New Years Resolutions For Any Healthcare Professional
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Tick…Tock… This is the sound of the year going by. It's time to reflect on all of this years accomplishments as past
increases and the future recedes. Tick Tock Day urges us to
make the most of this last week to complete those tasks that can be finished. If you are spending your holiday away from home, we understand
that completing a last-minute task list isn’t so simple on assignment. So why not give yourself a
New Year’s Resolution that you can truly keep with you anywhere you travel in the nation? According to
Statistic Brain (2016), only 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s
Resolutions and only 8% are successful in achieving them.
This year, National Staffing Solutions put together our
interpretation of the “Top 10 Resolutions” to hopefully align with your career
and personal goals for 2017:
1. Lose Weight
- This is the number one resolution that people make every year and drop within the first month or so. Commitment is the key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and overall weight. Get new shoes or a new exercise ensemble and lay it out the night before. You can prepare yourself by planning meals and workouts that will kick-start you into the proper routine.
- Being stressed leads to chaotic eating decisions. Especially if you work the night shift, be sure to plan out your meals for the week. Don't forget to eat 2 servings of veggies per day!
- In terms of your suitcase, travelers, pack clothes according to the season and weather in your assignment area. Light is right. Fight the temptation to pack everything you own!
- Instead of packing large, bulky items such as a TV set or DVD player, some travelers have discovered that it's easier to rent these appliances once they arrive at the destination.
2. Getting Organized
- "A place for everything and everything in its place" is an essential saying for our travelers. Think inward at a micro level and then start expanding outward to your surroundings. Start with your pockets, then your work area, and finally make sure to restock got the next shift at the end of your day.
- Try to keep the clutter under control, but also focus on the larger picture.
- Prioritize your work and home lists to make sure you don’t miss any essentials. Make sure to cancel some activities, learn to say "no" to people and plans, and book some downtime as well.
3. Spend Less, Save More
- Consider the cost of living versus competitive pay when you choose your next travel assignment. When you're looking to live in a city with a greater population of your specialty, there won't be a premium rate. Usually you will find the most lucrative positions in areas about 25 miles away from the city.
- Reduce high overhead associated with
traveling by possibly working in the same state or taking a PRN position once
you’re happy.
- Set yourself a daily budget, entertainment budget, and emergency funds. Travel healthcare professionals get paid extremely well and it's very tempting to spend more when earning more.
4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest
- There are time when you need to say "no", but don't forget to say "yes" to new chances and opportunities that life brings you! Take full advantages of the resources that you have available to you. Also be thankful for the good people and places you encounter!
- It's very important to find the balance of your life before fully living. Sometimes this means learning to leave your home life at the door when you start a shift. Find more time for yourself outside of work and family too.
- Read more and expand your education to reach your maximum potential. Discover new hiking trails, historic sites, and scene sets from TV or movies. Pick up a new hobby like photography that will serve as a great photo journal to record your memories for the year.
5. Staying Fit and Maintaining a Healthy Environment
- Make your daily commute into a workout if you live close by. If you live miles away and need to drive, just park farther from the parking lot and walk the extra distance.
- Try sharing healthy recipes with other travelers or nurses. You don't have to go into new healthy habits alone.
- Build a strong a positive culture in your work environment. Simply greet everyone with a smile and try to build lasting relationships with the time you have.
- Choose to stop engaging in negative behavior and discussions at your workplace. This will help to cultivate a more positive setting.
6. Learn Something Exciting
- As you meet new people and live in different areas, try to pick up something new from each location. Whether it be a relic, knowledge, or new practice. Expand your horizons and skill sets.
- The healthcare environment is changing rapidly and unpredictable ways. Find new ways to network. Healthcare providers of all kinds are increasingly using social websites to look for job opportunities. 40% of healthcare workers now use social media to look for jobs. If you don't have a presence online, you're falling behind.
- Even if you don’t plan on switching specialties anytime in the near future, adding highly desirable skills and certifications to your skill set and resume will increase your marketability if and when you decide to seek a new job.
7. Quit Smoking, Soda, or Alcohol.
- Identify and avoid triggers to these bad habits. Don't just get rid of the cigarettes, but also the matches and lighters. Think of where the smoking areas are and find ways to avoid them.
- Challenge yourself to make a personal sacrifice for your long-term success. Get a new stress-busting habit. Cleaning and maintaining organization is one of the most productive ways to get over smoking!
- Own your reasons for quitting. Think about how you got started. You’ll soon realize it was a different reason than why you continued. Only you can be the reason you quit.
8. Help Others in Their Dreams
- Get involved with a professional healthcare organization. Participating is the best way to stay on top of career
trends and legislative issues that affect the profession. The results of these
efforts directly impact opportunities for you and also connects you with the
movers and shakers in your field.
- Volunteer to guide a new graduate in their work transition. You never know who you might help out by sharing your experiences and becoming part of a professional community.
- The reality of the profession requires good coaching to
reduce new nurses and therapist disillusions. This guidance will make them aware of their important role in the
world. As the future of nursing, they may someday take care of your loved ones,
and coaching them will give you a fulfilling goal as you contribute to their
future.
9. Fall in Love
- You would think that it's difficult to fall in love as a traveler, but many of our own have met their significant other while on assignment! They even continued to travel together within the state.
- If you do not fall in love with someone. At least learn to love yourself more! The right person will come to you. Here's a little reminder: KISS – Keep It Specific and Simple.
- Focus on finding what makes you the most happy and everything will come to you if it's meant to be.
10. Spend More Time with Family
- Since most people have bumps in the road, don’t let distance
stop you from connecting with your loved ones.
- Let your travel agency know if you are interested in traveling with children, your spouse or pet. Most agencies are willing to accommodate with housing and travel requests.
- Plan for your family to visit at your assignment or you can travel back home. Every one's situation is different. The flexibility of working contracts enables you to choose the break between your assignments. Earn the extra cash by working a couple assignments in a row and then plan to take the whole holiday off before you start!
Leanne Leuterio
12/15/2016
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