"Travel Nursing Insider" offers inside knowledge and advice for nurses embarking on travel nurse jobs.

Onward Healthcare is excited to announce the launch of Travel Nursing Insider, a podcast dedicated to the travel nurse community. Travel Nursing Insider will act as an additional avenue to inform and educate registered nurses about a travel nursing career, as well as the latest job trends and advice for life on the road.

The first episode titled “Travel Nursing 101″ is a two-part conversation between Deb Shea, vice president of travel nursing, and Sera Cullen, director of travel nursing. The discussion focuses on how the travel nursing process works, what a typical assignment entails, as well as why many nurses choose to travel, while the second part expands upon how to get started in a travel nursing career and the importance of an online application.

Future episodes will take listeners through the early stages of how to get started in a travel nurse career, and eventually evolve to tips and advice for working travel nurses. Upcoming topics will include how to maximize your travel nursing salary, what to bring on a travel nurse assignment and how to get acquainted to a new city.

The episodes are available on the Onward Healthcare Travel Nursing Insider page or free through the iTunes store by searching keyword “Travel Nursing Insider.”

Hawaii Travel Nurse Jobs are currently available and in high demand.

As the cooler weather approaches, and summer comes to an end, heading to the tropics on a travel nursing job is starting to sound more and more appealing. And why wouldn’t it be? Cool, crisp nights on the beach and beautiful horizons are enough for me to buy a plane ticket right now.

With this in mind, one must wonder if there is a better place to visit than the islands of Hawaii on a travel nurse job. Although traveling to Hawaii for three months may just be a pipe dream to a marketing guy such as myself, Onward Healthcare travel nurses are much more lucky! Onward currently Hawaii travel nurse jobs for specialty RNs in the country’s most breathtaking state.

Apply for a Hawaii Travel Nurse Job

“It is difficult to explain in words how amazing Hawaii is, and pictures do not do it justice either,” said one travel RN. “The water is so blue/green and clear. The land is very lush and green with palm trees. The people are extremely welcoming and friendly.”

It is no surprise that location is a key component when considering a travel nursing assignment. In a study conducted by Thompson Medical Economics, an overwhelming majority of nurses indicated that the opportunity to visit new places is the most appealing aspect of a travel nursing job. With this being said, it is very important to do your homework and research the places that you have the opportunity to visit.

Becoming familiar with the culture and environment will enhance your travel experience all the more. For example, in Hawaii, there are many activities, and they vary from island to island. Some include water sports, hiking, shopping, museums, and fabulous restaurants. It is also great because it is very easy to visit each island as each have some individuality to them. Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor & Hanauma Bay are but a few of the myriad of area highlights to visit on a Hawaii travel nurse job.

Before you know it, the fall and winter will pass, as will this wonderful professional opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places on earth. Take advantage of it before it is too late. Call 1-800-278-0332 to speak to a recruiter about the Hawaii travel nurse jobs currently available or email nursejobs@onwardhealthcare.com.

We would like to thank all of the nurses and organizations who took the time to give us a pat on the back regarding the recent release of our 101 Best Travel Nursing Websites. As part of the initiative, we encouraged our readers to email in any sites our team may have overlooked during the process.  Below are three sites that we feel are worthy additions to the list.

TravelNursingBlogs.com is full of travel nursing advice and resources, whether you’re just learning about travel nursing or you’re a travel nursing pro.

Note: Kudos to TravelNursingBlogs.com who were quick to name themselves as the 102nd Best Travel Nursing Website following the release of our list. After seeing their immediate reaction to news in the travel nursing industry, we now can’t help but agree!

Ultimate Nurse is all encompassing travel nursing site offering the latest nursing news, as well as forums, photos and videos for the travel nursing community.

The TravelNurseSource.com Blog offers extensive content on all things nursing as well as featured content by registered nurses directed toward the travel nursing community.

Keep them coming!  If you know of any other websites that should still be added, please email us with your suggestions.

And stayed tuned for our upcoming 51 Best Physical Therapy Websites!

Onward Healthcare is excited to announce our list of the 101 Best Travel Nursing Websites.  The list was broken down into 20 categories and voted on by members of the Onward Healthcare staff with the help of some of our travel nurses. We hope this proves to be a valuable resource to all travel nurses.

