The Commonwealth Fund analyzes and compares the health systems of seven industrialized countries each year. Theses countries include Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. For the years of 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010, the US came last in the rankings.

So what is different between the US and the other industrialized countries that ranked higher on this list regarding patient’s satisfaction? For one, these countries use more information technology to properly diagnose and treat patient’s symptoms. These countries also focus on a stronger relationship between the patient and a medical home base.

According to the New York Times, one particular insurance company has even tried to cut costs by hiring nurses as they felt it is the nurse’s job to keep the patients out of the hospital. Their plan seems to have been working as hospital admissions have dropped 18 percent. Nurses may just be the ticket to a winning Health Care system.

Sources: Jennifer Fink, RN, BSN | Scrubs Magazine, www.commonwealthfund.org, www.nytimes.com

• $106 million for nursing education (including $42 million for primary-care providers and/or nursing faculty training)
• $29.5 million to fund three geriatric education and training programs
• $23.6 million to support Centers of Excellence programs designed to improve the recruitment of minority students preparing for careers in healthcare

A few states will receive additional funding, such as Minnesota that will receive $2 million as part of the grant package. Nine different Minnesota schools will be splitting that money for training and retention. Oklahoma will also be granted $2.1 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com, kaiserhealthnews.org

The Compact requires that the nurse be licensed in the state in which they permanently reside under what’s called a home state license. The nurse must meet the licensure criteria of their home state in order to obtain and retain multistate licensure recognition (MSR) privileges on their home state nursing license.

Other states belonging to the Nurse Licensure Compact are known as “Party” states because their state governments have also agreed to recognize nurses licensed in other compact-member states. This recognition allows a nurse to practice in a party state on their home state license. A nurse practicing in another party state pursuant to the multistate privilege must comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the patient is located at the time care is given.

List of States currently participating in NCL

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Idaho 
• Iowa 
• Kentucky 
• Maine 
• Maryland 
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

A nurse can hold a home state license in only one state at a time. If a nurse changes permanent residence from one party state to another party state, then the nurse must relinquish licensure in their previous state of residence and apply for licensure in the new home state. Rule 220.2(f) permits a nurse to practice on a home state license other than Texas for a maximum of 30 days when the nurse is changing permanent residence. Under the Compact, the nurse may move back to their previous party state and re-establish licensure or move to another party state and apply for licensure there.

If a nurse moves to a state that has not enacted or does not recognize the Compact, the previous home state license converts to a Single-State license valid only in the former home state. A single-state nursing license does not entitle the nurse to practice under multistate privilege in other party states.

Source: Texas Board of Nursing and www.nursetogether.com

Travel Nurses can earn from 20% to over 62% more than their home-based colleagues doing the same work. This has caused an increase in such work and has raised the number of RN applicants. Travel Nurses do 8% to 15% more work than a home-based nurse doing the same job due to the decreased exhaustion and pressure they receive. Travel Nurses also have the opportunity to pick and choose which assignments they want and have less of a chance as being put in an inferior ranking with a supervisor due to their contract position.

Many specialists believe that Travel Nurses may be the future of the industry and may assist in the rebuilding of the shortfall.

Travel nursing is reclaiming its level of being the hottest trend to hit the profession in years. The nursing shortage that is sure to rise due to the expansion of healthcare will hit the nation hard, forcing medical facilities to get creative to fill positions to care for rising census numbers. For many of them, the real challenge is in finding a nurse who can take on a temporary position. What do you do when there are barely enough local nurses to fill the permanent positions? For many hospitals, the solution is turning to organizations like Cirrus Medical Staffing that places quality travel nurses – which are credentialed nurses who are willing to relocate for periods no less than thirteen weeks.

If just the travel is sounding good to you, take a look at the rest of the Cirrus Medical Staffing’s packages and travel nursing benefits. Here’s what traveling nursing professionals can expect when they sign up with Cirrus.

- Generous Pay Scale
The hourly rate for travel nursing assignments varies from locale to locale, but you can expect a competitive travel nurse salary rate with a guarantee of 36-40 hours per week.

- Housing Provided
Most agencies will provide you with a free one bedroom private apartment, with basic utilities paid for the length of your stay in the assignment. All the arrangements will be made for you before you arrive.

