Healthcare Traveler - March 2009 - (Page 32)

NG BAL ANCI ACT Though Susan does get home on a regular basis, her husband, Douglas, also visits her on location whenever possible. “Luckily, Douglas is able to come and go, so we often rendezvous and have a lot of fun. Plus, his job is also travel-based, and thanks to the flexibility in my schedule, I can sometimes go with him, as well. It is an interesting arrangement, but we get to really experience life, and meet different people from different cultures.” Enjoying time off. Wherever she is, Susan is committed to maximizing her time off. “Though I love the work I am doing, I am also invested in utilizing my personal time. For instance, getting exercise is not a problem when all I want to do is go exploring. I do not like gyms, but I do love hiking through state parks and taking long walks on beautiful beaches.” Recently, she brought her dog, Lexi, with her on assignment for the first time. “Though she is only 3 months old, she did great on the 7-hour drive. Getting pet-friendly housing was not a problem, and I am really enjoying having a little friend with me. That is the great thing about travel nursing. Instead of letting your work run your life, it is the other way around. With a little planning, you can adapt any situation to fit your own needs.” Since adopting this practice alternative, Susan is enjoying her career more than ever. “I have never experienced burnout on a travel assignment. With this career alternative, I can arrange my schedule however I like and always find time to explore each new location. I also take off a few weeks between contracts to head home and regroup. For me, travel nursing is both my job and my life. It gives me everything I need.” Staying fit on the road Maintaining an exercise routine is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. The key is finding an activity you enjoy so you stick with it. See the scenery. Exercise and sightseeing go hand in hand. So lace up your sneakers and head for any scenic trail you can find. Or rent a bicycle for the duration of your contract. Get to the gym. Most health clubs offer short-term memberships. And national-chain gyms typically give members access to facilities across the country. Or, request permission to use the exercise equipment within your own facility. Set up at home. If you will be in a remote or coldweather area, plan to exercise at home. Hand weights, exercise DVDs, and yoga mats are easy to transport. Or take a short-term rental on a piece of cardio equipment. Some items to consider include: WaterRower Putting family first Marlo Hins, RN, is also using travel nursing as a way to even out his work and personal desires. After sticking it out at permanent positions for more than 20 years while raising his children, he is now using temporary contracts as a way to enjoy his family —and his freedom. “Once my kids went off to college, my options opened up. I am divorced, so I do not need to accommodate anyone else’s schedule. And I spent 18 years working in intensive care units, so experience was not a problem. After I decided that what I really wanted was to see the country and spend time with my children, my next move became clear.” Reaping the benefits. So about 18 months ago, he contacted Birmingham, Alabama-based Travel Nurse Solutions and has been with them ever since. “Travel nursing allows me to keep doing the work I love, while giving me the personal freedom for everything else I want to do.” Initially, Marlo had chosen his contracts for the monetary compensation, but he is now www.healthcaretraveler.com The eco-friendly WaterRower offers a smooth, natural rowing experience. Rental costs start at $9.98 a week, following an initial rental investment of $200. More info can be found at www.waterrower.com. Yoga Products A variety of yoga products—mats, accessories, books, and videos—are available through Yoga.com, at www.yoga.com. Weights Photo: Getty Images/Photodisc/ Chris Clinton Everything from small hand weights to larger weight benches and machines are available through Home Fitness Equipment. They also offer fitness DVDs, books, and equipment for aerobics, pilates, kick boxing, and more, at www.homefitnessequipment.org. 32 Healthcare Traveler March 2009 http://www.waterrower.com http://www.Yoga.com http://www.yoga.com http://www.homefitnessequipment.org http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

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

Healthcare Traveler - March 2009 Editor’s Desk Contents Paws for Thought Field Notes Company Corner In a Flash Rural ORs Balancing Act Clinical Highlights Drug Update On Assignment Cityscape Name It Tax Facts Big Deals Advertisers’ Index Going the Distance Contest Rules Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - March 2009

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