Travel nursing can take you to all kind of places, from small towns to big cities. When considering opportunities, it is important to be aware of the differences nurses may encounter in rural and city assignments. Here are a few things to consider before you sign on:

Lifestyle
It may seem like a no-brainer, but consider: what kind of lifestyle are you accustomed to? You’ll want to consider how you will spend your time when you’re not working. Are you an outdoorsy person who likes to camp and hike? Or are you an urbanite that likes to take in arts and culture and go sightseeing? Consider how you’ll fit in your new locale. Do some research and find out what’s around. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, try to talk to another nurse who’s been there. That’s the beauty of travel nursing: you can put yourself in the place where you’ll best thrive—both in and out of the scrubs.

Staff Support
There can be differences in the amount of staff support in your place of employ—based on everything from administrative to cultural to socioeconomic factors. Be prepared for a different pace and emphasis. Are you accustomed to a certain workflow and amount of oversight? Staff in rural areas might be more expected to fulfill more than one role, floating various units in accordance with need. Nurses in urban areas may be expected to focus more tightly on a certain area of care. Also, assignments may differ in the kinds of injuries and illnesses you’ll be encountering on a regular basis. Depending on what you’re more comfortable with, you’ll want to factor all this in.

Branching Out
Because healthcare facilities in cities and rural areas often contrast, there may be times when it is advantageous to your professional growth to go outside your comfort zone. Don’t write off one or the other, particularly if you may need to take a different kind of assignment down the road. Rural facilities, as mentioned, may prefer a more “well-rounded” kind of professional, one who can transition smoothly between different kinds of care. Don’t be afraid to venture out and show that you can handle a variety of tasks.

Finally, remember that a rural or city assignment doesn’t guarantee a certain kind of experience. It’s best to do a little research beforehand to get an idea of what the assignment will be like. Talk to someone that has spent time in the area: they can save you a lot of headaches. Happy traveling!

At MedPro, we offer a wide variety of travel healthcare jobs.  From travel nurse jobs in large cities, to traveling therapist jobs in the country, we can help find you the perfect position.

Being a travel nurse can be great: visiting new locales, making friends and contacts, gaining diverse experience and growing professionally for handsome pay. But even the most seasoned travel pro might find themselves with extra downtime during assignments—at times a little more then they’d like. So what can you do when R&R lingers and stretches your budget?

Per Diem
It may be the most obvious choice; but given the seemingly endless shortage of nurses and other medical staff in our nation’s hospitals, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find per diem work at local hospitals. Also, depending on your specialty, you might consider organizations a bit off the beaten path that are in need of an extra hand, including retirement, assisted living, and mental health facilities. Broadening your skills and experience can’t hurt. Also: if you already have a new travel assignment lined up, be sure to check in that area, too.

Continuing Education
Although it may not bring you any immediate income gains, enrolling in Continuing Education courses might prove a fruitful way to spend your downtime between travel assignments—and it will pay off in the long run. Not only can these courses (also offered by private companies, so be sure to shop around) allow you to maintain licensure; they can help you build your skill and land the best new assignments.

Unemployment Benefits
In response to the slowed economy—which unfortunately can sometimes affect travel nurses, too—many states have extended unemployment benefits. If you find yourself without a contract for long periods, consider unemployment benefits as an option. Keep in mind that unemployment benefits are taxable –withholding is optional, not mandatory. Also, the amount of benefit received is added to your total income for the year, which can result in a higher tax bracket.

Being a travel nurse has its pros and cons; but for most, the benefits of flexible schedule, variety of experience, and higher pay are worth the slow times. If you find yourself with downtime, remember: there are many valuable ways you can spend your time!  And of course be sure to call MedPro.  We offer a variety of outstanding traveling healthcare opportunities.

As a traveling healthcare professional, you get to visit outstanding locations and experience new things. But now many locations can rival Hawaii? Warm tranquil waters. Amazing beaches. Great outdoor recreation. Wonderful food. And friendly people. Hawaii has it all.

MedPro currently has several travel healthcare jobs in Hawaii:

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Job in Honolulu, Hawaii
13-week assignment.

Travel Nurse Intensive Care Unit Job in Waimea, Hawaii
13-week assignment, nights.

Imaging CST Surgical Technologist Job in Honolulu, Hawaii
13-week assignment, days.

Imaging Cath Lab Technologist Job in Honolulu, Hawaii
13-week assignment, days.

Interested in learning more about these outstanding travel job opportunities in Hawaii?
Search our existing openings now and apply online!

 

Being a traveling nurse or therapist can be an amazing opportunity. From outstanding pay, to the chance to learn new specialties, to being able to visit new and exciting places, traveling healthcare can be very rewarding.

