Allied Growth
Back to School
Gear & Gadgets
Rehab therapists are in demand
10 top online nursing programs
The latest in traveling items
HT: Information for Healthcare Professionals on the Move
Healthcare
Traveler
Information for Healthcare Professionals on the Move
HealthcareTraveler.com
facebook.com/HealthcareTraveler
twitter.com/HealthTraveler
October 2012 Vol. 20 No. 4
HealthcareTraveler.com
Assignments in the
HEARTLAND
If you haven’t spent time in rural America,
consider this cultural crossroads
for your next opportunity
Assignments in the Heartland
October 2012
Volume 20 Number 4
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ES125085_hct1012_CV1.pgs 09.17.2012 10:46
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Ready, set, go where you want
Interested? Circle Career Card No. 614 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
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ES124546_HCT1012_CV2_FP.pgs 09.14.2012 05:35
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Healthcare
Traveler
HealthcareTraveler.com
Contents
®
Vol. 20 No. 4
October 2012
If you haven't spent time in rural
America, consider this cultural
crossroads for your next opportunity
20
Lisa Daggett
If you are mulling
a traveling career,
rehab therapy may
be a good way to
go
❯❯ Point of
Departure
4
6
Editor’s Desk
In a Flash
Congress urged to reject cuts
Shari Held
8
Financial Signs
Starting over
10
24
Rights and responsibilities
12
Getting a
degree while on
assignment is
easier than ever
Anne Baye Ericksen
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Tips from a Traveler
Putting your best test forward
14
30
Articles in Healthcare Traveler are indexed in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL).
Healthcare Traveler (ISSN 1077-5676 (print), ISSN 1946-1100 (online)) is published monthly by Advanstar
Communications, Inc., 131 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802-2065. Periodicals postage paid at Duluth, MN and
additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Healthcare Traveler, PO Box 6000, Duluth, MN
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©2012 Advanstar Communications Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
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Healthcare Traveler does not verify any claims or other information appearing in any of the advertisements
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HealthcareTraveler.com
Housing Hints
❯❯Travelogue
Snapshots from across town
and across the country
36
Cityscape
Rockford, Illinois
39
On Assignment
Yuma, Arizona
41
Travel Guide
Life is a Trip
42
Gear & Gadgets
Allied Health
❯❯RN Corner
The latest news specific to the
nursing field
16
18
COVER STORY
News for Nurses
Drug Update
❯❯ Expand Your
Horizon
Development and
entertainment info for
travelers
45
46
47
Going the Distance
Media Matters
Name It
Healthcare Traveler
photo contest
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES125185_hct1012_001.pgs 09.17.2012 14:52
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1
ADV
Part of the
Your guide to what’s happening online at HealthcareTraveler.com:
Access a wide array of professional
information and lifestyle advice from
Healthcare Traveler bloggers at
htblogger.wordpress.com.
1
PROVIDERS FACE
»
$11 BILLION IN CUTS
Health providers are in danger of being
stuck with $11 billion in Medicare cuts
beginning in January when automatic
federal spending cuts are due to take
effect, the White House warned in a
new report.
healthcaretraveler.com/Medicarecuts
2
»
ASPIRIN MAY LOWER
PCA RISK
Taking
aspirin is
associated
with a
lower risk of
death from
prostate
cancer,
especially in men with high-risk disease,
according to a recent multicenter study.
healthcaretraveler.com/aspirinrisk
3
The top clinical and practice-management resources from HealthcareTraveler.com
RISK TO CHILDREN
»
LINKED TO CODEINE
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has issued a Drug
Safety Communication concerning
three children who died and
one child who experienced a
nonfatal, but life-threatening case
of respiratory depression recently
after taking the pain-reliever
codeine, following a tonsillectomy or
adenoidectomy.
5
»
FOUR GENES TIED TO
PROSTATE CANCER
Photos: Getty Images/Photodisc/Last Resort (first column);
Getty Images/Photolibrary/Alfred Pasieka ( third column); Getty Images/Stockbyte/Dieter Spannknebel (top)
The Top 5 Hit List
healthcaretraveler.com/codeine
4»
LARGE WAISTLINE
LINKED TO DISFUNCTION
As a man’s waistline grows, so can his
experience with sexual dysfunction
and frequent urination, according
to researchers from New YorkPresbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell
Medical Center.
A recent study has pinpointed four
genes linked to prostate cancer, a
finding that researchers say could
significantly improve diagnosis and
treatment by identifying slow-growing
cancers that do not need to be
treated.
healthcaretraveler.com/fourprostate
healthcaretraveler.com/waistline
LEARN WHAT YOU’RE MISSING: Our new online digital editions let you flip through the pages of your favorite
Advanstar Communications publications from any computer. Sign up for free at the following Web sites:
Contemporary OB/GYN: contemporaryobgyn.modernmedicine.com
Contemporary Pediatrics: contemporarypediatrics.com/digital
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
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Healthcare Traveler: healthcaretraveler.com/digital
LocumLife: locumlife.com/digital
Managed Healthcare Executive: managedhealthcareexecutive.com
Medical Economics: memag.com/digital
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES125843_hct1012_002.pgs 09.18.2012 13:36
ADV
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ES124544_HCT1012_003_FP.pgs 09.14.2012 05:35
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Editor’s Desk
We want to hear from you
Information for Healthcare Professionals on the Move
HealthcareTraveler.com
T
here is no doubt that the healthcare traveling community is vibrant and active. We at Healthcare Traveler have found that anytime you can share information with your fellow travelers, it makes the experience that much more
worthwhile.
To hasten the process, we are implementing some changes — both in print and
online.
For example, we have a social networking department in the works and another
department that will bring you the latest on apps, sites, and technology to enhance
your journeys. We’re even working on one that focuses on your downtime.
We are also reintroducing a few of our tried-and-true departments, like Starter’s Kit, which covers the fundamentals of healthcare travel, travel tips, and advice
that provides resources and
offers suggestions for success
The best
on the road.
Such departments as You
relationships
Said It, A Thousand Words,
and In the Bag have been
are based on
dusted off and will make a
communication comeback as early as November. Your participation
and interaction is essential to these three offerings.
To show our appreciation, if your contribution is used, you will be entered into a
drawing to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To participate, you have to be a current
healthcare traveler. Here’s a quick overview of each:
You Said It: This column includes personal responses to a question posed by
Healthcare Traveler.
A Thousand Words: If you’ve taken a photograph on the way to an assignment
that you feel as best captures the spirit of the road or the traveling lifestyle, send it
to us and we may publish it in a future issue.
In the Bag: When packing for a new assignment, what are some of your musthave items, the things you’d never leave home without? If you would like to be
highlighted in this department, along with some of your stuff, send us your list of
traveling items and a little background information on why they are essential.
Yes, the life of a mobile professional can be adventurous, but the path can get hazy
sometimes. If information is what you need, let Healthcare Traveler be your guide. HT
David Bennett
Content Editor
dbennett@advanstar.com
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FASHION
GROUP, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Healthcare Traveler and HealthcareTraveler.com are the most widely read and favorite resources for mobile
healthcare professionals and for those who might be interested in joining this community. Dedicated to this
lifestyle, Healthcare Traveler engages and encourages nursing and allied healthcare professionals through the
perspectives of industry experts and travelers alike. Practitioners can master life on the road, enhance their
professional development, and connect with staffing companies and hospitals for career opportunities.
Tom Ehardt
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Steve Sturm
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
HEALTHCARE, DENTAL & MARKET
DEVELOPMENT
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
CUSTOMER DEVELOPMENT &
PRESIDENT, LICENSING INTERNATIONAL
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
PHARMACEUTICAL/SCIENCE, CBI,
AND VETERINARY
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
VICE-PRESIDENT, MEDIA OPERATIONS
VICE-PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL
VICE-PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES
VICE-PRESIDENT, ELECTRONIC
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
4
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
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Tom Florio
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
POWERSPORTS
Mission Statement
Joe Loggia
Georgiann DeCenzo
Chris DeMoulin
Danny Phillips
Ron Wall
Eric I. Lisman
Francis Heid
Ward D. Hewins
Nancy Nugent
J. Vaughn
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES126575_hct1012_004.pgs 09.19.2012 08:08
ADV
Go anywhere,
send us a picture.
trustaff places healthcare professionals in great opportunities throughout the country with
outstanding pay and benefits. We make travel nursing fun! You can participate in quarterly
photo contests, holiday giveaways, bonus opportunities, truGear, and much more. It’s easy
to see why we’re one of the fastest-growing staffing companies in the business!
Visit us online or call today!
• Up to $2,200 Net Pay
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telephone: 877.880.0346 | email: info@trustaff.com
Interested? Circle Career Card No. 618 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
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In A Flash
Congress urged to reject cuts
M
ore than 150 hospital leaders rallied last month on
Capitol Hill, urging Congress to reject funding cuts the organization says will hurt hospital patients
and to support budget alternatives.
Participating in the American
Hospital Association (AHA) Advocacy Day in person and via webcast,
hospital leaders received a briefing
from AHA on the latest policy developments and hospital programs at risk
in the looming federal budget debate.
Hospital representatives addressed
lawmakers, explaining payment issues and other challenges that hospitals face, as well as the many ways
their organizations are improving
performance and care for patients.
They also urged lawmakers to
extend expiring Medicare payment
provisions that are critical to hospitals
ability to care for patients.
“Lawmakers need to be our partners in making sure the care will be
there for the people we both serve,”
says AHA board chair Teri Fontenot,
president and chief executive officer
of Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge,
who hosted the event.
The healthcare industry’s opposition to federally required sequestration cuts will likely grow stronger
following the Sept. 14 report from the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) that outlines $11 billion in annual cuts to Medicare over the next
decade.
More than half of the cuts would
come from a $5.8 billion reduction to
the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
Prescription drug funding is slated to
be cut by $591 million. The National
Institutes of Health’s 8 percent budget
reduction results in a $2.5 billion drop
in funding which, according to the
OMB, means less “scientific research,
including needed research into cancer
and childhood diseases.”
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
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While the overall cut to Medicare is
a relatively small percentage cut, just 2
percent, the double-digit dollar figure
will put some hospitals on a tight budget.
“Hospitals will have to make tough
choices about which services to maintain because of potential cuts since
hospitals will maintain the highest
quality for whatever services they provide,” says Marie Watteau, a spokeswoman for the AHA, in a prepared
statement.
In a state-by-state comparison done
by the AHA, California is shown to be
hit the hardest with more than 50,000
job losses forecast for next year alone.
The California Hospital Association says
the Medicare sequester adds pressure to
an already tense budget environment.
The sequester has been on the table
since last year when first, Congress,
then, a joint committee of Congress,
could not agree to a budget that included massive federal deficit reductions.
Hospitals aren’t the only facilities in
the line of fire.
Skilled nursing facilities in the most
populous states will be hard hit if Congress enacts a 2 percent across-theboard cut in Medicare payments to
providers, two new analyses predict.
The 2 percent sequestration cuts,
which would take effect Jan. 1, 2013,
would reduce Medicare payments to
skilled nursing facilities by a total of
$782.5 million in the first year. They
would total $9 billion over 10 years,
according to an analysis released Monday by Avalere Health and the Alliance
for Quality Nursing Home Care.
The states that would bear the
brunt of the payment cuts are: California ($75.9 million); Florida ($66
million); Texas ($51 million); New
York ($47 million); Illinois ($46.2 million); New Jersey ($37.5 million); Ohio
($37.3 million); Pennsylvania ($36.9
million); Michigan ($30.2 million);
and Massachusetts ($28.4 million). HT
Information for Healthcare Professionals on the Move
HealthcareTraveler.com
Editorial Advisory Board
Healthcare Traveler’s Editorial Advisory Board was
established to provide the magazine with input from
industry leaders to help develop editorial content.
Members are chosen by the magazine’s editors to offer
insight into the topics covered by Healthcare Traveler,
and to provide a voice and leadership for the healthcare
traveling industry.
Travel Health Members
Dayne Bowers, RNC, RN Network
Pam Campbell, RN, Trustaff
Rose Cousineau, RN, Medical Express
Barbara A. Craig, RN, director of surgical services, Blue
Mountain Hospital
Karen F. Flaster, RN, COO, HRN Services Inc.
Christopher Freedman, RN, Nurses Rx
Tim Groves, RN, American Mobile Healthcare
Terry Hall, RN, Trinity Healthcare Staffting Group
Jennifer Hamrick, RN, CNOR, NovaPro Staffing
Glenda Hardy, RN, PPR Healthcare Staffing
Lila Johnson, RN, Foundation Medical Staffing
Cynthia Kinnas, president, Randstad Healthcare
Karen LaBlanc, RN, Aureus Medical Group
Christopher LaCounte, RN, CEN, NREMT-P, LP
National Healthcare Staffing
Vicki Lawson, RN, Attentive Health Care
Yvonne Lawson-Thomas, RN, InteliStaf Travel
Jeff Long, marketing manager, Medical Solutions Inc.
Jean Magnuson, RN, Soliant Health
Michele M. Sacco, MS, executive director, Health Care
Staffing Services Certification, the Joint Commission
David Whitesell, RN, board of directors, Professional
Association of Nurse Travelers
Allied Health Members
Emily R. Brawner, OT, American Traveler Staffing
Professionals
Keith Carregal, PT, Sunbelt Staffing
Marsha Dexter InteliStaf Travel
Josephine Feldman, RT, TeamStaff Rx
David Garrard, BHS, RRT, RCP, CCEMT-P, PNCCP,
Cirrus Medical Staffing
Debora Janzen, RT (R)(T), ATC Travelers
Erika Lee, PT, Supplemental Health Care
Richard Mahnke, PT, Soliant Health
Dawn Morse, PT, Trinity Healthcare Staffing Group
Apollone Reid, MPH, PT, Destination Healthcare Staffing
Joel Sauer, CNMT, Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Paule Thomas, OT, PPR Healthcare Staffing
Kurt VanZandt, ASCP, BS, On Assignment
Patti Witkiewicz, RPT, Cross Country TravCorps
Jodi Wolfgram, RDMS, RT, Aureus Medical Group
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES125661_hct1012_006.pgs 09.18.2012 12:43
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ES125065_HCT1012_007_FP.pgs 09.17.2012 09:13
ADV
Financial Signs
Starting over
Lionel Shipman
W
hether it is a new love relationship or a new traveling career, starting from
scratch or near the bottom can be difficult.
Consider
starting over
financially. In
today’s world,
due to the
economic conditions, many
people have
had to start
Lionel Shipman
over due to
business closures, job layoffs, and the
general economic atmosphere.
I have an acquaintance who had to
start over in life. She had a wonderful
career climbing the corporate ladder
through various positions over the
years. However, due to the economic
downturn, she was laid off from her
job without warning. In addition to
the layoff, she had ongoing health issues. Upon being laid off from her job,
which was the main source of her income, she fell behind on her mortgage
and other debt obligations.
While battling the mortgage holder
to maintain her residence, her health
continued to deteriorate and even more
bills went past due. To help stay afloat,
she cashed in her 401(k) and emptied
most of her savings. Unfortunately,
like a number of people, she eventually
had to file for bankruptcy and lost her
home in the end.
Even when events like this have happened all over the United States, every
day presents an opportunity for people
to start over.
Starting over financially usually
requires drastic changes. This usually
means not spending money carelessly.
8
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
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No more credit card debt. No more
living without a budget. No more not
planning for the future. No more earning money, but not saving.
Change can be difficult for some
people. I know people who are financially astute but can’t seem to apply
financial common sense. They continue to go through a financial cycle
of reaching for financial freedom but
never seem to make it. They have sizeable incomes but their spending and
expenses are exceedingly high. They
downsize in one area of their lives, but
upsize in other areas.
