Welcome to April, wellness month, when the spotlight shines brightly on the importance of personal wellness for everyone, especially for those within the healthcare profession. At  Trustaff , we deeply understand the connection between the well-being of our healthcare professionals and the quality of care they provide. This month, we're committed to supporting your wellness journey and want to do so by highlighting the Ingenovis Health ACT program   as an essential resource designed to support and enhance the well-being of our Trustaff family.    The Importance of Personal Wellness for Healthcare Professionals   Healthcare professionals face a unique set of wellness challenges that go beyond the physical demands of their roles. The relentless pace, emotional intensity and unpredictable hours inherent in healthcare can lead to burnout, a significant challenge facing this industry. As spring unfolds, these challenges can intensify, highlighting the critical need for personal wellness in the healthcare profession.    The emphasis on wellness during April is not just about recognizing the challenges but actively addressing them with strategies and behaviors that promote health and prevent burnout. Engaging in physical wellness activities goes beyond just exercise. It's a crucial component to well-being that can improve mood, enhance physical health and subsequently boost the quality of patient care through improved empathy, decision-making and stamina.    The Ingenovis Health ACT Program   The Ingenovis Health ACT program (Advocacy, Career, Tools) is a testament to our commitment to the well-being and growth of healthcare professionals. Focused on enhancing personal wellness and facilitating career development, the ACT program offers a holistic support system that goes beyond traditional benefits. It provides crucial resources for stress management, skill advancement and work-life balance, designed to empower healthcare workers to thrive personally and professionally.     How the ACT Program Benefits You   Within the ACT program, Trustaff travelers can access a variety of resources to enhance personal wellness and advance professional careers. Highlights include comprehensive mental health support, professional licensure reimbursement and the EmployeeConnect service for round-the-clock access to legal, financial and family advice.     Additionally, it provides unique support for veterans and first responders, a robust webinar series, networking opportunities, free continuing education and wellness-focused activities such as weekly Zoom yoga classes.    For a full exploration of the ACT program's offerings and how they can enhance your wellness journey this month and beyond, we invite you to visit https://www.trustaff.com/ACTprogram for more information.    Let's harness the power of the Ingenovis Health ACT program this April to uplift personal wellness and enhance the quality of care provided to patients. Explore the ACT program's comprehensive resources, from mental health support to professional development and wellness activities. Together, let's embrace the chance to grow, connect and rejuvenate in this season dedicated to wellness.

As Women's History Month unfolds, Trustaff is proud to shine a light on the outstanding contributions and achievements of our female employees. These incredible women stand at the forefront of Trustaff, exemplifying leadership, creativity and resilience that inspire us daily. Their hard work and dedication are pillars of our success, guiding the way for future leaders. We are excited to introduce you to Heather Blaker and Pamela Thomayer. Join us celebrating these two exemplary co-workers, whose stories highlight the relentless drive and potential of women who contribute to Trustaff and the broader world. As we applaud their accomplishments, we eagerly anticipate their continued positive impact on the healthcare industry. Heather Blaker – Senior Client Success Manager, Trustaff Name: Heather Blaker Role: Senior Client Success Manager Brand: Trustaff. How long have you been with the company? I’ve been with Trustaff for over 14 years. I started as an Administrative Assistant and worked my way up to SCSM. What’s your vision for the future and what advice would you give to women looking to follow in your footsteps? Be confident in your journey. Know who you are and if you don’t know, take the time to discover yourself and who you want to be. Strive for kindness and the goodness in your heart. Today’s world is lacking the human compassion that bonds us together. Be the kind in the world. Small steps will turn into long journeys – so take that first step. Be content and happy but also be hungry. I am a wife, a mother of 4 girls, and a dedicated part of Trustaff – but I am also a woman. Be true to yourself and don’t follow the crowd. Know that even when your plans may not work out, His plans are always better than yours. Keep the faith. I have 4 daughters (16, 16, 16, 8) and it is my job every day to make sure they feel loved, secure, protected and safe. We, as women, need to be each other’s biggest supporters. If you see a woman’s crown is crooked, reach out and straighten it for her. Women have come a long way in the last few decades, but we also have a long way to go. Believe in your dream and know that your dream may be someone else’s too. “Behind every great woman ... is another great woman.” ― Kate Hodges “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” ― Maya Angelou What should leaders do to empower the next generation of women? Uplift them and give them equal opportunities to succeed. Youth