Sessions

You may have seen Terry on TV. Terry’s been featured in ten episodes of The Learning Channel’s TV show “Untold Stories of the ER.” He’s the first RN ever to be featured on that show that usually only focuses on doctors – but he’s way funnier than the doctors.

This fun and enlightening talk will focus on the very “different” sense of humor shared by all clinicians. Often used as a coping mechanism, this speaker will explain the appropriate uses of our type of humor. Our humor invokes a positive attitude and unites us, no matter what your area or era, of clinical practice. Plan to be thoroughly entertained!

(Note: Please empty your bladder fully prior to attending this session).

Whether you have been working in your position for 5 or 25 years, healthcare travelers have a unique set of challenges unrelated to their clinical skills. This workshop is designed specifically for the NEW TRAVELER and provides the essentials of traveling as a healthcare professional, giving the attendee the framework necessary to fully engage in the main conference sessions.

This workshop is highly recommended for anyone interested in, or relatively new to healthcare traveling.

Sessions Include:

1. Life as a Traveler – The Pros & Cons
2. Basics of Pay – Understanding Traveler Pay Packages
3. Secrets to Finding the Right Travel Company
4. The Interview Process
5. Its all about Credentialing
6. The Submission Process
7. Traveler Resources you Need to Know
8. Expert Traveler Panel Q&A

An Expert Lunch & Learn is included, and the day is wrapped up with a fun cocktail reception from 4:15-6:30pm to give you time to connect with your new traveler friends! Experienced recruiters from our Platinum Sponsors will be available to answer any questions you have along the way.

Provides 7 Contact Hrs for RNs & most disciplines (.7 CEUs)        Prerequisites:  None
Instructors: Multiple

Desired Outcomes – At the completion of this learning activity, attendees will be able to:

• • Discuss best practices as it relates to finding a staffing agency/recruiter and interviewing for travel jobs
  • Understand the different components that make up a traveler pay package and how to negotiate traveler pay
  • Discuss best practices for being a successful traveler including skills related to managing conflict and acclimating to new work environments and cultures
  • Discuss certification and licensure standards, the uniform licensure requirements of compact licensure, and credentialing best practices

Pre-conference Sunday Workshop
9am – 4:15pm followed by cocktail reception until 6:30pm
$75-85 – TravCon Attendees
$100 – General Public

Please ensure your seatbelts are securely fastened…this is a rapid trip through 60 topics in 60 minutes. Come along for the ride as we take an evidence-based journey to debunk classical healthcare myths, discuss some new and trending topics, and learn about some valuable things you can bring to the bedside. Evidence-based clinical updates for a multidisciplinary audience. This rapid-fire session is very entertaining and always a favorite!

The quick & dirty on what’s new & current in your practice. Multidisciplinary.

Instructor: National Institute for Healthcare Education

$158 online (prior to arrival)
$105 skill session (at conference)

The online portion must be completed prior to arrival – please arrive with printed certificate in hand. The instructor will be conducting the Skills Sessions (Parts 2 & 3) only. This is a quick, convenient, and LOW STRESS way for you to stay current on these certifications. Printed cards will be issued at end of course. This blended learning for ACLS, PALS, or BLS is per AHA rules open to ALL new, expired, or renewing students.

You can do the online portion at your own pace – stretch it out over an evening or even several days if you want – then you’ll spend less time in a classroom for the Skills Session review and checkoff – and you’re done! This is especially recommended for those who suffer from test anxiety because you can repeat the online scenarios and final exam until you pass, and the instructor will make sure you know what you need to know to pass the skills portion.

This presentation will (1) help travel nurses understand how the multistate license model of licensure works, (2) clear up common misconceptions about the nurse compact and (3) educate nurses about the compact so that they do not place themselves or their license at-risk.

Instructor: National Institute for Healthcare Education

$34 online (prior to arrival & not included in TravCon fee)
$55 skill session (at conference)

The online portion must be completed prior to arrival – please arrive with printed certificate in hand. The instructor will be conducting the Skills Sessions (Parts 2 & 3) only. This is a quick, convenient, and LOW STRESS way for you to stay current on these certifications. Printed cards will be issued at end of course. This blended learning for ACLS, PALS, or BLS is per AHA rules open to ALL new, expired, or renewing students.