At the same time, traveling can present some challenges—especially when you’re the spouse of a traveler. Here are a few tips to help make travel healthcare a great option for both the traveler, and the spouse:

Know ahead of time what you’re getting into.
As we mentioned, travel healthcare is exciting. But with it comes change. Before you decide on travel healthcare as a career choice, make sure both partners agree on this lifestyle.

Make decisions together.
When choosing the next assignment, sit down together and talk about the pros and cons of different locations. Openly communicate and make sure you both agree on the next move.

Use technology.
As a spouse, if you’re not traveling with your partner on every assignment, use technology. Services like Skype, Google+ and iPhone FaceTime are even better than just talking on the phone each day.

Choose a career that lets you work virtually.
With business becoming more global, there are many careers that allow you to work virtually. This lets you maintain your professional life and enjoy all the benefits of traveling and seeing new places.

Choose destinations with family and friends.
Select locations in which you have old friends and family. This will allow you to enjoy the time while your spouse is on assignment—instead of feeling alone in a new place.

We hope you find these tips helpful! Whether you’re a current traveler looking for a new opportunity, or you and your spouse are ready to consider travel healthcare, call MedPro. We have a variety of outstanding job opportunities available. Search our travel healthcare assignments today.

With every profession come pros and cons.  There are always going to be things you absolutely love, and maybe some things you wouldn’t mind changing!

Traveling healthcare is no different.  While there many advantages to being a traveling nurse or therapist, there are also some challenges.  Let’s examine a few of the pros and cons:

Pros of being a travel nurse or therapist:

Gain great experience.
Whether you’re relatively new to the healthcare profession or are a veteran, travel healthcare will open your eyes to a wealth of new experiences.  You’ll see how different facilities are managed.  You’ll have the opportunity to work in a variety of fields, if you choose.  And, you’ll learn some amazing things from all the different practitioners you’ll work with.

Find your niche.
Along with trying a variety of different fields of medicine, you’ll determine what you like, and what you don’t.  Through trying different fields, you can pinpoint your area of expertise and focus on an area of medicine that suits you.

The pay.
Let’s face it, many healthcare professionals get into travel because of the pay.  Many traveling jobs pay outstanding wages and offer housing allowances.  This allows you rake in an outstanding salary in a short amount of time!

The travel.
As a travel nurse, you’ll get to see and stay in places that you’ve always wanted to.  You can work with your recruiter to build a wish list and spend time in some of our nation’s top destinations.

Cons of being a travel nurse or therapist:

The travel.
Yep, it’s both a pro and a con.  With each new assignment comes the relocation and getting all of your belongings to the new destination.  The key is to travel light and only bring along the things you really need to.

Getting acclimated to a new setting.
With each new assignment, there will be an adjustment period.  You have to get acclimated to your new position, the facility and new co-workers.  It can be intimidating at first but after a few assignments you’ll learn some tricks to make this less of an issue.

Finding your next assignment.
Being on a temporary contract can bring along with it some level of uncertainty.  So, it’s important to work closely with your recruiter/travel agency to line up your next assignment well in advance.

Establishing roots.
With constant travel, it can be a challenge to establish roots and build personal relationships.  It’s important to know this going in, so that you can plan appropriately and ensure the travel doesn’t put a strain on your personal life.  And remember, one of the benefits of traveling is meeting new people and making new friends!

Thinking about becoming a traveler?  Call MedPro.
We would be happy to talk with you about both the pros and cons of being a traveling healthcare professional.  We can even let you talk with other travelers to get their take and advice!  Call us today.

- January through March: Skiing out West
- March through May: Warm up down South
- June through August: Spend some time in the Midwest
- September through October: Enjoy the Fall in New England
- November through December: Connect with some friends in the Southwest

What’s your schedule look like for 2012? 

If you don’t know yet, what are you waiting for?  One of the biggest benefits of being a travel nurse or therapist is the ability to visit new areas, gain new experiences, and spend time in cities and regions across the country.

But how do you choose where to take your next assignment?  Here are a few tips:

Talk with your travel agency/recruiter.
Discuss what types of opportunities they currently have available.  Talk about what areas of the country, and what areas of practice are most appealing to you.

Think about the weather, ahead of time.
Are you a snowbird?  Do you like the heat?  Does high humidity bother you?  These are things to consider when planning out the next year.

Do you have family and friends in specific areas?
As a travel nurse/therapist, you have the chance to visit cities and regions with old friends and relatives.  It’s a great opportunity to reconnect and make more great memories.  Think about who you would love to spend time with and search for opportunities in those areas.