The links range from nursing specific sites and organizations to online communities in which to meet new people in your area and find local clubs, groups and social organizations. Click on the link below to view the entire list.

View the 101 Best Travel Nursing Websites.

If your organization was named as one of the Top 101 Travel Nursing Websites and you would like to download an awards badge for your site, please click on the link below.

Download your winner’s badge as one of the best travel nursing websites.

The English Romantic poet Percy Shelley once wrote: “There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in the sky.” As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to choose which location will be in harmony with your needs.  Do you want to bask in Florida’s warm ocean breezes, soak in California’s sunshine, or revel in the vibrant palette of the Northeast’s falling leaves?

Go with the flow

Demand for travel nurses tends to follow population shifts. When snowbirds head south to warmer climates for the winter months, for example, nursing opportunities in those areas increase. In the fall, the Northeast’s brilliant, colorful foliage, and crisp, clear weather, drive tourists and part-time residents to New England. As a result, the healthcare facilities of Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont are eager to bring on additional travel nurses for the early fall.

Many hospitals in Florida, a very desirable winter location, have already begun hiring.  They need to prepare their nests for the influx of snowbirds.  As a result, they’re interested in booking nurses who can stay throughout the entire season, which ends in April.  This way, they can guarantee coverage when it’s needed most.  Several California facilities are also pre-booking for November, December and even January.

Think one step ahead

One of the most important things that you can do now is plan ahead for the winter season. Population swings can be more pronounced this time of year, which opens up opportunities for hospitals in warmer climates. If you want to head to sunny shores in December, January, and February, you must plan early.  California, Florida, Arizona and Texas tend to be popular winter destinations for nurses.  Ski resort states like Colorado and Vermont have a healthy demand, too. The jobs are out there, but they fill up quickly.

Ultimately, when you get the assignment you want, you’ll be glad you planned ahead—even if it means that you’ll be Christmas caroling with your patients.

Tips for landing one of these desirable gigs:

• Be flexible. In the fall and winter months, there are three major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. To get the assignment you want, be ready and willing to work two out of these three holidays. Flexibility goes a long way in the selection process; all else being equal, you’ll be chosen over someone else if you’re willing to be there when other nurses insist on turkey feasts, Christmas dinners, and college football bowl games.
• Be open with your recruiter. Talk to your recruiter about which factors are most important to you. It might be the money, climate, or region. Matching you up with your preferences is the key to your happiness on the job.

Top travel nursing assignments for autumn:

• CA (Northern & Southern) – Summer is over, the tourists are gone and the weather is cooler.  What better time to plan a California assignment and experience all the state has to offer. Enjoy picnics, camping, biking, hiking or any activity in which you can enjoy the clean, crisp air and take in the tidbits of autumn that Cali has to offer!
  Immediate needs for: Peds, NICU, PICU, L&D
• New York City, NY – Fall in NYC is the perfect time to enjoy the city.  The mild weather is ideal to walk around the city and discover all it has to offer.  Enjoy the buzz as the big stores begin to stock for the holidays and the city prepares for the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
  Immediate needs for: ICU, OR, Tele
• Tulsa, OK – The breathtaking foliage of fall does not occur solely in the Northeast.  Fall is a great time to visit middle American states, such as Oklahoma.  As the weather begins to cool, it is the perfect time to explore the emerald hills of Oklahoma, an outdoor lover’s paradise home to more than half of Oklahoma’s state parks.
  Immediate needs for: ER, ICU, Tele
• Seattle, WA – While you may not find the foliage you will in the Northeast, fall is still an exquisite time to visit Washington and explore the beauty of its numerous parks and mountains.  Enjoy numerous outdoor festivals and wine tastings, in addition to all that downtown Seattle has to offer.
  Immediate needs for: ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Tele
• Anhorage, AK – While Alaska may not seem like the ideal fall destination, many true travelers will tell you other wise.  The crowds are gone, the animals are still out, the viewing of the Northern lights is the best it is all year!  In addition, the cost of living drastically cut, even though the hospitals are still paying top dollar.
  Immediate needs for: ICU, Med/Surg, Tele