You can do the online portion at your own pace – stretch it out over an evening or even several days if you want – then you’ll spend less time in a classroom for the Skills Session review and checkoff – and you’re done! This is especially recommended for those who suffer from test anxiety because you can repeat the online scenarios and final exam until you pass, and the instructor will make sure you know what you need to know to pass the skills portion.

**Registrations are due in advance so we have enough instructors available

Looking for pathways to become a travel nurse in Canada? Like in the US, Travel Nurses are demand in Canada. Most Canadian RNs do travel work not only across Canada but also to America to practice nursing and explore the diverse and beautiful country of the US.

By the same token, it is high time that US RNs look into travel nursing in Canada and cross borders to experience the beauty of different provinces which are highly sought after by travel nurses. Here, we will explore the processes of Canadian Nursing Registration set by different provincial regulatory bodies and navigate immigration pathways to legally work as a travel nurse in Canada. In addition, we will be enumerating the pay and perks of working in Canada as a travel nurse.

Travelers can experience clinical errors and patient incidents just the same as full-time staff in any given healthcare setting. The difference is Travelers are required to face these issues without the benefit of an onsite advocate that exclusively represents their interests. Travelers often experience isolation and are not fully informed of the resources provided to them by their employer to deal with these incidents. As a “Temp”, Travelers can face discrimination when it comes to incident and problem investigations and are not provided with the same due diligence as would a full-time staff person in the same role. In this session, an expert panel of clinical liaisons will talk about some of the most common issues that arise in a travel assignment and discuss best practices for handling those situations. We will also discuss the recent criminal conviction imposed upon TN RN RaDonda Vaught and the potential impact this may have on all healthcare providers.

Dementia is a common diagnosis and has influenced the lives of 6% to 10% of older adults (over the age of 65 years or older) (Chapman et al. 2006). Medical environments present unique challenges to individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The complex context in which care occurs can further confuse patients with dementia. This presentation seeks to explain updated literature related to the care and high-impact approaches to support their medical needs safely.

Treating Kids without Trauma and making their visit less traumatic.

Pediatric nursing, like any specialty, has specific challenges. The patient may be much smaller than you are accustomed to assessing. Finding veins, inserting IVs or catheters, or communicating may be more difficult. Do you get anxiety when you are assigned a baby patient or when you need to perform interventions? Pediatric assessments and interventions can be done with enthusiasm and reassurance. Your job can be easier! The patient can be less traumatized with a “one voice” approach and parent involvement.

Traveling to a new destination can be exciting, but there’s always additional baggage that you take along. Join this session for innovative hacks and planning on how to leave stress behind, as you embark on your next travel assignment. Let’s talk about the often overlooked and contributing stressful factors (relationship management, health, and functional routines) that create additional burden before, during, and post travel assignments. By the end of this session, you’ll have a better plan to prevent burnout and keep stress to a minimum so that you are providing the best care possible for your patients and yourself!

The struggle with fitness, body and self image is REAL and applies to everyone. Learn how to be HAPPY in your skin, HOW to eat, and HOW to workout. Lets break all the myths out there surrounding fitness (imposed by diet culture and the illusion of quick fixes). Merge fitness into your life and your schedule so you can not only live a long life, but make it one worth living.

I want to get you unstuck. When you change your internal health, the aesthetic body becomes a byproduct. This will cover your well-being as a whole. I’ll show you how you can have a body you love even amongst the chaos of a traveler’s schedule.

As healthcare professionals, we typically work 36 hours a week. What plans do we have for our other 4 days off? In this presentation, the audience will learn practical steps to find and develop their interests and passions while building a practical roadmap/guide to accomplishing their goals.

It is critically important to be able to distinguish between reasonable expectations as a travel nurse versus times when it may be acceptable to cut your contract short. This session will teach you the importance of understanding all of your options when facing challenging situations on assignment and how to leave gracefully with the support of your company if necessary.

