Rain or shine, hospitals are expected to provide round-the-clock healthcare services. However, the recent rise in climate disasters in the US makes this easier said than done.

If you live in an area where this inclement weather is common, you have to stay on your toes. No one can predict these things, but preparing for the weather can make all the difference.

Why is it essential to prepare for inclement weather?

What *IS* Inclement weather? You may be asking yourself this.

During floods, snowstorms, or hail, simply reaching your workplace can be a struggle in and of itself. When you arrive, nurses risk getting stranded in their facilities. These unsafe weather conditions are known as “inclement weather” and it can be exceedingly difficult to plan around.

Contact your loved ones

Keep everyone important in your life updated on your current situation. Whether it is SMS, phone calls or email, use any available communication channels to tell your family you may be stuck at your hospital for an extended period of time.

It may not seem like much, but simply knowing that everyone is safe can provide a huge relief, while allowing you to plan better for the immediate future. In preparing for bad weather, this should be a top priority.

Read up on the Inclement Weather Policy

By law, every facility is required to have its own policies for weather crisis situations. These policies go over how hospitals will proceed, in the face of weather that can halt healthcare services.

Good weather policies prepare you for bad weather and cover all relevant bases. Relevant questions include, but are not limited to:

• “Where to look for local weather updates”
• “what staff members should show up for work”
• “how staff can report to management if they are unable to work”
• “how to stay safe during a weather emergency”

When you know your hospital’s inclement weather policy, you will better understand what to do, whom to report to and how operations will continue during these critical times.

 Show up prepared

If you know that there will be inclement weather, but you want to work regardless, preparing for bad weather beforehand is key. Bring with you an emergency bag with all your necessary supplies. This includes toiletries, medication and some clothing. Bring enough for at least a couple of days, depending on the projected severity of the weather. When you prepare for extreme cold weather, bring winter clothing like coats, sweaters, gloves, and more.

Consider preparing your own meals, as well. Facilities will feed their workers in these situations, but (naturally) they will not account for your nutrition needs, allergies or preferences. Doing your own meal preparation gives you control over every factor mentioned.

Ask yourself this: How often should a nursing assistant bathe? The answer cannot be anything but “daily.’ Consider this when you pack, as well as whether or not you can wash your clothes onsite.

Weigh your odds

 Even during challenging weather conditions, nurses must try to show up to work. Just do not forget to factor in your own personal safety. Pay attention to your local news, disaster alerts from your phone, or input from the police. Preparing for bad weather means covering all your bases.

If you do not want to put yourself at risk, but your facility still expects you to show up to work, use your paid time off or ask if you can make up for lost hours later. If that option is unavailable, ask if you can opt for unpaid leave.

If you pick up shifts with VitaWerks, simply do not take any contracts on that day. Per diem nursing offers you the flexibility to tweak your work schedule around the weather and provides rates that are competitive with full-time nursing.

The cost of living is going up. Between gas prices, rent and daily necessities, everyone is feeling this financial burden on all levels.

A proper budget can make a huge difference in reducing money-related expenses and helping you save for your goals. For nurses today, this is especially relevant. 

 This guide will show you how to create and follow a proper budget plan, as a nurse. 

Why do nurses need to budget? 

While nursing can pay well (especially at the higher levels), you still need to be smart with your money. To start with the obvious, budgeting lets you account for equipment, supplies and other work-related expenses that most nurses accrue. 

Nurses also have to cover significant student loans, after they graduate. Budgeting helps you stay on track before the interest goes out of hand. 

Finally, there is the matter of further education. You could be a nurse with a bachelor’s degree and looking to get a master’s. In the nursing field, higher degrees equate to better pay and more professional opportunities. 

Pursuing that education, however, will cost a pretty penny. With a budget, you can create a plan to save money for further education sometime in the future. 

With all this in mind, here is a step-by-step guide for creating a nurse budget. 

Calculate your income

Before you even start creating a budget, you want an idea of how much you make within a month. Obviously, the best place to start is with your monthly paycheck.

However, you have to account for some variability. If you take overtime shifts, for example, that might change how much you earn from month to month. For people who pick up shifts with VitaWerks, that is another thing to consider. 

To get started on calculating your budget, calculate how much you earn on average per month, across several months. 

List and categorize all your expenses

As soon as you know how much you earn on average, it is time to calculate your expenses. Consider how much you spend in a month, and what you spend it on. As you list them down, you want to split them into two categories; necessities and luxuries. 

Necessities come first. Utility bills, food, nursing equipment costs and rent (if applicable) are relevant examples. If you spend on something because you need them to live, this is a necessity. 

