged industry where nurses could earn higher compensation. Since the rise of travel nursing agencies in the 1990s, there have been plenty of jobs for nurses to choose from for decades.

Travel Nursing Has Changed Since COVID-19
In many ways. Of course, the sanitation precautions and PCR testing have become normal parts of the work cycle for travel nurses, CNAs, and other healthcare professionals.

Travel nursing has taken over as no longer an option – but a necessity – for many healthcare facilities. Nurses have been reaping the pay benefits as this dramatic spike in demand for nurses on top of a nursing shortage that has been running for decades has brought about some of the highest-paying travel nursing jobs the industry has ever seen.

Learn more about this in our previous blog post, "How Travel Nursing Jobs & Salaries Have Evolved Since Pre-COVID." Or, just look at this job for an operating room (OR) nurse currently available in Springfield, Massachusetts with gross weekly pay of $1978.47 as an example.

The Outlook for the Demand for Travel Nurses
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has come out with news that there will be more jobs for registered nurses (RNs) available in 2022 than any other profession. An article featured in the Nursing Times estimated that there will be an additional 11 million nurses needed from now until 2022 and that the demand for nursing employment is expected to grow faster than all occupations from 2016 to 2026 at a projected 15% rate.

Factors contributing to the current nursing shortage, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN), include the fact that many nurses are reaching the age of retirement; the prevalence of nursing burnout; changes brought on by COVID-19 that have caused new pressures on nurses and CNAs, and a nationwide facility shortage of nursing schools. Supply and demand come into play and the pay rate for travel nurses and other healthcare professionals continues to climb.

Wisconsin Relied on Travel Nurses to Fill COVID-19 Jobs
Madison's Meriter Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin found itself short-staffed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and had to turn to travel nurses to get the staff they needed to provide care to very critical patients. Through their experience, they learned that nurses who work in specialties, such as the intensive care unit (ICU), were the hardest to come by.

Competition to get these nurses, in particular, the ones who are specialized in a specific field of nursing, has driven up the pay rates. Travel nurses are sometimes making two to three times the hourly rate that is made by the staff nurses who work in the same facilities. Nonetheless, the show must go on and these nurses are needed to keep the wheels turning and to provide care to patients when they are in their most critical states.

Leah Huibregtse is the spokesperson for Madison's Meriter Hospital, and she says that "We were lucky to have some traveling nurses support us during the COVID-19 surge, especially those with experience in critical care."

Jason Mattson, who is the Team Leader of the ICU of Green Bay's Bellin Hospital, said this was the first time in over 20 years that they needed the help of travel nurses. He explained that he and other managers have some concerns over the levels of competency and adjustments travel nurses could make to the equipment and protocols, "we've never done that before, we're going to do a leap of faith," he describes the decision to fill several travel nursing jobs. "As the COVID numbers started to climb we had to open a second ICU for just the COVID patients and the staff was overwhelmed," Mattson says.

If one is need travel nurses to fill jobs opened due to the COVID-19 crisis or any other reason or if one is a travel nurse looking for an assignment, call us today at (208) 378 1338.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Whether someone is a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or a certified nursing assistant (CNA) the title and job duties differ, but one problem is seen across the board. Achy feet, falling arches, fat pad atrophy (when the cushioning pads of your feet begin to wear thin), plantar fasciitis, and spider veins around the ankles and up the legs are all common problems.

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/10/2020 -- Whether one is a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or a certified nursing assistant (CNA) the title and job duties differ, but one problem is seen across the board. Achy feet, falling arches, fat pad atrophy (when the cushioning pads of feet begin to wear thin), plantar fasciitis, and spider veins around the ankles and up the legs are all common problems.

That should come as no surprise, when one might consider that for almost the entirety of one's shift be it eight hours, ten, or twelve, that one is standing, walking, or even running. So, what's a nurse to do? Take care of those feet! How's a nurse do that? Well aside from indulging in foot massages, pedicures, and putting one's feet up for a solid 4 hours (which is impossible), investing in quality shoes is the most important thing one can do for their feet.

Not only will one's feet be thankful, but the knees, hips, and back will thank the nurse as well. Quality shoes should provide shock absorption, cushioning, and arch support. Yes, those qualities in a shoe mean one may have to pay a bit more than they'd like but to be able to finish a shift and walk without limping or grimacing one's way to the car or whatever public transit service they will use, will make it worthwhile.

Here, we have put together a list of the five best shoes for nurses. The prices vary, as do appearances, but hopefully, this guide will help one find shoes that fit one's style, fit the budget, and fit their foot!