It took me thirteen contracts to hit one where I *truly* felt that my license was in danger, and I was able to leave as gracefully as possible thanks to communication and support from my company.

As travelers that work all across the United States, some healthcare travelers may experience the complexity and intersectionality of diversity, equity, and inclusion working in all different healthcare settings and demographic environments as they travel.

Join an incredible panel of healthcare travelers of color as we discuss disparity and inequality issues impacting healthcare professionals and their patients and how social, economic and racial inequalities impact the healthcare system on a multitude of levels. A much needed and long-over due, honest and open conversation about how these issues cause a ripple effect from the clinician to the patients and everything in between. All are invited to join in on this pressing conversation with an open heart and mind!

This session is for everyone who would like to partake in an honest and productive conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to being a traveling healthcare professional. Persons of color, allies, and all persons with an open mind and heart alike are all invited to have this important dialogue with us.

Does an EKG rhythm strip still seem like scribbles and give you a heart attack? Join us to learn fundamentals of the anatomy of the heart and it’s electrical conduction system. This session includes the ABC’s of EKG rhythm strip interpretation of normal as well as the most common atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias.

Want to be more confident and in-control of your finances? This presentation will help you build a financial plan that can serve as a roadmap to help you reach your financial goals. Sal Nyang is an industry expert in providing basic and advanced training for travelers who need to get a handle on their finances.

Work smart, not hard! This session will educate travelers on how to connect the dots between a traveling career and strategic professional, financial and exponential personal growth.

This is the secret recipe for anti-burnout purposely driven career path that takes control of your life.

Healthcare workers need to be educated on the complex systems of oppression facing our communities and patients. We are the most trusted professions, and we are called upon to be patient advocates. The world is seeing an onslaught of attacks against queer and trans people in the form of oppressive legislation, the politicization of healthcare, outright violence, and the spread of dangerous and false narratives against these populations. This speaker will bring her own personal experiences to enlighten the audience about the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Learn how healthcare workers can be part of the solution towards creating a world that is safe for people of all identities.

Looking for health insurance options for travelers? Considering securing your own insurance policy that allows you the ability to work with different agencies thereby avoiding breaks in employment and COBRA payments. We’ll review the positives and negatives of each insurance option including sample plans and prices.

This session is designed to provide all Health Care Travelers the knowledge they need to choose the best health insurance plan for their situation. I will also discuss supplemental plans available to everyone such as dental, life, disability, medical savings accounts, etc.

During the pandemic, healthcare workers were considered superheroes. But as history shows, even for healthcare “heroes”, our fifteen minutes of fame clock would soon come to an end. And when it did, we’d be back at square one with lower wages, unsupportive leadership, etc. But what if you’d started a real side gig? What if you had planted the seeds of a real income outside of your profession so that you never had to bow down to an ungrateful system after your fifteen minutes were up? Well, it’s never too late.

You think you found the perfect apartment for your next assignment, send a deposit and then you get ghosted and realize you have been scammed out of your money. Don’t let this be you. In this session, we will teach you how to find housing, identify the red flags for scams, and avoid those scams. Learn from the experts how to find that safe, affordable, and comfortable nest to land in after a long shift.

Working as an Independent Contractor is a basic part of the “Gig Economy” and there are opportunities for healthcare providers when the right pieces of the puzzle are in place. We will explore the basics of self-employment / contracting vs working as an employee, the additional filing requirements, an introduction to entities (LLC, S Corp etc.), and the regulatory hurdles involved.

Did you know you can be a Case Manager traveler? Join me as we explore the career of a case manager, a role that has many subspecialties and can be practiced by many different healthcare professionals. We will share steps on how to get started and share experienced insight into this growing specialty.

In the current culture of healthcare JUST CULTURE is not always adhered too and nurses can end up in front of 1 of 3 courts of law. This session will teach you about rules, regulations, policies and how to chart and increase the chances that a YOU will not end up in a court of law or in front of a nursing board fighting for your license.