Wise builders would never reconstruct a building using damaged or
ill-crafted materials. As wise builders,
people need to reconstruct their financial lives by utilizing proven methods.
For some people, their financial methods were fine before the financial crisis
occurred. However, the loss of income
from a job layoff, over a prolonged period of time caused financial destruction. For other people, their financial
methods were limited or even sub-par,
which unfortunately caused greater financial devastation. However, here are
some tips for recovery:
1. Assess where you are and how
you got there. For many people, life
happened. With the economic downturn, many businesses had to limit
production and cut jobs in order to
stay afloat. Whereas, other companies
had to throw in the towel and close
their doors for good. Most people
can’t control the actions of their employers. Imagine your income stream
running dry, debt obligations going
past due, and financial devastation
appearing on the horizon. Once the
income stream stops, the snowball
cycle goes into effect and people begin
losing their way of life.
2. Establish an emergency fund.
An emergency fund is a savings account set aside with at least six months
of expenses. It should be used only
in an emergency. Every month going forward, stash some money into
the emergency fund until you have
reached or exceeded six to eight
months of expenses.
3. Live on a budget. A budget can
help you measure and manage your
personal finances. Keep a journal
or utilize a spreadsheet or financial
software to track your income and expenses. If you cannot measure it, you
cannot manage it. If you cannot afford
things, consider delaying those things
or just not purchasing the items. As my
father often told me, you cannot live a
champagne life on a beer budget.
4. Create different streams of income. For most of us, our job is our
primary source of income. However,
all of us should consider other income
streams such as selling items on eBay,
acquiring and leasing property, or
opening a small service-oriented business.
5. Do a financial checkup. Plan a
time to review your financial standing or outlook semi-annually and/or
annually. Assess how you are doing financially. Review your budget and look
for ways to reduce expenses and/or
increase your income. Establish some
short term and long term goals. Pull
your credit reports and review your
credit history. Also, clear up any negative information on the reports.
Starting over financially can be difficult for anyone regardless of the loss.
You can start over. It will probably take
some time, but you can do it. You may
have to change your ways and behaviors in order to rebuild your financial
well-being. But, it can be done. There is
one sure way to eat an elephant……one
bite at a time.
Just something to chew on. HT
Lionel Shipman is the owner of
Shipman Consulting, a personal and
business finance consulting firm based
in Lutz, Fla.
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES125225_hct1012_008.pgs 09.17.2012 16:28
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with all the Advantages!
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as your message to receive HOT JOBS
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Interested? Circle Career Card No. 602 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
View our launch edition
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Housing Hints
Tenant rights and responsibilities
Nora Adams
Home is where we spend a great
deal of time, and we want it to be free
of problems. This goes for healthcare
travelers also.
If you want to find your own housing for your next travel assignment
without assistance from your company’s housing
department,
make sure you
know what
you are getting into. You
should carefully consider
the character
and quality of
Nora Adams
the neighborhood (safety and appearance) and the
condition of the rental. Dependent on
the length of your contract, you need to
decide if you want rent week to week,
month to month, or just lease.
Before you take residency, carefully
inspect the interior of the rental unit
with the landlord or landlord’s agent.
You should complete a “condition
upon arrival” form within three days
of moving in. If an inventory form is
not provided, please note these items
including, but not limited to: cracks or
holes; water damage; mold and odors;
rusty tap water; leaks; faulty electrical
outlets; inadequate heating/air conditioning; damaged furnishings (if furnished); and signs of insects or rodents.
The landlord or agent should sign
a copy of your form following the
inspection. Please keep the copy in a
safe place, because you will refer back
to this form during your “condition
upon departure” inspection. Look
at the exterior of the building and
common areas: courtyards, hallways,
parking, and the garbage receptacles.
Are these common areas clean and
maintained?
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Agreements and deposits
Residential agreements vary from state
to state. Each form will start off with
the terms of the agreement, including
whether it is a periodic rental agreement or a lease. In some states a lease is
referred to as fixed term. If you prefer
not to stay in one place for very long,
a periodic rental agreement is the better choice, but can be more costly due
to short term up-charges. A periodic
rental agreement expires at the end of
each period the tenant has paid rent.
The tenant can continue to live in
the rental unit as long as the tenant
continues to pay the rent and as long
as the landlord does not ask the tenant to leave. It is especially important
to discuss when your rent is due and
the amount of advance notice needed
if either party decides to terminate the
tenancy with the landlord.
There are obvious advantages to
having a lease vsersus a periodic rental
agreement. If you have a lease, the rent
cannot be raised while the lease is in
effect. Also, you cannot be evicted
while the lease is in effect, except for
reasons like failing to pay rent.
Once you find a place, you should
look up the state laws pertaining to
security deposits. At the beginning of
tenancy, the landlord will likely require
you to pay a security deposit. The
landlord can use the security deposit if
you move out owing rent, damage the
rental beyond normal wear and tear, or
leave the rental less than clean.
In most states, a lease or rental
agreement cannot state that a security
deposit is “non refundable.” The security deposit must be distinguished
from non-refundable cleaning fees or
pet fees. The law also limits the total
amount that the landlord can require
for a security deposit.
For example, California landlords
can charge no more than two month’s
rent for an unfurnished apartment as a
security deposit. In Kansas, the security deposit can be one month’s rent for
an unfurnished unit and an added half
month of rent if you have a pet.
If you are considering renting a furnished rental, expect a higher security
deposit. The total amount that a California landlord can require as security
deposit for furnished rentals can’t be
more than three month’s rent.
Maintenance
As a tenant, you must take reasonable
care of your rental unit and any common areas that you use. You must also
repair all damage that you cause, or
that is caused by your family, guests, or
pets. The landlord is not responsible for
repairing this damage. The same holds
true even when you are renting an apartment or a residential hotel room through
your company’s housing department.
Don’t assume that because your
company is the leaseholder, you are
not financially responsible for what
happens to your rental. Many companies require that their RNs sign off
on addendums outlining costs associated with having a pet or smoking.
Landlords are legally responsible for
assuring that their rental units are
habitable or fit to live in. The landlord
must repair substantial defects in the
rental unit.
If a tenant believes that his or her
rental unit needs repairs and that
the landlord is responsible for the
repairs, the tenant should notify the
landlord immediately. It’s best to
notify the landlord of any damage or
defects by both telephone and a letter. If you are in a corporate rental
through your company and you do
not get a response back in a timely
manner from the landlord, notify
your Housing Department so the
maintenance request can be expedited as needed.
Departing
The most common argument between
landlords and tenants is the security
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ES124057_hct1012_010.pgs 09.13.2012 13:44
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deposit refund after the tenant moves
out. Under California law, the landlord
has 21 calendar days after you move
to either send you a full refund or deliver an itemized statement listing the
amounts of any deductions from your
security deposit and the reason for the
deductions together with the remaining refund portion.
A tenant can ask the landlord to
inspect the rental unit before the lease
or agreement ends. It is advised that
you refer back to your “condition upon
arrival” form during this inspection. It
is highly suggested that the tenant be
present, as well. During this inspection the landlord identifies any defects
or conditions that justify deductions
from the security deposit. This is a
great opportunity for the tenant to do
the identified cleaning and repairs to
avoid deductions.
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The landlord may perform a final
inspection after the tenant has moved
out of the rental. During this time, the
landlord may make a deduction from
the tenant’s security deposit to repair a
defect or correct a condition that was
identified in the initial inspection but
wasn’t repaired. It is also very possible
that the landlord may identify something not seen during the first inspection due to the tenant’s furnishings.
The landlord may deduct cleaning
expenses from the departing tenant’s
security deposit to return the rental
to the state it was in when the tenant
moved in. Most landlords apply the
“useful life” rule to carpets and drapes.
Whether or not the carpet in the apartment was new, you can be charged for
what would have been the remaining
useful life of the carpet/flooring.
For example, a tenant damaged be-
yond repair an 8-year-old carpet that
had a life expectancy of 10 years, and
the replacement carpet of similar quality would cost $1,000. The landlord
can only charge $200 for the two years
work of carpet life that would have remained if the tenant had not damaged
the carpet.
Tenants should discuss their expectations and responsibilities with a
landlord before entering into a rental
agreement. Communication is key to
avoiding and resolving problems with
your landlord. By discussing any possible problems with your landlord, you
can prevent little problems from becoming bigger ones. HT
Nora Adams is director of corporate
housing and RN concierge for Emerald
Health Services in Marina del Rey,
Calif.
Circle #603 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES124577_hct1012_011.pgs 09.14.2012 06:59
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Tips from a Traveler
Putting your best test forward
David Morrison
L
ast month, we looked at the video
vignette portion of the PBDS test.
This month, we’ll examine the rest
of the test and I’ll offer my opinions
for adding it all up so that that you
find your exposure to the Performance
Based Development System Assessment (PBDS) a successful experience.
While a major part of PBDS is the
video vignettes, there is also a section
evaluating interpersonal skills, which
includes topics like conflict resolution
and customer satisfaction. The section
provides statements and asks what
things you could do, should do, and
must do in given situations.
While I cannot tell you any actual
statements within the exam, they run
along the lines of: “The fire alarm goes
off and there are family members at the
bedside.”
Your response would be something
like: I MUST close the patient’s door
to ensure fire safety and SHOULD
inform the patient and family what is
occurring.
Another scenario may include some
thing routine like, “you need to plan
an outing for the unit staff next Friday
night.” In this instance, examiners are
looking for prioritization skills.
This is something you COULD
do during your shift, but likely, you
wouldn’t let such a scenario interfere
with any of your responsibilities pertaining to patient care. I call this the
common sense portion of the test.
They are simply looking for how you
respond to a given situation and the
priority you place on your job requirements.
Whether it’s the video vignette or
providing a priority statement for another portion of the test, write down
all information that comes t mind that
you think applies to a given situation.
For the vignette section, pay close
attention to the videos and the vital
signs/lab values that flash on screen.
Even if you don’t arrive at the diag-
nosis of renal failure, for example, if
the video shows a catheter with only
10 cc’s of urine, and a potassium level
of 5.9, note that these are unusual
findings.
Due to time limitations, try to
arrive at a selected diagnosis, or
problem label quickly and then concentrate on the interventions.
If you work in critical care, you
should also know normal ranges for
such things as Swan readings and
ABGs.
Just before taking the test, remember
a few key points:
• Come to a diagnosis quickly, or at
the very least, name the affected body
system.
• Be specific. Don’t write, “check
vital signs;” Instead, answer “check BP,
HR, and O2 sat.”
• Try to use keywords in your interventions. A few keywords for a patient having an myocardial infarction
might be: NTG, EKG, O2, aspirin, or
morphine.
• Think like a physician. This is
your patient and you are directing their
care. What do you need to do to arrive
Take advantage of these resources
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing offers a number of practice quizzes covering PO and IV
medication calculations, IV Flow Rate Calculations, and metric
conversions — complete with solutions to check your math.
If you will be working telemetry or expect to float to
telemetry, you should review common six-second rhythms
in Lead II (the most common lead displayed on a cardiac monitor). A good online simulator can be found at:
www.skillstat.com/Flash/ECGSim531.html.
General test-taking tips
Just answer the question. For multiple-choice tests, read the
question but cover the answers. Try to answer without the
distraction of the answers being visible to you. The correct
or best answer will be close to, or precisely, the answer you
chose yourself.
Don't overthink the question. If you know the answer,
mark it. Don't fall into the trap of thinking, "It can't be that
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
simple." Many correct answers are just that — simple.
Don't change your answers. Go with your first choice
unless you have an unequivocal reason to reject your first
choice. For instance, a subsequent question has spurred your
memory about a specific term you may have forgotten.
BKAT
A copy of the actual Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool test in
your specialty can be obtained by BKAT author Jean C. Toth,
RN, MSN, PhD. The test is provided, in Toth's words, "as a service to nursing and to the ministry that nursing represents." A
small fee is requested to cover photocopying, postage, handing, and continued validity and reliability testing.
The version for your specialty can be obtained by writing
to co-author Jean C. Toth; P.O. Box 6295, Washington, D.C.,
20015. Currently, BKAT is offered in the following categories:
adult ICU, neonatal ICU, ED, pediatrics, pediatric-ED, telemetry/progressive critical-care nursing, and med-surgery.
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES124735_hct1012_012.pgs 09.14.2012 10:32
ADV
at a diagnosis and then what interventions are required.
• Don’t worry about the order of
your interventions, just get the “key”
components of treatment for the given
diagnosis.
Some healthcare travelers I speak
with vow to never work at a facility
that requires the test as part of the
staff screening process. I prefer to tell
those mobile professionals that it’s
best to meet the PBDS head-on and
take the test, removing one potential
barrier to their assignment opportunity. However, I can also appreciate
those who don’t wish to travel across
the country, for example, only to be
sent back home in the likelihood they
fail the exam.
If the test worries you, bring your
concern up with your recruiter and
always ask if the PBDS will be a requirement before you accept your
assignment. Also, ask what happens if
you fail to do well on the exam.
If it’s an assignment far from
home and your contract is likely to
be terminated if you don’t pass, then
it may be an assignment contract
you might consider turning down.
Remember: because PBDS testing
is a part of the placement process,
it’s here to stay. If you plan on doing
more than one travel assignment,
chances are that you will encounter
the PBDS eventually.
TIPS
➣ Don’t fear the PBDS
➣ Be aware of the possible
results if you forgo the test
The lone instance where I advise
steering clear of the PBDS exam is
on your first assignment. Beginning a new career can be stressful
enough and I can certainly understand not wanting to pile on one
more thing to worry about. However, you must consider any consequences associated with forgoing
the test. HT
David
Morrison, RN,
is a Phoenixbased travel
nurse and the
author of the
book “The
Travel Nurse’s Bible: A Guide to
Everything on Travel Nursing,”
(travelnursesbible.com). He holds
nursing licenses in six states and
travels anywhere from six to 12
months annually. He can be reached
at david@travelnursesbible.com.
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
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Circle #607 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
ES124736_hct1012_013.pgs 09.14.2012 10:32
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Allied Health
PTs, pharmacists can
aid in OA cases
C
anadian researchers have determined that physical therapists
and pharmacists can provide an
added resource in identifying knee osteoarthritis.
A study published recently in Arthritis
Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology, represents
the first evidence supporting a collaborative approach to managing knee OA.
Findings suggest that involving
physical therapists, pharmacists, and
primary care physicians in caring for
OA patients improves the quality of
care, along with patient function, pain,
and quality of life.
OA is the most prevalent form of
arthritis where a progressive loss of
articular cartilage in the joints causes
joint pain and could lead to functional
disability. Nearly 27 million Americans
over the age of 25 have some form of
OA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Joints that receive repetitive impact
such as fingers, hips, and knees are most
often affected by OA.
According to the article, medical
evidence estimates that knee OA occurs
in 10 percent of men and 13 percent of
women over the age of 59. Prior research
projects a 50 percent increase in OA
prevalence over the next 10 to 20 years,
with aging and obesity reported as the
leading contributors to this increase.
In the trial, 73 patients in the intervention group received OA screening
questionnaires, education, pain medication management, physical therapy exercises, and primary care physician communication. There were 66 participants
in the control group who were given an
education pamphlet.
Patients in the intervention arm had
a significantly higher quality of OA care
than those in the control group. At three
months and at six months, participants
in the intervention group saw greater
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
improvement in their overall pain function scores compared to those receiving
usual care.
CMS recommends
new reductions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services’ (CMS) Advisory Panel on
Hospital Outpatient Payment recently
recommended reducing the supervision
level for 28 outpatient services from direct to general supervision.
