ON THE ROAD: A NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVELING NURSES

Hello fellow travelers!

Welcome to the next September issue of "On the Road." This month, we have lots of great stories and tips to share from our wonderful community of travel nurses.

Nurse Phoenix's Pacific Northwest Adventure

After an unforgettable stint in the Big Apple, our travel nurse Phoenix is charting a new course to the Pacific Northwest!

Phoenix has traded the skyscrapers of Manhattan for the natural beauty of Seattle, Washington for their latest nursing endeavor. They will be lending their skills and compassion to patients at Virginia Mason Medical Center, one of Seattle's top-ranked hospitals.

The lush greenery and mountain views of the Emerald City are a pleasant change from the concrete jungle. Phoenix has already connected with fellow outdoor enthusiast nurses. They can’t wait to explore Pike Place Market, take a ferry ride across the Puget Sound, and hike the trails at Mount Rainier.

The Pacific Northwest has welcomed Phoenix with open arms. We’re excited to follow Phoenix as they continue to grow professionally and personally while experiencing all this remarkable region has to offer. Stay tuned for more tales from Phoenix’s nursing travels!

Friends & Enemas

It's an emotional ride in here, ya'll, and all are welcome! Friends & Enemas is brought to you by me, Travel Nurse, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, Lindsey Shelton! Join me for a healthy dive into the friendly and the shitty: Light-hearted stories, taboo topics, and things the industry sweeps under the rug. A place where healthcare workers can unite and the general public can understand; This is both the shit show you have been waiting for and the metaphoric soap suds enema we all need. So pass the soap and let's go! New episodes every Wednesday!

Photo Contest

The new season means stunning scenery. Send us your best shots of fall foliage, sunrises over mountains, or crisp city landscapes. Submit photos by 10/15 to be entered to win a Trustaff Swag Bag!

Weekly Recipe

From Burnout to Balance:

Here are some tips for nurses to heal from work-related trauma:

• Recognize the signs of compassion fatigue such as exhaustion, irritability, dread going to work, etc. Accept that these are normal reactions to stress and trauma exposure at work.

• Take time for self-care - get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, exercise, do relaxing hobbies, etc. Make self-care a priority, not a luxury.

• Set emotional boundaries at work. Avoid taking on trauma that isn't yours. Learn to mentally detach after your shift ends.

• Talk to supportive co-workers who understand what you're going through. Connect with nurses support groups online or in person.

• Seek professional help if needed - therapist, counselor, EMDR therapy, etc. Many specialize in treating healthcare worker trauma.

• Take time off work if feeling burnt out. A vacation or leave of absence may be necessary to prevent compassion fatigue from worsening.

• Consider changing nursing assignments if your current role is no longer sustainable. Explore options like switching departments, part time work, etc.

• Develop mindfulness and grounding techniques - meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, etc. Stay present in the moment when you start to feel overwhelmed.

• Remember your value in this world extends far beyond your work. Make time for your loved ones and favorite activities outside of nursing.

The key is being preventative and proactive with your mental health as a nurse. Seeking support early can help process trauma before it leads to more severe burnout or PTSD

Weekly Video

@joshuawithtrustaff

This has been "Mental Health Minute." As a nurse, you're not defined by your challenges; you're defined by your ability to conquer them. F... See more

Activity of the Week

Feel free to print this out and color and solve it with friends, coworkers, and family!!!

If you made it this far, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts! I would love if you spread the word about the newsletter and all of our social media platforms!!!

*Nurse Phoenix is a fictional character that will be visiting different areas weekly. Stay tuned next week as we share more exciting stories from nurses nationwide. Let us know if you have a tale to tell! In the meantime, safe travels and enjoy the fall colors