Top 5 Nursing Shoes Adored By Travel Nurses
 
1. Alegria Medical/Nurses Collection
The clogs created by Alegria include cork and memory foam for maximum cushion and comfort and have a slip-resistant sole. The colors and styles range from bright and flowery, to no-nonsense black. The clogs are slide-on and while some styles have a back that covers one's heel, others leave the heel open. This leaves a lot of choices up to them to determine their taste, their comfort, and appropriateness for their facility. This is one of the more expensive options on this list, most come in over $100, but there are a few more basic options starting at around $70. I don't mind spending a good amount on these shoes because when the insoles eventually do wear down, they can be removed and replaced. This line is geared towards women clinicians, but their Alegria Men's Bender is a black slip-on that has all the benefits already described. These shoes have the acceptance seal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
 
2. Asics Gel Challenger Sneakers
This is our top pick if one prefers a sneaker. These are available in men's and women's sizes (sorry to the guys the first pick left out). The footbed of these Asics is foam, and in both the heel and the front the cushioning is a gel system that will absorb shock. These sneakers are actually tennis shoes, a sport that is very hard on ankles with sharp stops and quick darting lateral movements. One won't roll their ankle in these. This is a sturdy sneaker that will support their foot and ankle, but the outer layer is meshed and will allow for breathability. The sock liner can even be removed if one uses a medical orthotic. One can have fun with bright color combinations, or go with simple black or white. The price will vary based on the gender of course but plan to spend $80-$100 for a pair of these.
 
3. Crocs Nurse Clogs
Yes, of course, Crocs made this list. The main lines of these shoes may be controversial because of their color and sizes, but there is no doubting the comfort these provide. Crocs have a line especially for nurses, that have their typical cushiony comfort combined with Crocs LockTM Tread for slip resistance. Buying Crocs doesn't mean one will have to be buying bright colors either. These work clogs are available in white and black as well. These are the most affordable option on this list, most of the nursing clogs ranging in prices from $45-$60. They're lightweight on their feet, and of course due to their material, easy to clean. The Crocs company even teamed up with shoe retailer Famous Footwear earlier this year to donate their shoes to over 240,000 healthcare workers.
 
4. Hoka One One Clifton
This one is a great looking sneaker by Hoka One One. We recommend Clifton 7 for women or Clifton 7 for men. This sneaker is actually a slip-on, and the tab behind the ankle an easy grab for pushing their heel is cushioned to also relieve pressure on their Achilles tendon. This sneaker is surprisingly lightweight, and comes in a variety of color patterns, although the men's color options are brighter. It has what is called a Mega-Rocker that provides their foot with a smooth ride as they walk. It provides full compression cushioning to their foot and is also APMA accepted.

5. Dansko Professional Clog
This clog is probably the most commonly known aside from Crocs. These clogs by Dansko take a while to a break-in, but once one is done that part, these clogs will be a great friend for years. Plan to spend around $130 for a pair, these are not cheap. My Dansko clogs are over 10 years old, and while I don't wear them every single day, they are in my regular rotation, and I still love these shoes. These have the acceptance seal of the APMA as well. One thing to be mindful of, these clogs are heavier than the crocs or even sneakers will be. They may take some getting used to. Wear them around the house or when one goes out grocery shopping to get used to the feel of them and break them in. Dansko also has a line for men, so check them out!

If one is looking for a travel nursing assignment? We are here to help. Start their search for high-paying travel nursing jobs today!

Perhaps one wants to find per diem nursing (PRN) jobs near them. If so, we want to let nurses in on an industry secret – there's a better way to find the PRN and travel nursing jobs they want.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Is one a Registered nurse, but looking for a change? Does one want to stay in the field of nursing, but perhaps step back from direct patient care? Is one interested in technology and data and how the two are used in nursing?

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/09/2020 -- Elite Specialty Staff delivers the highest paying travel nursing jobs for more than 15 years. Nurses are admirable. They comfort the sick. They hold the hands of loved ones. At Elite, we are honored and proud to work with the best-registered nurses across the country.

Whether you are looking for the highest paying travel nursing jobs in the United States or want to learn more about how to become a travel nurse , you will find the travel nursing resources you need here on our site.

Is one a Registered nurse, but looking for a change? Does one want to stay in the field of nursing, but perhaps step back from direct patient care? Is one interested in technology and data and how the two are used in nursing?

If One said yes to the first or second questions then one may need to do some self-care and perhaps start planning for a change. Maybe a change of setting, or a change of specialty, or simply a change of shifts. Burnout from direct patient care can happen to the best of us, but it doesn't have to mean an end to ones nursing career.

If one has said yes to all three questions, then one needs to ask themselves one more: Do they know what an Informatics Nurse is?

What is an Informatics Nurse?

An informatics nurse is a registered nurse who usually has a bachelor's or master's degree and a nerdy love of information and technology and how those two things can be tools put to good use in the nursing industry for better decision making, better patient outcomes, better work lives for nurses, and so much more. They work to develop and advance healthcare technology, and their role is expanding and becoming even more important as the healthcare industry has turned to digital medical records.

It's a relatively new specialty when one compares it to that of age-old specialties such as labor and delivery, and emergency department. And yet, advancements in the last two decades made in those specialties have been made in large part to that of the drive, ingenuity, and dedication of Nursing Informaticists.