Under the change, the services could
be performed under the overall direction
of a physician or non-physician practitioner without requiring their presence.
The proposed services include selected
vaccine immunizations; IV infusion hydration, therapeutic infusions and push
injections; various urological services;
vascular access services; skin or wound
care services; and direct admission to
observation services.
ICU flaws add to
more annual deaths
Each year as many as 40,500 critically
ill U.S. hospital patients die with an unknown medical condition that may have
caused or contributed to their death,
Johns Hopkins patient-safety experts
report in a recent study.
In a discussion of their findings, published online in BMJ Quality & Safety,
researchers say that although diagnostic
errors in the intensive care unit (ICU)
may claim as many lives each year as
breast cancer, they remain an underappreciated cause of preventable patient
harm. By reviewing studies that used autopsy to detect diagnostic errors in adult
ICU patients, researchers discovered
that 28 percent of patients — more than
one in four — had at least one missed
diagnosis at death.
In eight percent of patients, the diagnostic error was serious enough that it
may either have caused or directly contributed to the individual’s death and, if
known, likely would have changed treatment, researchers say.
The medical conditions most commonly missed by diagnosticians
included heart attack, pulmonary
embolism, pneumonia and the fungal
infection aspergillosis, says Bradford
Winters, MD, PhD, lead study author.
Hospitals asked to
review quality
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) this week launched dry
runs for the hospital-wide readmission
measure and hip and knee replacement
complications and readmissions measures to be added to the Hospital Compare website in 2013.
Hospitals will have until Oct. 3 to
review and download mock hospitalspecific reports and other data from the
dry run at My QualityNet and submit
questions. In addition, CMS scheduled
a recent conference call on the hospitalwide readmission measure, and on the
hip and knee replacement measures to
provide guidance and answer stakeholder questions.
The American Hospital Association
(AHA) urges hospitals to review and
provide feedback on the data, as the
measures are likely to be added to the readmissions penalty provision in the future and the association has raised concerns that other readmissions measures
have included unrelated and planned
readmissions and failed to account for
the impact of community factors that
make it more difficult for some hospitals
to prevent readmissions.
IOM report calls for
quality actions
A report published last month by the
Institute of Medicine (IOM) says that
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES126576_hct1012_014.pgs 09.19.2012 08:08
ADV
achieving higher quality care at lower
cost will require health care stakeholders
and policymakers to promote continuous learning and improvement by capturing and broadly disseminating lessons learned from every care experience
and research discovery.
The committee calculated that about
30 percent of health spending in 2009 —
roughly $750 billion — was wasted on
unnecessary services, excessive administrative costs, fraud and other problems.
By one estimate, roughly 75,000
deaths might have been averted in 2005
if every state had delivered care at the
quality level of the best performing state
in the country.
Among its recommendations, the
IOM reports that it will be necessary
for the health care industry to embrace
new technologies to collect and tap
clinical data at the point of care, engage
patients and their families as partners,
establish greater teamwork and transparency and improve care coordination
and communication within health care
organizations.
The report also recommends that incentives and payment systems should emphasize the value and outcomes of care.
Hospital site, staff
boost EMR savings
Electronic medical records (EMRs) can
yield savings for hospitals, according to a
new study by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in
Chicago.
The study, published recently by the
National Bureau of Economic Research,
finds that savings depend on both the
information technology (IT) prowess of
hospital staff and the institution’s proximity to IT-dense locations.
The study addresses the debate between two schools of thought regarding
EMRs: those who claim the systems can
save hospitals money in the long run.
Collecting data from 4,231 hospitals, researchers found that for many
hospitals adopting EMRs between
1996 and 2009, costs increased for the
institution. However, if the hospital
was located in a so-called “strong IT location,” such as an urban region, costs
sharply declined after a one-year adoption time period.
Researchers report that the costs
typically fell below what hospitals were
paying for IT services before EMR
adoption. HT
NO MATTER WHAT TIME ZONE
THERE IS A NEED FOR YOU
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October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES126574_hct1012_015.pgs 09.19.2012 08:09
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News For Nurses
More research on
travelers needed
A
recent study funded by the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research
Initiative (INQRI) takes a closer look at acute
care hospitals to determine the relationships
among characteristics of the nursing practice
environment, nurse staffing levels, nurses’
error interception practices, and rates of nonintercepted medication errors.
However, the study doesn’t take into account the role that traveling nurses play in
terms of integration within hospital staffing
and the possible impact on patient care
results.
Carol Tuttas, PhD(c), MSN, RN, NEBC,
director for standards and certification for
Cross Country Staffing in Boca Raton, Fla.,
says travel nurses travel nurses comprise a
very special contingency within the nursing
workforce at large, forming a workforce of
experienced, flexible and adaptable nurses of
all specialties, and more research may bear
this out.
Tuttas explains that employing a traveling
workforce is key to sustaining a safe patient
care environment in work settings where
staffing and experience gaps may otherwise
jeopardize care and patient outcomes. She
says travel nurses’ participation in nursing
research studies is the gateway to discovery
of what impacts integration and job performance at their assignments.
“There is a paucity of research about travel
nurses, their work arrangement, and how
integration factors impact their job performance. As opportunities begin to emerge
for travel nurses to participate in nursing
research studies, I would encourage these
nurses to respond to study invitations by
promptly agreeing to participate.”
The recent INQRI study, “Nurses’ Practice
Environments, Error Interception Practices,
and Inpatient Medication Errors,” found
that a supportive practice environment for
nurses reflected in factors such as teamwork
between physicians and nurses; nurses’
opportunities to participate in hospital- and
unit-level decisions; continuity of patient care
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
trators who are visible and accessible, who
listen to nurses’ concerns, and who have high
expectations of their nurses is associated
with a higher quality of nursing care and better error interception practices by nurses.
Sequester could kill
766,000 jobs
More than 766,000 healthcare and other
jobs could be lost by 2021 as result of the
two percent reduction in Medicare spending
mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011,
according to a report released by the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Medical Association and the American
Nurses Association.
About 500,000 jobs, including nearly
93,000 hospital jobs, could be lost in 2013—
the first year the Medicare sequester is
scheduled to take effect — according to the
report by Tripp Umbach, a firm specializing in
economic impact studies.
Nationally, more than 144,000 hospital
jobs would be lost by 2021, notes the report,
which also details total job losses by state.
“Hospitals’ ability to maintain the kind of
access to services that their communities
need is being threatened,” says AHA president and chief executive officer Rich Umbdenstock. “Cuts to hospital services could
create devastating job losses in communities
where hospitals have long been an economic
mainstay.”
Groups to advance
nursing workforce
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recently announced the establishment of a new five-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) to help build capacity in
the public-health nursing workforce.
The new AACN-CDC agreement focuses
on improvement of health outcomes by
strengthening academia’s linkages to public
health practice through: improved integration
of public health concepts into nursing education programs; increased hands-on experience for students working with communities
and public health partners; an expanded fel-
lowship model that opens the door for field
placements in health agencies and communities; fostering inter-professional collaboration
and learning in health professional education;
and providing options for other workforce
improvement projects.
AACN is also developing new web resources to support the goals of this cooperative
agreement that will be posted in the coming
weeks.
Report reduces
CLABSIs by 40%
Hospitals participating in the national “On
the CUSP: Stop BSI” project reduced the rate
of central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) in adult intensive care units
by 40 percent over four years, saving more
than 500 lives and $34 million in health care
costs, the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality announced recently.
Led by the American Hospital Association’s
(AHA) Health Research and Educational Trust
affiliate, the CUSP project has helped participating hospitals reduce the rate of CLABSIs
nationally to 1.1 per 1,000 central line days in
2012 from 1.9 in 2009.
More than 1,100 hospitals from 44 states,
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are
currently enrolled in the national program.
AMSN offers free
practice resources
The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
(AMSN) has released two new editions of
their scope and standards of practice as free
resources for medical-surgical nurses. “Scope
and Standards of Medical-Surgical Nursing
Practice, 5th Edition,” and the “Scope and
Standards of Medical-Surgical Clinical Nurse
Specialist Practice, 2nd Edition,” are now
available online on the AMSN website, amsn.
org.
“Our goal as a professional nursing association is to help not only our members but
all nurses in their quest for personal and professional development and improved patient
care,” says Cynthia Hnatiuk, EdD, RN, CAE,
the AMSN executive director, in a prepared
statement.
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According to Hnatiuk, the resources can
be used as the basis for job descriptions,
performance appraisals, peer review, quality
assurance and certification activities.
Those interested can visit the AMSN website to download the scope and standards.
Prolonged CPR is
beneficial
A new study involving hundreds of hospitals
suggests that many doctors may be giving up
on providing CPR to patients too soon.
The study, published online recently in
The Lancet, found that patients have a better
chance of surviving in hospitals that persist
with CPR for just nine minutes longer, on
average, than hospitals where efforts are
halted earlier.
According to researchers, the findings
challenge conventional medical thinking,
which holds that prolonged resuscitation for
hospitalized patients is usually futile because
when patients do survive, they often suffer
permanent neurological damage.
Researchers found that patients who
survived prolonged CPR and left the hospital fared as well as those who were quickly
resuscitated. Patients in hospitals with
the longest CPR efforts were 12 percent
more likely to survive and go home from
the hospital than those with the shortest
times.
The study is one of the largest of its kind
and one of the first to link the duration of
CPR efforts with survival rates.
Barriers to evidencebased patient care
A new national survey of more than 1,000
registered nurses reports that serious barriers, including resistance from nurse leaders,
prevent nurses from implementing evi-
dence-based practices that improve patient
outcomes.
In the survey, published in the September
issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, researchers surveyed participants about
the state of evidence-based practice from
each respondent’s perspective and questioned them about the one factor that most
prevented and assisted them in providing
patients with evidence-based care.
Survey respondents ranked the top barriers as: resistance from nursing leaders and
nurse managers; politics; and organizational
cultures that avoid change. The top factors
to assist in implementing evidence-based
practice included education; access to information; and organizational support.
Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP/PMHNP, FNAP, FAAN, Ohio State University dean
of the college of nursing and chief wellness
officer, lead study researcher says the findings indicate the need for widespread cultural
change in health care settings. HT
A laska • A rizona • California • Colorado
Nebraska • Nevada • Wyoming
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lives – including
your own.
You belong here.
With 23 hospitals in seven western
states, Banner Health Travelers
offers an unmatched variety of
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award-winning, industry-changing
care. We provide excellent training, competitive pay, completion bonuses,
travel allowances and private housing. We have openings in all clinical areas,
including assignments on our Arizona Winter Travel Team in these specialties:
ICU • Telemetry • Emergency Department
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EOE/AA. We support a
tobacco-free and drug-free
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ES125867_hct1012_017.pgs 09.18.2012 13:57
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Drug Update
Sanofi approved for
Aubagio
S
anofi SA has won U.S. approval for its
multiple sclerosis (MS) pill Aubagio
- one of the two treatments for the
chronic disease that could return the French
drugmaker to growth after several blockbuster drugs lost patent protection.
The drug is less effective than some rivals
but has milder side effects and analysts say
it could find favor among newly diagnosed
patients. About 35-40 percent of MS sufferers prefer to take no medication rather than
face unwanted side effects.
Aubagio is expected to launch on the U.S.
market in a few weeks, a spokeswoman for
Sanofi unit Genzyme says, in a company
statement.
FDA approves
delafloxacin
Last month, Rib-X Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated delafloxacin
as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product
(QIDP) for the indications of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and
community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
The QIDP designation will enable Rib-X
to benefit from certain incentives for the
development of new antibiotics, including
an additional five years of market exclusivity,
priority review and eligibility for fast-track
status, provided under the new Generating
Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) program.
GAIN was included in the FDA Safety and
Innovation Act, which received bipartisan
Congressional support and was signed into
law by President Obama in July 2012.
With the exception of Zyvox (linezolid),
all other currently approved treatments for
MRSA offer only IV delivery.
Pfizer will show RA
findings in D.C.
Pfizer Inc. announced recently that 14 abstracts
for tofacitinib, an investigational oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for the treatment of adults
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Clinical trials
Tcelna up for SPMS trial
O
pexa Therapeutics Inc., a company
developing Tcelna, a potential Tcell therapy for multiple sclerosis
(MS), recently announced the initiation
of a Phase IIb clinical trial of Tcelna in patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple
Sclerosis (SPMS).
Several patients have enrolled in the
study and enrollment is expected to
increase rapidly as additional sites begin
screening and enrolling patients in the
coming weeks. Tcelna is the first ever
personalized T-cell therapy for MS patients
and has received Fast Track Designation
from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of SPMS.
The therapy is specifically tailored to
each patient’s individual disease profile
and has demonstrated superior safety and
encouraging indications of efficacy in previous clinical studies in MS that included
the treatment of SPMS patients. There is
currently only one FDA-approved treatment for SPMS but safety warnings have
severely restricted its use.
with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), will be presented at the American
College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2012 Annual
Meeting, Nov. 9 -Nov. 14 in Washington, D.C.
Tofacitinib is currently under review for the
treatment of moderate–to-severe active RA
by several regulatory agencies around the
world, including in the United States, Europe
and Japan. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has provided an anticipated Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of November 21.
If approved, tofacitinib would be the first
RA treatment in a new class of medicines
known as JAK inhibitors and the first new
oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
for RA in more than 10 years.
FDA warns of
OTC burns
Some consumers have reported burning
The newly initiated trial, named Abili-T,
is a randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled clinical study in SPMS patients
who demonstrate evidence of disease progression without associated relapses.
The trial is expected to enroll 180 patients at approximately 30 leading clinical
sites in the U.S. and Canada with each
patient receiving two annual courses of
Tcelna treatment consisting of five subcutaneous injections per year.
The study will assess a number of clinical endpoints to evaluate the efficacy and
safety of Tcelna in patients with SPMS.
The primary efficacy outcome of the trial
is the percentage of brain volume change
(atrophy) at 24 months.
Study investigators will also measure
several important secondary outcomes
commonly associated with MS including
disease progression as measured by the
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS),
annualized relapse rate, and changes in
disability as measured by EDSS and the
Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite.
pain and blistering following the use
of OTC topical pain relievers, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration reported
recently.
Though injuries are rare, there have been
43 reported cases of burns from using OTC
muscle and joint pain relievers that contain
the active ingredients menthol, methyl
salicylate, and capsaicin. The injuries were
reported after using brand-name OTC topical
pain relievers such as Icy Hot, Bengay, Capzasin, Flexall, and Metholatum, according to
an FDA consumer alert.
“These cases were uncovered by FDA
scientists during safety surveillance of
FDA’s adverse event reporting database
and the medical literature,” according to
FDA.
Injuries ranged from mild to severe
chemical burns from the use of different
formulations of OTC topical pain relievers, such a creams, lotions, ointment, and
patches. HT
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ES126566_hct1012_018.pgs 09.19.2012 07:44
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Discover immediate assignment opportunities
with the leading staffing companies, all in one place!
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ES125066_HCT1012_019_FP.pgs 09.17.2012 09:13
ADV
Assignments in the
HEARTLAND
If you haven’t spent time in rural America, consider this
cultural crossroads for your next opportunity.
Lisa Daggett
A
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Getty Images/Vetta/Stan Rohrer
merica’s heartland, home to modest cities, small
towns, and underserved rural areas, is thought to be
the broadest representation of the nation’s culture, and
offers many opportunities for healthcare travelers.
Mobile professionals who prefer this slice of simpler culture
have found they can immerse themselves in various European influences, thanks to the large influx of immigrants
who came during the 19th century, as well as numerous Native American communities. Rich with agriculture, the Great
Lakes, and physical wonders, the heartland region offers
plenty of natural beauty and recreational outlets for travelers.
