Staying Healthy as a Travel Nurse
Nursing, in general, is known to be one of the most stressful professions there is. They partake in hours of taking care of sick patients, diving headfirst into emergencies, and pushing through any feelings of exhaustion and stress. And there’s travel nursing which is not any different.
A travel nurse is a registered nurse who takes up contract-based temporary assignments in hospitals and clinics traveling around the country taking on short-term contracts typically running for 13 weeks. In most cases, understaffed facilities hire temporary nurses to fill in until the requirement ends. But for the most part, travel nurses get to choose their location and schedule. With this setup and going around, how can our travel nurses stay healthy?
1. Get a Routine Ready
Whether you are in a current contract of 13 weeks or just barely started in a new assignment, setting up your own routine will help you feel at ease and create a stable work-life balance. May it be a movie night, cooking your favorite dish, going out for a run - whatever routine that makes you feel have a life outside your profession.
2. Get those Nutrients
One must eat healthily. Travel Nurses may be tempted to just order or eat out – given the long working hours, but if you can avoid it, then great. You will not only save calories when you do this, but you will save money too. Try squeezing in to do groceries on your day off and prepare your meals in advance.
3. Get on an Adventure
One of the perks of being a travel nurse is having the perks of exploring new places and cultures. You may squeeze in some time to appreciate nature and the environment you are currently in, visit interesting places and taste their signature dishes!
4. Get Active
Staying healthy is important for travel nurses and nurses in general because they must remain active to perform their duties. You can squeeze some few minutes to do a simple workout at home, have a walk or run. Getting active can improve your health and can reduce the risk of several diseases as well.
5. Get Your Good Night’s Sleep
Travel nurses and nurses, in general, can be busy at work that sometimes their sleep is being compromised. In this situation, you still need to make sure to get that sleep - as it is essential in reducing your stress levels. Having a good night’s sleep can help you work and feel better resulting in good outcomes.
As staying healthy is a priority for everyone, travel nurses and nurses, in general, must take care of their health as their job demands it. If you feel unhealthy, you might not be able to bear the long working hours, which ultimately will affect your work performance. These few steps may help you stay healthy even as a travel nurse. At the end of the day, your health should be your utmost priority.
When you join a team that cares for your well-being, like Greenstaff Canada, you will be able to get assistance in maintaining your well-being by easily requesting shifts that suit your needs, having dedicated support systems in place, and receiving healthcare benefits. If this sounds like something that you need, look at some of our jobs and connect with us to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!
