How COVID19 Has Changed Travel Nursing

Nearly every person on the planet has been forced to adjust to the “new normal” of the coronavirus pandemic. This is particularly true for nurses, who have been at the frontlines of the battle against COVID19, responding heroically to their call to duty. Nurses’ lives have changed dramatically since the start of the COVID19 pandemic. These changes will affect healthcare and the work of the nurse for years to come. Read on for a list of ways COVID19 has changed travel nursing.

Flexibility & Growth

Early on, the COVID19 crisis created a major shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals as patient census rapidly increased due to spreading of the virus. Many states removed barriers to licensure and nursing exams were shortened to streamline the process of getting nurses into the facilities that desperately needed them.

These policies are still in place, giving some nurses increased flexibility to work in different healthcare settings and expand their skill sets. In addition to fewer barriers to licensure, the high patient ratios created by rapid increases in patient census forced facilities to give nurses more freedom and independence at the bedside within COVID19 units.

Increased Demand for Travel Nurses

On the macroscopic level, the nursing profession has experienced significant growth. However, as different cities around the nation experience the peaks and valleys of COVID-19 outbreaks, nursing shortages continue to occur, creating high demand for travel nurses to meet staffing needs.

As current rates of COVID-19 continue to trend upward across the country, travel nursing continues to remain highly competitive, which may result in an increase in pay rates in cities burdened by high numbers of COVID19 patients.

New Demand for Testing

As more measures are taken across the nation to provide quick and easy COVID19 testing, an entirely new line of employment has been created for nurses.

Many travel nursing agencies are offering the opportunity to provide safe COVID19 testing services at locations across the country.

Click here to learn more about testing opportunities at Gifted Healthcare.

New Safety Standards

The safety of both nurses and patients has been an issue since the beginning of the pandemic. The CDC has issued a new set of information and guidance regarding infection control, personal protective equipment (PPE), and guidance.

Click here to view all of the CDC’s new guidelines for patient and worker safety.

New Visitor Restrictions

New visitor restrictions for patients have been implemented by facilities, forcing most patients, especially those with COVID19, to be completely isolated during their stay.

The result of these new restrictions has been twofold. On one hand, patients’ hospital stays can be more difficult without access and reassurance from friends and loved ones. On the other hand, reliance on nurses for close and compassionate care has never been higher.

Many nurses and nursing aides, especially those working in LTAC or assisted living facilities, report forming close bonds with their patients due to being their main connection to the outside world.

Increased Need for Nurse Self-Care

Many nurses are working longer hours or more shifts as a result of the heavy burden COVID-19 has placed on healthcare facilities. As a result, nurses must become more focused on practicing self-care to reduce the chance of “compassion fatigue” or burnout.

If you are a nurse working long or stressful shifts, here are some ways that you can decompress and improve your self-care routine:

• Spend time “off the grid” and reduce “technostress,” finding time every day to disconnect from social media, email, and television.
• Physical activity and exercise releases stress-relieving endorphins, leading to long-term feelings of well-being.
• If possible, improve your sleep health by sticking to a sleeping schedule and getting seven to nine hours of shuteye every night.
• Stay away from foods with lots of sugar and carbohydrates and eat snacks like dried fruit, almonds, or lean meats like turkey.
• Do your best to avoid taking the stress of your job home with you, enjoying your time off and maintaining a work-life balance (we know this isn’t easy!).

Find Your Dream Nursing Career with Gifted Healthcare

Even though COVID19 has changed travel nursing, Gifted Healthcare is here to support you through all the changes as they come! From travel to per diem contracts, Gifted Healthcare provides clinicians with high-paying jobs and support in these everchanging times.

Apply now and become part of Gifted Healthcare today!