This session is designed to motivate travelers to take advantage of their travel income and flexibility to invest in themselves, real estate, and business development to create financial independence. There can be a life after traveling where there are other options to working at the bedside. Travelers can become more financially literate by changing spending habits, organizing finances, creating short-term and long-term financial goals, and viewing themselves as a business and not an employee.

TBD

Being a team member on a medical mission is a rewarding experience for any healthcare clinician. This session will provide healthcare professionals with information about opportunities and how they can apply their skills in other parts of the world. This session will go over some of those opportunities, and how to prepare for them.

The rising Hispanic Latino population in the United States creates potential communication gaps with non-English speaking patients. Clinicians who can learn to speak basic Spanish phrases can increase their confidence and competence to provide quality patient care. Health care professionals who can speak conversational and basic Spanish phrases to Spanish–speaking patients can improve patient satisfaction, decrease communication errors, and potentially avoid medical errors.

Learn how to introduce yourself and speak basic medical phrases in Spanish! This course is designed for the beginner or someone with 1 year or less in Spanish learning. This course will introduce pronunciation, simple grammar, and medical terminology you can use as a healthcare professional to better communicate with your Spanish-speaking patients and families.  This is a 7 hour intensive that gives you lots of time to practice so you can walk out ready to ‘Habla’!”

CE Credit Hours: 7 (.7 CEUs)            Pre-requisites:  None
2 Introductory Spanish Intensives available: Sunday 9-5pm & Wednesday (repeated)

Course Outcomes – At the completion of this course the learner will be able to:

1. Discuss general cultural and language considerations for Spanish speaking patients with limited English.
2. Introduce self to a Spanish speaking patient.
3. Identify basic Spanish phrases needed to communicate with Spanish speaking patients in your role as a health care provider.
4. Describe resources available for health care providers to learn Spanish phrases and resources for non-English speaking patients to receive translated medical information.
5. Demonstrate the use of assessment questions that stimulate a one-word or yes-no response

This 4-hour workshop will provide health care providers with a review of basic Spanish grammar and pronunciation and will then expand your conversational speaking skills for any medical setting. This course is for those who already have a good foundation of basic Spanish, and it’s suggested that participants have 2 years or more of Spanish learning. The intermediate course will expand your vocabulary and use complex sentences in medical conversations.

CE Credit Hours: 4 (.4 CEUs)            Pre-requisites:  2 or more years of Spanish learning
Wednesday 9am – 1:30pm

Course Outcomes – At the completion of this course the learner will be able to:

1. Identify patient interview questions to assess a patient’s chief complaint and complete a history & physical
2. Demonstrate conversational medical Spanish in patient-centered scenarios
3. Identify and demonstrate diseases, medical vocabulary, and terminology in Spanish
4. Demonstrate the use of medical terminology to review body systems, explain diagnostic tests and treatments, and provide basic patient education in Spanish

Clinical research has clearly demonstrated that meditation and mindfulness improves patient outcomes.  Learn the basics about meditation and mindfulness and how you can apply these techniques to heal thyself.

Coming from another country to work temporarily in the US? Working in another country or a US Territory? There is a lot more to your filing than you might expect!

Licensure and credentialing requirements are different in each state. This roundtable discussion will prepare Medical Laboratory Scientist and Technicians to successfully apply for licensure (if required) in their target employment jurisdiction. Our discussion will also include expectations of the MLS/MLT traveler in a traditional work day.

Instructor: Patricia Pitts, RNC-OB
$45 – Online Cert (Prior to Arrival)
$99 – Hands on Session (at conference)

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) offers education based on American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/American Heart Association (AHA) “Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation & Emergency Cardiovascular Care: Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines.”

For specific questions on NRP or AWHONN Certifications, email Patricia.

This course will provide a CPI approved ‘Blue Card’ for health professionals requiring this certification. 6 CEs will be provided in addition to the certification. This course is provided by and co-sponsored by Healthtrust Workforce Solutions.