Characteristics of an Informatics Nurse:

- Technical and computer skills

- Analytic skills

- Project management skills

- Business correspondence skills

- Direct patient care experience*

Experience with direct patient care isn't exactly a characteristic but belongs on this list because it is so important. In order to be a great informatics nurse, one must be able to truly understand the intricacies of the nursing industry from ones own personal experience. One will need to be able to identify the frustrations and difficulties that nurses face every day at work so that they can creatively and legitimately help develop technologies to make their jobs easier.

How to Become an Informatics Nurse?

If one is working on their bachelor's degree, one can ask to have a clinical rotation with an informatics nurse or with the IT department. This would set them on the informatics track early on in their career.

If one already is in the workforce that's no problem. This might interest them but aren't ready to commit to a graduate degree, there are a few things one can do to test the waters.

- Jump for opportunities to be on committees or focus groups that work closely with IT departments.

- Take an obvious interest in the ways technology is utilized in their clinical work, and get really good at it.

- Indicate to their management team that they have an interest in IT so that when opportunities arise they think of that person.

- Become a "super-user". If their employer is getting ready to roll out some a new tech system, one may volunteer to help with the rollout. Being a super-user will give them more training and access to a new system opening the door for one to become familiar with it, provide feedback, and later on support when staff is trained.

- One can also look into certification options. Some certifications require graduate-level credit hours or a graduate degree, but some may not require such a time and financial commitment. Let's review some of the certification options now.

Certifications for Nursing Informatics Nurses

There are a few different options for certification in the informatics specialty.

The University of Phoenix offers an online certification program of 10 credit hours. The program is fully online and can be taken one class at a time to allow a person to study while still working. It's called the Graduate Healthcare Informatics Certificate and is available if one has an undergraduate degree.

Although the specialty doesn't have the weight of time behind it, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has developed a certification for informatics as well. Thereby giving nurses who pass, the RN-BC credential that is valid for five years.

Requirements for eligibility to sit for the exam are as follows (as listed from the ANCC site):

- Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.

- Hold a bachelor's or higher degree in nursing or a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

- Have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as a registered nurse.

- Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in informatics nursing within the last 3 years.

- Meet one of the following practice hour requirements:

- Have practiced a minimum of 2,000 hours in informatics nursing within the last 3 years;
or

- Have practiced a minimum of 1,000 hours in informatics nursing in the last 3 years and completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of academic credit in informatics courses that are part of a graduate-level informatics nursing program;
or

- Have completed a graduate program in informatics nursing containing a minimum of 200 hours of faculty-supervised practicum in informatics nursing.

Also available are the certifications CAHIMS (Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems) or CPHIMS (Certified Professionals in Healthcare Information and Management Systems) through the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Inc. (HIMSS).

To be eligible for the CAHIMS one will need a high school diploma or GED equivalent and 45 continuing education hours in healthcare IT, for more details review the CAHIMS Candidate Handbook.

Eligibility for the CPHIMS includes a bachelor's degree and five years of appropriate work experience or a graduate degree and three years of appropriate work experience. For more details review the CPHIMS Candidate Handbook.

If one is serious about advancing in a career of informatics, one may consider joining the American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA). If one becomes a member of the ANIA one can receive a discounted rate for the ANCC credential, and have access to free webinars, earn contact hours, networking opportunities and more. Getting connected to other informatics nurses in the industry will keep one current on big changes and opportunities.

Become a Traveling Informatics Nurse with Elite

An informatics nurse can have an exciting travel nursing career and find travel nursing jobs in big research hospitals, private clinics, nursing schools, long-term care facilities, and more. Join our fleet of highly skilled travel nurses today!

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

COVID-19 confirmed cases are popping up across the state of Nevada, and in worrying numbers despite limited testing. Dramatic headlines fill the news about the deaths of patients and even nurses within the Nevada healthcare system, which has led to a desperate need for Coronavirus travel nurses.

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/28/2020 -- Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak spoke to the press to declare Nevada in a state of emergency. He said:

"Protecting Nevadans' public health and safety is my top priority, and this declaration will give our State additional tools and flexibility to respond to this rapidly developing situation and advance measures to mitigate and ultimately contain COVID-19. As part of our emergency declaration, I ordered the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center and our Nevada Health Response team, which will be leading our fight against COVID-19 and exploring ways to mitigate the impacts to our State and its citizens."

After this declaration, the governor took the moment to announce the Nevada Health Response website. The website was a collaborative effort with the state's Department of Health and Human Services to provide Nevada residents with verified and trusted information about the coronavirus, including relevant news and statistics, information about prevention, and a Frequently Asked Questions section.

High-Paying Travel Nursing Jobs in Nevada and Nationwide
Elite Specialty Staffing is a travel nursing agency committed to placing travel nurses in important jobs across our nation. As with other states, as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, so do the needs of hospitals and all other medical facilities. We have seen a spike in numbers of job postings in the last week in Nevada, specifically in Las Vegas.