in society today is wrapped up in social media, appearance and have lost the ability to have a normal conversation, engage with people and focus on others. Offer training, educational opportunities. Encourage activities and programs that take them away from themselves and allow them to focus on helping others find their path. It’s in helping others that we often find ourselves. As you know, March is Women’s History Month. Which inspiring woman would you invite to your dream dinner party and why? There are a lot but realistically, Joyce Meyer. She is a Christian author and speaker and she brings real life and humor to her teachings. She is a powerful speaker, rooted in her faith and an inspiration to many people. Pamela Thomayer – Lead Healthcare Recruiter, Trustaff Name: Pamela Thomayer Role: Lead Healthcare Recruiter Brand: Trustaff How long have you been with the company? 13 years What’s your vision for the future and what advice would you give to women looking to follow in your footsteps? My vision and hope for the future is that women and men are considered equal and treated the same when it comes to all aspect of employment and promotions. My advice is to work hard and prove yourself when your first starting your career. The hard work you put in when your young helps put you in a great position when you get older. Treat every job as an opportunity to learn something new. Even a bad experience is a learning experience. Don’t hesitate to look for new opportunities. Finding your dream job can be tough when your first starting out, and there is no reason to settle early on. Do not be scared to venture outside your comfort zone as you’ll be surprised at what your capable of. You will know when you have found a position you would like to stay at long term. What should leaders do to empower the next generation of women? Promote employees to have a voice, suggestions and opinions. Also provide your employees tools, courses and suggestions on how they can grow their career without them having to ask. As you know, March is Women’s History Month. Which inspiring woman would you invite to your dream dinner party and why? Betty White Comedy is my favorite genre of TV and Film so I would clearly love her there for pure entertainment. In addition to her humor, I admire what she stands for. I’m a huge animal lover and always looked up to Betty for her dedication to Animal Welfare. In addition Betty has stood up, been vocal and advocated for Racial Equality and LGBT rights which is very important to me.

Trustaff, a proud member of the Ingenovis Health family of brands, has transitioned to the Ingenovis Health app. This change brings a host of enhancements to your experience as a healthcare professional. Let's walk through what this means for you and the key features of the new app.    What's New in the Ingenovis Health App:   Unified Platform : Ingenovis Health brings together Trustaff, Fastaff, USN and other leading healthcare brands under one roof.  Seamless Transition : Your Trustaff app login credentials work seamlessly with the new app—no need to set up a new account. New to our platform? Download the Ingenovis Health app and start your journey with us.  More Job Opportunities : Explore more healthcare positions with easy application options.  Effortless Profile Management : Keep your professional details updated easily for potential employers to see.  Community and Support : Connect with fellow healthcare professionals and access support whenever needed.    Why Make the Switch?   If you're new to Trustaff or haven't explored the Ingenovis Health app yet, now is the perfect time. This platform is designed to streamline your job search and accelerate your career development. With everything from extensive job listings to a supportive community, you’re set up for success. If you never had the Trustaff app, take this opportunity to download the new Ingenovis Health app and join our thriving community.    Are You Ready?   Take advantage of the enhanced experience waiting for you. Download the Ingenovis Health app today and discover a world of opportunities. It’s time to immerse yourself in this upgraded journey.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a shift in the nursing workforce across the United States. Before 2020, less than 2% of the total nursing workforce consisted of travel nurses. Since then, more registered nurses have considered pursuing this path, whether for career enhancement or personal fulfillment and flexibility. Did you just land your first travel nurse assignment or are you thinking about exploring this possibility in your nursing career? In this post, we put together some tips for new travel nurses so you can get organized and feel excited about discovering new places and meeting new people. Before You Start Preparation is key if you want to start your journey as a travel nurse. Consider the below factors so you can lay the groundwork for future successful assignments. Choosing the Right Agency One of the most important first-time travel nurse tips that will benefit your experience is choosing the right agency. The role of travel nursing agencies is to link registered nurses to healthcare facilities that are looking for extra help over a short period. These agencies provide a wide range of services to help travel nurses, including: Recruitment and screening Selection of jobs Travel and housing arrangements Licensing and credential administration In turn, nurses get access to assignments in areas that traditional recruitment agencies may not have available. However, when selecting an agency to work with, make sure to do your research. What do their salary and benefit packages look like? How extensive is their selection of jobs? How much support do they provide for travel nurses? And most importantly — are they approved by the Joint Commission? This compliance makes an agency extra credible in the health industry and ensures the safety of your personal information. Licensing and Credentialing Another piece of advice for travel nurses is to stay organized and updated with all required paperwork. It's a good idea to have a portfolio with your nursing license, credentials, resume and references on you on your first day at a new job, in case you need to complete some paperwork.  