After that, you want to track your leisure spending. From video games to books, to movie tickets, account for everything you spend purely on entertainment. 

Be sure you are covering all your spending. Access your credit card bills and bank statements for the month. When you spend with cash, keep your receipts or write down the amount spent on your notes or budgeting app. 

Set your goals

Now that you have a clear understanding of how much you earn and how much you spend, it is time to set financial goals. When you set clear goals, you can save money with purpose and plan accordingly.

For nurses, a common financial goal would be long-term education. If you are interested in pursuing a BSN, MSN or DNP, see how much the tuition would most likely cost and account for that in your future plans. 

Create your new budget

With everything laid out, you can begin creating your new budget. Many budgets follow a 50/30/20 ratio: 50% of the budget is spent on your needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings.

This ratio is not universally applicable, but it is a great framework to work on. With some math (or help from online budgeting apps), you can calculate how much you have to save to reach your financial goals within a reasonable time frame. 

From there, you can adjust your monthly spending accordingly. If you are spending more than you would like, cutting down on your luxury spending is the first place to start. Small sacrifices like watching fewer movies in the theatres or cancelling some subscriptions that you do not use can go a long way in the future. Treating yourself every now and then is good, but it is nice to strike a balance. 

If you are still unhappy with how much you are spending, then you could think about cutting down on how much you spend on necessities. For nurses, looking for cheaper alternatives to their perishable equipment could be considered. These kinds of decisions come with huge tradeoffs, so keep that in mind. 

Stay on track

Maintaining a budget is a constant process. Nurses have to monitor what they are spending, make adjustments when necessary and account for variability whenever necessary. 

Keeping track of everything you spend, cutting down on costs and doing so every month can be demanding. Those who stick to it, however, will be richly rewarded. 

Budgeting empowers you to reach your goals and practice some extra discipline. In the long run, it will help you save on unneeded financial stress. 

For aspiring nurses, the path to becoming a registered nurse (RN) may be obvious: Finish your bachelor’s, pass the NCLEX and acquire your certification to practice.

There is value in the road less trodden, however. Some HCPs become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) before they become RNs. While not for everyone, there are a number of reasons why this career path should be at least considered.

Is becoming a CNA worth it? Why would you want to be a CNA? This essay will answer all this and more.

Gain direct experience

While nursing students get the opportunity to work clinical rotations, they cannot truly replicate the pressure of a real-life work setting. While CNAs do not have the same responsibilities as RNs, they are trusted with basic care tasks such as reading vital signs, collecting samples and moving patients from room to room.

CNAs can grow acclimated to the workflow of a nursing unit, and build confidence in their ability to handle the pressure and rigors of daily nursing work.

Work as early as possible

Most bachelor’s students need to complete a 4-year course before they can get certified for nursing work. Comparatively, CNAs get to work far earlier than their contemporaries, because the barrier to entry is so low.

How many years does it take to become a CNA? You can gain your certification in just 4 to 12 weeks.

Can you become a CNA without a diploma? Unlike other nursing roles, absolutely.

While you still want to be disciplined and focused on your studies, becoming a CNA is less hard than many other roles. If you want to start at the earliest possible time, this is your best option.

Bolster your resume

Nursing school applications are brutally competitive. Think about it: you are competing with hundreds, if not thousands, of nursing hopefuls for a limited number of slots.

This is one of the main benefits of being a CNA. All that tangible experience could be the edge that helps your application stand out. Many nursing schools greatly value prospective students with real experience in the field. Some schools even have a minimum field experience requirement.

This will let you build towards becoming an RN while earning money on the side.

Interacting with patients

Nursing is more than memorizing medical texts or carrying out complex, technical processes. Interacting with patients is a major part of nursing, as HCPs are expected to provide counsel and emotional support throughout the healing process.

Building a rapport with your patient and gaining their trust requires communication and people skills. The best way to hone these attributes is by interacting with patients in a real clinical setting.

Go out there!

Ideally, you want to become a CNA before you take your RN classes. Specific individuals have been able to work a CNA job while taking their nursing classes, but this is a tremendous ordeal that requires discipline and smart time management.

No matter how you approach things, the benefits of being a CNA are plentiful. You can start nursing assistant work earlier, compared to other healthcare professions, which lets you build experience faster than everyone else. Some may prefer skipping their RN classes, and that is also a valid route in and of itself. But if you want real work in the field as soon as possible, becoming a CNA is worth considering.

Travel Nursing: 4 Things You Should Know

There is no profession in healthcare that compares to travel nursing. These nurses are afforded the opportunity to work almost anywhere in the country, and set their own schedule, all while earning competitive salaries.

