Healthcare Traveler - January 2009 - (Page 26)

Dream Destinations Photo: Getty Images/Allan Baxter/Digital Vision Photo: Getty Images/Robert Glusic/Photodisc THE BAY BRIDGE and San Francisco, California, at sunset. SEA LIONS at Fisherman’s Wharf. To date, Barbara has partnered with two staffing agencies, recently with Westminster, Colorado-based Medical Express. Currently, she is finishing up a contract at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in Berkeley, California. A typical shift from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, finds Barbara assisting physicians and educating individuals about their procedures and medications. “When a new patient is admitted, I conduct a full assessment and describe how the center functions. I make sure patients know we are here for them at all times.” Although she has worked on all kinds of cases, at this facility, Barbara primarily aids two physicians who specialize in breast and gynecological cases. While she spends her workdays in Berkeley, Barbara’s housing is located in nearby Oakland, which gives her convenient access to neighboring San Francisco and its many extracurricular outlets. The Bay Area is home to some legendary tourist favorites, such as Alcatraz (the infamous island prison), Lombard Street, and a number of professional sports events. So far, Barbara has visited some of the local beaches and other seaside attractions. “I have driven down to San Jose, and I rode the ferry to San Francisco so I could go to Fisherman’s Wharf for the day,” she says. “I go somewhere at least one day every weekend so I can feel like I’m on vacation.” To learn about worthwhile points of interest an area has to offer, Barbara taps into regional resources. “I like to check out local fliers and pamphlets that are usually displayed in hotel lobbies. The desk clerks also may have a list of regional events and activities. When I go out to eat, I will ask the servers and hostesses what to do in town.” The key to making the most of your free time is to not place any limits on yourself. “For example, do 26 Healthcare Traveler January 2009 not wait for things like the weather. If it is a dreary day, go to a museum or theater. Many small towns feature indoor attractions,” advises Barbara. “Also, do not postpone checking out popular sights on your own. If you wait for friends or family to come visit, you run the risk of not seeing the sites at all. That happened to me in South Carolina. I held off on touring plantations so I could go with friends, but I ended up not sightseeing at all because they had to cancel their trip. Just go out on your own and make the most of it.” Prepping for positive outcomes While an assignment in a vacation hotspot seems like a dream deal, some logistical considerations must be weighed. “Ideally, we would like to have 4- to 6-weeks’ notice for requests to popular destinations,” states Bobbi. “One reason is attributed to the fact that opportunities may not always be abundant during the high season. If that’s the case, we give our travelers other options to help fulfill their requests. For example, we might find an assignment 30 miles away from a vacation destination, but only a 20-minute drive to the heart of town.” Additionally, you have to account for other outof-towners. For example, if you request a position in Orlando, Florida—home to Walt Disney World and numerous theme parks—then it is only reasonable to expect a surge of vacationers, especially during the summer and holidays. On the job, that may result in a higher patient census. The added population may also affect your staffing company’s housing choices. Bobbi explains, “If you travel to vacation areas during the high tourist season, then expect housing prices to be higher. It is more www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - January 2009

Healthcare Traveler - January 2009 Editor’s Desk Contents By the Numbers Paws for Thought Field Notes In a Flash Med Ec-cerpts Dream Destinations Nursing from the Heart Drug Update Professional Update Clinical Tips On Assignment Cityscape Name It Advertiser’s Index Contest Rules When In… It’s in the Bag Dot.com Tax Facts Big Deals Starter’s Kit Going the Distance Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - January 2009

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