Since you will cross state borders frequently, you will need to navigate each one's licensing requirements. But, if you work with a travel nurse agency, they can help you with a nursing license , including those outside the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) states. Location and Assignment Selection Although travel nurses choose their careers for the flexibility of location, it can be daunting for first-timers. Before looking for your first assignment, think about places you would love to see, as well as destinations you're not so keen on. You could consider: The weather Commuting time Safety Cost of living Places of interest Family or friends living close by In addition, consider the type of facility where you would want to work and gain experience. When you work with a travel nursing agency, you will have access to all locations and facilities that need the most support. Networking and Support Since travel nurses move regularly, it can get lonely and isolating without a solid support network. Other than keeping in touch with your agency and your friends and family back home, here are other tips for connecting with other travel nurses and healthcare professionals. Expand your knowledge and skills with every new assignment Get to know your co-workers by spending time with them and staying in touch Tap into online or social media community networks Join local professional groups and participate in events Share and engage in hobbies Attend courses, workshops and seminars Find a senior staff member or fellow travel nurse willing to mentor you Financial Management and Budgeting Working with an agency comes with many perks and benefits, but it's still necessary to develop a budget, especially with this unpredictable and exciting lifestyle. Here's how you can better manage your finances: Track your daily, weekly and monthly expenses Ask your travel nurse agency for resources and tools Save on rent and utility costs by using free housing or incentives Set up automated savings deposits Use online tools Plan for the time between assignments Use perks and discounts offered by your agency During Your Travel Nurse Assignment One of the simplest travel nursing tips for your first day is to arrive early and make the most of orientation. From there, make the most out of your assignment. Adapting to New Work Environments Nurses need to be flexible and adaptable to new things. As a travel nurse, you will work with different patient populations, medical technology and healthcare systems. On top of it all, you will have the added challenge of building rapport with colleagues and fitting into new teams. Here is some advice on navigating new work environments: Keep an open mind: You may be used to doing things a certain way, but take the opportunity to learn from others and expand your skills Be helpful: Once you have learned the facility's protocols and processes, use your training to help your team and patients Be positive: Stress is a natural part of a nursing career, so make sure you have a stress management ritual to fall back on and be patient with yourself and others Ask questions: Don't be shy to ask for help, clarity or more information — that's what orientation and your colleagues are for Embrace challenges: By adopting a growth mindset, you will see any hurdle as a learning opportunity and continue to deliver quality patient care in future assignments Staying Safe and Healthy on the Road Being on the go the whole time can pose challenges for staying safe and healthy during and between assignments. Make sure you keep your family and friends in the loop about your whereabouts and make copies of all your important documents, in case you lose your originals while traveling. Also, it's especially vital for you as a travel nurse to prioritize your health with habits like: Healthy eating: As tempting as it may be not to turn on the stove after a stressful shift, you'll feel better if you can find some time to prep and pack meals or find a healthy meal delivery service when you have limited time Fitness: Staying active will give you more energy, reduce stress and improve your own health Enough sleep and rest: With long shifts, don't forget to get enough sleep every night or take a nap during the day if you can Mental health: Find activities and make connections in your area to keep your mind and body active — remember to take time for yourself Staying connected: Remain in touch with your family and friends while you're away to feel more supported and connect with other travelers Start Your First Travel Nurse Assignment With Trustaff Getting ready for your first travel nurse assignment can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. However, with an open mind, the right attitude and the right support system, it could be an exciting long-term career full of amazing growing and learning opportunities. Find your next travel job with Trustaff.

