Bike Rides

I’m an outdoor enthusiast – even in the heat and humidity of our Omaha summers.  I realize that’s not the case for some, including most of my friends and family. Since fall brings mild temps I’m able to spend time outside enjoying the activities I love with others. I call it a win-win!

One activity my husband, kids, and I all enjoy is riding bikes. There are local bike trails that we’ll ride throughout the fall. We found some of them through a Facebook group. If you’re on a travel assignment in a new city this fall or even a place you’ve lived for years, Facebook can be a great way to gain new info that helps you connect further with a hobby. So as the leaves start changing colors, I encourage you to find time for yourself and pick up a new hobby or continue with one you already love!

S’mores

While some people eat to live, I fall into the category of someone who lives to eat! Are you with me? There are certain things I especially love to eat during specific seasons and during the fall a fresh warm s’more is definitely on my list. Cool crisp air with friends and family gathered around a campfire makes for a great fall evening. Depending on your location or if you’re on a travel assignment, a campfire may not be feasible. An alternative to a fire could be using a Sterno can to roast your mallows. You’ll still have a great evening without your clothes and hair smelling like a fire at the end of the night. Cheers to that!

Road Trip

Typically we take a family vacation in the summer but that didn’t happen this year. Now we’re going a little stir crazy. To help give us something to look forward to this fall, we’re planning a family road trip to explore somewhere we’ve never been. You can take this idea of planning something for the future and make it fit whatever is happening in your own life. If you’re starting your first assignment this fall, set up something you’d like to do while you’re there. Perhaps you’re counting down the days until the end of your assignment because you plan to take a break for the holidays. What will you look forward to during that time off?  Having plans set up for future dates can bring excitement to the days we’re living in now.

Now that you’ve heard what’s on my fall bucket list, I want to hear about what’s on yours. Drop a comment below!

Katie Lutmer is an Account Manager with the Imaging division at Aureus Medical Group.

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Communicate

The number one thing you can do to improve your chances of getting back to work is communicate. This goes without saying during any period of time, but is even more important now. Make sure you are in touch with your recruiter at least weekly, regardless of job availability. You can never communicate too much and your recruiter will be better at helping you the more he or she knows about your situation, availability, and preferences. These things can change on a daily basis, so make sure to let your recruiter know of these changes—no detail is too small! This could be the difference in getting you an interview and hired.

Availability

Along the same lines of communication is being readily available at a moment’s notice. It is important that you are able to take a call when a busy manager or director calls for that much anticipated interview. This can be the difference between getting hired or not. If you happen to not answer several times, the manager or director will move on to calling the next candidate and possibly hiring that person before they get an opportunity to speak to you. Let your recruiter know the best times to contact you. It is also crucial to let them know when you are not available.

Flexibility

Flexibility is another thing that is critical as a traveling healthcare professional, but is even more important now. Being flexible on things like location, pay, shift, and job duties make a huge difference on what open jobs will be an option for you. Flexibility will open more doors and give you more options when considering your next position. Yes, overall job opportunities are down, but there are still assignments available. Be sure you are not left out by limiting yourself in the areas outlined above.

Positivity

Last but not least, stay positive.  Having a positive attitude will go a long way to getting through these difficult times. Everyone is in this together and we are all working towards the same goal. Everyone has the ability to control their attitude and in the end, many times this is the #1 reason someone is hired over another.

Although there is nothing groundbreaking here, if you practice what is outlined above, it will increase your chances of finding employment. Communicate with your recruiter, stay flexible, make yourself readily available, and keep a positive attitude.    

Jason Strader is a Branch Manager for the Imaging division at Aureus Medical Group.

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1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; Betty Smith.  This will remind you how we are all connected, especially now when we need it most.
2. Hope in the Dark; Rebecca Solnit.  From this, we will be better as a nation.
3. Let’s Pretend this Never Happened; Jenny Lawson.  Just a fun, enjoyable book.
4. I was Told There’d Be Cake; Sloane Crosley; A collection of funny essays
5. If Life is a Bowl of Cherries What am I Doing in the Pits; Erma Bombeck   It’s Erma – can never go wrong with her when you need to feel good and laugh
6. Just Sit; Sukey and Elizabeth Novogratz. If you’ve ever thought about meditation and didn’t know how to start, today might be the time to start.  This will help you.
7. This too Shall Pass; Julia Samuel.  These difficult times won’t last forever, great book of hope and coping
8. The Little Book of Mindfulnes; Patrizia Collard. Quick 10 minute reads to cope during stress
9. What a Time to be Alone; Chidera Eggerue.  During social distancing, good book to help get to know how wonderful you are
10. Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team and A Dream; H. G. Bissinger  Football fans alike – if you liked the movie, you’ll love the book.  Develops the town and the characters like only a good book can do.