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES125354_hct1012_020.pgs 09.18.2012 08:22
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But the area’s biggest draw,
according to the four travelers
featured, may be the down-toearth attitude of local residents,
who are described as unfailingly welcoming and helpful.
When you are a stranger in
a strange land, that’s a good
thing to have.
“The pace of life is a bit slowSherri Wood
er in this area, and travelers
seem to enjoy that,” says Sherri
Wood, senior recruiter at Advantage RN, based in West
Chester, Ohio. “This region is less populated, less frenzied,
and has less crime, so it offers a nice break for those looking for a little peace and quiet. Things are not right on
top of each other, so you can really enjoy the outdoors. In
fact, in some states you can drive for over an hour without
passing a town. And many of the towns you do pass may
have only 1,500 people.”
The rural hospitals also offer a change of pace, says
Wood.
“The Midwest is filled with smaller hospitals,” she says.
“So even if you sign on for, say, L&D (labor and delivery),
you may get the chance to float to med/surg or different
units. This may not be for everyone, but many of our
nurses enjoy the varied exposure. They say it keeps things
interesting.”
Photo courtesy of Sheri Wood (top); Photo courtesy of Brian Wilson, RN (bottom)
Small-town charm
When operating room nurse Brian Wilson, RN, left his
home down south to become a traveling nurse, he was
willing to go anywhere. But
over the years, he found himself
returning to more rural states,
mostly because he enjoys the
people, the pace, and the varied
career opportunities.
Currently, Wilson is on assignment in Oma ha, Neb,
through Aureus Medical Staffing, which happens to be based
in Omaha.
Brian Wilson, RN
“This is actually my second
go-round as a traveler,” he says.
“I initially spent 14 years traveling and then took a permanent position in Wisconsin for three years. Now I’ve
been on the road again for four years, and I am sure about
where I like to be and what I like to do.”
The Midwest is definitely among the places Wilson
likes to be. “My wife travels with me and we both agree
that the people in this area are exceptionally nice,” he
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says. “The pace suits us, as well. When we’re on the East
Coast, especially north of the Mason Dixon line, everyone seems more rushed. And the cities tend to be more
crowded. It’s a very different atmosphere.”
Wilson is also pleased with the professional opportunities that region has offered thus far.
“I have been impressed with the hospitals,” he says.
“In fact, the last three out of four facilities I’ve worked at
in this area have been Magnet hospitals. Right now I’m
working alongside a few other travelers while the hospital
converts from paper charting to a computerized system.
We’re getting close to going live and everyone is feeling
nervous about the transition.
“But even with the elevated stress level, people are still
warm and friendly,” Wilson continues. “My colleagues
can summon a positive attitude regardless of what the day
brings. In fact, I have seen that all across the Midwest.
Grounded, practical, easy-going people are a pleasure to
work with.”
Outside of work, Omaha offers a relaxed, but active
world. Even though the local people demonstrate a smalltown friendliness, it’s actually a city that offers plenty to
see and do, Wilson says.
“My wife and I often go out and about,” he says. “The
zoo here is one of the best in the country, and it’s fun
to catch the Storm Chasers, the local triple A baseball
club associated with the Kansas City Royals, in action.
We are also looking forward to visiting Fort Atkinson,
which was the first U.S. Army post established west of
the Missouri River. They even have live reenactments a
few times a year.
“Overall, I would say the Midwest would likely be a
pleasant surprise for anyone who hasn’t been here before,”
he concludes. “People are friendlier, more laid-back, and
no one on the street is too busy to say hello. It’s a different
mind-set, and one that I definitely appreciate.”
Oklahoma is occupational
Beth Landis, NP, has taken more than 15 contracts
around the heartland since she started traveling nearly 20
years ago. “I have done stints in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Oklahoma. I really enjoy this part
of the country and frequently make repeat appearances,
mostly because of the general friendliness I consistently
found in my colleagues, and the patients, too.”
In recent years, Landis has reduced her traveling
schedule, and let most of her 23 state licenses lapse. But,
she still holds on to her Oklahoma license, citing it as one
of her favorite spots to return.
“Oklahoma feels special to me and I have been back six
or seven times,” she says. “Almost all of my assignments
continued on page 22
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
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Finding her way in Wisconsin
Katie Messner, RN, is very familiar with America’s
heartland. “I was born in Minnesota and my family
moved to Nebraska when I was 10 years old. After I
finished my nursing degree I stayed in Nebraska for
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
three more years working in stepdown/telemetry in a
local hospital. Though I was happy there, eventually
I started feeling like I was ready for a new challenge.”
Messner decided to try out some travel opportunities, and contacted Randstad Healthcare, a staffing
agency based in Woburn, Mass. “That was almost two
years ago, and I’ve been working full time as a nurse
traveler ever since,” she says. “I’ve taken several contracts at facilities in the south and in theist. It’s definitely been an adventure.”
Currently, Messner is on assignment in Madison, Wis..
“I initially signed up for the standard 13 weeks, but
I like it here so much that I recently extended my stay
for two more months,” she says. “This is really the first
time I’ve been back in the Midwest and it feels great.
The people I’m working with are so nice. They didn’t
hesitate to bring me into their home and treat me like
family from the first day they met me. That’s how a lot
of people are in this area, and I really haven’t gotten
that feeling anywhere else.”
Wisconsin is ideal for Messner because she can experience the embrace of the heartland while exploring
new cultural environments.
“I work in a
large academic
medical center
on a 27-bed unit
t hat does pr imarily heart and
thoracic surgerKatie Messner, RN (middle)
i e s ,” M e s s n e r
says. “We specialize in open-heart surgery, heart and lung transplants,
and things of that nature. It can be exciting.”
Based on past experiences, Messner has gotten used
to feeling like an outsider the first few days. “The initial
transition to a new place can be a little tough, and I’ve
had to teach myself to be more outgoing, to introduce
myself to people, and to jump right in,” she says. “But
here, other nurses were coming up to me from day one,
introducing themselves and even inviting me to their
homes. That’s the first time that’s happened since I
started traveling.
Messner is enjoying her time away from the hospital,
too.
“I spend a lot of time in the downtown area, exploring all the little stores and restaurants,” she says. “I take
a walk in a nearby arboretum every other day or so,
and I can’t pass up the malls and the little touristy attractions,” she says. “I’ve also done a few day trips with
some colleagues, and gone to Wausau to visit a travel
nurse friend of mine. I’m hoping to get to Chicago, too,
which is only a couple of hours away.”
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES125302_hct1012_022.pgs 09.18.2012 07:17
ADV
Photo courtesy of Beth Landis, NP (first column); Photo courtesy of Katie Messner, RN (second column)
continued from page 21
there were related to Native American care, which I
find particularly rewarding because they are often in
such desperate need of staffing help. “
Through the Salt Lake City-based staffing firm
CompHealth, Landis found contracts caring for Cherokee and Chickasaw patients.
“I loved working at these Native American clinics,” she
says. “The people I met were
some of the friendliest and
most enjoyable folks I have
ever worked with. And they
really seemed to care about
their patients, which I appreciate. For instance, I know this
population has a very high
incidence of diabetes, so I set
a goal for myself to discover
one new diabetic patient each
Beth Landis, NP
week.
“In fact, most of the staff
focused on this condition,” Landis continues. “One
Thanksgiving when I was working at a Cherokee clinic,
they put on a feast for the patients using healthier options
of the all the native dishes. I remember having a squirrel gravy and a healthier pumpkin pie. We had a great
turnout with 70 or 80 people.”
On another assignment, Landis was invited to join
a local powwow, a Native American gathering that
includes dancing, singing, drumming, and costumes
honoring the culture.
“I was very grateful to be invited, and mesmerized
with the music and the drums,” Landis says. “The
handmade clothing and the local food were impressive. Being there helped me to really feel involved, and
offered me a good feel for the people’s history and family connections. It is an experience I’ll never forget.”
Being included in the community is something Landis has felt all across the America’s heartland.
“I have been all over the country, but I feel most welcome here,” she says. “And even though there might be
fewer big-ticket attractions, I can always find something fun to do. I had a great time watching a little tiny
rodeo where local families would bring their children
to practicing riding sheep, mutton busting, and rope
tying. That might not sound exciting, but if you keep
an open mind, and don’t pre-judge anything, you may
be surprised at how much fun you can find.”
While Messner is happy to be back in this region,
she is open to going anywhere. “I keep an open mind
about any place I haven’t seen, and I would encourage
other nurse travelers to do the same, especially about
the Midwest,” she says. “It may have a reputation as being boring or bland, but that’s not really the case. And
you won’t know until you try it for yourself.”
Skilled in South Dakota
After working as a nurse out West for nearly 20 years,
Shranda Byrd, RN, was fed up with hospital politics and ready for a change. “I wanted to care for patients who really needed care, and I didn’t want to get
caught up in any of the extra nonsense. I also wanted
continued on page 38
There are many attractions to be found in rural America.
For more information, go to www.travelthemidwest.com
The DeSoto House
Galena, Illinois
Nestled in downtown Galena, the
DeSoto House offers complimentary
enclosed guest parking, 55 graciously decorated guest rooms, and three
restaurants — the Courtyard, Green
Street Tavern and Restaurant and
Generals’. www.desotohouse.com
Blue Sky Vineyards
Makanda, Illinois
Experience a “Taste of Tuscany” in the
heart of the Shawnee National Forest.
Whether sipping a glass of awardwinning wine from our patio or exploring our 12-acre vineyard, which is
part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
www.blueskyvineyard.com
Canterbury Hotel
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Historic Canterbury Hotel, a
European, boutique-style hotel, offers all of the elegance, service and
amenities that are sure to make your
stay with us a comfortable and enjoyable one. Located within walking
distance of all the attractions that
downtown Indianapolis has to offer.
www.canterburyhotel.com
Crowne Plaza
at Historic Union Station
Indianapolis, Indiana
Located in America’s first union station and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the landmark
features 273 spacious guest rooms
and 50,000 square feet of versatile
meeting space. The station has 26
HealthcareTraveler.com
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authentic Pullman train car rooms
— still resting on their original
tracks. www.crowneplaza.com/inddowntown
tea included. Ideally located on Market Street and convenient to parks,
shops, restaurants, and ferry lines.
www.cloghaun.com
College Football Hall of Fame
South Bend, Indiana
Experience t hat just-scored-atouchdown feeling when you visit
the College Football Hall of Fame.
The hall features interactive exhibits that bring the game alive, the
chance to test your own football
skills, a 360-degree theater, and the
Enshrinement Festival festivities.
www.collegefootball.org
Union Depot
Duluth, Minnesota
This unique attraction features the
St. Louis County Heritage & Arts
Center, an indoor train museum,
children’s museum, and art galleries. www.duluthdepot.org
National Farm Toy Museum
Dyersville, Iowa
Dyersv ille attractions include:
Home of the Field of Dreams movie
site, the Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum, the Plaza Antique Ma ll,
t he Her it a ge Hou se Mu seu m,
and four separate farm toy stores.
www.dyersville.org
Pointes North Inn
Charlevoix, Michigan
Condominium hotel suites are
conveniently located in charming
downtown Charlevoix next to the
drawbridge and just steps away from
shopping, restaurants, and beaches.
www.pointesnorthcharlevoix.com
Cloghaun B&B
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Serenity and charm of a bygone era is
captured at Cloghaun B&B. Besides
the sights, breakfast and afternoon
The Resort at Branson
Branson, Missouri
After experiencing a big Branson
show, stretch out at The Resort
at Branson for around the same
cost. Condos feature spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, fireplaces,
washer/dryers, and private patios.
www.greatpricedcondos.com/br
Resort at Grand Lake
Monkey Island, Oklahoma
Between tee times, the resort allows you to cruise Grand Lake O’
the Cherokees aboard a historic
paddlewheel riverboat, try your luck
at Grand Lake Casino, or experience Oklahoma’s best bass fishing.
www.grandlakelinks.com
Glidden Lodge
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Take in a breathtaking view of Lake
Michigan. Units within the lodge
have an eastern exposure to capture
the stunning sunrises over the water.
www.gliddenlodge.com
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES125355_hct1012_023.pgs 09.18.2012 08:22
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ADV
ALLIED
GROWTH
If you’re considering a healthcare traveling career, several allied healthcare fields,
including rehabilitative therapy, are rife with opportunities.
Shari Held
H
ealthcare traveling industry experts
say several areas under the allied
umbrella — physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language
pathology and health information management — will experience healthy growth rates
over the next eight years.
That means travelers have numerous
earning options while picking up experience in a variety of hospitals throughout
the United States.
“There are so many opportunities for the
rehabilitation positions that travelers have
their pick as to where they want to go, and
for the most part they can pick how much they
want to be paid,” says Mike Arkfeld, vice president
of operations for Omaha, Neb.-based Titan Medical Group. “If they are f lexible and will take the
pay packages offered, there’s definitely jobs for all
of them.”
The gray ing of
America and new technolog y that prolongs
life have a lot to do with
this, but there are other
reasons behind the burgeoning demand.
“Healthcare staffing in
general is going to benefit
from healthcare reform,” says
Jon Osborne, vice president of
research for Calif.-based Staffing Industry Analysts, a global
Mike Arkfeld
advisor on contingent work. “As
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Getty Images/UpperCut Images (left); Photo courtesy of Mike Arkfeld (bottom left)
Photo courtesy of Landry Seedig; Photo courtesy of Michael Dennis
more people become insured, there’s going to be
more demand. It hasn’t happened yet, but people
are starting to prepare for it. At the same time, the
temporary staffing sector is having a bounce-back,
period.”
Other changes are in the air. As demand rises,
the allied side of the travel industry, traditionally
overshadowed by the nursing side, is coming into
its own.
“Granted, nursing is the majority of the big pie,
but therapy is a big part of the industry,” says Jessica Colomb, who is the marketing manager for
Ohio-based healthcare staffing agency Trustaff.
“Sometimes it’s easier to break into traveling on the
allied side. You may be able to jump into a traveling assignment with only one year of experience.
Occasionally — it’s not the majority of the time —
we have seen facilities take only new graduates as
physical therapists.”
Landry Seedig, senior vice president & general
manager, Allied Division Management for Calif.based AMN Healthcare says AMN clients prefer
therapists just out of school because they are familiar with the latest techniques and often have
more education than
their seasoned counterparts.
According to Augustine Agho, Ph.D., dean
of the School of Health
& Rehabilitation Sciences for IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue
University Indianapolis), colleges and uniLandry Seedig
versities nationw ide
receive far more qualified applicants for both physical therapy and occupational therapy than they can accommodate. There
is a shortage of clinical sites and qualified faculty to
teach at the college level.
“I think we are looking at a major crisis ahead of
us right now,” he says. “The demand is there. We are
just not producing enough graduates.”
All these factors bode well for allied professionals.
PTs in demand
U.S. News & World Report ranked physical therapist
No. 8 on its “Best Jobs of 2012” list. It’s one of the
fastest-growing professions overall, with a projected
growth of 39 percent between 2010 and 2020, and
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that goes for traveling physical therapists
as well. Colomb reports that of the three
rehabi l itat ion positions, she’s seen more
demand for physical
therapists in the last
few years.
“ Spec i f ic a l ly, t he
need for physical therapy could be on an even
Michael Dennis
sharper upward trend
as some insurance restrictions have recently been lifted in certain states that
previously required patients to acquire a physician’s
referral to receive treatment,” says Michael Dennis,
vice president Allied Health for Onward Healthcare,
headquartered in Wilton, Conn. “This will have a
direct impact on the need for traveling therapists
and local contractors.”