You never want to enter any career endeavor blind, however. Before you pick up your first temporary contract, here are some must-know tips and facts for any aspiring travel nurse.

Finding the right agency is key

Before anything else, you need to connect with the right travel nurse agency. These companies will represent you, link you with facilities, set your salary rates and provide you with a host of additional benefits.

To find a travel nurse agency that will treat you right, be sure to do extensive research beforehand. Look for reviews to see if the agency has a track record of treating their nurses correctly. If you have preferences regarding role, location and the kind of facility you will be working at, keep that in mind while you research as well.

Thoroughly review your contract

Travel nursing contracts stipulate how much you earn, how long the assignments will be, how much the agency will cover and other special conditions.

For example: Most agencies will help with housing and other health benefits. A lot of them will help you look for temporary housing within the area, but some agencies may even cover for a portion of the costs. The extent and specifics of these benefits can vary greatly.

Before you sign any contract, you want to comb through the fine print. Be sure that all your bases are covered, and there is as little room for ambiguity as possible.

You have to meet basic requirements

Travel nurse agencies have to be discerning with who they onboard. While an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) is technically the bare minimum, most facilities heavily prefer nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Some agencies will even ask for additional certifications and qualifications, depending on the job you are picking up. All nurses need at least Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. A good number of nurses also have Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Before you can even pick up a nursing contract, you want to search up an agency’s specific requirements. Even “optional” certifications will increase your chances of getting hired.

Build your work experience

Speaking of requirements, most agencies want nurses who are tested and proven. Travel nurses are expected to adapt to new environments and systems on the fly, with a very minimal adjustment period.

As a result, RNs will need at least one to two years of relevant bedside experience in their chosen fields. If you do not meet this experience threshold, your application will not be considered.

Why Women’s History Month is a Celebration of Nursing

Women’s history month is a time of celebration. This March, we take the opportunity to remember the female trailblazers and trendsetters who fought to give girls equal rights and opportunities for success.

“What does any of this have to do with nursing in particular,” you may be asking yourself. More so than many other professions, the history of women is the history of nursing.

If you tell one without the other, you are not telling the complete story.

Nursing is a girl’s job

This is no offense to the many excellent male nurses– it is merely a statement of fact.

Per Zippia, women currently account for 86% of all nurses in America. Since 2017, the percentage has never dropped below that number.

Women are the lifeblood of nursing, and they have been for a long time. Without these special and selfless individuals, the nursing profession as we know it would look a lot different.

Celebrating the trailblazers

It was not always the case, however. There were points in American history when women were not legally allowed to practice as healthcare providers.

This is why Women’s History Month is so important to the nursing profession. It allows us to remember the individuals who sacrificed so much for future generations of female nurses.

There is Mary Elizabeth Mahoney (1845–1926), a trailblazer in numerous regards. As the first African American female nurse to be registered, Mahoney battled through adversity and racism to achieve her dreams.

Later on, she established the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, which aimed to combat racial discrimination in nursing and empower colored nurses to pursue the profession.

Mary Breckenridge (1881–1965) paved the way for the nurse-midwives of the present. With no nurse midwife courses in America, she got certified in England and brought her expertise to rural Kentucky.

After founding the Kentucky Committee for Mothers and Babies, she traveled the countryside to provide childbirth care and general healthcare services to numerous households. As childbirth mortality rates dropped under her watch, Breckenridge proved to America just how valuable pre and post-natal care truly was.

Then there is shy Clara Barton (1821–1912), who was braver than everyone when it mattered the most. In the heat of the Civil War, Barton braved the frontlines to provide healthcare to battered soldiers.

She also played a big role in establishing the American branch of the Red Cross. It was her idea to provide care to those affected by natural disasters, on top of the victims of war.

All this is just scratching the surface when it comes to exceptional female nurses in history. We were all taught about Florence Nightingale in high school, but Women’s History Month allows us to commemorate some figures that may slip through the cracks, but are no less important.

Fighting sexism

Despite dominating the profession, women still face discrimination in healthcare. Gender pay gaps, harassment from men in power, and harmful stereotypes persist, to this day.

Celebrating Women’s History Month does not make this all disappear. By earnestly partaking in it, however, nurses have the opportunity to send a strong message:

“Nursing was built by women. Nursing is practiced by women. These negative attitudes will not be tolerated.”

Cindy

Before I share my story, I would like to give my answer to the most famous question for women: “What is the essence of being a woman?” For me, being a woman means being strong. We never give up, no matter what tough trials come our way, we will always choose to see the bright side of things, especially for the sake of our loved ones.