Understandably, with the increase in closures and social distancing, medical facilities are increasingly concerned about their most vulnerable patients. Many of our job postings are for telemetry positions such as this one, a Telemetry RN position available now in Las Vegas, NV. The following is a preview of this particular job listing page with more information about the position and telemetry travel nurses.

"Registered nurses who work in telemetry provide care for patients with cardiovascular complications and they oversee the continuous monitoring of the patient's heart rhythm and vital signs. In order to perform telemetry, echocardiogram sensors are placed on a patient's chest and the patient's cardiac rhythm appears in a central location. Telemetry nurses are found throughout the United States in clinical facilities, including hospitals and other inpatient health centers. Patients who are typically taken care of by Telemetry travel nurses can be of any age and often present with conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, electrolyte imbalances, and other diagnoses…"

From reading the position description you can see that a travel nurse taking a telemetry position such as this will be caring for some of the most vulnerable patients in this time of COVID-19. Providing essential healthcare services for these people is a vital part of stemming the tide.

Additionally, in Las Vegas, we've seen a spike in registered nurse positions for Critical Care Units and Intensive Care Units. We have a high number of these positions available for immediate filling including this CCU travel nursing job. The following is a preview of this particular job listing page with more information about the position and CCU/ICU travel nurses in general.

"Critical care unit (CCU) and Intensive care unit (ICU) travel nurses are nurses who have specialized skills in providing care to patients who are in critical condition. CCU and ICU nurses work in various departments, including post-op units, intensive care units, burn units, and other specialized areas within hospitals that provide critical care. Most positions for ICU travel nurses are found in the hospital setting. Nurses who work in ICU can also choose subspecialties, such as Medical ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, Burn ICU, Surgical ICU, Neuro ICU, and others. Throughout the United States, there are also rehabilitation facilities that employ critical care nurses because they have extensive experience with tracheostomy tubes and ventilators…"

Not surprisingly, we have a number of emergency room RN positions for hospitals in Las Vegas as well. Emergency rooms serve as the front line for people coming in with a variety of illnesses or injuries, and now under the conditions of the pandemic, they are busier than ever. Take a look at this preview of a job posting for an Emergency Room Registered Nurse:

"The ER nurse must be able to identify and triage a patient's signs and symptoms and effectively communicate this information to the attending physician in a timely manner in order to get the patient the appropriate help they need. Furthermore, emergency room nurses assist in the implementation of treatment plans, IV administration, injections, medications, educating patients on prescription information, and helping with EKGs and other triage procedures…"

Statistics on the Number of Coronavirus Cases in Nevada
As of April 9, 2020, the Nevada Health Response site is reporting over 2,450 positive cases and 80 COVID 19 deaths. In response to the increasing numbers, the Governor released new restrictions on grocery stores and closing sporting and recreational gatherings and businesses. Despite restrictions and closings, what we know about the virus is that it will continue to spread and for now the numbers of positive cases and numbers of persons needing medical care for treatment will rise, creating additional strain on facilities and hospitals that have up to now already been laboring under the nursing shortage that has affected us in the last years.

At Elite Specialty Staffing we are honored to be part of the solution to connect nurses with key positions in hospitals and medical facilities across the nation in dire need of staff as they combat coronavirus in their communities, towns, and cities. We know that in order to take care of the most vulnerable among us, nurses are vital.

If considering taking a travel nursing job in Nevada, be sure that all one's registered nursing licenses and credentials are up to date. Check out the Nevada Board of Nursing's website for further information about the nursing regulations in the state of Nevada.

Being a travel nurse with Elite Specialty Staffing will get a nurse placed in key positions to make a difference in other medical staff's lives as filling a vacancy will ease their burden.

Work with Elite Specialty Staffing to Enjoy Lucrative Travel Nursing Benefits:
- High Pay and Bonuses
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance from Day One
- Free Private Housing or Generous Housing Allowance
- Tax Advantage Plan
- Weekly Payroll Deposit
- Free Online CEUs
- 401(k) Plans
- Traveler Rewards and Discounts
- Travel and Licensure Reimbursements

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Elite Specialty Staffing has set out on a mission to revolutionize the way that nurses search and apply for jobs online. Imagine, an app that allows nurses to perform every single step of the process to submit their application for per diem nursing shifts or travel nursing jobs from the palm of their hand.

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/24/2019 -- Elite Specialty Staffing has set out on a mission to revolutionize the way that nurses search and apply for jobs online. Imagine, an app that allows nurses to perform every single step of the process to submit their application for per diem nursing shifts or travel nursing jobs from the palm of their hand.

Buckle up and get ready for Nursa™. If one finds themselves searching for a new travel nursing job that person may now apply for the 13-week contract of their dreams? Want to pick up local per diem nursing shifts for tomorrow? No matter which phase of the travel nursing acquisition process one is currently in, Nursa™ has been developed to serve nurses better.