Historically, the demand for physical therapy
has always been
slightly higher
than for occupational therapy or
speech-language
pathology, and
Dennis says that
trend continues.
“Currently, 46
percent of our
open posit ion
count for allied
health positions
consist of jobs
for physical therapists (PTs) and
physical therapist assistants,
m a k i n g t h a t -Mike Arkfeld, Titan Medical
field the leader
in an arena of growing professions,” he says.
There are approximately 199,000 physical therapists, and it is anticipated that another 77,400 will
join the ranks by 2020. Job satisfaction rated “high”
and stress level rated “below average,” and the pay
is good. Moreover, the 2010 median annual wage according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was
$76,310 ($36.69 per hour), with the top 10 percent of
PTs earning more than $107,920.
“There are so many
opportunities for the
rehabilitation positions
that travelers have their
pick as to where they
want to go, and for the
most part, they can pick
how much they want to
be paid.”
Group_
continued on page 26
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
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continued from page 25
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy
chimes in close behind
physical therapy in the
No. 10 position on U.S.
News & World Report’s
“Best Jobs of 2012” list.
There are approximately
142,000 occupationa l
Maureen Freda Peterson
therapists nationwide
currently, and the profession has a projected 33-percent
growth increase from 2010 to 2020.
“OTs are not going to be without jobs for a long
time,” says Maureen Freda Peterson, OT and chief
professional affairs officer for the American Occupational Therapy Association. “We are seeing high
demand in long-term care and a growing demand in
home health.”
Seedig can attest to the growth in demand in the
home health sector. “Over the last 18 months, we’ve
seen an increase in demand of about 15 percent for
occupational therapists in the home healthcare market,” he says. “Our home healthcare clients are turning more towards occupational therapists than physical therapists. Occupational therapists are better at
showing patients how to live their everyday lives in
their home than physical therapists.”
Other opportunities for OTs are community-based
such as identifying home modifications for clients of
agencies that help seniors “age in place” or working
on older driver initiatives for organizations such as
AARP or AAA. Other job opportunities are within
clinics, hospitals, private practice, and school systems.
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“One of the things travelers need to do is to think
outside the box about where occupational therapists
might be utilized, and to be clear about the unique
perspective that occupational therapy can bring to
any number of clinical and community settings,” Peterson says.
According to the BLS, the 2010 median annual
wage for occupational therapists was $72,320 ($34.77
per hour). The American Occupational Therapy Association’s 2010 Occupational Therapy Compensation and Workforce Report, which surveyed 10,000
practitioners, places the annual median earnings for
full-time occupational therapists at $64,722 and for
full-time occupational
therapist assistants at
$44,000.
Comparably, today’s
occupational therapists
are required to have a
post-baccalaureate degree — either a master’s
degree or a doctor of
occupationa l therapy
degree (OTD). Occupational therapy assistants
need an associate deLemmietta G. McNeilly
gree from an accredited
school.
Talking up SLPs
With an anticipated growth of 23 percent from 2010
to 2020, which equates to approximately 28,000 new
positions by 2020, the speech-language pathologist
field has the lowest growth potential of the three featured rehabilitation professions, but that’s decidedly a
moot point, according to some industry experts.
“There are currently more positions that are unfilled than there are people to fill them, and that’s
been the case for a while,” says Lemmietta G. McNeilly, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CAE, ASHA Fellow, chief staff
officer, Speech-Language Pathology at the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association. “That continues to be the case in some specific areas of healthcare
including skilled nursing facilities, home health, and
outpatient clinics.”
McNeilly anticipates this trend to continue, despite
uncertainty about what changes the Affordable Care
Act will bring. “How rehabilitation services are going
to be covered if Medicare, for example, moves from a
fee-for-service model to a more bundled care model
HealthcareTraveler.com
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Photo courtesy of Maureen Freda Peterson (first column);
Photo courtesy of Lemmietta G. McNeilly (second column)
The 2010 American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA) report places the median salary at $80,000
based on member response. Physical therapists working in physician offices and hospitals earn more than
their counterparts in other health care facilities, and
the highest-paid positions are clustered in the metropolitan areas of McAllen, Texas; Madera, Calif.; and
Fairbanks, Alaska.
Some experts say that if allied professionals want
to take advantage of this growing trend, they should
ensure thy have a competitive edge. In the past, a master’s degree was the minimum requirement. As of Jan.
1, 2016, a doctor of physical therapy degree (DPT)
will be the required minimum degree in the field,
according to the APTA.
may have an impact on the positions and the number
of positions that are needed,” she says.
The area of biggest demand is in skilled nursing
facilities, home health, outpatient clinics, and schools,
particularly in rural communities. As far as geographic need, McNeilly says the New England have
a significant number of vacancies they are unable to
fill. Rural areas and less populated areas of the South
and the Midwest also have unmet needs. Metropolitan
areas, including Fort Myers, Fla.; Laredo, Texas; Salinas, Calif., typically offer the highest pay for SPLs.
Speech-language pathologist ranked No. 14 in U.S.
News & World Report’s “Best Jobs of 2012” list. The
median annual wage in 2010 was $66,920 ($32.17 per
hour) according to the BLS. Speech-language pathologists must complete a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or speech-language
pathology and a clinical fellowship.
Ramping up supply
Demand is steepest in the areas where pay is likely to
be lower — rural areas, skilled nursing facilities, and
home health.
But Seedig says pay isn’t at the top of the list for
what rehabilitation travelers want in a job. “Location
is the number one driver for therapists in terms of
job satisfaction,” he says. “No. 2 is setting, with therapists wanting to work in outpatient first, followed by
acute care a skilled nursing and then home health.
The third thing is pay.”
“Since location is so important to therapists, the
agencies that have a lot of job orders are the ones
therapists are signing with, so it’s important to
make sure you have good partnerships with your
clients and partnering with clients that have a good
turnaround time on their interview and offer, because these therapists have options,” Seedig says. “If
you’re not fast at turnaround and getting them the
interview and offer, you’re probably going to lose
them.”
The high demand in rehabilitation services has
staffing firms putting forth more effort to try to attract and keep qualified applicants.
Arkfeld says this is an “odd marketplace” because
the pricing hasn’t yet caught up with the demand.
continued on page 28
SITES FOR THERAPISTS AND OTHER ALLIED
• American Physical Therapy Association
– the largest national association for
physical therapists and physical therapist
assistants – www.apta.org/
• Onward Healthcare’s 51 Best
Physical Therapy Websites – www.
onwardhealthcare.com/physicaltherapy-jobs/physical-therapyresources/
• Onward Healthcare’s List of Physical
Therapy Organizations –www.
onwardhealthcare.com/physicaltherapy-jobs/physical-therapyresources/#organizations
physical therapists and physical therapist
assistants – www.apta.org/
Resources for Occupational Therapy
• American Occupational Therapy
Association – www.aota.org/
• National Board for Certification in
Occupational Therapy – www.nbcot.org/
• PutMeBackTogether.com’s Resources
for Occupational Therapists – www.
putmebacktogether.com/Resources.
aspx?PageContentID=2
Resources for Speech Language
Pathology
– www.putmebacktogether.com/
Resources.aspx
Resources for Healthcare Information
Management
• American Health Information Management
Association – http://www.ahima.org
• Healthcare Information and Management
Systems Society – www.himss.org
• Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s
list of Information Technology
Organizations – www.amcp.org/Tertiary.
aspx
• American Speech-Language-Hearing
Organization – www.asha.org/
• AAPC – the nation’s largest training and
credentialing organization for the business
side of medicine – www.aapc.com
Resources for Physical Therapy
Assistants (PTAs)
• National Association for Hearing and
Speech Action – www.asha.org/NAHSA/
• Professional Association of Healthcare
Coding Specialists – www.PAHCS.org
• American Physical Therapy Association
– the largest national association for
• PutMeBackTogether.com’s Resources
for Speech Language Pathologists
• National Cancer Registrars Association –
www.CAHIIM.org
• PutMeBackTogether.com’s Resources
for Physical Therapists – www.
putmebacktogether.com/Resources.aspx
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continued from page 28
“Our challenge is trying to build relationships
with employees with those specialties,” he says. “We
can’t really afford to pay therapists extra bonuses
or sweeten the pot financially. It really boils down
to customer service. Dealing with them as we do
everybody, honestly and up-front, and taking care
of their needs, perhaps putting forth a little more
effort in finding travelers living accommodations
with more amenities. It’s about turning up the volume on recruiting these professionals, because you
can place as many as you recruit.”
Capitalizing on employee referrals is high on the
list of strategies, as is getting jobs posted and keeping them fresh and up-to-date.
Trustaff concentrates on keeping therapists in
the pipeline. “The nice thing about travel is that
every 13 weeks they are looking for another assignment,” Colomb says. “Once we place them, we maintain solid contact with them so that as they move
through their assignment, we are already
on top of where they
want to go next. It’s
one thing to get them
a job; it’s another to
maintain that contact
so we can keep them
working.”
Like most staffing
companies, Trustaff
uses a mix of referrals,
passive recruiting, social media, and reachColomb, Trustaff
ing out to employees.
The company also relies on qualified traveler recruiters. “You pull all of
that together, and that is where you find your success,”
Colomb says.
Providing perks is also an option.
“In addition to constantly adjusting compensation packages to stay current with the industry, Onward Healthcare prides itself on thinking outside
the box to provide extra incentives for those in the
PT, OT, and SLP professions,” Dennis says. “For instance, we are currently offering an iPad 2 for any
traveler that accepts a new 13-week assignment with
Onward. The goal of our senior management team
is to be at or near the top of the industry in regards
to medical benefits, CEU allowances, loyalty bo-
“Granted, nursing is
the majority of the big
pie, but therapy is a
big part of the industry.
Sometimes it’s easier to
break into traveling on
the allied side.”
-Jessica
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
nuses, and any other category deemed vital by our
most loyal professionals.”
The newest frontier
While the other three allied professions have been
around for a while — 2017 marks the American Occupational Therapy Association’s centennial year
— health information management (HIM) is relatively new. Often these jobs are handled by staffing
agencies that specialize in technology.
The entire area is poised for great growth. The
good news is that now is the time to get in on the
ground floor. Currently companies are hiring allied
and nursing professionals who are proficient with
technology whether they have formal training or
not, but that window of opportunity will decrease as
schools graduate more health information technology specialists are needed as hospital upgrade their
information systems and conduct electronic health
record implementation.
A coder or medical records and health information technician, does require training and credentialing. This position is expected to grow by 21
percent from 2010 to 2020, adding 37,700 new jobs.
According to the BLS, the annual median pay for
HIT techs in 2010 was $32,350 ($15.55 per hour).
“While health information management may be
a fairly new field, Kforce
Healthcare has been in the [Health Information
Management] space for many years,” says Michelle
Martin, group vice president for Tampa, Fla.-based
Kforce Healthcare. “It requires a highly specialized skill
set, therefore the consistency of work available to those
with the right talent and credentials is plentiful. We are
definitely seeing a rise in demand for experienced, credentialed coders; and with the transition to electronic
medical records/electronic health records and ICD-10,
we are not anticipating this to wane in the near future.”
Attracting employees in the health information
technology area can also be challenging for staffing
agencies.
“Kforce Healthcare prides itself on being proactive, and staying ahead of the curve by providing
our consultants with high-level training and education in order to meet the increased demands within
the HIM field,” Martin says. HT
Shari Held is a freelance writer based in
Indianapolis.
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES123641_hct1012_028.pgs 09.13.2012 07:21
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www.
Read individual articles and see past issues of Healthcare Traveler
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Thanks to technology, getting a degree while on assignment is easier
than ever. But before you sign up for an online program, figure out which
school may be right for you.
Anne Baye Ericksen
s healthcare reform moves forward,
expectations for nursing roles within
comprehensive patient care teams
continue to grow as well.
formal education. A growing number of employers
are mandating a bachelor’s degree (BSN) for new
hires. In fact, last year, an Institute of Medicine report called for a minimum of 80 percent of the nursing workforce to have a BSN by 2020.
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Getty Images/Rubberball/Mike Kemp (left)
As a result, there is a push for nurses to get more
While the figures aren’t
there yet, enrollment in advanced education programs
among nurses has continued
to climb, particularly among
experienced nurses returning to school. According
to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
(AACN), acceptance into
registered nurse (RN) to
Polly Bedash
BSN programs has grown
each year in the past decade.
“I think that is an indication that nurses know the
world of healthcare is changing and they need more education to respond to it,” says Polly Bednash, PhD, RN,
FAAN, AACN chief executive officer.
Moving from one assignment to the next every few
months can make being a part-time student challenging, unless you sign up for online classes. As long as you
have a computer and Internet connection, you can log
on to retrieve lectures, syllabi, and course requirements.
There has been a proliferation of online educational
outlets catering to healthcare professionals, but how can
you tell which school is best for you? “It’s important to
be an informed consumer of education. Just because it
is online and accessible is not enough,” says Bednash.
Just as brick-and-mortar institutions are evaluated on
reputation, accreditation, student-to-instructor ratios,
and student satisfaction, so are their online counterparts.
The following is a list of 10 universities offering top-rated
distance learning programs, including RN to BSN programs and master’s degrees, according to the online site,
“Best Masters in Nursing.”
Photo courtesy of Polly Bedash
Ball State University
Online degrees: RN to BSN; Master’s of Science in Nursing
Accreditation: Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE)
Per credit hour cost: $299 for
residents; $364 for non-residents
Requirements: BSN: Graduate
of National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) program, completed
core curriculum, or transfer equivalents
MSN: Nursing license, evidence of training in standard precautions, three years of clinical experience within
the past five years
FYI: Advisors partner with students to arrange clinical
requirements in their own communities.
Go to: http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/Distance.aspx
Benedictine University
Online degree: Master’s of Science in Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE, North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission
Per credit hour cost: $540
Requirements: BSN, RN licensure, letter of professional recommendation
FYI: There are six academic sessions for each calendar year and students may take as few as one course per
session.
Go to: www.onlinedegrees-benedictine.com/nursing/
master-in-nursing.asp
Drexel University
Online degrees: RN to BSN;
Master’s of Science in Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE, National Accrediting Agency for
the Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Per credit hour cost: $765
Requirements: BSN: Associate’s degree or diploma, current
valid license, school transcripts
MSN: May differ according to specific program
FYI: Drexel has been providing nursing education
online since 1997. It currently offers advanced practice concentrations in acute care, adult psychiatric,
family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, and
others.
Go to: www.drexel.com/online-degrees/degrees.aspx
Georgetown University
Online degrees: Master’s of
Science
Accreditation: CCNE, Accreditation Commission for
Midwifery Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse
Anesthesia Educational Programs
Tuition: $19,500 for part-time students
continued on page 35
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Interested? Circle Career Card No. 611 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
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Advertisers’ Index
Find out about assignments, benefits, and more!
Select from companies listed in the index below. Simply fill out one of the postage-paid Career Cards, or
submit your request on our Web site at HealthcareTraveler.com/readerservice to receive information.
Call 877-922-2022 when your mailing address changes, or visit our Web site at HealthcareTraveler.com
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855-702-4110
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800-278-0332
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PALMS OF PASADENA HOSPITAL
727-341-7876
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PROGRESSIVE NURSING TRAVEL
877-654-1010
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RN NETWORK
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THE RIGHT SOLUTIONS
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TRUSTAFF
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800-726-9862
www.yumaregional.org
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continued from page 31
Making the Grade
Polly Bednash, PhD, RN, FAAN, chief executive officer for the American Association of Colleges
of Nursing, weighs in on what potential students should look for when online school shopping.
