These results confirm what we have long been hearing from registered nurses: that unsafe staffing on their units is their top concern," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "Nurses take our profession's Code of Ethics very seriously. When obligations to our patients are compromised because there are not enough nurses on hospital units to provide the highest quality of care, registered nurses are understandably frustrated.

Insufficient staffing has long been a top concern of nurses and hospitals and often leads to the hiring of travel nurses. However, with the country's recent economic struggles, concern has reached an all time high. Thus, the American Nurses Association launched an initiative in 2007 called "Safe Staffing Saves Lives," calling for sufficient nurse staffing levels in healthcare facilities. To find out more about the results of the recent poll, or how you can support the campaign, visit http://www.safestaffingsaveslives.org/.>

Whether you’re an palliative care nurse dealing with end-of-life care, or a nurse educator teaching the next generation of RNs, any job in nursing can be overwhelming and stressful. Learning how to manage stress and channel it through positive means is vital, not just for a successful career, but for your happiness and well-being too.

The job of a travel nurse can certainly be as stressful, if not more, than a permanent RN. When you factor in all of the day-to-day responsibilities of a registered nurse, then add to that the anxiety of moving to a new city and becoming part of an established nursing team in a short period of time, it is imperative that travel nurses find creative ways to unwind and relax in order to maintain some stability.

In this feature post from Nursing Link, the authors highlight "22 Affordable Ways for Nurses to De-Stress." From taking an aromatherapy bath, to walking through the park, to turning up the music in your apartment and just dancing, this list highlights some fantastic way for nurses (or anyone for that matter) to unwind and let loose following a day's work while not having to sacrifice your paycheck.

Travel nurses, view the entire list here.

So you have decided to try travel nursing. If you haven't taken that big first step, you may have some apprehension about what to expect. One of the first and easiest ways you can reduce the fear of the unknown is by arming yourself with knowledge.

The author of this article, David Morrison, RN, is a Phoenix-based travel nurse, and the author of the book The Travel Nurse's Bible: A Guide to Everything on Travel Nursing. Morrison will begin sharing his knowledge and experience working as a travel nurse in an ongoing series of articles in Healthcare Traveler Magazine. To read the entire article, click here.

The nursing shortage has always been a cyclic issue. For instance, consider the fact that just about 25 years ago there were actually too many nurses and it was quit difficult to find a job. Many of those who became nurses then are now in their 50’s and seriously thinking about retiring today, but for now the economy has slowed them down.

This article does a great job of summarizing the current state of the nursing job market. While today's tough economic climate has caused many registered nurses to work beyond their planned retirement, causing the number of new positions to temporarily decrease, it is not expected to last for long.

So what does this mean for today's travel nurses who are looking for work? Well the best advice we can give is to be flexible with your job search. There are still numerous travel nursing jobs out there to be had. Today's RN must just be little more open to their preference of location, shift and maybe even salary. The best thing to do is to use this time to gain additional experience and build your resume, so that when the market opens back up you will be in prime position to land that dream job you've been waiting for!

If you're a registered nurse looking for top pay, outstanding benefits, and world-class customer service, a travel nurse assignment is right for you. There are many reasons why people choose travel nursing jobs. These include:

• The desire to explore new exciting locations and fulfill a sense of adventure.
• The opportunity to leave a stressful full-time working environment and give yourself time to rejuvenate between travel nursing assignments.
• The ability to learn new medical technology and build your nursing resume.
• The chance to earn industry leading travel nursing salaries and outstanding benefits.

Travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding career opportunity that allows to registered nurses to explore the country while pursuing their chosen career. To learn more, visit this travel nursing overview.