Search the Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs from a smartphone quickly and easily.

As a travel nurse, one will already know how frustrating job searching can be. It's so time-consuming to go through several different travel nursing agencies websites and job search portals only to find confusing overlaps with the same positions posted at different sites with different rates of pay and benefits packages.

How much easier would life be if one could go to one place and search tens of thousands of travel nursing and per diem jobs? What if a travel nurse knew that the rates are shown are the highest ones possible for that particular assignment? Soon, one can. There's an app for that. It's called Nursa™.

Smarter. Faster. Better. Change the Way One Might Find Travel Nursing Jobs Online

It's easy to find the travel nursing jobs within the Nursa™ app. Intuitive and fast, one can breeze right through the different screens and search functions available in the application.

Every travel nurse is different. Unique. At Elite Specialty Staffing, we understand this and make it a point to take the time to learn more about our nurses' specialties, strengths, and weaknesses in order to place them on the assignments they are best suited for. Keeping with this same spirit of respecting our nurses' individuality, we developed the Nursa™ app in a way that nurses can search for their preferred jobs by:

State
City
Specialty
Pay rate
The ability to narrow down search results means that nurses won't be wasting time that they don't have on scouring through thousands of listings just to get to the ones they are genuinely interested in.

Applying for Jobs in the Nursa™ App

hat happens when a person finds a nursing job that they want? Click a button to submit an application and they're done. That is, of course, if one might have all the necessary nursing documentation already loaded into the Nursa™ app that is required by the job.

If the nursing manager at the facility who posted the job wants the nurse to work it, they will accept the request. That's it. No calling around to recruiters or putting a middle man in between the nurse and the hospital or healthcare facility. In fact, one can communicate about a position that they found on the app, and can use the handy built-in chat feature that facilitates instant messaging between the nurse and the employer. Nursa™ puts travel nurses directly in touch with employers, which helps to establish trust and makes the travel nursing experience more personalized and rewarding.

Uploading Nursing Documentation in Nursa™
During the development phase of this application, we wanted to get into the minds of real travel nurses and solve their biggest pain points and frustrations when it comes to searching for new long-term and short-term nursing contracts. Through this discovery phase, we realized that the majority of nurses we talked to identified the completion and submission of paperwork to be the most complicated and difficult part of accepting a new nursing assignment.

This is understandable. There are many different requirements that one has have to keep in order to accept nursing jobs. From verified licenses to vaccines to life support certifications, it can be tough. Not to mention, there is always the possibility of human error when working through a recruiter to get the information that needed. Several nurses also stated that they submitted everything that the recruiter said was required, only to find out later there was more needed.

No more confusion. With Nursa™ its easy to know exactly what the employer needs in order to get to work. When a healthcare facility uploads an open job in the Nursa™ platform, they must list all of the required documentation needed by a nurse to fill the position. As a nurse, when one is creating a unique profile, they will be prompted to enter their documentation. We have a built-in license verification system that saves the time and hassle of finding paper licenses and scanning them to send in. The Nursa™ profile serves as a digital portfolio that holds all of the nursing documentation. Upload everything directly into the nursing app, including:

Vaccination records
Nursing licenses
Certifications
Health physical
PPD skin test
When one applies for a job, the Nursa™ app will review the documentation that they have uploaded into their file, and let the nurse know whether or not one might have all the required documents submitted for the particular assignment, or if there are more needed. In the latter case, the specific documentation will be identified that is needed.

Employers Love Nursa™, Too
Nurses always come first at Elite Specialty Staffing. Always. The same goes for Nursa™. However, that does not mean that the valued employers we work with are not given appropriate respect and attention as well.

Nursing managers are busy! It's not an easy job to find the needed workers to staff a facility, whether it's a hospital, outpatient clinic, doctor's office, or other healthcare organization. They deserve every break they can get. That's exactly why they also love the simplicity of using Nursa™. No more long phone calls and conversations with a nurse staffing agency. Once an employer has set up their own Nursa™ profile, they are able to quickly and seamlessly post their available positions. When a nurse who has all the required documentation already completed in Nursa™ applies for a job, the nursing manager can accept and that job will no longer be listed. It's that simple.

This system is especially useful for those per diem or PRN nursing shifts that need to be filled ASAP. Hospitals often have very little time to get short-notice, short-term nursing positions filled. Calling around to different travel nursing agencies and trying to find a nurse available right away is almost impossible when it comes to urgent staffing needs. When the employer uploads these nursing shifts into the Nursa™ platform, it's put directly in front of the eyes of local travel nurses who might be interested in picking up the shifts.

Signing Up for Nursa™
Downloading the Nursa™ app is quick and simple. After the app's release in the first quarter of 2020, one can simply go to either Google Play or the iTunes store and search for Nursa™ just like a person would any other application. Click the install button, and within minutes, they'll be ready to search for the next travel nursing job.