I will start my story about when I became pregnant at a young age. Even though I had so many trials experienced in the past, that was my toughest. At that time, I was a youth leader in our church. My parents and relatives had high expectations of me. Everyone says, I’m gentle and smart, will have a great job in the future, and I would also help my cousins with their studies.

But I got pregnant early. I was only 19 years old and just in my second year of college at that time. All eyes were on me. Almost everyone was throwing negative words against me, especially our relatives. They looked at me so badly that I thought I would no longer finish my studies. I was a shame to our family. And that made me strong. I know that I made a mistake, but that won’t be an obstacle to my dreams. Instead, it became an inspiration.

Despite everything that happened to me, my parents were always there. I became a stronger and better person not just for myself, but for my parents and my child. After I gave birth, I took a break for two months and decided to work to finish my studies, because I was ashamed to rely on my parents. I became a working student mom. In the morning, I would take care of my child. In the afternoon, I would go to my university to study. In the evening, I would work. That was my daily routine for two years. Thankfully, I was able to finish my studies and provide for my family’s needs. Right now I’m 30, happily married, and have two children. I am now a better version of myself.

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Melanie

Being a mother is the most underrated job in the world.

I was out of work for ten years and during that time, I chose to become a full time mom and wife. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, my kids and my husband. But during this time, I felt dormant, stagnant and useless. Growing up I was so competitive, in school, in my previous job. I never imagined myself being stuck. So, I decided to start my career again at 34. It wasn’t an easy journey. Imagine juggling being on top at work while being there for my kids for school activities, at the same time. I still wanted to be the devoted wife and mother like I used to be. It was all worth it, though.

I am able to help my younger brother finish his degree in Business. I am able to influence young moms in my community that it is never too late to start working on yourself, choosing yourself and loving yourself first.

Looking back I don’t have any regrets, I don’t have any what ifs. I did what I think will help me grow as mother, wife and a woman who can do whatever she wants and needs. I am proud of myself.

Happy Women’s Month!

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I’m proud to be a single mom.

Why? Because of my daughter, if it wasn’t for her, I would have given up a long time ago. Despite all the trials, rejection, and failure, I am still here. As a full-time mom and a working student at 38, I never stop believing that someday I will go on stage wearing my graduation costume and holding my diploma. It’s not over but I know I can make it. I already did my part as a 1st born and now it’s my time.

Being a single mom is neither a choice nor an option. However, this is the only way that I can show to the people who judge my personality without knowing me.

And, I thank you… Happy Women’s Day!

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Cha Saret

Women are often described as the light and strength of the family.

As the “Ate” (older sister) of my family, I have assumed responsibility to provide for my family right after I graduated. Now, I am proud to say that I was able to make my younger sister graduate with a degree in medicine. It was indeed a challenging journey as our family and I had to sacrifice a lot of time, opportunities, convenience, etc. But I could say that it was all worth it.
What I am most proud of is that I was able to help and continue to support my family, give that chance to my sister and prioritize them above all – it was the best decision of my life.
I would definitely not take full credit for all of that as the two women in my life has helped and supported me big time throughout the journey — My Mama and my Grandma.
Now I am graduated too from the tuition fees and could now enjoy the rest of my life while supporting them and living my dreams.
Excited to build a family of my own soon.

While women’s contributions have often been undervalued and overlooked, it is important to recognize and appreciate the vital role they play in our lives. We should celebrate and honor women for the incredible light and strength they bring to their families every day.

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“A woman should be two things: who and what she wants.”

I grew up with a tag: “She’ll be the same with her mother – a disgrace.”

I am an illegitimate child. I grew up with my grandparents full of love and attention that you’ll never seek from your biological parents. I excelled in school, am a law abiding citizen and a church servant. Despite this, I can still hear other people telling me “you’ll end up getting pregnant at a young age” or “you’ll never get a Bachelor’s Degree.”

But I never felt discouraged. Instead I was motivated to strive more because I don’t want history to repeat itself. I want to prove that I am different and I am the one who’s writing my own future.

And yes! I did it !! I finished my Bachelor’s Degree in 3.5 years and landed a job even before having it.

Now I am able to help and support my grandparents as well as my cousins. I am able to let my grandparents travel and enjoy life to the fullest in return for their sacrifices for me.

To all women who have been battling from those society critics, don’t take those comments as a discouragement. Instead make it your motivation. Strive and give full effort to prove them that they are wrong about you.

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Dawn

Each woman on this earth has a quest in life – to find her purpose. More often than not, women are dubbed as the very existence of nature. We are a daughter, a sister, a friend, a mother and a child of God rolled into one.