In a world of such uncertainty and chaos right now, life can seem quite negative and unbearable, especially to our allied health caregivers on the front lines dealing with so much death and illness.

Doctors and nurses often get the majority of praise and recognition. It is definitely well deserved, but I also want to thank and give praise to all the allied health professionals working the front lines! They aren’t usually mentioned but it made me think of something my granddaughter said when she spoke about her X-ray tech at the hospital. She called him a nurse. So many people outside the healthcare industry do not realize the differences between the doctors, the nurses, and the allied health professionals. You give them excellent patient care too.  Even as a young adult, I didn’t realize the differences and referred to you as nurses as well. So hang in there and realize the perspective many people have and know you are all thought of when the “thank yous” come. 

Finally, a big THANK YOU once again for all you do.  And just like one of the book titles above – THIS TOO SHALL PASS.  Know we are all cheering for our heroes on the front lines.

Chris Goldsberry is a Team Lead for the Imaging division at Aureus Medical Group.

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Smiles seem to have a ripple effect on people around them in the most wonderful way. Even if we want to fight it, a genuine smile can help turn a frown upside down.

Here are just a few more benefits of smiling:

1. Smiling makes you seem competent and likable. Who doesn’t want that?
2. Even forcing a smile can improve your mood!
3. Smiles often help curb that pesky anxiety a lot of us have.
4. You sound friendlier on the phone with a smile on your face. Try it – it’s crazy how true this is!
5. You attract other smiling people with a beautiful grin, so you might find yourself suddenly surrounded by your favorite people.

We could have lists upon lists of the benefits of smiling but we will leave it at that. Don’t forget that when you are feeling lonely, down, stressed out, or you have a bit of road rage, plaster a big fat smile on your face and feel the serotonin rush. Maybe you need to fake it till you make it and that’s okay. Find your happy folks! When you’re happy, we’re happy!

Selena Palmer is a Senior Account Manager for the Imaging division at Aureus Medical Group.

The post The Quicker Picker Upper appeared first on Aureus Medical Group’s healthcare blog provides articles and information regarding careers in travel nursing, travel therapy, allied health and more..

Even the most confident, self-assured people deal with anxiety throughout moments in their life. This happens often in the travel world. Whether you are a new traveler or a longtime traveler, there are some actions you can take to ensure you are more confident, self-assured, and excited for your next assignment.

Gather all the facts

Traveling for your career is a life changing decision. Take care of anxiety by grabbing as much information about traveling as you can. Your recruiter is an awesome resource for you. They bring experience of what to expect. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Research the areas where you are looking to travel. Seek out the traveling groups on Facebook. These groups are designed to help you! You will find fellow travelers, advice on traveling, information on different areas needing candidates, and much more. Fear and anxiety tend to lessen when you have all the information.

Make lists

Make a list of what you are going to need while traveling. On Samsung, there is an app called Samsung notes. On iPhone, the same type of app is called Apple notes. Both applications are easy to use and super helpful when you are making lists! Making a detailed list with what you want to bring on your travels takes the anxiety out of it. You don’t have to worry or fret because you will bring everything you need!

Build-in extra time

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to plan for packing, getting your home together, and saying your goodbyes. Plan for busy traffic on the streets. Prepare to get searched and searched more at the airport. Plan for mistakes. If you do, you can take the trip with stride, curb the running late feeling and maybe even catch up on your current book at the airport with your extra free time!

Setting reasonable expectations

Traveling is an exciting thing! Whether it is for your career or fun, most of us love the adventure of it all. Often the excitement clouds our reality. Yes, it will be fun! And it will be adventurous! Yes, to all the positive, amazing things about traveling! We do need to remember to keep our expectations to a manageable level. Flights will be late. Flat tires will happen. Bad living spaces will be there waiting for you. Remembering to take these things with stride is important. The situation is only temporary. The thing going wrong can probably be fixed with a simple phone call. Reminding yourself of these facts will keep your expectations and anxiety to a minimum.

Find your person

You know who they are. The person you call when life is hitting the fan and you need a moment to vent. The person who listens without judgment and knows what you need to hear to be okay. Your people can be your biggest asset when going through anxiety-driven situations. Talking about the situation with a trusted person can often ease the intensity and bring you back to the reality of you being okay!

Breathe

Finally, make sure you are breathing. Often in stressful situations, people forget to breathe or the intensity of the breath increases. Deep breathing helps calm the nerves. When you breathe deeply, your body sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax.  Try counting to seven as you breathe in and counting to seven as you breathe out.  This will pull you into the moment and allow you to see your anxiety is most likely lying to you. You are safe and you are okay. Everything will work out!

