A Traveling Therapist Who Loves the Florida Sunshine

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:15:49 GMT

As a traveling therapist with 360 Healthcare Staffing, I can truly say there’s always something new on the horizon! I started with the company when my daughter went off to college. I thought, “I can either be here by myself, or I can get out, travel and still do the work I love.” I’ve been with 360 Healthcare Staffing for five years now, and I’m having a great time!

I’ve been an occupational therapist for 20 years, and I’ve worked with all ages of patients in a wide variety of settings. Hospitals, schools, home health – you name it, I’ve been there. When I decided to work as a traveler, I interviewed with several companies, but 360 Healthcare Staffing won me over with their dedication to me and my career, and also because of their affiliation with Golden Living. Working with 360 Healthcare Staffing has given me the opportunity to visit places I might have never traveled to otherwise, and it’s helped me enhance my career because I’ve learned a lot from the other therapists I’ve worked with.

Right now I’m working in Florida with older short-term therapy patients, and I’m really enjoying it. I have a lot of experience with seniors, and one thing that really stands out is how appreciative they are of what you are doing for them. They’ve lived fulfilling lives and have had so many experiences, and they don’t want to be sidelined because of an injury or surgery. They appreciate therapists’ work in helping them get back to their lives.

Working for 360 Healthcare Staffing is a rewarding experience – I know they have my interests in mind, and they are willing to go the distance with me. Whenever one contract ends, they always have something new lined up for me. Whether I want to go home to Iowa to work during the summer, or have travel assignments in the winter, they find a place for me. Plus, when Aegis Therapies (their sister company) has positions open, 360 employees usually get called first. Aegis is an amazing company to work for and it’s great to know that,as a 360 employee you have the opportunity to work for them before anyone else. No other company has that connection. Given the opportunities I have here, I am very happy to be with 360 Healthcare Staffing.

Tips for Staying Healthy on Your Travel Assignment

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:17:01 GMT

Starting a new travel assignment can be exciting and fun, but learning your way around a new building, new people and a new city can also be stressful. With all your new responsibilities, you’ll want to make sure you stay healthy so that your travel assignment can be as rewarding as possible for both you and your employer. In order to keep your immune system strong and your body healthy, you should make maintaining a healthy lifestyle a priority.

Get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep allows you to be alert and refreshed for your shifts, and the National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep for adults. While consistently getting this amount of sleep may sound like a luxury, you should try to stick to a normal sleep routine, even on your days off.

You may be working a night shift on your assignment, and if this is the case, make sure that you are able to get quality sleep. Take measures to keep your bedroom cool, dark and free from distractions, including televisions and telephones. Make sure that people know not to disturb you during certain hours unless it is an emergency.

Eat well. Part of staying healthy is making sure that your body has the fuel it needs. Even though pre-packaged foods are easy to grab in a hurry, they are often full of refined sugar and unhealthy fats. This can lead to spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels, which will only leave you feeling sluggish. Try to keep healthy snacks on hand, such as almonds or pre-cut vegetables. You can buy these in bulk and portion them into individual servings for grab-and-go options later. On your days off, minimize your trips to restaurants and cook some healthy, simple meals consisting of lean protein, vegetables and whole grains.

Exercise. Exercise not only helps you stay fit, but it also helps relieve stress. Aim for 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week. If you’re staying in an apartment, check to see if they have an onsite gym. You can also walk around your neighborhood to find nearby shops and activities for your days off.

Taking care of yourself benefits not only you but your patients as well. It doesn’t have to take a lot of effort to feel great and live will.

360 Staffing Blog

A Traveling Therapist Who Loves the Florida Sunshine

Tips for Staying Healthy on Your Travel Assignment