Travel nurses may be approaching their duties with some uncertainty in era time of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. How should they treat patients with COVID-19 in a way that minimizes the risk of further infection? Is any facility safe? Our travel nursing FAQs for coronavirus and crisis nurse assignments has the answers.
Coronavirus Travel Nursing FAQs from CareerStaff
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the name being used for a new coronavirus that appeared in December, 2019.
In a family that includes the common cold, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the virus typically affects the respiratory functions, and can cause symptoms of intense fever, coughing, diarrhea and headaches among patients, among other complaints.
Why Is It Having Such a Huge Impact?
Highly infectious, the virus had resulted in widespread infections throughout Asia, Europe and North America less than three months after it first appeared, with no sign of peaking or slowing. As of April 6, 2020, there were more than 350,000 active cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and more than 10,400 confirmed deaths, per Worldometers.info.
Hospitals in diverse areas are quickly becoming overwhelmed with the number of patients, and the ability to offer standard care has often become compromised. The virus’ death rate has slowly ticked upwards as it has not only spread within countries and communities, but also depleted the resources of local caregivers for dealing with the disease.
Is There a Vaccine For COVID-19?
As of April, 2020, there is no vaccine for COVID-19 — and none are expected until 2021, at the earliest. Some medications or antibodies to alleviate conditions may be released in the interim.
How Do I Protect Myself and Others Against COVID-19?
The basics of healthcare workplace hygiene, as well as a heightened level of attention to cleanliness, are essential for protecting yourself and your patients from the further spread of this highly infectious virus. Read more about how to reduce the risk of infection here.
Are There Any Specific Procedures or Precautions I Should Follow?
Each facility or healthcare provider will have a different policy for dealing with COVID-19 and patients who are believed to be carrying the virus. If you’re unsure of yours, reach out to your recruiter or shift supervisor for guidance.
If you are currently working a CareerStaff travel nursing assignment, we invite you to consult our travel page for general guidance. You can learn more about reducing the risk of infection here.
How Do I Notify CareerStaff of a Potential or Confirmed Exposure?
In the event that you feel you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, always notify your closest available manager or supervisor at the earliest possible time. Avoid contact with others until a test can be performed. If you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms at home, stay there and call your recruiter or shift supervisor — whatever your point of contact is.
If I’m Already on a CareerStaff Assignment Can I Leave it For a Crisis Response Assignment?
Fulfilling all of the obligations of your original contract is always the preferred result of a travel nursing assignment, and we would advise against premature departure for any reason other than a personal emergency.
Even if you are currently employed, we may be able to get you involved in the fight against COVID-19 in other ways, such as per-diem shifts in your community. We’re always available to help you plan your next assignment, too. Please check with a CareerStaff recruiter for details.
How Can I Stay Up To Date?
Details of the COVID-19 virus outbreak are changing quickly. We’re helping you stay informed by monitoring news from the WHO, CDC, state boards of health and other important sources. Even more than usual, we’re taking strict precautions with employees, contractors and partners to keep you informed, and to stay available to address your concerns and needs.
For more resources on the day-to-day progress of the COVID-19 coronavirus, check out The World Health Organization (WHO)’s resource page and The Joint Commission’s Infection Prevention and Control page. For a frequently updated international assessment, bookmark the country-by-country coronavirus tracker at worldometers.info.
Help Fight COVID-19 With a Crisis Response Travel Nursing Job
Travel nursing during the time of COVID-19 offers a unique blend of adventure and charitable giving. At a time when everyone in every walk of life is feeling anxiety, travel nursing gives you the chance to fight back, either by treating patients in hard-hit areas or helping facilities cover other essential services during a difficult time.
If you’re a nurse whose interested in helping us fight COVID-19 on the front lines of patient care, we can connect you with opportunities to do just that. No matter what state you live in, we can quickly get you to a facility that needs your skills and expertise.
We take care of our crisis nurses and clinicians, and we’re careful to keep them healthy. That includes making sure you have the equipment and info you need to deliver great care. It also means following strict policies to prevent infection.
On top of our commitment to the health of our COVID-19 workers, our travel nurses receive top pay and amazing benefits. We’ll connect you with a facility that’s in active need of your specialty, and we’ll arrange all transportation and housing, too. Read more about the working a CareerStaff travel assignment here, or find an opportunity now.
As the Covid-19 public health emergency is an ever-evolving situation, CareerStaff Unlimited reserves the right to add, adjust and institute further requirements as deemed necessary. CareerStaff Unlimited will communicate any material changes to our policy, as we continue to monitor the CDC, state and local guidelines.