Instructor: National Institute for Healthcare Education

$158 online (prior to arrival & not included in TravCon fee)
$115 skill session (at conference)

The online portion must be completed prior to arrival – please arrive with printed certificate in hand. The instructor will be conducting the Skills Sessions (Parts 2 & 3) only. This is a quick, convenient, and LOW STRESS way for you to stay current on these certifications. Printed cards will be issued at end of course. This blended learning for ACLS, PALS, or BLS is per AHA rules open to ALL new, expired, or renewing students.

You can do the online portion at your own pace – stretch it out over an evening or even several days if you want – then you’ll spend less time in a classroom for the Skills Session review and checkoff – and you’re done! This is especially recommended for those who suffer from test anxiety because you can repeat the online scenarios and final exam until you pass, and the instructor will make sure you know what you need to know to pass the skills portion.

Understanding per diem eligibility and limits is critically important for healthcare travelers. This session will make these complex issues clear and understandable.

Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, 401ks? Is it all Greek to you? Many of us were not taught about financial planning beyond putting money in a piggy bank. This session will teach you essential skills to decrease your debt, including student loans, and maximize your traveler income to ensure a better financial future. This presentation is designed to inspire travelers to take care of their finances and build a better future for themselves.

Healthcare professionals are susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries that can disrupt their job performance, and in some cases, end their careers. This session will highlight safe patient-handling initiatives, identify ergonomic principles and unsafe work environments, and create practical self-care opportunities to extend your career in healthcare.

Resilience is defined as the ability to remain agile and effective amid stress and bounce back quickly from difficult situations. It acts as a buffer to protect travelers from becoming overwhelmed and burned out. While most travelers already have a high level of resilience, it is essential that they recognize the importance taking the appropriate steps to further build individual resilience and help manage stress.

During this presentation, I will cover: a brief overview of the looming staffing crisis, the foundation to become a resilient traveler, and identify techniques to improve resilience and reduce stress. This session is aimed toward new travelers who are either still developing their resilience and self care habits, or maintaining it as they are transitioning to traveling. The discussion with cite specific tools, habits, and resources.

In a world where every clinician matters, its important to recognize clinician burnout and take active steps in its prevention!

Healthcare travelers are notoriously late in planning for their financial future. Due to inconsistent employment, Travelers are often challenged by eligibility criteria in agency sponsored retirement programs and can struggle to secure auto and  home loans. Learn the steps and strategies travelers need to adopt to properly prepare for retirement including an understanding of the financial and investment tools available.

TBD

This session is part 2 of our entrepreneurial series.  Travelers are uniquely positioned to take advantage of side hustles while on contract, and who couldn’t benefit from a little (or a lot) extra income these days. In our presentation we discuss a wide variety of side hustles for travelers, most of which we have personal experience with.

There is something for everyone in this one!

Get your day started with an easy yoga session led by a fellow traveler and certified yoga instructor Mark Zajac. Mark has been leading our yoga sessions for many years, stretching out traveler’s aching muscles, and showing them how to do yoga on your own while traveling anywhere. Yoga classes are held at 8am Monday and Tuesday mornings in the conference center.

The landscape of the Travel industry is changing with technology interrupters and legislation that seeks to “control” travel companies including how much they pay travelers. This session will provide you with important information about recently passed legislation that is impacting the travel industry and what the future of our industry might be facing.

This session will cover basic, everyday aspects of tax reporting, and how it affects you. Crucial for new travelers, and even for experienced travelers who have been ducking these topics.

The Tax Home never fails to be the most important, yet least understood, concept for the Healthcare Traveler. Learn how to keep it (legally), and how it is different from a permanent address. Learn how to tell if you even have a tax home, and how it is different from a permanent address.

While Joseph covers the technical details of Tax Homes for Travelers, Donna goes into the questions about what can be defended in an audit. What a tax preparer needs to have, and what a traveler needs to do is important know to protect both parties in a potential IRS audit.

Still have questions left unanswered about taxes? This session is open to everyone as an open Q&A session lead by Joseph Smith & Donna Robinson.

Working fatigued in healthcare is often admired and rewarded. In reality, it presents a significant risk to both the worker and the patients in their care. This presentation explored the roots of this culture, shines a light on the risks, and proposes both proactive and reactive strategies for safety.

