Managing Different Time Zones as a Healthcare Traveler

Stay on Top of Time Change During Your Next Travel Assignment!

As a healthcare traveler, you are no stranger to the hustle and bustle of traveling for work. Between coordinating transportation, scheduling housing, and managing your workloads, the last thing you want to worry about is what time it is in the area where you are working. With different states come different time zones, and if you’re not prepared, this can cause confusion and stress. Let’s look at some tips on how to manage different time zones as a healthcare traveler on assignment within the United States.

The First Step Is To Know Your Time Zone(s)

Before you start your next travel assignment, make sure that you know what time zone that area is in. This information should be provided by the contracting agency prior to arriving at your assignment. Knowing the time zone ahead of time allows you to plan out your days more effectively. For example, if you know when daylight savings time begins (or ends) in an area before arriving for your assignment, then you can plan accordingly with simple practices like changing all of your clocks before leaving home or being aware of how long it will take to arrive at each location during certain times. You can also use this knowledge to plan ahead of important meetings that may conflict with other scheduled events or obligations back home.

Prioritize Self-Care & Setting Boundaries

It’s important not only to stay organized but also prioritize self-care while traveling between different time zones. Part of this involves setting boundaries around how often and when you’re available for work. As your top healthcare travel agency, we want to ensure your needs and availability are properly communicated to your new facility. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to please everyone but it’s equally as important to take care of yourself first so that when it comes time for work, you’re able to give it your all!

Take Advantage Of Technology & Apps

Fortunately, there are many tools available today that make managing multiple time zones easier than ever before! Take advantage of apps like World Clock Pro which enable users to sync their devices across multiple locations in order to ensure accuracy when scheduling appointments and meetings across multiple states (or even countries). Additionally, many digital calendars now offer features such as auto-timezone detection which help prevent issues related to crossed wires between parties due differences in local times from one location versus another – all without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home!

Navigating multiple time zones as a healthcare traveler doesn’t have to be stressful! By taking advantage of technology tools such as apps like World Clock Pro and digital calendars with auto-timezone detection features, managing different locations with varying times becomes much simpler than ever before! Traveling with RTG Medical will give you a single point of contact, a recruiter who can help you every step of the way. Interested in more information? Contact us today, we would love to get you started on your next travel assignment!

March 1, 2023 0

Top brands for healthcare travelers

From shoes to scrubs to stethoscopes, healthcare travelers need several tools to do their best work. It’s important to invest in a good brand so you’re ready to go for the long run. Below we highlight some of the top brands that have proven themselves time and time again!

Shoes

Two of our favorite shoe brands for healthcare travelers are Hoka and On-Running. The majority of your shift will be spent on your feet, so you should wear shoes that are comfortable. We also appreciate the waterproof elements since feet can get sweaty while walking up and down halls and around hospitals.

Shoes from Hoka are designed to provide support for those who are on their feet for long periods of time. During your shift, your feet will remain cool and comfortable thanks to their breathability. Their many colors and styles also make them trendy.

On-Running shoes have tons of support, making them super comfortable for all-day wear. For healthcare workers, we recommend the Cloudflow series because they’re cushioned. Furthermore, they’re consistently ranked among the best shoes for healthcare professionals.

Scrubs

There are so many scrubs to choose from, which can make it hard to choose the best, especially if you’re just beginning your career in healthcare. Ideally, you want something that is comfortable, fashionable and fits well. FIGS scrubs were voted the best scrubs for healthcare workers.

The material is quick-drying and breathable. There are tons of colors available, so you can pick the one that suits you best. They also have a gorgeous new hunter green color. It is common for scrubs to wear out over time, but these ones are known to last longer than others.

Bags

A tote bag will help you carry your essentials to work. You want a bag that has both internal and external compartments, and maybe even one that can fit two pairs of shoes. Healthcare workers often change into their scrubs and shoes at work and wear a different outfit to work.

We recommend the Pocket Rocket Pocket Tote Bag and CalPak’s Luka Duffel. The Pocket Rocket Pocket Tote Bag comes in a variety of designs and has six external pockets, as well as inside compartments. It is perfect for those who love organization. The Luke Duffel is good for carrying things to your job each day, but is also great for traveling. It is waterproof, has nine pockets and even a compartment specifically for shoes.

Water bottles

Investing in a good reusable water bottle helps you stay hydrated throughout your shift and it’s better for the environment. The Stanley Cup can be filled with 40 oz of water, it stays cold for over 12 hours, it has a handle to carry, they’re dishwasher safe and they fit in your car cup holder. Because TikTok made them viral, they sell out fast, but keep checking for restocks and you’ll be able to get one.

Socks

Along with good shoes, you’ll want good socks. Compression socks are especially good for healthcare workers. While you’re ordering FIGS scrubs, you can add on some FIGS socks. There are a variety of patterns to match any personality, and the toes and heels are cushioned. Another great brand of socks is BOMBAS, they provide support and keep your feet warm in the colder months.

Stethoscopes

Your stethoscope is one of the most used pieces of equipment for your job. Littmann Stethoscopes are at the top of the list. The company has been in the game for six decades and their stethoscopes have amplification and filtering systems. No matter what your specifications are, they have a variety of models and colors to choose from.