Healthcare Traveler (HT): What are the pros and cons to online educational programs?
Bednash: We can’t say one modality is better than the other because it’s all about the individual learner.
Some people may want to be in a classroom; however, research indicates that when people have more education under their belts or are older, they tend to like distance education because it is accessible in terms of
schedules and personal lives.
Online classes are definitely beneficial for someone who may be geographically bound and can’t
move in order to attend in person. Also, employers like this option because it helps their nurses have
access to education without taking a leave to go sit in a classroom somewhere. On the other hand, you
have to determine whether this is, in fact, something you like to do. Sometimes online classes are more
demanding because you have to discipline yourself to sit in front of a computer for a specific period of
time. I would suggest you test the waters by taking one course before committing to a degree program.
HT: When comparing online programs, what are some key criteria to consider?
• Accreditation
Bednash: It’s absolutely essential that a program has been accredited by one of the national nursing accrediting bodies, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Graduation rates
Bednash: If you are preparing for a role as an advanced practice nurse — nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or midwife — then investigate the institution’s pass rate for
graduates sitting for the appropriate national certification exams. If it’s an entry-level program, what
are the licensure pass rates of its nurses? What are the employment options for graduates? What
kind of support do they have
for this program in the community?
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T
• Student services
Bednash: It is not necessary
for people to sit shoulder-toAn amazing opportunity awaits you
shoulder in order to make conin Southwestern Arizona . . .
nections, but the best programs
create an online community for
We have year-round sunny weather and a great working environment for
their students. Many have Skytraveling healthcare professionals, plus lots of recreational opportunities to
pe
or video camera services so
enjoy during your free time. We offer the following comprehensive benefits:
students can actually see their
• Flexible scheduling and assignments
• Competitive wages, including peak pay.
peers, talk with them, and esfrom three to nine months.
tablish the kinds of connections
• Housing or a $500/month housing
you would have in the class• Arizona is a member of the Nurse
allowance.
Licensure Compact offering nurses
room. A very effective program
• 401 (k) with matching employer funds
the ability to practice in multiple
will set up the kinds of online
up to 4%.
states without applying for licensure
structures, communities, and
• Travel allowance of up to $800 each way
in each new state.
support systems so learners
for actual miles traveled to and from
never feel isolated.
your assignment.
HAVE IT ALL?
HT: How will the future of
online education programs
change?
Bednash: I think we will get
more sophisticated with new
models of technology that will
be even more learner-friendly so
people will be successful.
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hr@yumaregional.org
www.yumaregional.org
We are an equal opportunity employer and support a drug-free and tobacco free work environment.
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Requirements: Register for web-based presentations of the application process
FYI: Offers four tracks — family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery/women’s
health practitioner, nursing education, and acute care nursing. Advisors work with
students to arrange for clinical requirements.
Go to: rn-to-msn.org/georgetown-university-online-rn-to-msn-degree/
“It’s About”
enjoying your job...
Gonzaga University
Online degrees: RN to Master’s of Science in Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE, Northwest Commission on
Colleges and Universities
Per credit hour cost: $805
Requirements: Applicants may be required to take
the Miller Analogies Test if they have not completed a
graduate entrance exam within the past five years
FYI: Ten courses specifically help students prepare for master’s level classes.
Students who sign up for two classes per session could finish MSN program in
approximately three years.
Go to: www.gonzagaonline.com/online-rn-to-msn.asp
Pick the assignment
of your choice…
not the assignment your
company chooses for you.
“It’s About You”
1.800.245.9414
www.MeridianMedicalStaffing.com
Jacksonville University
Online degrees: RN to
BSN; Master’s of Science
in Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE
Per credit hour cost:
$447 for BSN; $638 for MSN
Requirements: BSN: Associate’s degree or diploma, current license
MSN: BSN, completion of undergraduate class in statistics, personal essay
FYI: MSN work is completely online and available
around-the-clock. Professors and classmates communicate
via discussion boards and e-mail.
Go to: www.jacksonvilleu.com/nursing-school-onlinelearning
Circle #609 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/
readerservice
Let us work for you!
The Quest Group offers:
o Highly Competitive Pay
o Experienced Recruiters
o Experienced Clinicians on Staff
oTop Destinations and Finest Facilities
We are seeking talented, experienced clinicians for rewarding
travel, local, and per diem assignments in major cities across
the United States!
Johns Hopkins University
Online degree: Master’s of Science in Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE, NLNAC, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Per credit hour cost: $1,382
Requirements: Potential
students can apply through
NursingCAS, a national centralized application service for registered nursing education programs
continued on page 44
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
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35
Nursing
Allied
Physician
P : 866-818-8843
questgroupstaffing.com
Circle #616 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
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Cityscape
Rockford, Illinois
Dubbed “The Forest City” by early settlers because of its elm
trees, Rockford is located in the rolling hills of northern Illinois.
Today, its downtown area is the scene of new commercial
development and a growing healthcare market.
Karin Marcus
F
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
At a Glance
Rockford, Illinois
Elevation: 740 feet above sea level
Average high temperature: (June – August): 83°
Average Low temperature: (January – March): 19°
Rockin’ the arts
Annual precipitation: 36 inches
Enriching the local community since
1913, the Rockford Art Museum (RAM) is
Population: 152,222 (estimated)
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Getty Images/Flickr/Earl Wilkerson
irst settled in 1834 by local travelers, Rockford remained a quiet settlement until two decades
later when it transformed itself into
a f lourishing industrial center noted
for its production of agricultural machinery. By the end of the 19th century, the city was the second largest
furniture manufacturer in the nation.
After its furniture and agricultural
equipment industries all but vanished after World War II, Rockford repositioned
its economy in the latter part of the 20th
century. Today, the Rockford region is
once again a leader in manufacturing and
a hub for high-technology businesses.
With the SwedishAmerican Health System, Rockford Health System, and OSF
St. Anthony Medical Center among the
city’s largest employers, Rockford offers
a healthy share of opportunities for travel
nurses and rehabilitation therapists.
the second largest museum of its kind
in the Prairie State. Educating people
of all ages for more than a century, it
promotes an appreciation of the visual arts through various permanent
exhibitions. RAM features more than
1,500 pieces of art, photography, works
by American Masters from 1830-1940,
contemporary art glass, and modern
art. While the museum includes national and international artists, promi-
nent local and Chicago-based artists are
highlighted throughout the museum.
Rated one of the top four children’s
museums in nation by Child Magazine,
the Discovery Center Museum boasts more
than 250 amazing hands-on exhibits. The facility is distributed over two
floors, and visitors will experience the
excitement of exploration in specially
crafted exhibitions, including “Power
House,” “Tot Spot,” and “Wild Weather.”
Explore the evening sky at one of Discovery Center Planetarium’s live shows,
or step into the museum’s backyard and
investigate Rock River Discovery Park,
the nation’s first community-built outdoor science park.
Host to PaleoFest, an annual celebration of dinosaurs, the Burpee Museum of
Natural History is located on the Riverfront Museum Park campus. Home to
Jane the T-Rex and Homer the Triceratops, the museum focuses on teaching patrons about nature. Three of the
museum’s floors feature interactive and
educational exhibits highlighting paleontology, geoscience, Rock River Valley
biology, and different Native American
cultures. Its basement is home to the
Dean Olson Viewing Lab, where biological specimens and fossils are prepared
for exhibition.
One of northern Illinois’ leading cultural institutions, the Rockford Symphony
Orchestra (RSO) has been entertaining
and educating locals since 1943. RSO
performs more than twenty pops and
classical concerts each year at the Coronado Theatre. Its 2012-13 concert agenda
is slated to include: Influence and Inspiration, Classical Mystery Tour, East Meets
West, The Nutcracker Ballet, Arrival to
the Modern Age, and Rhapsody and Reveries.
Tapped treasures
Initiated in 1968 by three regional
historical societies, Midway Village
Museum was organized to collect and
preserve the area’s history. Located on
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137 acres, it includes both a charming
1899 village and a museum center. The
center contains exhibits, seven exhibition galleries, and a museum store. Its
collections include about 125,000 artifacts and documents, such as historic
clothing, photographs, furnishings,
agricultural items, and household
objects. The development of the village, representing a typical rural town
in late 19th century Illinois, began in
1974. The attraction features dozens
of buildings including a hardware
store, schoolhouse, farmhouses, and
hotel.
Open May through October on Sundays , the Graham-Ginestra House is listed
on the National Register of Historic
Places. Built in 1857, the residence contains ceiling murals, ionic columns,
parquet floors, and a freestanding stairway. Stained glass and Victorian furnishings can also be found throughout
the home.
The Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum is a
unique example of Victorian architecture. Built in 1865, the museum originally belonged to the Tinker family and
contains many of their works of art,
books, and furnishings. Guided tours
of the home are available by appointment Tuesday through Sunday.
Ranked among the top Japanese gardens in North America, the Anderson
Japanese Gardens are the embodiment
of serenity and beauty. Brimming with
exquisite vistas, the grounds include a
5-and-half-acre pond, 50-foot waterfall,
garden with teahouse, and guesthouse.
They are open daily from mid-April
through October 31st.
Let the games begin
Referred to once as “Sportstown USA”
by Sport Illustrated, Rockford offers an
array of outdoor activities and sports.
The city maintains more than 10,000
acres of parks and preserves which
provide unlimited opportunities for
fresh-air activities like biking, swim-
Resources
Rockford Area Convention and
Visitors Bureau
102 N. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61101
(800) 521-0849
gorockford.com
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Suite 9-300
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-2715
idfpr.com
Nursing
idfpr.com/profs/info/nursing.asp
Physical Therapy
idfpr.com/profs/info/PT.asp
Occupational Therapy
idfpr.com/profs/info/OccTherapy.asp
Respiratory Care
idfpr.com/profs/info/RespCare.asp
Pharmacy
idfpr.com/profs/info/pharm.asp
ming, boating, bird watching, and
baseball.
Baseball has been a staple in Rockford since the sport’s first professional
minor league in 1879. During World
War II, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was formed and
the city spawned the Rockford Peaches,
the four-time league champion featured
in the film A League of Their Own. In
addition to vintage baseball games
hosted at the Midway Village Museum,
the baseball tradition continues with
the Frontier League’s Rockford Riverhawks. The team plays its home games
May through September at Riverhawks
Stadium.
The city’s other professional team,
the Rockford IceHogs, are members of
the American Hockey League and affiliated with NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
continued on page 38
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES125298_hct1012_037.pgs 09.18.2012 07:17
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37
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Cityscape
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS
continued from page 37
Established in 2007, the IceHogs play
home games at the BMO Harris Bank
Center. The AHL season runs from October through April.
Chosen the “best mid-sized city for
golf” for three consecutive years (19982000) by Golf Digest and Fodor’s, Rockford is referred to as the state’s “Holiest
City” due to its many golf holes. The
city has more than a dozen courses, including the Aldeen Golf Club and Atwood Homestead Golf Course, which
hosts pros and duffers by the droves.
The City of Gardens
Tree-line streets, picturesque gardens,
and acres of parkland are a hallmark of
this beautiful metropolis. A first-class
destination, Rockford offers “big-city
style without the hassle and high prices” to mobile health professionals. HT
Karin Marcus is a freelance writer living in North Woodmere, N.Y.N
continued from page 23
to be in control of where I went and
when.”
So, eight years years ago, Byrd contacted Advantage RN and started taking
travel assignments, often in rural, underserved areas in need of staffing help.
“My first contract was in a little
town, also out West, and I really enjoyed it,” Byrd says. “The travel bug bit
me right away, and ever since then it’s
been hard to stay put in any one place.
I don’t necessarily need to be very far
from home, but I do like to work mainly
in emergency rooms, ICUs, and oncology units, and I prefer to go where help
is really needed.”
Recently, Byrd took a contract
through Indian Health Services on the
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South
Dakota — one of the poorest reservations in the country.
“I was really glad to be able to provide services there,” she says. “I enjoyed
the people I worked with, and I felt
right at home with the native people.
38
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
Major medical centers
Opening its doors in 1885, Rockford Memorial Hospital (RMH) was the first
hospital in the Rockford community. This 396-bed hospital is noted for using cuttingedge technology to provide a wide-range of comprehensive services. A member of
the Rockford Health System, it includes a children’s medical center with the area’s only
pediatric intensive care unit and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. RMH boasts a
Level I emergency/trauma department and several centers of excellence.
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center is a 254-bed tertiary care facility and a member
OSF HealthCare System. Founded in 1899 by the Sisters of Third Order of St. Francis,
it is a regional medical center with a Level I trauma center. The facility is home to the
Illinois Neurological Institute, a leader in the Midwest for clinical care, research, and
education in neurological illness. It also includes a variety of other inpatient and outpatient specialty services such as cancer care and pulmonary services.
Formed through a partnership between HealthSouth Corporation and Rockford Health
System, Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital provides comprehensive
inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient therapy. The only rehabilitation hospital outside
of the immediate Chicago area, the 55-bed hospital specializes in brain and spinal cord
injuries, orthopedics, and amputations.
Opening in 1918, the Heart Hospital at SwedishAmerican, is the region’s only facility solely devoted to heart care. Part of the SwedishAmerican Health System, it presents
a scope of comprehensive cardiac services ranging from primary care to open-heart
surgery. A cardiac progressive care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, cardiopulmonary
rehab, and cardiac intensive care unit are among its offerings.
They were a very unique group, and
I appreciated how skillful and crafty
some of them were. I love native crafts,
so that was a treat for me.”
In fact, being able to spend extended
time in the area was special to Byrd.
“I love exploring that part of the
country,” she says. “When I had a day
off, I might drive to the nearby cities,
like Rapid City or Chadron, Neb. Or I
might meet up with colleagues, mostly
other travelers who were there with
me,” Byrd says. “We often went out to
eat or shop together, and we kind of
stuck together. We got close quickly,
since we all stayed at the same motel
in Rushville, Neb., which was about 25
miles away from Pine Ridge. Finding
accommodations in very rural areas
can be tricky, so we were happy with
what we got.”
But her time on the reservation was
the biggest draw for Byrd.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I
felt like part of the community, but I
definitely felt welcomed and appreci-
ated by the patients and their families.
I dealt mostly with trauma, but the patient population there suffers from high
incidences of depression, alcoholism,
drug abuse, malnutrition, and diabetes,
among other things. And because they
are off the beaten path, it can be hard
to maintain enough providers to offer
services.”
Byrd says she seeks out these areas
that other providers may not want to
consider.
“I know that a lot of people prefer
to go to the bigger cities where they
can go out and have fun,” Byrd says.
“So, I try to go where I think there is a
need for good and skilled nursing. For
me, it’s a very rewarding experience.
I also enjoy the rural areas because
of the peace and quiet. It’s nice to get
out there on your own and just quietly appreciate what you have around
you.” HT
Lisa Daggett is a freelance writer
based in Saugerties, NY.
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES125297_hct1012_038.pgs 09.18.2012 07:17
ADV
On Assignment
Y U M A , A R I ZO N A
No Place Like Home
Tired of packing and unpacking for each new healthcare traveling
assignment, Wesley Joyce found a way to bring the comforts of
home on the road.
Anne Baye Ericksen
Getty Images/National Geographic/Pete Mcbride
F
or seven years, Wesley Joyce,
RN, gladly accepted the tradeoffs that came with the opportunity to live and practice as a
traveling nurse.
To serve his patients in the emergency department but not engage in workplace politics, he knew he wouldnÕt stay
at any hospital for long periods, the
opportunities afforded a mobile professional were right up his alley.
ÒIÕm there for 13 weeks most of the
time. If I like a city or hospital, I will
HealthcareTraveler.com
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extend my contract to be there for six
months, and then I move again,Ó he
says.