Preparing for an interview as a travel nurse can set you up for success. The healthcare job market is competitive, which makes it even more important to put your best foot forward. By practicing interviewing techniques for nursing, you can set yourself apart from other candidates. Travel nursing offers you an exciting opportunity to take your skills to new locations and gives you the flexibility to work in different environments. Getting Reading for Your Interview Being prepared for your job interview can make all of the difference. These tips can help you put your best foot forward and make a great first impression. Researching the Hospital Each healthcare environment has its own set of values and culture. If possible, research the organization and the person who is interviewing you before the interview begins. You can find information on the organization's website and social media profiles and search for reviews on websites like  LinkedIn  and  Glassdoor  to learn more about the work environment. If you can demonstrate that you know about the company's culture and values, the interviewer will be impressed that you are serious about working for them. Understanding the culture and work environment will also give you an idea of what questions they will ask you and how you should frame your answers. Resume and Portfolio Review Examine the job description and make sure your work history matches the qualities that they are looking for. Tweaking your resume to highlight where your experience matches best will help you to rise up the ranks and stand out from other candidates. It shows the interviewer and the organization why you are best suited to the role. For travelers, this process is done for you by your company. Travel nurses and allied specialists typically don't submit a personal resume they way you might for a direct-hire job. Your recruiter will prepare your profile and submit you to the jobs of your choice, automatically taking into consideration which roles are the best match for your skills. Print or save a PDF of any reference letters from colleagues, mentors and past employers. Accomplished healthcare professionals who can attest to your character and work ethic can be persuasive to interviewers and organizations. If you and another candidate have similar qualifications, knowing the type of person you are can help the organization make their choice. For travelers especially, collecting your own written reference and providing them to your company ahead of time can save your colleagues an extra phone call and makes a great impression. The interviewer will use your resume to ask questions about your career. If there are any years when you were unemployed, you should be prepared to answer relevant questions. Having gaps is not necessarily a red flag, but employers will want explanations of what you did in those years. Be sure to highlight any bright spots in your career, like a Daisy Award, special procedure training or acting as preceptor.   Be Ready for These Common Questions In any interview, you need to prepare for common questions that will help the interviewer get to know you, why you want to work for the company and your career goals. Practicing the questions beforehand will help you to answer them clearly and confidently during the interview. Ask a friend, family member or colleague to help you practice or you can practice answering the questions in front of the mirror.  Let's look at some common travel nurse interview questions you can expect to answer.  Tell Me About Yourself. While this is more of a prompt than a question, it gives you an opportunity to show the interviewer why you are a good fit for the position. It can be a tricky one to answer, but you should focus on how your strengths and values align with the organization. Focus on your passion for healthcare, why you are passionate about the industry and specific examples of your healthcare skills.  A sample answer may include, “I've always been passionate about helping people, which is why I volunteered at a local community clinic in high school. I then went on to pursue my Diploma in Nursing and working as a nurse in various healthcare organizations. Now, I'm looking to spend some time in this area to be closer to my family.” Why Are You Applying for This Role? Answer this question honestly and confidently so the hiring manager knows how passionate you are about your career and the job. Healthcare organizations often look for people who are passionate about what they do and want more than just a job. It's important to highlight the goals and qualities of the organization and how they align with your own.  You can answer this question by saying something like, "Providing patients with high-quality care is something I've always been passionate about, which is why I'm excited about working at this organization. I know that this organization puts patients first and values providing them with high-quality care."  As a traveler, it can also be helpful to call out your reasons for wanting to work in the area or specific facility. Whether you have family nearby, are eager to experience the local food or have heard great things about this hospital's programs, this can help bring some personal connection to why it's important to you to travel to this specific location. What Are Your Strengths? Focus on your professional strengths when you answer this question. You should also consider which of your strengths relate to the role you're applying for. The interviewer will want to see how your characteristics contribute to the organization and positions.  Here is an example of how you can answer this question, "One of my greatest strengths is being able to relate to people. I can empathize with patients and gain their trust."  What Are Your Weaknesses?  It's important to be honest when answering this question. You should tell the interviewer about an area that you are struggling with but also give a solution on how you're resolving it. You should be able to display that you're self-aware but also doing what you can to improve on your weaknesses.  An example of an answer is, "I tend to avoid confrontation so that I can keep the peace. I know that it's important to prioritize honesty over telling people what they want to hear, which is why I practice pushing past the discomfort and kindly approaching others with my questions or concerns." Prepare for Behavioral Questions and Scenarios Hospitals often ask behavioral questions during interviews to assess your soft skills, adaptability, communication skills, motivation and teamwork. When answering these questions, consider using the  STAR interview technique  to give a detailed answer. Let's take a closer look at this method:  Situation: Discuss a relevant scenario, giving enough detail so your potential supervisor can understand the circumstances Task: Describe your objective in the situation Action: Explain how you went about addressing the situation Result: Extrapolate and reflect on the results your actions produced Let's look at some questions that an interviewer may ask that you can apply the STAR technique to:  How Do You Handle Difficult Patients? The interviewer will want to assess how you respond to stressful situations. They'll also want to assess how you handle conflict and what your interpersonal skills are like. As a nurse, you need to be able to deal with difficult patients and patient and family concerns about treatment methods.  