Join other healthcare travelers working with RTG Medical!

Team up with RTG Medical to begin your traveling career. We connect healthcare professionals to job opportunities all across the country. We pair you with one recruiter who can help you find your dream traveling job and assist with any questions you have along the way. Contact us today to get started!

February 8, 2023 0

The Nursing Nomad

Camille T. has a long bucket list, but after traveling with RTG Medical, it’s getting a lot shorter.

She’s been an OR Nurse for 14 years, and right now, she’s on assignment in California.

For four years, she’s traveled with RTG Medical, and she’s “very thankful” for travel nursing as it gives her “the freedom to be in three bucket list destinations in three days!”

Just this week, she’s been in San Diego and New Orleans!

As most traveling healthcare professionals, Camille’s day can always change. But she says, typically she has a morning meeting, works on a case schedule and is responsible for patients’ medications, charts and post-op.

Camille has been traveling to each assignment in her mini home — her RV. She’s able to eat, sleep and — of course — travel to her next bucket list destination and assignment.

“We wouldn’t be able to do all we do without travel nursing,” she said.

February 28, 2019 0

Bullying in the Healthcare Workplace (Part II)

Bullying can occur anywhere and when it does, it can create a difficult environment to be in, especially for those who aren’t being bullied.

This is especially true in healthcare. Although the majority of nurses do not bully, if and when it happens, it can make a negative impact in the hospital environment, affecting not only co-workers, but patients as well.

On Monday, we gave you some tips on what not to do if you ever find yourself or someone else being bullied. Today, we’re going to talk about what you should do. Take a look below: Continue Reading

January 29, 2014 0

Bullying in the Healthcare Workplace

You might’ve heard the saying that “Nurses eat their young,” which unfortunately happens to be somewhat of an “elephant in the room” in the nursing world.

For those who aren’t familiar, the saying refers to the unfortunate bullying that can occur in the nursing profession.

While bullying can happen anywhere and certainly can cause a lot of problems, it may be especially harmful in the nursing profession because it can affect how you care for your patients, as well as disrupt your passion and career.

So, throughout this week, we thought we’d concentrate on the topic of bullying and what you can do should you ever come across it during your profession.

For today, we’re going to concentrate on what not do in the event that you ever find yourself in such a situation. Take a look below: Continue Reading

January 27, 2014 0

3 Things You Should Do When Dealing With Unruly Patients

As a nurse, there are many different kinds of people who walk through your doors daily. And, while most patients are more than willing to let you do your job (i.e. care for them), some might put up a little resistance, requiring a little more effort on your end.

On Monday, we gave a few tips on what not to do when dealing with an unruly patient. To round off our series, today, we’re going to talk about what you should do when dealing with unruly patients. Take a look below: Continue Reading

January 22, 2014 0

Dealing with Unruly Patients: What Not to Do

During your nursing career, you’ll take care of a wide variety of patients. You’ll find over time that some patients are easy—but others can be difficult to handle. This can depend on a number of factors, from pain, to past experiences in hospitals, and everything in between.

Regardless, as a nurse, dealing with an unruly patient can sometimes get in the way of your job—which is mainly to care for your patient and to make them better!

Throughout this week, we’re going to show you a few things that will help you if you ever happen across a less than perfect patient. For today, we’re going to focus on what not to do when dealing with unruly patients. Take a look below: Continue Reading

January 20, 2014 0

Our Favorite Nursing Blogs: The Advice Givers

On Monday, we gave a small sampling of some of the great nursing blogs that are out there on the web, focusing specifically on what we’d like to call “the storytellers.”

As we mentioned then, the nursing profession brings together a wide variety of people, and those who have something special to say about the profession do so with one common passion: caring for others.

So, without further adieu, here are the rest of our of nursing blogs we enjoy. We hope that nurses or anyone thinking about entering the profession would enjoy them, as well.

Take a look: Continue Reading

January 15, 2014 0

Our Favorite Nursing Blogs: The Storytellers

With the dawn of the internet and social media, just about anyone can have their voice heard these days. As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find out that there are quite a few nursing blogs around the web.

This week, we’re going to talk about a few nursing blogs that we think any nurse, or anyone thinking about becoming a nurse, should read. To make things easier, we’ve organized them by their style and substance.

To start, here are some of the nursing blogs we always find ourselves going back to: Continue Reading

January 13, 2014 0

Nurses: Stay on the Lookout for Fatigue!

On Monday, we gave you 4 Great New Year’s Resolutions for the Traveling Nurse. To recap, here are the 4 things we mentioned:

This year, I will exercise more.
This year, I will sleep better.
This year, I will start eating healthy.
This year, I will take advantage of my travel assignments.

New Year’s resolutions are meant to help improve your life. What all of our resolution recommendations have in common is that they all help to fight fatigue–even number four, since a little R&R never hurt anyone.

Fatigue can cause a lot of problems for anyone, but if you happen to be a nurse, it can be can be especially troublesome. Recently, Science Daily, an online new source for scientific research happening around globe, reported on research that found a link between fatigue and regret in decision making concerning patient care among nurses. Continue Reading

January 8, 2014 0