- Health, Vision Dental Insurance
In most cases, your health, vision and dental insurance package will be completely paid for by Cirrus Medical Staffing. This will also include basic life insurance, ADD and Long-term disability. These along with 401K start on day one of your assignment.

- Varied Assignments All Over the Country
There are thousands of medical facilities around the country that regularly employ travel nurses for their nursing needs. Most assignments run from 13 to 26 weeks, and many can be extended for more than one assignment period. You’ll work with your Cirrus Medical Staffing recruiter to choose where you want to work and the kind of work you want to do. From small-town and rural settings to the glittering lights of the big city, from chronic care retirement communities to the most renowned research facilities in the world, you’ll have your choice of workplaces and specialties.

- Flexible Schedule
Since you choose your assignments, you always have the flexibility to take some time off, or schedule an assignment close to home if you want some family time. The medical world has always depended on temp staffing to help fill slots. Travel nursing is the logical extension. You can work three months and take three months off, or choose to stay in one city for a year or more. The choice is ultimately up to you.

- Career Advancement
Travel nursing offers almost unlimited opportunities to expand your resume and add to your professional experience.

Travel nursing may be the best way to expand your professional experiences—and your personal ones as well. If you think that you have what it takes to travel the country practicing your profession, what are you waiting for? The world is waiting for you!

When you are considering a life as a Cirrus Medical Staffing travel nurse, you have to ask yourself if you really like to travel. The life of a travel nurse is serious, hard-core traveling. Travel nurses are constantly on the move, going from one state to another, taking assignment after assignment, some great and some not so great. All the moving around eventually takes a toll on the body and soul.  The beauty of being a Cirrus Medical Staffing travel nurse is that we provide paid time off programs to assist with your personal needs. 

Bear in mind that travel nurses are working, this is not an extended family vacation, they aren’t back packing across the Rockies. While they are on an assignment travel nurses are on a schedule. They are expected to report to work, on time, at the beginning of each one of their shifts. While they are working they are dealing with sick and injured people. They are expected to give one hundred and ten percent of themselves while they are working. Cirrus Medical Staffing travel nurses go away to work, not to party.

Do you have an easy time making new friends? Travel nurses are constantly going to cities and towns where they are strangers. They don’t know anyone in these places. In order for their experience to be positive they must have a talent for turning complete strangers into close friends.

Before you sign with Cirrus Medical Staffing decide if you can tolerate moving away from your family, friends, and pets. Working as a travel nurse is going to require you to spend several months away from your home town. Carefully consider all the requirement and responsibilities expected from a travel nurse before you sign with Cirrus Medical Staffing. Qualities that a good travel nurse should embrace are a zest for adventure, a strong work ethic, confidence in their medical knowledge, and a gregarious personality.  You will be required to maintain compliance with Joint Commission standards and the requirements of your facility.  If you are a nurse with at least one year of experience working in a hospital and feel that you would make an excellent travel nurse start your application process with Cirrus Medical Staffing!

So you think you have the clinical know-how, licensure and ambition to travel, but that’s not all it takes to be a successful Cirrus Medical Staffing travel nurse. Here are a few crucial skills that you should possess in order to make your travel nursing experience extraordinary with Cirrus:

Are you adaptable…
As a Cirrus Medical Staffing travel nurse you will encounter many new and different situations. Being able to keep an open mind, stay flexible and embrace the new experiences will be vital to your success.

Are you confident…
When you first arrive on an assignment you will need to be able to step in and perform without a large amount of training or instruction right away. This means you will have to be assertive and confident. You must identify your learning needs and then be able to seek out the appropriate expertise without compromising your position.

Are you organized…
Starting new travel assignments usually means dealing with paperwork in Human Resources and Credentialing. To make it easier you will need to keep all of your important papers in an organizer or filing system of some kind.  When possible have a scanned file to allow easy access and ability to email to your recruiter.  Here are some other suggestions on ways to make your travel experience a little easier:

• Take a little piece of your home with you – pictures, books or movies
• Invest in a laptop or home computer to stay in touch with your family and friends
• Support your leisure activities. If you play tennis or love biking, take those things with you
• Network with other travel nurses and your coworkers
• Develop a system to get your mail from home. You could arrange to have it forwarded or perhaps have a family member send it weekly. Who knows maybe they’ll send you a little something extra!
• Join the Cirrus Wellness program 

Are you friendly…
Change in work environments while being the new kid on the block requires strong interpersonal skills and an outgoing personality. Everywhere you go you will meet people who want to share their experiences and in turn you too can share your adventures. Be positive and seek out those who are also positive.

