COVID-19 has raised a lot of questions for healthcare workers and traveling medical professionals. The most recent has been how the healthcare industry and the public will be affected by elective surgeries resuming in the U.S., as we start to see more of the country opening back up. Likewise, the COVID-19 outbreak has affected travel RN. Recent reports show that in the U.S., facilities have canceled less-demanding travel nurse contracts and other healthcare travel contracts that may not be resuming due to COVID-19. Although the healthcare sector requires more nurses to act on the frontline and play their role in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak across the country, it has left a large number of travel healthcare professionals without jobs too.
Many hospitals reduced or completely canceled elective surgeries to control the effect of coronavirus. This situation is largely due to the limited number of patients seeking medical care for injuries and illness non-related to COVID-19, such as car accidents, elective procedures, non-emergent care—even dental cleanings, and to slow the spread.
Elective Surgeries Resume During COVID-19: What That Means For Travelers
While there is a high demand for nurses in coronavirus hot spots, such as Boston and New York as well as other parts of the country, some nurses are feeling the adverse effects, particularly traveling healthcare including the Travel RN. The majority of the travel nurses are willing to put their lives on the line and work on the front-line to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus. However, the health authorities are doing exactly the opposite, i.e. restricting travel nurses and canceling their contracts.
Elective Surgeries Resume
So far, these states have allowed hospitals and healthcare centers to resume elective surgeries. Most recently, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, Washington, and South Dakota. Previously, seven states resumed elective surgeries within the first week of May: Arizona, Oregon, Virginia, Illinois, Alaska, Nebraska, and Florida.
An important key step in resuming elective surgery is to assess the availability of testing equipment and understand changing policies regarding COVID-19. Moreover, setting protocols and providing effective PPE is essential for healthcare professionals to keep themselves and their patients safe as we all navigate the COVID-19 world. The ACS has put forward their contingencies on resuming elective surgery. For instance, health professionals must monitor COVID-19 statistics in their communities.
Recent statistics show the demand for travel RN specialties has increased. Med/Surgery has increased by 14%, ER/Trauma by 62%, as well as RNFA, and ICU/critical care has increased by 64% and 59% respectively. At the same time, some specialties are still seeing a decline in job demand during the COVID-19 outbreak, which includes OR by 16%, Pediatrics by 28%, PICU by 29%, and Pain Management by 49%. The statistical data shows that most hard-hit areas like New Jersey, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Washington need more travel nurses. Which states need nurses most? From April-May, these states have increased with job opportunities: New Jersey, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Washington.
Stay Positive – Take It Day By Day!
The COVID-19 pandemic is alarming for traveling medical professionals. Travelers, who have been affected the most at the beginning of this outbreak, are now seeing a lot of job potential, especially after elective surgeries being resumed by most states. Medical professionals can only do their best to ensure patients undergo successful elective surgeries and follow the guidelines on how hospitals can prioritize and schedule elective surgeries in the coming days. Traveling medical professionals can find the most recent traveler jobs here. Be ready to jump in once the job market picks back up!