When creating a profile on Nursa™, the system will automatically prompt to complete the documentation that is required for most nursing jobs. If wanting to simply search, one can always select the option to upload these things at a later time. It's easy. Fast. Simple.

This app is currently being beta-tested. Any questions about the application, please contact us at curtis@nursa.com.

Sign up today at Nursa.com to receive a notification when it is live.

About Nursa
Nursa is revolutionizing how travel and PRN nurses shape their careers. Putting nurses in the driver's seat and given the ability to apply for jobs directly with the hospitals and healthcare systems that you want to work for. It's their career, start making their own choices when it comes to how and when you want to work.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

One might consider taking a travel nursing assignment during the holidays here is a great article on why.

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/19/2019 -- Those considering taking a travel nursing assignment during the holidays - While staff nurses often view the holidays as a difficult and undesirable time to work, if one is taking assignments as a travel nurse, there are many exciting opportunities to advance a person's nursing career that come with handsome perks this time of the year.

Join us as we review some of the different benefits a person might consider if they are considering taking a travel nursing assignment over the holidays.

1. Holidays Bring Tons of Travel Nursing Assignments
There are several reasons why the amount of travel nursing jobs available is on the rise during the holiday season.

Hospital patient census numbers are higher during the winter months. Automatically one might be thinking this trend only applies to the states that experience cold temperatures during the winter, but this phenomenon is pretty consistent nationwide.

It's true that people get sick more often in the winter, but also in states such as Florida where the temperatures do not drop very low, there are still more patients in the hospitals during these months because of the influx of seasonal residents, often called "snowbirds". Because most of these people who travel during the winter months of the year are senior-aged, they are more likely than younger people to end up hospitalized.

There are people who plan elective surgeries during their time off work during the holidays.
Many staff nurses take time off work during the holidays, which means the hospitals have greater staffing needs to cover the holes in the schedule. This also means that there are more opportunities to pick up short-term assignments that last anywhere from four to eight weeks in length. One can secure these types of short-term assignments through a trusted travel nursing agency, such as Elite Specialty Staffing. If a person is a bit unsure about travel nursing but wants to give it a try, then a short-term assignment might be right for them.

2. Travel Nurses can Earn More Money During the Holidays
If a person is Looking for the highest-paying travel nursing jobs, sign-on bonuses, Completion bonuses or other benefits the most lucrative opportunities as a travel nurse, they will find that because of the increased demand for travel nurses during the holidays, there may be additional incentives offered, such as bonuses or even higher rates of pay.

Another financial point to consider when thinking about travel nursing over the holidays is that sweet holiday pay. This is an important point that a person should discuss with a recruiter beforehand because each assignment is unique and one might be required to work all holidays, some holidays, or no holidays.

Depending on the nursing position the nurse is allowed to pick up some extra shifts on the holidays and what pay rates will be. Also, one might consider having the specific days defined, as many hospitals and healthcare facilities offer time and a half for days such as Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, and then double time on Christmas Day or New Year's Day. Knowing exactly what are and aren't entitled to so that there are no disappointments later is an important thought. If one plans on working through those dates, one will want to consider making available to work as many of those shifts as possible to earn that killer holiday pay. A travel nurses' willingness to work on those days is also a great selling point to a potential healthcare facility or hospital that is interested in hiring a nurse.

3. Those Looking for The Nursing Job Before the New Year
Tons of travel nurses enter the job pool during the first month of the year. Because of the flexibility that comes with being a travel nurse, many of them will take the entire holiday season off and then be ready to hit the floor after the new year. This makes for a ton of competition during the month of January.

If one takes a travel nursing assignment during the months of November or December, one will have an advantage because one will be already working. Then, when January rolls around, one will already have recent experience and possibly be given the opportunity to extend the current assignment. When I took a travel nursing assignment that started the first week of December when the January nurses showed up the census did not rise as the hospital expected and a lot of them were sent back home because there was no longer a need. I stayed until March and was given the opportunity to extend for as long as I wanted.

4. A Travel Nurse Can Bring Joy to Patients During the Holidays
Nobody wants to be sick or stuck in the hospital during the holidays. Nobody. It's easy to feel down or depressed when they are not well and away from they're family in a strange environment as a patient. When a travel nurse is working during this time of the year, they have the opportunity to uplift the spirits of their patients and bring them some joy.

5. Healthcare Facilities Let the Good Stuff Roll During the Holidays
If a travel nurse is working the holidays at a hospital or other healthcare facility, chances are they will be well fed. From the different boxes of cookies and goodies brought to the nurses from the physicians' practices to the unit potlucks and dinners hosted by the nurses to the staff dinners provided by management – there is a very good chance that one will be eating well even though they are stuck working.

