Travel and strike nurses: A vital force in patient care

By Andrea StevensAFRO Workers Writerastevens@afro.com

The extraordinary dedication and flexibility of journey and strike nurses are important to sustaining affected person care throughout the nation. These nurses fill important staffing gaps, bringing various expertise, cultural competence and deep compassion to each task. Their dedication displays the true spirit of nursing — delivering talent, power and empathy irrespective of the circumstances.

The distinction between a strike nurse and a journey nurse is straightforward. Journey nurses sometimes decide to contracts lasting no various months, whereas strike nurses keep at a hospital solely throughout a strike.

Journey nurses carry flexibility and broad expertise to hospitals in want. Jade Thomas, a registered nurse who has labored throughout a number of Johns Hopkins establishments, stated her transfer into native journey nursing has expanded her scientific expertise.

“Working in cardiology was very particular, so I wanted to see quite a lot of diagnoses to organize for case administration,” Thomas stated. “Though I didn’t know the nurses initially, they have been receptive and useful.”

Thomas additionally addressed frequent misconceptions about journey nursing, significantly about pay charges that surged in the course of the pandemic.

“Individuals assume we do it for the cash — that we’re making $10,000 per week — however COVID-era charges have been the exception, not the rule,” she stated. “Most of us do it for brand spanking new challenges, to assist areas which might be short-staffed, and to make sure secure affected person care.”

Strike nursing, then again, is commonly extra profitable, however may be controversial throughout the nursing group.

“It’s a must to hit the bottom operating as a strike nurse. In my final strike, we labored six days per week, making $8,000 per week,” stated Joanne Johnson. “They name us ‘scabs,’ as a result of finally, the hospital nurses are placing for higher wages and advantages.” 

Johnson stated it’s usually a taboo “for one more nurse to cross the picket line.” 

Regardless of the strain, she emphasised that strike nurses prioritize affected person care above all else.

“Strike nurses get no orientation– you need to be ready to leap in and carry out from day one,” she stated. “In case your mother bought sick tomorrow, you need to be glad an skilled nurse is there to take care of her — particularly throughout a strike.”

Thomas additionally harassed the significance of illustration in nursing, noting that sufferers usually really feel extra snug after they see themselves mirrored of their caregivers.

“Sufferers usually really feel extra snug with a nurse who appears like them. Belief could make all of the distinction within the care they’re keen to just accept,” she stated. 

Although she is devoted to the sufferers she serves, Thomas stated she should additionally hold her personal wants in thoughts. 

“I really like caring for my sufferers, but when I don’t deal with myself, I can’t deal with them,” she stated. “Self-care is crucial– not non-compulsory– on this occupation.”