The healthcare staffing industry has been on a wild ride over the last 3.5 years with technology being a significant disrupter in the travel healthcare industry. Where do you fit in to this ever-changing landscape? You won’t want to miss this expert perspective on current technology trends that will impact YOU, including things to watch out for, and what you can expect next in the world of travel, permanent position, and per diem opportunities.

In 2022, MonkeyPox began spreading around the world with significant spread in the US. Prior to this outbreak, the disease was largely unknown by much of the healthcare industry. Also unknown is that MonkeyPox is part of a family of viruses, many of which are also largely unknown (with the exception of chickenpox).

This session will look at this entire family of viruses with special emphasis on Monkeypox, the communicability of this virus, it’s symptoms, it’s implication to healthcare and the treatment for this family of viruses.

Mastering the Art of Negotiation in Travel Healthcare is your ticket to unlocking the secrets of successful travel contract negotiation and earning the pay you deserve. With expert guidance and real-world examples, you’ll learn when and how to negotiate, red flags to look out for when discussing pay, and how to know when you are getting paid fair.

Chris Scheumann, former emergency department traveler, educator and trauma specialist will provide the attendees with an educational and emotional experience reviewing some amazing stories of recovery from severe traumatic injuries. This session will present actual trauma cases, illustrating quality care of severely injured patients, from prehospital care to acute trauma center care through rehabilitation. In an effort to immerse the participant in the case, actual 911 audio, scene pictures and videos and a detailed timeline of care will be shared. Traveling healthcare professionals of all disciplines will find relevance to their profession in reviewing the trauma care in these cases.

This session will include tips for Radiology and Imaging Travelers to successfully navigate their travel assignments.

A presentation geared towards those who are curious about or interested in living and traveling full-time in an RV. Let’s dive into the basics. What are the different types of RV’s and how do I choose which one is best for me? How do I find a place to park it during contracts? How much should I anticipate spending on a monthly basis compared to traditional housing? What are the pros and cons to choosing an RV over traditional housing?

This presentation is by no means “all-inclusive” with answers but will provide some basic information on frequently asked questions when considering the RV lifestyle.

Hear how Alex – a travel nurse – and Keaton – a traveling PT – have managed traveling with small kids, navigating child care, work options, etc. It is possible!

2023 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for allied health travelers, with new opportunities and destinations opening up all the time. But what does the future hold for this dynamic industry in 2024 and beyond? From changes in job and location demands to shifts in compensation packages and staffing agency trends, we’ll give you the inside scoop on what you need to know to stay ahead of the curve.

In this session, travelers will gain a better understanding and ability to recognize poor science and articles published in healthcare journals. Learn how to truly differentiate between good science and bad and identify the best practice to follow.

Occupational licensure compacts can help to decrease barriers for practitioners working across state lines while still maintaining high standards for public health and safety. Whether practitioners work via telehealth or travel frequently, acquiring and keeping up with individual licenses in multiple states can be a burdensome process. Compacts allow practitioners to maintain one license but grant the privilege to practice in other compact member states. Compacts exist for the following occupations: physicians, nursing, APRNs, psychologists, counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and EMS personnel. This presentation will cover the basics of compacts and the benefits they provide for traveling practitioners.

In many healthcare facilities, respiratory therapists take the lead role in managing the ventilator. But respiratory therapists may not be employed at all healthcare facilities or may not always be readily available to manage the ventilator.  With the advancements in medical devices including ventilators, patients are transferring to long term acute care facilities or even home settings while still needing ventilatory support.   This session will provide basics in ventilator management and how to collaborate with the respiratory therapist to ensure the best care for the ventilated patient.

This session explores the history and function of Critical Access Hospital facilities. Learn about the nuances of this type of setting, the communities they service, and the requirement to be flexible when you work here.  Find out what travelers can expect working at a critical access hospital.

How about a travel assignment in Australia? We will discuss the 3 crucial keys to working Down Under – Experience, Registration and Rights to Work.