In order to experience various
locales, like Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, and Colorado, Joyce agreed to
live in the company-provided housing.
But the frequent packing and unpacking of his belongings became his least
favorite aspect of life on the road.
ÒI grew tired of the unknowns,Ó
Joyce says. ÒFurnished apartments are
not necessarily standardized from one
city to the next. I have stayed in places
with enough dish settings for eight
people as well as apartments that had
one fork, spoon, and knife. Also, it can
be hard to keep track of everything
you have, and sometimes you end up
with duplicates. I was ready for a place
of my own.Ó
He could have traded his mobile
lifestyle for a permanent residence
somewhere, but Joyce didnÕt want to
relinquish all the professional and
personal benefits given to mobile providers.
Last year came an assignment at
Yuma Regional Medical Center in
Yuma, Ariz., where his staffing company placed him in a recreational vehicle (RV). ÒThe woman who owned it
couldnÕt afford the lot fee anymore so
she rented it out,Ó he says.
While some people prefer an
apartment complex, Joyce did not
continued on page 40
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES122004_hct1012_039.pgs 09.07.2012 03:12
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39
ADV
On Assignment
Y U M A , A R I ZO N A
House hunting
Located only 25 miles from the
American-Mexican border and on the
Colorado River, Yuma has long been
a snowbird hot spot. Many winter
residents set up home in RVs, be it an
all-in-one motor home or trailers that
get towed, such as fifth-wheels.
One of the benefits to Joyce making
his purchase in Yuma is that he had
plenty to choose from because there’s
such a substantial marketplace catering to retiring snowbirds. Most dealers in Yuma sell rigs in all sizes and
models, some with high-end amenities and others stripped down to basic
necessities.
After shopping around, Joyce
settled on a 36-foot motor home with
many comforts of home. “It’s fully
loaded. I push a button and it levels
the jacks. I push another button and
the two slide-outs come out. Another
button and the dish comes up and
Wesley Joyce, RN
finds a signal,” he explains. “It’s all
easy, and I got a great deal on it.”
Although there are plenty of RV
sites throughout the city where Joyce
could have parked his new home,
he found an alternative that suited
him just fine. “I rented a driveway. It
was wired for sewer and electricity,
and the homeowner charged a very
reasonable rate,” he notes. Instead of
his staffing company, Travel Nurse
across America, based in North Little
Rock, Ark., paying these costs, Joyce
received a stipend.
A little R&R
Almost immediately, Joyce felt completely at home in his new digs. He enjoyed kicking back in his own space,
especially after clocking in 12-hour
shifts in the very busy emergency department.
“I worked from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00
a.m., and we saw a lot of patients every
night. The hospital had the only trauma emergency department within 250
miles, so we definitely received critical
cases,” he says.
When not at work, Joyce is
a self-proclaimed homebody
and content to spend his time
Catch a bird’s eye view from Balloons Over
sitting outside and reading.
Yuma.
“I like murder mysteries,” he
www.balloonsoveryuma.com
says. “Having a Kindle makes
Ride the river in style with Colorado River
being a traveler so much easier.
Tubing Adventures.
I don’t have to worry about
www.tubingyuma.com
keeping up a library account
Get a sense of army life with a visit to the
or bringing enough books
Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.
with me. Also, my mother,
www.azstateparks.com/Parks/YUQU/
aunt, niece, and cousins all
index.html
have Kindles, so we share
downloads.”
Weekend edition
40
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
There were times, though, when
he joined fellow travelers and staff
members for an occasional dinner or
local outing. “There were a lot of us
at the hospital, and everyone treated
us like part of their own families,”
recalls Joyce. “The managers were
really accommodating in giving us
some weekends off. People went to the
Grand Canyon, Sedona, or Mexico. I
pretty much stayed in town because I
had already visited many of those sites
while on vacation and I didn’t have
my passport, so I did not cross the
border.”
Easy departure
The real impact of his purchase hit
him fully when the assignment’s end
Have an interesting hobby, or a
unique assignment experience to
share? Contact David Bennett at
dbennett@advanstar.com, or call
440) 891-2744.
date rolled around in May and Joyce
did not have to pack everything into
his car. Instead, he simply secured everything in its own cupboard, hooked
up his car to the trailer hitch, climbed
behind the steering wheel, and drove
off in his motor home on his way to
the next contract location.
“When I got tired, I pulled into a
rest stop where I slept in my own bed.
Then, when I felt rested, I just started
driving again. I loved it,” Joyce says.
What’s more, Joyce sees the motor
home as a long-term investment. “If
I decide to stop traveling some day, I
will have something to show for it,” he
says. HT
Anne Baye Ericksen is a professional writer who has contributed to
Healthcare Traveler since 1996. She
resides with her family in Simi Valley,
Calif.
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES122005_hct1012_040.pgs 09.07.2012 03:12
ADV
Photo courtesy of Wesley Joyce
continued from page 39
mind the temporary living quarters.
In fact, the experience inspired a
solution to his packing-unpacking
dilemma: He purchased his own motor home.
“Actually, I had been thinking
about buying one for the past few
years, but I just did not take that big
step until then,” Joyce says.
Travel Guide
Life is a Trip:
The Transformative Magic of Travel
What makes my ticker beat faster is discovering voices, people,
places, realities that are not generally known. — Judith Fein
Linda Dini Jenkins
L
“
Photo courtesy of Linda Dini Jenkins
ife is a Trip: The Transformative
Magic of Travel” may be a short
book, but don’t be fooled — you
won’t want to rush through it. In fact,
you’ll probably find yourself slowing
down or re-reading several of the stories so you don’t miss anything.
In 115 pages, award-winning travel
journalist Judith Fein takes readers
along on 14 assignments to locations
as diverse as Istanbul, North Vietnam,
Guatemala, San Diego and Nova Scotia.
In her biographical notes, Fein says
that she “lives to leave” and that she
has a passion for travel that is “exotic,
authentic, quirky, historic and immersed in local culture.” Underpinning all the stories, however, is some
kind of learning, some kind of healing,
and some new way to deeply connect
with her fellow citizens of the Earth.
In this slim volume, we travel with
Fein to the pilgrim road, Camino de
Santiago de Compostela, and learn
what service really means. We are astonished by the special powers of the
“brujos” (witches) in Central Mexico;
amazed by the generosity of Abe
Akyunus, owner of the Zeynap Sultan
hotel in Istanbul; and moved by the
unusual way that one’s own faith can
be transformed — and transforming
— in the ancient tombs of Israel.
One of my favorite chapters tells the
story of how Fein and her husband,
photographer Paul Ross, experienced
a whole new culture — food, costumes, dating rituals — by simply
leaving their damp and dingy rented
vacation cottage in San Diego. Storms
HealthcareTraveler.com
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and torrential rain had been making
them miserable. When the sun finally
came out, Fein was looking through a
penny saver newspaper she had picked
up in a restaurant and saw an ad for a
nearby celebration of the Hmong New
Year.
If you lived through the Vietnam
War, you might remember that the
United States recruited ethnic Hmong
soldiers to fight on the American
side and also to conduct a secret war
in Laos that resulted in thousands of
deaths. The Hmong suffered mightily
for their part in the war and the U.S.
promised to resettle them. It has been
a difficult process, but there are about
250,000 Hmong in the United States
today.
Paul and she could find no one to
go with them to the New Year’s celebration, but they went anyway, the
only non-Hmong among the group.
Her stories about the warmth and
generosity of these people who sing
both their sorrows and their joys and
are maintaining their culture and traditions in a new land is both inspiring
and heartbreaking.
That same year, the two sought out
other ethnic celebrations in the area —
Aztec, Chinese, and Middle Eastern.
Her take-away is that this is something
we can all do, no matter where we are:
“Finding these events was easy. All I
had to do was look at bulletin boards,
magazines, newspapers and websites.
With minimal expense or effort, I
was rewarded with new connections,
instant learning, expansion of my horizons, and a richer, more textured and
deliciously varied life.”
This book is, quite frankly, a joy
— not only to read, but also for having been written. It not only brings
into sharp focus the reasons that we
travel but also, with an equal measure
of humor, reverence and irreverence,
the reasons why it’s essential to keep
traveling. It reminds us that we are
expanded and healed by encountering
other people with different lives.
Healthcare travelers might be particularly interested in the findings of
Dr. Dana P. Launer of the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif. She
summed the book up this way:
I have learned over my 30-year
career that the injured and sick must
do more to restore their health than
take pills and submit to surgery. More
frequently than most patients and physicians realize, the heart, soul and human spirit must be attended to in order for healing to be complete. Through
Fein’s travels, we see healing modalities
from other parts of the world that pave
the road for complete healing of the
body and soul and are complementary
to those that we are familiar with . . .
Actually, healthcare traveling can
do the same in certain cases. HT
Linda Dini Jenkins is the author of Up
at the Villa: Travels with my Husband
and blogs about travel and travel writing at www.travelthewriteway.com. She
currently lives near Richmond, Virginia
and can be packed in five minutes.
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES123071_hct1012_041.pgs 09.12.2012 13:07
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41
ADV
» BEDOL WATER CLOCK
Assortment of water-powered
clocks Just pop open the fill cap
and add water. This cool clock
generates its own energy and
displays time. Electrodes within
the water reservoir convert ions
into a current strong enough to
power the clock for 3-month or
more. That’s better performance
than most batteries too. This $35
Bedol Water Clock is a great gift for green lovers. Colors come
in green, blue, and orange. bedolwhatsnext.com
» GO CLEAN PACK BAGS
Frequent travelers, how often
does it happen that you leave your
house with perfectly laundered
clothes in neat piles in your suitcase, and two days later, everything is just a huge mess owing to
all the digging around! An elegant
solution comes to us in the form
of the Go Clean Pack Bags, which
make organizing your suitcase a
piece of cake. This collection of
bags relies on a pattern of titles,
colors, icons and materials suited
to different purposes. These bags
are color coded with titles written
in bold letters, so that you will be
able to able to pick out the correct one even in low light conditions. Each bag is made from a different material – some are
breathable, while others are waterproof – depending on their particular purpose. The bags can all be bought individually, and are
priced ranging from $18 for the Wet Suit Bag to $30 for the Gym
Bag. dornob.com
» CN-350 TOP “ONE PIECE” PERSONAL
NAVIGATION DEVICE
Fans of the
Japanese manga
series One Piece
have something to
get excited about!
RWC Japan
has released
the CN-350TOP “One Piece” Personal Navigation
Device (PND). Designed specifically for bicycles,
it comes with a mount for your bike. The PND
comes equipped with a 3.5-inch QVGA display and
is Bluetooth capable. It’s also completely waterresistant. Once you enter all your relevant data, it
calculates maximum speed, average speed, travel
time and elapsed time, distance, calorie consumption,
altitude, speed, and movement. Best of all, you to be
guided by One Piece heroes like Nami-Chan or Niko
Robin. The RWC Japan CN-350TOP “One Piece”
Personal Navigation Device is about $510. Read
more at luuux.com/technology
» ‘ALL ABROAD GAMES’
Board games have
always been a great
way to spend countless spare hours,
especially while travelling. These days, with
the dawn of new technology like smartphones, tablets, and laptops that
make digital entertainment accessible, board games
seem to be forgotten. Recently, however, Louis
Vuitton has aired its tribute to the world of board
games, called ‘All Abroad Games’. The animated
video takes you down memory’s lane, showing each
board game evolve into another, displaying a connection between them all. louisvuitton.com
» PUBLIC RESTROOM SURVIVAL KIT
Sometimes the most concerning aspect of traveling on vacation is using a public restroom, which is something inevitable
because it is a natural process and you can’t do much about it. Because the sanitary necessities you need to protect yourself
from germs about the germs and bacteria isn’t always at the ready, now the Public Restroom Survival Kit from Archie McPhee
& Co. is at your disposal. As the name suggests, it’s a portable metal box containing two antiseptic towels, a pair of disposable
gloves, and a toilet seat cover, all for $10. mcphee.com
42
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HealthcareTraveler.com
ES125613_hct1012_042.pgs 09.18.2012 11:18
ADV
Opportunity Showcase
SEASONAL
NURSES:
Come Get It All in
Sun-and-fun-filled Florida!
MONTHLY RECREATION ALLOWANCE!
COMPLETION BONUS!
Join us at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, a 307-bed facility providing
healthcare with a personal touch, and enjoy all the fun our area
has to offer! World famous entertainment attractions! Gourmet
dining! World-class beaches! Outdoor and indoor activities to suit
every lifestyle! We make it a memorable pleasure for our seasonal
nurses with a generous Recreation Allowance, 16-week contracts
and a Completion Bonus!
Our convenient location just one block from the sparkling,
sun washed beaches of Florida’s West Coast in St.
Petersburg, FL, combined with myriad specialty
services and flexible scheduling, provides our team
members with the perfect work/life balance.
REGISTERED NURSES – ALL AREAS!
Candidates with a minimum of
two (2) years experience may
apply online at:
www.PalmsPasadena.com
Or contact our
Florida Regional Recruiter:
Don Madock
Ph. 727-341-7876
DFmadock@
iasishealthcare.com
eoe
Circle #610 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
Circle #612 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
»
TEMBO TRUNK
SPEAKERS
If you are a hardcore
music buff as well an
extreme traveler, putting these two interests
together is often a difficult task. When you’re
driving around , the
Tembo Trunk Speakers
are great to keep you
some company on
your way. The best part is, it is totally power-free, so
you don’t have to worry about charging it at any given
time. The Tembo Trunks that are completely waterproof,
shockproof, dustproof and stackable minus any electronic components make it ideal for rough use. Also
there are no messy cables. The Tembo Trunk speakers
are available in ruby, blue, gray, black, and white. They
can be yours for $40. tembotrunks.com
Circle #606 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
HealthcareTraveler.com
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43
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continued from page 35
FYI: Learning modalities include live conferencing, virtual
media, reflective activities, and weekly clinical logs.
Go to: nursing.jhu.edu/academics/programs/online/index.
html
Loyola University New Orleans
Online degrees: RN to BSN;
Master’s of Science in Nursing
Accreditation: NLNAC ,
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges
Per credit hour cost: $460 for
RN to MSN; $744 for MSN
Requirements: BSN: Apply to
the university and then to the
school of nursing
MSN: Minimum one year
professional clinical experience, formal interview with
one or more graduate faculty member
Classifieds
For Recruitment, Products & Services Advertising Information
contact Joanna Shippoli:
800-225-4569 ext 2615 or e-mail jshippoli@advanstar.com.
VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS accepted.
RECRUITMENT
INTERNATIONAL
HealthcareTraveler.com
NURSES WANTED IN ENGLAND.
Continental Travelnurse celebrating
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From 3 months to 3 years.
www.continentaltravelnurse.com.
Toll free: 866-270-5202
TAX SERVICES
TravelTax
Started by a former Traveler
with you in mind.
U.S. or Canadian tax preparation
Audit assistance
www.TravelTax.com • 866.272.7871
CLASSIFIED
WORKS!
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Explore great
Career
and Travel
Opportunities
with all the leading
companies,
all in one place!
FYI: Nurses who wish to earn both bachelor’s and master’s
degrees simultaneously must enter the Health Care Systems
Management program.
Go to: css.loyno.edu/nursing/programs-study
Saint Xavier
Online degree: Master’s of Science in
Nursing
Ac c re d it at ion:
CCNE, North Cent r a l A s soc iat ion
of C ol le ge s a nd
S c ho ol s , H ig her
Learning Commission
Per credit hour cost: $595
Requirements: One of three professional recommendations must be written by a nurse who has observed the applicant in the clinical setting
FYI: Saint Xavier is recognized as a Center of Excellence
in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing.