Ensuring you are prepared for your upcoming adventure will help you stop anxiety and allow you to enjoy your travels ahead. Gather the facts. Make the lists. Get your people behind you. Breathe deeply and remember you are ready for whatever life has in store for you! You can always call your favorite recruiter too. We are always here to help!

Selena Palmer is an Account Manger for the Imaging division of Aureus Medical Group. 

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Traveling by Land

Here are a few simple items to remember to check before you start your journey. First, check the oil and tire pressure on the vehicle you will be taking for your road trip. When mapping your trip out make sure you have your stops planned to ensure you always have enough gas to get to your next stop. If needed, book your hotel room prior to leaving to ensure you have a room to get the rest you need to finish your drive. Make sure a friend or a family member knows the route you will be taking to your destination. Turn on the GPS location on your cell phone. If you happen to breakdown in a rural area with limited service, this can help locate your whereabouts.

Traveling by Air

Always have your important documents with you, such as your driver’s license, passport, certifications, and licenses for your modality. Email yourself a copy as well to make certain you always have a form of identification. Check in for your flight 24 hours in advance as well as check your luggage online to save time at the airport. Bring a carryon bag that has your first day essentials in case your luggage gets lost or delayed. Arrive a minimum 1 ½ hours prior to your departure. Some airports require you to arrive at least two hours before departure.

Traveling in the City

Some travelers that take assignment in the bigger cities, such as Boston or San Francisco, do not take a car and use public transportation. When taking a cab, Uber, or Lyft, verify the car is clearly marked before hopping in the vehicle.

Housing

When arranging your own housing, verify that the address and location are legit. Take time to read the reviews of the property. When using Airbnb, look to see if they are a “Super Host”.  When considering housing location, find out the drive time to the facility in rush hour. If possible, get a hotel for a few days so you have time to view the properties when you arrive to make certain the property is safe and up to your standards.

Keeping Your Info Secure

Financially you want to protect yourself from fraudulent transactions during your journey. Use a credit card versus a debit card for gas, hotel, and deposits for your housing. It is easier to reverse transactions on credit cards than your debit card.  Another avenue you can take is purchasing a Pay As You Go Visa debit card. You choose the amount of money to add to the card. These are great for gas stations where the risk is higher for skimmers.

These are just a few simple tips to help you have a safe and smooth journey to your next travel assignment and adventure.

Danielle Schoenfelder is a Team Lead for the Imaging division of Aureus Medical Group. 

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Fitness Programs

You don’t need to have a gym membership or own expensive equipment to begin a new fitness program. Much can be accomplished with just using your body weight. Exercises like push ups, sit ups, lunges, and body weight squats can go a long way in building strength and muscle tone. Take the time to learn few simple exercises and start your journey now. Here are a couple of links to get you started:

The Best 20-Minute Bodyweight Workout for Weight Loss

Beginner Body Weight Workout & Exercises: Lose Weight, Build Muscle Anywhere!

Alcohol Consumption

You can also make simple changes like limiting alcohol consumption. This can go a long way in improving your overall health and help you meet your weight loss and fitness goals. There are a lot of studies showing the correlation of alcohol and weight gain. It is easy to lose ambition and have a binge eating session after having a couple of cocktails. It also can affect your sleep, digestion, and nutrient uptake. Here is an article explaining how alcohol may prevent you from reaching your goals.

Diet

One thing for sure that can have a huge impact on your fitness goals is your diet. This can be an overwhelming thing to think about. There are tons of diets and philosophies and choosing one can be hard. Some of the major ones now are Keto, Paleo, and the South Beach diet.

You can also use a lot of different services like Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Hello Fresh, Green Chef, and Sun Basket. We live a life of convenience and everyone is pressed for time. Surprisingly, one of the fastest growing markets is healthy convenience options. Considering these options may be the answer you are looking for when trying to eat healthy and save time.

You can also embark in the world of meal planning. This has become very popular. It allows you to cook a weeks’ worth of food at once, saving time and enabling you to stay on track during your busy week. Below are a few more links that may help you decide if these are good options for you.

A Keto Diet Meal Plan and Menu That Can Transform Your Body

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Meal Kit Delivery Services

If you are thinking of making a change in your diet or exercise there are a lot of options and information out there. Choose one and don’t hesitate to start your journey in 2019.

No matter what, don’t forget to consult your physician when thinking of a change in your diet and exercise habits. Make sure you are working with your physician to ensure what you are doing is a good idea for how healthy you are and what you are trying to accomplish.