Are you eager…
Having excitement about learning new skills and gaining more knowledge will help you be successful and enjoy your travel nursing career with Cirrus Medical Staffing. There are thousands of places to go… Where’s your next stop?

Do you have what it takes?  If so, visit us today:  www.cirrusmedicalstaffing.com !

Cirrus Medical Staffing gives you access to travel nursing jobs for qualified registered nurses at facilities across the U.S. We partner with the nation’s leading healthcare facilities, giving you access to more nursing jobs and career experts.  Now, we take advantage of social networking tools to assist you in your journey.  Stay connected 24/7 by accessing our many sites. 

Visit & Join!

As a Cirrus Medical Staffing travel nurse, not only do you get to work at top facilities, you’ll also experience great destinations. You can spend a winter under the sunny skies of Southern California, Florida or Arizona; experience life in the big city while working in New York, San Francisco or Chicago; check out the fabulous scenery of Utah or Colorado; or hike your way through Vermont and Connecticut.

For your assignment, choose from jobs in various settings. Consider teaching hospitals, world-renowned research facilities or use your nursing expertise in a small hospital in the heartland of America—the choice is yours. Depending on job availability, you can even experience different facilities in your own area or state, and often receive a housing stipend or paid housing.

Experience the excitement of living in the areas of your choice as a “local” and not just a tourist. Travel nursing is a great way to explore a new area before making a permanent move.

Meet new people and develop new friendships. You’ll have friends and colleagues from coast to coast! Travel on your own or bring a spouse or pet along for the adventure.

Build your résumé by expanding your clinical knowledge, skills and competencies. Cirrus Medical Staffing allows you to create a strong professional network and can open the door to opportunities you never imagined.

Stay tuned in with Twitter, become a friend on Facebook or learn about us on LinkedIn.  Whatever your choice, whether you are watching a late night movie or enjoying a cup of coffee at the breakfast table, join us and see what Cirrus is all about.

Visit www.cirrusmedicalstaffing.com or call us today to speak to a recruiter to arrange your journey!!!

Can I have paid insurance through Cirrus Medical Staffing?
Does Cirrus Medical Staffing pay for your malpractice insurance?  In addition to malpractice insurance, Cirrus will also provide LIFE, MAJOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, ADD and LONG TERM DISABILITY.  We put it in writing.  You also want to know if your benefits will start on day one of your assignment.  Can Cirrus do this?  YES WE CAN!

Other questions you will want to ask are:

1. Can you offer me supplemental benefits and bonuses? 

2. Can Cirrus enroll me in the 401(k) program with a company match?

3. What about rewards for loyalty?

4. Can Cirrus reimburse me for continuing education or travel?

5. Can Cirrus reward me for completing my assignment?

6. Can Cirrus provide a larger bonus for staying longer in one assignment of for hard-to-fill positions?

7. Can Cirrus offer bonuses for sending the agency referrals?

8. Does Cirrus provide travel rewards or paid vacations?                                                                                                                            

9. Can Cirrus offer a reasonable pet insurance for my traveling companions?                                                                                     

10. Can you help me stay fit and healthy with a Wellness Program?

Make sure you know everything you can about an agency and assignment before you make the type of commitment required to be a travel nurse.  If the agency cannot say “YES WE CAN” to all these questions, then it’s not Cirrus Medical Staffing!

The Act will increase the number of nurses in the Unites States. It takes a comprehensive approach that helps to retain nurses and to address financial barriers that nurses and nurse faculty face today.

The Act awards competitive grants to nursing schools to strengthen nurse education and training programs and to improve nurse retention programs throughout the country.

It increases the student loan amounts for nursing students and addresses critical nurse faculty shortages by making nursing faculty eligible for loan repayment and scholarship programs.