Each student is assigned a Student Services Coordinator who
becomes your advocate.
Go to: www.sxuonline.com/programs/masters-degreenursing.asp
University of Cincinnati
Online degree: Master’s
of Science in Nursing
Accreditation:
CCNE, North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher
Learning Commission
Per credit hour cost: $710 for Ohio residents; $725 for
non-residents
Requirements: For nurse-midwifery, applicants must
have one-year experience in maternal/child nursing, preferably labor and delivery. For nurse practitioner or clinical
nurse specialist tracks, applicants should have one or more
years of professional clinical experience.
FYI: The Blackboard program serves as a central site
where students access materials, interactive exercises, online library, bulletin boards, lectures, discussion forums,
and more.
Go to: nursingonline.uc.edu/online-master-of-science-innursing-2 HT
Anne Baye Ericksen is a professional writer who has contributed to Healthcare Traveler since 1996. She resides
with her family in Simi Valley, Calif.
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ES125023_hct1012_044.pgs 09.14.2012 15:31
ADV
Going the Distance
Indiana State University
Karin Marcus
F
ounded in 1865 as the Indiana
State Normal School, Indiana State
University (ISU) is home to five
different colleges and offers more than
100 majors and specialty programs,
including the only LPN-BS nursing
program in the nation.
Accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since
1915, ISU has been ranked as one of
the best colleges in the Midwest by The
Princeton Review for seven consecutive
years. It was recently named one of the
top colleges in the nation by Forbes
Magazine.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary
for nursing programs in 2013, ISU’s
School of Nursing is part of the College of Nursing, Health, and Human
Services. Its programs are accredited
by the Indiana State Board of Nursing
and the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission.
Online program
Responding to the educational needs
of the busy registered nurse, ISU’s
nursing school began offering an online RN-BS track in 1998. Intent on
providing a superior baccalaureate
program for students unable to attend
a traditional on-campus classes schedule, it developed an online curriculum. Using a variety of live, video, and
audio components, participants can
earn a degree with little or no impact
on family and work commitments.
ISU doesn’t require any on-campus
visits.
RN-BS. For the registered nurse,
earning a baccalaureate degree can
open doors to new career opportunities. Provided completely online,
coursework uses a combination of
evidence-based practice and technology to enrich assessment and clinical
HealthcareTraveler.com
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ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAMS
For More Info
proficiencies along with leadership
and management skills.
The RN-BS track requires the
completion of 62 to 67 credit hours, including 35 credit hours in the nursing
major, for graduation. Unique to ISU’s
program is a student’s ability to earn
up to 10 credit hours through professional portfolio evaluation. Candidates
have the opportunity to demonstrate
successful attainment of particular objectives in order to earn full or partial
credit for certain courses.
Participants can earn up to 94 credit
hours from a regionally accredited college or university for previously completed work, earning a grade of “C” or
better. A minimum of at least 30 credit
hours must be completed through ISU
to earn the BS degree.
In addition to fulfilling required
nursing coursework, students must
also complete the University’s Foundational Studies Program. These
requirements can be satisfied via an
amalgamation of coursework earned
through ISU’s distance learning program, the Indiana College Network,
or previous education. Moreover,
some courses may be completed by
passing end-of-course equivalency
examinations.
To be accepted into the RN to BS
track, candidates must apply electronically to the university first. Once
admitted, they can download and mail
an application for admission to the
Department of Baccalaureate Nursing
Completion, directly to the College of
Nursing, Health, and Human Services.
All applications must include a $25
non-refundable fee for the university
application; there is no nursing application fee. Submission of the university application should be accompanied
by official transcripts from all colleges
and universities attended.
Deadlines for application to the
Nursing Program are November 1
Indiana State University
College of Nursing, Health, &
Human Services
749 Chestnut St.
Terre Haute, IN 47809
(888) 293-4842; California residents:
800-496-9613
isu-nursing@indstate.edu
for the spring semester and June 1 for
the fall. To be considered for admission, applicants must have earned an
Associate’s degree with a major in
nursing from a program accredited
by the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission with a GPA
of 2.5 or higher. Applicants must
also have an active, unrestricted RN
license.
Technical requirements
Minimally, students participating
in ISU’s distance learning program
must have Internet access (DSL,
cable, or satellite is recommended).
The university uses the Blackboard
learning management system, requiring specific settings to access
essential components. It is important
for participants to have a computer
with at least a Pentium 4.0, 2.8 GHz
processor; Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 2 operating system; 512
MB RAM; 40 GB hard drive; 17”
analog flat panel display; integrated
video card; CD-ROM drive; and Intel,
3Com, or any built-in (recommended)
Ethernet controller. Mac users will
need a 1.83 GHz or higher Intel Core
Duo processor, 512 MB RAM, and 160
GB hard drive.
For further information about the
online RN to BS track offered through
ISU, call an admissions representative
toll free at (888) 293-4842, or e-mail
isu-nursing@indstate.edu. HT
Karin Marcus is a freelance writer living in North Woodmere, N.Y.
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
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Media Matters
IN PRINT
Defending Jacob
William Landay
Award-winning author William
Landay has written the consummate novel of
an embattled
family in crisis
— a suspenseful, characterdriven mystery
that is also a
spellbinding
tale of guilt,
betrayal, and
the terrifying
speed at which
our lives can spin out of control.
As the story goes, Andy Barber has
been an assistant district attorney in
his suburban Massachusetts county
for more than twenty years. He is
respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy
at home with his wife, Laurie, and
son, Jacob. But when a shocking
crime shatters their New England
town, Andy is blindsided by what
happens next: his fourteen-year-old
son is charged with the murder of a
fellow student.
Inside
Alix Ohlin
When Grace, an exceedingly competent and devoted therapist in Montreal, stumbles
across a man
who has just
failed to hang
himself, her
instinct to
help kicks in
immediately.
Before long,
however, she
realizes that
her feelings
for this charismatic, extremely guarded stranger are far from
straightforward. In the meantime,
her troubled teenage patient, Annie,
runs away from home and soon will
reinvent herself in New York as an
aspiring and ruthless actress in this
fast-paced novel by Alix Ohlin.
MUSIC OF NOTE
La Futura
ZZ Top
The legendary guitar band’s new album is their 15th studio LP, “La Futura,” produced by Rick Rubin and Billy
Gibbons.
Though
the little
band from
Texas got
big quickly
with a short
list of commercial hits
in the 1980s,
this latest offering — the follow-up
to 2003’s “Mescalero” — has the trio
returning to its bluesy roots with songs
like “Chartreuse” and “Big Shiny
Nine.”
ÒThe Idler WheelÉÓ
Fiona Apple
“The Idler Wheel…” comes from Apple’s fascination with mechanics: The
idler wheel is a
part of an engine
standing adjacent
to the action —
a role she sees
herself often in.
The album is an
exploration of relationships, of introversion, neurosis,
and romance. Listening to Apple’s
latest album is like entering into a
relationship with the singer as she
opens up all her hopes and worries.
On the Web
46
foodsense.is
Switchcam.com
Food Sense is a unique
resource for food lovers and
home cooks that have a palate
for plant-based eating. Julie
Shah Lamba from Philadelphia
created the site as an accompaniment to her weekly newsletter The VegPost. It offers recipes, blogs, and helpful hits for foodies searching for healthier
eating choices.
Switchcam is the website for
every music fan who missed
that amazing concert their
favorite act did at Hollywood
Bowl, and wades through
Youtube for hours, looking for the best live clips of the show.
Switchcam relies on passionate human curators to post the best
versions of fans’ videos taken at live concerts and DJ sets, and sort
them into magic song-by-song video playlists of any particular gig.
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES126118_hct1012_046.pgs 09.18.2012 17:12
ADV
H E A LT H CA R E TR AV EL ER PH OTO C O N T EST
Name It
I
t could be said that temperately, this stretch of land is
the opposite of Siberia, but is just as desolate. Within
its boundaries, rock art and artifacts indicate a human
presence dating back at least 9,000 years. Much later, Japanese
Americans were interned here during World War II. About 100
years before, this landmark earned its name from prospectors
trolling for gold. Can you name it?
To qualify for this month’s giveaway — a $100 Dillard’s gift card — tell us the name of the pictured attraction, the
city, and state where it’s located. Email your answers to htnameit@advanstar.com or mail a postcard to our address. For
complete contest information, see Official Rules.
OFFICIAL RULES
1. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE WILL NOT
INCREASE CHANCES OF WINNING.
2. To enter, eligible contestants should fill in the identity of this month’s
image, including the city and state of location, with the contestant’s name, address and phone number either: 1) on a postcard
(approximate size 4” x 6”) or, 2) via an e-mail. Mail postcard entries
to Healthcare Traveler, Name It Contest, Great Northern
Corporate Center II, 24950 Country Club Blvd., Suite 200,
North Olmsted, OH 44070. Submit e-mail entries electronically to
htnameit@advanstar.com (only one entry per contestant allowed).
Faxed submissions will not be accepted. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Sponsor
is not responsible for capturing late, lost, misdirected, damaged, or
illegible entries. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
3. All entries must be received no later than Oct. 15, 2012, at which
time a winning entry will be drawn randomly from a pool of correct
responses. In the event no correct responses are received, a winning
entry will be drawn randomly from a pool of all responses timely
received. The potential winner will be contacted by phone or mail
no later than two weeks from the drawing. If the potential winner
does not respond with 14 days after contact or does not return a
required release within a specified time, Sponsor reserves the right
at Sponsor’s sole discretion to select an alternate. The winner may,
in Sponsor’s sole discretion, be required to execute an affidavit of
eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules and release of
liability and (where legal) publicity. Sponsor is not responsible for and
shall not be liable for late, lost, misdirected, or unsuccessful efforts
to notify winners.
4. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
Participants agree to be bound by these rules and all decisions of the
judges, which shall be final. By entering, all entrants agree to release
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and hold harmless Advanstar Communications Inc., its sponsors and
prize suppliers and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates
and their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and
agents, from and against any and all claims, actions, and/or liability
for any loss, damages, or injury whatsoever (including, without limitation, any death or disability) relating to or arising in connection with
entering this sweepstakes or use or misuse of any prize awarded. By
accepting a prize, winners grant Sponsor the right to use and publish
their names, and biographical information in any manner or media
whatsoever whether now known or hereafter devised, worldwide in
perpetuity, for advertising, promotional and other purposes in connection with this Sweepstakes without further compensation.
5. The prize is a Dillard’s gift card, estimated retail value $100. All taxes on
the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner agrees that
the prize is being provided “as is” and that Sponsor has neither made
nor is in any manner responsible for any warranty, representation or
guarantee, either express or implied, in fact or in law, related to the
prize, including, without limitation, as to its quality, safety, mechanical
condition or fitness. Any warranty or guarantee on a prize (if any) is
subject to the manufacturer’s terms and conditions therefore, and winner agrees to look solely to such manufacturer for any such warranty
or guarantee. Prizes are not transferable. The winner may not make
substitutions for the prizes, and the prizes are not redeemable for cash
value, but Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute
prizes of equal or greater value.
6. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or modify the Sweepstakes (or
any portion thereof) if fraud or any other factor impairs the integrity
of the Sweepstakes as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion
and Sponsor will select a winner in a random drawing from among all
eligible, non-suspect entries received up until the time of impairment.
7. The attraction and its location will be announced in our December
2012 issue, along with the winner’s name, city, and state.
8. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the
District of Columbia, and at least 18 years of age. Persons in any of
the following categories are NOT eligible to enter or win a prize: a)
Employees of Advanstar Communications Inc. and its prize suppliers
and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, b) contributors
to and/or advertisers within Healthcare Traveler magazine; and c)
immediate family members or persons who reside in the same
household as a person described in this paragraph.
SPONSOR: Advanstar Communications Inc., Great Northern Corporate
Center II, 24950 Country Club Blvd., Suite 200, North Olmsted, OH
44070.
Answer to August’s contest
Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Juan,
Puerto Rico
Congratulations
to Stacy Kotalik
of Yankton, S.D.,
winner of August’s
random prize
drawing. We hope
you enjoy the $100
T.J. Maxx gift card.
Photo: Getty Images/John E Davidson
October 2012 Healthcare Traveler
ES122609_hct1012_047.pgs 09.10.2012 10:12
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47
ADV
End of the Road
Digital Media
Healthcare Traveler, paperless
Get the latest news and information when it’s
convenient for you with Healthcare Traveler’s
new Digital Edition. Just like the traditional
paper edition, only faster and environmentally
friendly. Sign up now for your free subscription
at HealthcareTraveler.com/digital!
WEB POLL RESULTS
DO YOU INTEND TO VOTE IN THIS
YEAR’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?
Yes 96%
NO 4%
Find these helpful features online:
• Job Opportunities: Contact advertisers with our online
Career Center and our Digital Edition’s new electronic
reader service links.
• HT E-News: Read or subscribe to our free e-newsletter.
• Healthcare Traveler Radio: Hear the latest issues
affecting travelers in these podcasts.
• Be our fan on Facebook.
WEB POLL QUESTION
• Tweet with us on Twitter.
Visit HealthcareTraveler.com
IF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT CREATES
NEW HEALTHCARE JOBS, WOULD YOU
VIEW THE LAW MORE FAVORABLY?
We need to know! Tell us at HealthcareTraveler.com.
Did you know …
The following are 10 of the most animal-friendly wildlife parks in
the United States, according to globaltravelerinternational.blogspot.
com. You can go to San Diego’s famous zoo to see a rare Galapagos
tortoise, or an idyllic zoo in Arizona to see bighorn sheep. Today, displays don’t harbor the image of cages and captive animals. Instead,
zoos are incorporating more cultural amenities, like the Audubon
Zoo, which offers Cajun dishes as part of its Louisiana Swamp exhibit.
1. Zoological Society of San Diego
3. Minnesota Zoological Garden,
Apple Valley
4. Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Ill.
5. St. Louis Zoo, Missouri
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Healthcare Traveler October 2012
Getty Images/UpperCut Images/Vstock (top);
Getty Images/Flickr/Sandra Leidholdt (bottom)
2. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum,
Tucson
6. Audubon Zoo,
New Orleans
7. Miami MetroZoo
8. National Zoo, Washington, D.C.
9. Bronx Zoo, New York
10. Roger Williams Park Zoo,
Providence, R.I.
HealthcareTraveler.com
ES122731_hct1012_048.pgs 09.10.2012 14:01
ADV
MONEY
INCENTIVE
BONUSES*
Download the
Go CCTC app
+
THE
NEW
iPAD*
Cross Country TravCorps offers an array of exclusive jobs for travel
nurses who are searching for MORE in the best locations.
Contact a Recruiter for complete details. Cross Country TravCorps is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
*
800.697.9824 / CROSSCOUNTRY.COM
Interested? Circle Career Card No. 605 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
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ES124543_HCT1012_CV3_FP.pgs 09.14.2012 05:35
ADV
The Most Jobs, in the Most Places
At the Most Facilities!
Thousands of jobs, new career tools and more
assignments in more places. There is no better time than
now to be a Travel Nurse!
Partner with the Web’s best travel nursing resource and watch your career take off.
®
Apply directly on TravelNursing.com to the nation’s top travel companies.
www.americanmobile.com
www.medicalexpress.com
www.nursesrx.com
www.nursechoice.com
AMN Healthcare Companies
Visit www.TravelNursing.com or call (800) 864-8554 today!
Interested? Circle Career Card No. 601 or go to www.healthcaretraveler.com/readerservice
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ES125067_HCT1012_CV4_FP.pgs 09.17.2012 09:13
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