I hope you found some of the information in this blog helpful. I wish you a happy new year and nothing but success in whatever you are trying to accomplish in the upcoming months.  Get after it and make this year your best one ever!

Jason Strader is a Branch Manager for the Imaging division of Aureus Medical Group.

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When you travel as a temporary employee you may be the new person in the department or office every three months. That is a lot of first impressions to make! Here are some tips for making sure you hit the ground running on every assignment!

• Introduce yourself and learn the names of those you are working with.
• Be on time and come prepared to work hard from the get-go.
• Dress professionally. Make sure scrubs don’t look like they just came out of your suitcase and that they fit appropriately. Keep your hair or facial hair, makeup, and fingernails clean and professional. Be careful not to overdo it with perfume, aftershave, or cologne.
• Be patient and have a positive attitude. Stay away from office politics and drama.
• Abide by the department rules and guidelines, even if you did it a different way before you got to this assignment.
• Get a feel for the company culture and the goals of your team and the organization so you can help them reach those objectives, even if it’s just while you are on assignment.

The bottom line is that you never know when a contract assignment could turn from a temporary travel gig to a long term career, or even a request for you to come back for another assignment. Give yourself the best chance for a great assignment by following a few simple rules and making the most of your first impression.

Kory Kidd is a Team Lead for the Diagnostic Imaging division of Aureus Medical Group.

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Did you know the average traveler only travels for about 18 months? At three months at a time, 18 months is going to go pretty quick and might only be 3-4 contracts, assuming you get extended or take time off in between contracts. It’s important that you have a strategy of not only what you are going to do but also how you are going to get off the merry-go-round. After all, you don’t want to jump off, trip, and do a couple dozen somersaults and end up on a Youtube video that goes viral!

How do you interview for jobs when you are on a travel assignment? Where you want to work and what you want to do all come into the equation. As a traveler, you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to entire new hospital systems and gain invaluable experience in different PACS and EMR systems, equipment, and techniques.You should take advantage of every single one. Did you know as a traveler, even though you are not technically an employee of that hospital system, you usually get “entered” into its system because of logins and other items? That means you are now able to check that box that asks if you have worked in this system or at this hospital before. This is a powerful tool when it comes to looking for your next job. Are you keeping track of the equipment you are using, EMR and PACS systems, and contact info of fellow employees and managers?

It’s no secret that many travelers get job offers at the end of an assignment and a lot of travelers call me up and ask how to turn it down. Universally I tell every single traveler to be gracious in your turn down and always tell your manager that you may be open to it in the future. You never know where you will be in the future and what life will bring and having people who want to hire you is an invaluable option that you should always keep close by. That being said, I’ve come up with a top ten list of things to do on your travel assignments so when it comes time to jump off the merry-go-round, you land gracefully and get the permanent job of your dreams.

1. Keep a record of the equipment, systems, EMR and PACS, techniques, and types of scans you did. While you may perform the same job at each assignment, the environment, equipment, techniques, and styles can change drastically from assignment to assignment. Put this info on your resume and keep track of it. Don’t try to keep this in your head as you may forget. Be specific.
2. Befriend everyone at the facility. This is your chance to network. The new grad Sonographer you gave the cold shoulder to because they asked a lot of questions could be the supervisor reviewing your profile in five years. The shift lead who talks too much may be the director at your next job. Did you know that according to LinkedIn, 85% of jobs filled are filled not because you applied but because you knew someone that worked there?
3. Befriend HR, especially in large health systems. As I mentioned before, at some point you get entered into the system and once you are in, they can make notes about you. Think of it as your “permanent file” you were threatened with in school. Trust me – if you befriend HR, they are going to put positive notes in there. But, remember the opposite is also true.
4. Ask your manager if they would be a reference or write you a letter of reference. A lot of candidates assume that someone is ok with being a reference when sometimes they really don’t want to be. If you ask someone if you can use them as a reference, it gives them the chance to say no if they are not comfortable with it. If they say no, you don’t want to use them as a reference. If they say yes, make sure to get a cell phone number. They may not work at that hospital two years from now.
5. Cookies and donuts. If you want to make friends at your new facility, be the cookies and donuts person. Bring a dozen cookies every Monday and everyone will love you. Do you feel as if the full-time staff resent having you there? Cookies go a long way to curing any hard feelings. A dozen cookies at the local grocery store cost no more than $5 and usually you get some other points off of gas or what not. They essentially pay for themselves.
6. Be strategic. Hospital systems are merging constantly. The health systems are getting bigger and bigger while the number of health systems gets smaller and smaller. Keep track of which hospital you were at and what system they were a part of. If you don’t know, go to its website and there is always a logo or an about us page that will tell you. If you worked at the HCA facility in Idaho and are applying to an HCA facility in Miami, mention it.
7. If you are thinking of working in San Diego when you are done traveling, research what hospital systems are down there. While you may not be able to get a job in San Diego as a traveler, get into the health system for the reasons mentioned above.
8. Take a deep breath and take in all that your city has to offer, both in a recreational stand point but also in a networking stand point outside of the facility where you are working. Talk to the doctors who you are working with. Chances are they have privileges at the facility across town and can probably introduce you to the manager or director. Again, the idea here is networking.
9. Keep your own health records. You can request copies of all of your health records as they are YOUR health records. I meet a lot of travelers who do not have their health records.
10. Go outside your comfort zone. I talk to travelers who come from the southeast and have never thought of going to Idaho and Wyoming. Why not? The entire point of traveling is to try something new. You may come to find you love it. Or you find out you hated it, but at least you tried it.