Build a bucket list.
Have you always wanted to ski Aspen?  Would you love to learn how to surf?  Take the time to build a list of all the things you would love to do, and then plan assignments around those things.

Last but not least, call MedPro.

At MedPro, we have outstanding travel nursing and therapist jobs located across the country.  No matter what your interests, we can help you find a position that is great professional fit, and lets you enjoy your personal time too!

As we wrap up 2011 and get ready for 2012, we decided to look back at our top blog posts from this year. It’s our privilege and pleasure to provide you with the tools and tips you need to reach your career goals. Whether you are a travel therapist or a travel nurse, we are here to help you reach your goals!

Here is a rundown of our top posts from 2011:

Top 10 Physical Therapy Schools in the U.S. – Being a physical therapist is one of the top 50 careers, according to US World News & Report. To help you find the right school for launching your therapy career, we reviewed a list of the top 10 schools for physical therapy.

Five Great Locations for Travel Nursing - Travel nursing offers unique rewards versus a traditional nursing career. One of the biggest rewards is the ability to travel. In this post, we highlight five great destinations for travel nurses.

Your Career as a Pharmacy Technician – What You Should Know – Careers in pharmacy are expanding rapidly, and an emerging area is that of pharmacy tech. If you’re considering a career as a pharmacy technician, this post will give you the information you need to get started.

AAIHR and MedPro Staffing  Joined With Latham & Watkins to Secure Victory for Physical Therapists Educated in Philippines, India, Pakistan and Egypt - MedPro Staffing was instrumental in lifting a ban on hiring therapists from the Philippines, India, Pakistan and Egypt. This blog examines the decision and journey in more detail.

The RN Safe Staffing Act – What You Should Know -  The RN Safe Staffing Act has been reintroduced into Congress, and can have a dramatic impact on nurses and healthcare organizations across the country. The post contains essential information you need to know.

Looking for an assignment to kickoff 2012?
Search our available healthcare, nursing, and therapy travel jobs today to get started!

As a traveling healthcare professional, you enjoy wonderful locales, excellent opportunities and the excitement of fresh opportunities. But, you also face some unique challenges when it comes to your taxes.

To ensure you are in compliance with all federal and state tax laws, we recommend you consult with an accounting and tax professional. Before you prepare for your meeting; however, here are some notes and tips to keep in mind:

- If you maintain a permanent residence in your home state while you are out on assignment, you can typically still file for the cost of your daily living expenses to help pay for food while you are on assignment. For the exact costs you can claim, consult a tax professional.

- Depending on where you have worked, you may have to file a state tax form for any state you worked in during the year. This requirement can vary by state, so consult your tax professional for specifics.

- If your employment agency or host healthcare organization is not paying for your mileage, you may be able to file for reimbursement.

- There are tax organizations dedicated specifically to helping traveling healthcare facilities. Word-of-mouth is a great way to gauge confidence in working with an organization, or a Google Search for “travel healthcare tax agencies” can bring up some helpful links to organizations.

If you have any questions before meeting with a tax professional, MedPro can help you find the information you need!
Armed with these tips and some initial preparation, you’ll be well prepared for your meeting with an experienced tax professional. And if you are searching for exciting new travel therapy or nursing assignments to start 2012, contact MedPro. We work with healthcare organizations across the country, and we’ll help you find the right assignment to reach your personal and professional goals.

MedPro Healthcare Staffing Awarded Certification from the Joint Commission

 

Sunrise, FL – MedPro Healthcare Staffing has achieved the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care staffing services certification from The Joint Commission.

MedPro Healthcare Staffing underwent an on-site review of its compliance with national standards that assess how staffing firms determine the qualifications and competency of their staff, how they place their staff, and how they monitor staff’s performance.

“Health care organizations that contract with MedPro can look to Joint Commission certification as an assurance that MedPro demonstrates a commitment to providing and continuously improving quality services,” says Michele Sacco, M.S., executive director, Health Care Staffing Services Certification, The Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission’s certification program, launched in October 2004, offers an independent, comprehensive evaluation of a staffing firm’s abilities to provide competent staffing services.

“Certification recognizes MedPro’s dedication to providing healthcare professionals that are qualified to provide safe, high-quality care to patients,” say’s Liz Tonkin, President. “We’re proud to receive The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.”

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the higest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,700 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

Happy Holidays!

 

As 2011 draws to a close, the entire MedPro team would like to wish you and your families a warm, happy and healthy holiday.

Whether you’re traveling far from home, enjoying the holiday’s with family, or enjoying your time in the comfort of your own home, we hope you have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Best wishes for 2012 and beyond! And if you’re looking to get a jump on your first assignment for the upcoming year, search our job postings to get started.