6. Use the Season to Knock One Off the Bucket List
Some might have always dreamt of spending a winter away from the cold and laying out on the beach? Conversely, a person might be from a warmer climate and want to indulge in a snowy winter wonderland? Perhaps there is an event they have always wanted to go to, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Maybe they have been working as a travel nurse all year and want to land an assignment near home for the holidays. If there is anything like that a person looking to be a traveling nurse would like to do this time of the year, search the many open travel nursing assignments to see if there are opportunities to make one's dreams reality.

If someone looking for the right travel nursing job this holiday season, we want to hear from them! Give us a call today at 208-378-1338.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

National statistics predict that the need for travel nurses will only increase in the next few years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will but a shortage of approximately 1.1 million nurses by 2020. Considering this dire need for nurses – there has to be a solution to fill in the gaps! That is where travel nurses come in.

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/16/2019 -- When healthcare facilities and hospitals across the country have gaps in their staffing, travel nurses are used to filling in the holes in the schedule for a specific period of time. Staffing needs are a result of a variety of circumstances which include:

Maternity leave
Seasonal population fluctuations
Holiday needs

National statistics predict that the need for travel nurses will only increase in the next few years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will but a shortage of approximately 1.1 million nurses by 2020. Considering this dire need for nurses – there has to be a solution to fill in the gaps! That is where travel nurses come in.

How Do Travel Nursing Jobs Work?
Healthcare facilities and hospitals work with travel nursing staffing agencies to hire nurses for their short-term staffing needs. Travel nursing agencies are the ones responsible for creating the contracts which are agreed upon by the nurse and the healthcare facility who is hiring the nurse. Essentially, the travel nursing agency serves as the middleman to make these connections and fill the staffing needs of the hospitals and healthcare facilities.

There are many different types of travel nursing jobs available that can be short-term or long-term. Most travel nursing contracts will last anywhere from eight to 26 weeks – however – the industry standard is 13-week contracts for travel nurses. If a hospital or healthcare facility has a continued need for help beyond those 13 weeks, they will offer to extend the initial contract. Due to ongoing nursing shortages, facilities are becoming increasingly flexible when it comes to travel nursing contracts.

The travel nurse has the freedom to decide whether they want the stability that comes with a long-term travel nursing contract, or the flexibility of signing onto a short-term travel nursing contract. Once the nurse and the hospital manager have signed the contract, it is a legal document and ending a contract early is rarely permitted.

Facilities and hospitals are allowed to terminate contracts early if there is not a need for the position. If this happens, a traveling nurse will not be compensated to the end of the contract length – however – nursing staffing agency will work hard to place the traveling nurse on another assignment quickly.

How to Become a Travel Nurse?

In order to become a travel nurse, one must first be a registered nurse. Beyond that, there is no additional training or education required. However, if they have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) the person is more marketable than nurses with just an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN).

Generally speaking, one must have completed at least two years in a specialty before accepting the first travel nursing assignment. The orientation period to a new unit will be very short – typically two to three shifts maximum. During this orientation period, it will be necessary to learn the unit, get acquainted with coworkers, learn the patient population, and get a grasp on the computer charting system. This time will not be using this time to learn the nursing basics – which is why it's important that one has some experience under their belt to start.

In order to accept a travel nursing assignment, one must already be licensed in the state where the contract is. Most travel nursing agencies will help the nurse acquire the necessary licenses, but the process could take a few weeks or even months to obtain. If a nurse holds a license in a state that is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), The license will be good in 29 states that are currently part of the agreement – and a few more that are set to join soon. This is a huge advantage if the plan is to work in several different states.

What are the Benefits of Travel Nursing with Elite Specialty Staffing?

Expand nursing skill sets and build up resumes

When accepting contracts at top-rated hospitals around the country, A resume becomes very strong.

Gain more consideration for graduate school admission or earning staff positions at top hospitals

Earn a higher salary than staff nurses

Gain supplemental income for meals and incidentals

Earn money that is tax-free

Travel to new and exciting places

Take time off in between contracts

Enjoy professional and personal flexibility

One may choose their own shifts and schedules if permitted by contract

Obtain free or cheap dental, vision, and health insurance for nurses

Receive reimbursement for traveling to new locations for assignments

Broaden their horizons by meeting new people and experiencing new cultures

How to Search for Travel Nursing Assignments

There are many travel nursing assignments available across the country. They can be found in larger hospitals, outpatient centers, and smaller community hospitals. Travel nursing jobs can also be found in metropolitan cities and smaller rural towns as well. If one is unsure where exactly where to go for work, travel nursing gives them the ability to try out many settings.

In order to narrow down the many options for travel nursing jobs, it's important to determine why one would want to be a travel nurse in the first place. For those that enjoy the flexibility and being able to decide when and where they would like to work, one might enjoy working as a per diem nurse. for questions about traveling nursing and employment options contact Elite Specialty Staffing. We work nationwide throughout the United States and can help facilitate services in some cases internationally. (208) 378-1338.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Bountiful, UT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/08/2019 -- Article by Miranda Booher, RN

#1. Travel Nursing Offers Competitive Wages

Considering handsome paychecks are one of the top reasons professionals choose travel nursing, we'll slide this point right into the number one position on the list.