You could answer this question as follows, "As an experienced nurse, I know that each patient's case is unique. It's important to listen to the concerns and questions of each and provide reassurance and solutions. By showing empathy and compassion, I can diffuse difficult situations with patients." You might come ready with a specific example explaining — in general terms that protects the patients' privacy — how you responded to a challenging situation and what the outcome was. How Do You Deal With Conflict With Colleagues? Similar to the above question, the interviewer will want to assess your interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills. In healthcare environments, you work with a variety of people, so they will also want to evaluate whether you are a team player.  Here is an example of how you can answer this question, “I once worked with a colleague who would undermine my professional opinion. I believe it's important for colleagues to respect each other's professional opinions. When there is conflict, I endeavor to resolve it as soon as possible and find a way forward. I had a private conversation with my colleague to understand why she undermined my opinion and we resolved the conflict.”  How Do You Deliver Bad News to Patients? When interviewers ask this question, they want to evaluate your ability to deliver news to patients in a professional manner. Carefully consider your answer and determine the best way to relay sensitive information to patients and family members.  Your answer may look something like this, "My first step is to gather all of their relevant patient information. When I meet with patients, I ask them whether they would like to discuss the information with their relatives present or alone. I then proceed to explain the information in a way that the patient will understand. At the end of the explanation, I allow them to ask questions and address any concerns that they may have."  Questions to Ask in an Interview How you present yourself and act in your interview will also impact how your potential employer perceives you.  Before your interview, you should prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Asking questions will help you to learn more about the hospital and working environment. When you ask questions, it also shows that you want to learn more about the organization and are serious about working there.  Let's look at some questions to ask the interviewer:  What Does a Typical Day Look Like? If the interviewer still needs to address your daily responsibilities, it's important to ask what a typical day will look like. Ask about the working hours, caseload and how many patients you'll see daily. Asking this question will help you understand whether this unit is a good fit for you.  What Will Help a Candidate Succeed in This Role? When you learn what characteristics will help you succeed in this role, you can follow up their response by demonstrating how your skills match what is needed to succeed. You can do this by giving an example of a particular skill set or characteristic you used in a previous role. Even if you don't possess the skills, you can use this opportunity to demonstrate how you want to grow your skillset and career.  An interviewer wants to know that you are qualified for the job, but they also want to see that you will be a pleasant colleague. With the right icebreaker, you can get the interview off to a great start, so ask about their experience with the company and their favorite part about working there. Dressing and Presenting Yourself Professionally At any interview, you need to present yourself professionally to put your best foot forward. Going to your interview with a simple, neat hairstyle and well-groomed facial hair will show your potential employer that you will take yourself seriously. Wearing neutral grey, black or blue trousers or a skirt with a light button-down shirt will display professionalism. As a traveler, your interview may not be in person. You may interview over the phone, on a video call or even not interview with the manager at all! However, the rules of presenting yourself professionally still apply. If you're interviewing by phone, be sure you're in a quiet place where you can give the interviewer your full attention; if you're interviewing by video call, ensure you have a strong internet connection and a professional background behind you. Show up on time with a bright smile and a positive attitude. Create a Day of Interview Checklist On the day of the interview, you may feel a little nervous or overwhelmed, but a checklist can help you stay on track and reduce your jitters. Below are a few items you might include in your checklist:  Confirm the interview time and location Plan and set out your outfit the day before For phone or virtual interviews, ensure you have a quiet space Compile and print your list of questions to ask the interviewer Make a copy of your resume, identification, reference letters and credentials  For in-person interviews, map the route to the interview so you're familiar with the directions. You should aim to arrive at least 20 minutes early to avoid rushing and have a buffer against delays such as traffic and finding parking. If you're scheduled for a remote interview, do a test run of your video and audio setup and check your internet connection speeds to avoid technology hiccups during your interview. Interviews can be stressful, but remember to smile. As much as the interviewer is interviewing you, it's also an opportunity for you to get to know them and the organization. Give yourself a few minutes before the interview to take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves. You can try these deep breathing exercises that help relieve stress.  Apply for Your Next Position With Trustaff Having an interview can be a stressful experience, but the more you prepare, the more confident you will feel going in. Be proactive by practicing potential questions, preparing questions to ask the interviewer and researching the organization. Taking these steps can help to increase your chances of success. As a travel nurse, a successful interview can open up exciting travel opportunities and be the beginning of a fulfilling career.  At Trustaff, we are passionate about helping travel nurses grow their careers while experiencing an adventure. Start your interview preparations and share this blog with other travel nurses looking for their next role. Browse our open positions online and  apply on our website  today.