There you go – my unofficial top ten list of things to do on your travel assignment that will help you get the permanent job of your dreams. Now, for my last piece of advice: Don’t forget to have fun on your assignment. Not everything has to be career related. It just doesn’t hurt to have a plan in the back of your head.

Andy Hanneman is an Account Manager in the Diagnostic Imaging division of Aureus Medical Group. Andy and his wife are celebrating their twins 1 year birthday. When not working, his life is filled with feeding and changing diapers. (He would also like to mention the tireless efforts of his wonderful, beautiful, patient, and understanding wife who takes care of the girls full-time. Without her, his sleepless nights would be much worse.) Being a parent is an awesome power and responsibility and at the end of the day, his girls bring a huge smile to his face. Plus he wanted to mention, he has not yet dropped them, so he’s got that going for him, which is nice!

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What is the “Winter Blues” and how do we get it?

If you’ve experienced the winter blues you know the feeling: You’re extremely exhausted, slightly irritable, wanting to eat your feelings and to perfectly sum it up, you’re feeling quite ‘blah’. According to The National Institute of Health, “Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer.” This is known to many of us as the “Winter Blues”. There is not just one specific reason that some of us experience SAD, there are actually environmental, biological and psychological components, which are:

• Lack of Sunlight, which interferes with our internal body clock
• Lack of Vitamin D due to the lack of sunlight. Vitamin D helps the body maintain high levels of serotonin.
• Overproduction of Melatonin hormone, which causes lower energy levels and influences mood
• Higher amounts of Sert (a protein that assists with transporting serotonin),which leads to lower serotonin activity that help regulate mood, energy and appetite.

How to beat the Winter Blues?

There are several ways to help prevent the winter blues. It’s best to think ahead, before winter arrives.

• Expose yourself to more sunlight in the summer and this could potentially help store more Vitamin D for you in the winter time. Also, it’s important to remember that the more sun exposure you have in the summer, the more it could positively affect your serotonin levels in the winter. A few other tips that could help beat the winter blues are:
• Having a regular pattern of sleep can help. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night too! When waking up the next day, try to wake up early, so you’re able to maximize your exposure to sunlight.
• Exercise regularly; it can help increase serotonin levels. If you’re anything like me, the last thing you want to do is bundle up, face the cold temperatures and head to the gym for a daily workout. So, on these frigid days, I pop in a workout DVD or jump on my treadmill, while I watch some Netflix. On days where it’s not too cold, take a long walk outside or get out and embrace other types of outdoor activities like: sledding, skiing, tubing or ice-skating (it won’t take long to warm up).
• Light Therapy is also an option, if you’re willing to spend a couple hundred bucks for a special type of fluorescent lamp. You would only need exposure to this about 30 minutes a day. Set it up on office desk while you do some work, pay some bills or play on the computer.
• Control your cravings as much as possible! I feel like I tend to hibernate in the winter time, which can lead to boredom and mindless eating! Watch what you’re eating, count your calories if you need to and stick to healthier options. Also, cut down on the carbs, as this can lower your serotonin levels.
• Take a multivitamin which includes Omega 3 fish oil (fights mild depression), Vitamin C (helps keep immune system intact), B-Complex (helps convert our food into fuel, allowing us to stay energized) and Vitamin D (which helps maintain high levels of serotonin). There are also mood stabilizers such as, SAM-e, which is a natural compound that helps produce and regulate hormones that are associated with depression.

On a positive note, with December out of the way, that leaves us with only a couple more months to endure the winter blues. I just keep telling myself that spring is right around the corner!

Chantel Barber is a Social Media Recruiter for the Imaging division of Aureus Medical Group.

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