I grew up in a huge family where I am the eldest of 7 siblings. I had my fair share of responsibilities being a big “ate”. At a young age, I had to learn to work while studying in order to help my parents raise my younger siblings. Bills are piling up and tuition fees hurt our parent’s budget. I decided to take on the next step by leaving the comforts of our home land and work abroad to be able to provide more for my family’s needs back then. It was both challenging and rewarding at the same time.

At the age of 29, I became a first time mom. It was one of the happiest days of my life. But I was at the peak of my career when I felt emptiness and lost my self-worth. I was losing balance and struggled to find my purpose. There was a moment that I had to look back and had asked God to take over in all the areas of my life. There He revealed that I have a daughter who will give me more reasons to live. It was also at the same time when my father had suffered from stroke due to heart attack. It was a turning point of my life. As the cost of living in Singapore were also rising, I decided to go back home (Manila) with my daughter for good. Never giving up, I put up small businesses in order to survive but a pandemic came and my business ventures failed. Life happens so I tried again and entered the freelancing industry, the rest is history.

Everyone has a purpose. But the most important thing about being a woman is believing in oneself. About embracing our own inherent power. About manifesting our dreams into reality. About standing strong in the most terrifying moments. Giver of love.

Today I celebrate with every woman, colleagues, ates, titas, mothers, single moms, sisters, who never thought of giving up but continued to pursue and persevere. Hearing each and everyone’s life stories inspire me to look at what god has placed to each and everyone. Unique gifts within “her” that can change her life and transform the lives of the others by spreading love. Though life may be tough as we hustle and bustle everyday, every woman deserves to pause time once in a while, breathe and admire the goodness within her, just as having a stop-and-smell-the-flowers moment in this wonderful garden filled with blooming and beautiful empowered women.

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Top Tax Season Tips For 1099 Nurses

Full disclaimer: This article only provides information. This should not be seen as a substitute for professional financial advice from a tax preparer or certified public accountant.

Tax season is slowly approaching. For per-diem nurses especially, this could be a time of massive headaches.1099 contract employees (or independent contractors) play by different rules, compared to standard W-2 workers.

This might sound daunting, but it does not have to be.. Provided that you are prepared ahead of time, and you know who to talk to, things can be way less stressful.

Before you get lost in all the busywork and calculations, here are a couple of tips for nurses, this tax season.

File all your income sources

Leave no stone unturned. As an independent contractor ,you want to report all your income within a year.

Record all your pay-checks from every shift you take. If you have a side business or another job like tutoring or writing, be sure to file this as well. Be thorough and be responsible, when you file your taxes.

Save all your receipts

Since you are filing your own returns, you are also responsible for listing tax-deductible costs. Because of this, you want to save all your receipts whenever you incur a work-related expense,

Just to list a couple examples, here a number of commonly-deducted nursing costs:

• Uniform
• Work shoes
• Licensing fees and continuing education costs
• Educational expenses (tuition, subscriptions to medical journals, etc)
• Commute costs for going to work
• Travel expenses

For nurses with few deductible costs, a maxed out and pre-taxed retirement fund helps greatly.

If you list too many deductions that are only tangentially related to work, you may find yourself in trouble. When you are filing deductions, be sure to consult with your financial advisor every step of the way.

Take advantage of student credits

Students who are not dependents can still take advantage of special tax deductions. There are three credits you can cite on your tax returns: Lifetime Learning Credit, American Opportunity Credit and tuition fees or student loan interest.

Be sure to consult a qualified expert, before you put anything on paper. Keep in mind that only one deduction can be filed under education.

Record your income and expenses safely

You want your records to be accurately maintained, easy to access and secure. If you are tech savvy, you can file your expenses and income on an excel spreadsheet. There are also a number of apps available to you, for all your tax related needs.

If you feel unsafe about storing your tax files digitally, then be prepared to store all your income slips and receipts. A neatly-organized binder will help, even if it is cumbersome.

If you want extra security, you can take photos of all these documents and store them in a folder on your phone or computer.

Since October 2022, Maria has done nothing but impress several of our partner facilities. “She has done incredible work over here,” one staffing manager recalled. “I could not think of a more worthy nominee.” Co-workers and patients alike have praised her for her kind, approachable demeanor. “Whenever I talk to her, I feel like I am talking to a friend,” one manager remarked.

When she is not on the clock, her family comes first. On her off days, you can find her tending to the house and caring for her kids. Maria enjoys traveling with her family and experiencing new things whenever possible.

At VitaWerks, we make it our priority to empower exceptional CNAs like her. “

VitaWerks is the only registry I enjoy working with. Their team is quick to respond to any queries and concerns.” she mentioned.

Nurses like her make the world a better place. We thank you for your service!