Registered nurses who travel make more money than the average staff nurse.

According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a registered nurse makes $70,000 annually or $33.65 per hour.

On the other hand, a travel nurse has the potential to reach an annual salary of $107,380 which is more than $50 per hour according to Payscale.

Travel nursing benefits and incentives provided by companies come together to secure the highest pay rates, which include:

Completion bonuses
Housing stipends
Travel costs
Sign-on bonuses
Referral bonuses
Shift differentials

#2. Travel Nursing Unlocks Doors to Endless Opportunities

Registered nurses are in high demand! If a person has an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree as a nurse – These skills are needed at healthcare facilities across the nation.

It's common knowledge that the United States is experiencing a drastic shortage of nurses. When it comes to the travel sector, this need is compounded! With that comes a wave of opportunity. Consider the following about working as a travel nurse:

Traveling nurses can be selective when choosing their assignments.

Once they have a couple of contracts under their belt, they will have their pick of almost any assignment they want.

They can take advantage of their time off in between contracts to relax, decompress, or visit loved ones before their next job.

While working as a travel nurse, they will never be without a job as the opportunities are literally endless.

#3. Registered Nurses who Travel Gain Experience Like Crazy

Professional growth occurs at a sped up rate as a travel nurse. They will gain confidence to take on future assignments.

They can learn a lot in 13 weeks (which is the standard length of a travel contract). In fact, it's expected of them. As a staff nurse, one might be given a week or even a month to take classes and learn the hospital's electronic medical records (EMR) and computerized systems to process orders, distribute meds, etc.

In a career as a travel nurse, one will be given a crash course, usually eight hours or less, to learn the hospital's charting system and electronic tools. In fact, every single mandatory policy and procedure will also be delivered in a rushed fashion in order to get them working as quickly as possible.

#4. Ease the Burden of Cost-of-Living Expenses

Heat. Electric. Rent. Ugh, who has time for that?

The typical expenses for cost-of-living anywhere in the states can stack up to an amount comparable to their monthly salary! Rent and mortgages are at ridiculous levels as they peak at all-time highs, which makes 2019 a great year to choose travel nursing in order to lessen the burden of living expenses.

Travel companies pay for housing expenses, including rent. If they decide to save money by taking the housing stipend, they can then use the extra cash towards their mortgage or alternative housing cost.

#5. Get Paid to Discover New Places

If their spirit longs for adventure, travel nursing might be their calling. What wanderlust wouldn't love to get paid to explore?

When considering travel nursing assignments, check out opportunities in locations in which they have always wanted to visit.

During the assignment, a traveling nurse can get out and take on the role of a tourist while in the area. Visit museums and parks, get tickets to local plays or movies and do some sightseeing.

#6. Bypass Workplace Drama

Crabby managers. Bossy nurses. A few bad apples can make a nursing job more stressful than it has to be.

Thinking of the phrase "familiarity breeds contempt"?

No matter how to chill a person is. How relaxed they are. It's inevitable. When they stay at a particular place of work for an extended period, they will be affected by the drama in the workplace.

As a travel nurse, one does have the option to stay more reserved and distance themselves from such negativity.

Three months is just enough time to get comfortable, but not too comfortable. Travel nurses will be so busy learning the flow and executing care like a pro, that they won't have the time or patience to get caught up in the drama.

#7. Freedom and Flexibility with Security

True beauty lies in having a job that is rewarding that doesn't tie a traveling nurse down. Sometimes freedom and flexibility come with the price of performing work that is not guaranteed or in an industry with poor job security.

Working as a travel nurse is the perfect way to be more autonomous in deciding on what they want and what they're willing to negotiate on. They are left to call the shots.

#8. Avoid Job Burnout

Taking on various roles is inevitable in travel nursing. However, it's a plus that traveling nurses only stay at each one only long enough to get paid well and avoid the burnout that comes with familiarity and repetition. Nursing burnout is real and it can be damaging. Switching up the assignment every few weeks helps avoid this.

As difficult as any nursing job, travel nursing work offers a total change up of scenery and co-workers, which can help keep their motivation up and their smile real.

#9. Grow. Evolve. Change.

A travel nursing career provides a unique way to rediscover oneself. Make new friends. Discover new hobbies. Experiencing new locations and environments creates opportunities to try different things and meet people. Who knows. Traveling Nurses might realize there's an entire world of things they love to do, and never even knew about.

While working as a travel nurse, cultural growth is inevitable, as intertwining with the local people and the environment will be their everyday life for as long as the contract lasts.

Ready to be a travel nurse in 2019?

View our traveling nurse job board

2019: The Year to be a Travel Nurse - Click to View Full Article

Travel Nursing, Skilled Nursing Jobs, Nursing Agency - Visit Elite Specialty Staffing

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm