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Empowering Local Leaders at Nursing Homes for More Effective Care
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Empowering Local Leaders at Nursing Homes for More Effective Care

The current movement to empower local leaders at nursing homes represents a significant advancement in the delivery of patient care and staff satisfaction. This approach fosters deeper nurse-patient relationships and enables more efficient implementation of changes within the facility. Moreover, it creates an environment where patients’ concerns are promptly heard and addressed, leading to a higher level of quality of care and increased employee satisfaction. Owners of skilled nursing assisted living facilities and long-term acute care hospitals are beginning to place considerable emphasis on establishing strong relationships with facility administrators and staff. They are actively involving leadership in various councils, work groups, and committees, championing shared decision-making. The contributions of local leaders are invaluable and span areas such as streamlining workflows, spearheading quality improvement initiatives, enhancing policies, pioneering innovative care models, implementing cutting-edge technologies, and revolutionizing healthcare to optimize outcomes for both patients and staff. A culture of leadership governance can drive efforts to promote overall patient care excellence within the work environment and increase employee engagement at all levels. Furthermore, involving administrators/staff in the hiring process and providing them with the opportunity to conduct personal interviews with candidates for various positions establishes a strong basis for achieving success. By engaging administrators/staff in this manner, the healthcare industry has experienced enhanced recruitment of exceptional personnel and successful retention of talented individuals within an intensely competitive market. In addition to staffing initiatives, empowered local leadership assumes a crucial role in decision-making pertaining to vendor selection. Rather than solely depending on vendor contracts negotiated at the corporate level, Nursing Homes is empowering facility-level teams to make vendor decisions. This strategic approach can result in cost savings and enhanced patient care, as it enables local leaders to tailor vendor relationships according to the unique requirements of their facilities/departments. And it doesn’t stop there—Nursing homes are going beyond and encouraging administrators to invite their friends and colleagues to tour their facilities, showcasing the opportunities available and the positive aspects of their establishments. As the demand for long-term care continues to increase, healthcare providers must prioritize collaborative and relational practices to ensure high-quality resident care. Empowering local leadership enhances decision-making capabilities. Empowering local leaders to make vendor decisions: Empowering local leaders has led to significant cost savings and enhanced patient care by allowing facility-level teams to have the authority to make vendor decisions, rather than relying on corporate contracts that apply uniformly across the entire facility. The belief that corporate-level negotiations guarantee smooth operations at the ground level is inherently flawed. It has become increasingly evident in many nursing homes that the expected outcomes of these corporate contracts were not being fully realized in practice. In the past, facility-level teams may have been hesitant to implement changes due to a lack of authorization and strict company mandates. However, there is now a growing recognition that enabling local leadership to have control over vendor relationships brings about numerous benefits, including reduced costs, improved services, and an enhanced level of patient care. Overall, the upward trend of empowering local leadership is becoming an essential catalyst for success in the nursing home sector. This strategy fosters strong connections, improves talent acquisition and retention, refines decision-making processes, and yields favorable outcomes for both staff and patients. With upward momentum, the urgency for nursing homes to fully embrace collaborative decision-making in practical and clinical contexts cannot be overstated. If you have weighed the advantages of becoming a Travel Nurse and feel it is the right path for you, MetaSense can help you find your first or next assignment. If you need more information, your dedicated Recruiter will be available to answer any questions you have.
Travel Nurse
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Enhancing Care: Oregon’s New Nurse Staffing Ratio Law

House Bill 2697: For the first time in any state, Oregon has implemented legislation that establishes specific mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in 12 different types of hospital units. Oregon’s Governor, Tina Kotek, signed House Bill 2697 into law on Tuesday, August 11, 2023, with the law scheduled to be effective in September 2023. While other health authorities have set their own nurse staffing regulations, Oregon’s House Bill 2697 is the first to make the move through legislative action. Oregon has emerged as a leader in implementing safe staffing laws, marking a significant advancement in patient care beyond any previous legislative measures. The legislation also addresses additional important issues: HB 2697 also includes the formation of comprehensive staffing committees, the introduction of investigations and enforcement mechanisms to ensure hospitals comply with the law, and the elimination of the burdensome “buddy break system,” which results in nurses handling double the patient load when another nurse takes a break. These provisions aim to enhance working conditions for front-line caregivers. Oregon’s HB 2697 is designed to improve the quality of patient care and minimize preventable illnesses and injuries resulting from insufficient staffing levels. Ultimately, the enactment of this law represents a positive step toward elevating the quality of healthcare in Oregon. By ensuring hospitals adhere to specific staffing levels, they can better meet the needs of patients and offer optimal care. The law will enhance patient safety, reduce medical errors, and cultivate improved working conditions for nurses. Hospitals will be obligated to ensure that registered nurses deliver direct care to patients in accordance with the state-specific mandated staffing levels in emergency departments, intensive care units, labor and delivery units, operating rooms, and other departments. By enacting this legislation, Oregon is leading the way in prioritizing patient care and emphasizing the importance of patient safety. Healthcare practitioners have the responsibility of guaranteeing the correct and effective implementation of this statute. Through comprehensive training, abundant resources, and effective communication, nurses and other healthcare providers can establish a safer environment for their nurses and patients. Healthcare professionals must collaborate to ensure that the law is followed. Furthermore, by adhering to staffing measures mandated in Bill 2697, healthcare professionals can ensure that their patients receive the highest quality of care possible while minimizing the risk of adverse events in hospital settings. This is a crucial step towards improving medical outcomes, enhancing patient safety, and delivering superior care to all residents of Oregon. If successful, Oregon’s nurse staffing ratio law could serve as a model for other states seeking to improve patient care in their hospitals. By enacting legislation that guarantees sufficient staffing levels, states can promote a safe and trustworthy environment between nurses, doctors, and patients, leading to improved medical outcomes on a broader scale. Oregon’s introduction of this new law is a significant step forward, and more states are expected to introduce similar legislation next year. As with any new policy, it will take time for this law to be properly implemented and for its full impact to be realized. However, if successful, Oregon’s nurse staffing ratio law has the potential to enhance the overall healthcare system within the state. For further information about the nurse staffing ratio law in Oregon, please visit the Oregon Health Authority. With this new law in place, healthcare professionals can contribute to establishing a safer and more effective environment for their patients, delivering the highest level of care possible. If you have weighed the advantages of becoming a Travel Nurse and feel it is the right path for you, MetaSense can help you find your first or next assignment. If you need more information, your dedicated Recruiter will be available to answer any questions you have.
Become a Travel Nurse
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Become a Travel Nurse

Travel nurses do not work directly for a hospital or facility. Instead, they work through a nurse staffing agency. If you are considering becoming a Travel Nurse, Metasense, Inc Recruiter will discuss your career path, answer any questions you may have, and assist you in finding the perfect assignment. We will guide you along the way. What is a Travel Nurse? Travel nurses frequently accept short-term assignments in healthcare organization when they have nursing shortages due to turnover, retirements, vacations, etc. New assignments are usually thirteen (13) weeks and can be extended depending on the needs of the organization. And yes, there is a nursing shortage. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statics, there is anurse shortage and with an aging population, the need for nurses will increase every year. Am I qualified? If you have earned your Bachelor’s Degree (BSN), passed the NCLEX-RN exam, obtained state nursing licensure which may be transferrable from state-state (Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), has experience working as a bedside Nurse, and are dedicated to helping patients you can become a Travel Nurse. Outlined below are the specifics of each requirement. Nursing Degree Requirements: The minimum education requirement to become a travel nurse is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). However, most facilities will require to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Licensing Requirements: To work as a traveling nurse you will need the proper licenses. NLC Compact License: The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is a multi-state license that allows a Nurse to work within their home state and other participating NLC states outside of their home state if they meet the licensure requirements. Visit NLC for more information and to apply. State-specific License: To work in states that are not participating in the NLC Compact License Program, a Traveling Nurse will need to apply for licensure to be eligible to work in the state. Click here to check if your home state and the state you would like to work in are NLC Compact participants. Walk through License: Non-participating NLC states may grant a temporary nursing license. To request a temporary license a nurse must hold a current state license of the same type being sought. Each state has different requirements which must be adhered to. A Walkthrough License is a great way for Non-NLCstates to provide a pathway to quick licensure. Certification Requirements: Travel nurses are required to have a Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification. Each position will identify the certifications required. Becoming certified in additional areas will increase job availability and earning opportunities. Below is Metasence’s short list of Certifications to have… Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), Basic Life Support (BLS), Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN), Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) Certification. Click here for a complete list of Common Certifications. Nursing Experience Requirements: Most travel agencies require a Nurse to have two years of bedside experience before they start their first position. This may vary from agency – agency. Some will accept a travel nurse with less than one year of experience depending upon the need. Talk to a Metasense Recruiter and find out if there are assignments available at your experience level. Travel Nurse Perks As stated above, there is a real need for travel nurses in facilities across the country. Now that we have outlined the requirements of being a Travel Nurse, it’s important to know the many benefits of choosing travel nursing as a career option. Below we’ve listed 8top benefits of becoming a travel nurse. You get to help people who really need assistance. Travel opportunities – see, do, and explore new places. Ability to choose the position length, location, and setting. Flexibility in work schedules. You will build a professional network. You learn new skills beyond nursing. You will meet fascinating people. You will advance your career. If you have weighed the advantages of becoming a Travel Nurse and feel it is the right path for you, Metasense can help you find your first or next assignment. If you need more information, your dedicated Recruiter will be available to answer any questions you have.
3 Common Myths About Travel Nursing Debunked
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3 Common Myths About Travel Nursing Debunked

Becoming a Travel Nurse is a rewarding and exciting career choice. In this role, you will have the flexibility to travel nation wide and the opportunity to choose when and where you want to work. As a Travel Nurse, you will provide needed experience and take your desire to help people to every hospital / facility assignment. Travel nurses have some of the most amazing experiences and careers. There are many myths referencing Travel Nursing. Here, we debunk the topthree myths our Recruiters hear from applicants seeking a Travel Nurse position. MYTH 1 – All Travel Nursing Agencies are the same. Of course not. All agencies operate differently and are not the same. Most important is how an Agency Recruiter communicates with you and how well they inform you about open assignments, pay, benefits, and perks offered. Through communication with Recruiters, you will identify if a company’s values, processes, Pay, and reputation are in line with what you are seeking. Agencies comply with legal requirements when placing Travel Nurses, but they are not the same in how they engage with applicants. Always ask Recruiters key questions and get as much information as you can about their Agency before making a final choice. Every Agency is different. Connect with a Metasense Recruiter and learn more about our end-to-end Travel Nurse placement service. We are dedicated to helping you enjoy, grow, and develop your career. It’s our promise! MYTH #2- There is no job stability or security for Travel Nurses. Not so. There is no shortage of Travel Nurse positions available nationwide; now more than ever. Healthcare facilities are seeking travel nurses to fill staffing shortages due toburned-out staff, medical leaves, sickness, epidemics, etc. so they can successfully continue to serve patients. It is 100% possible to have a great traveling nurse career with continuous work if you are adventuresome, flexible on locations, love to travel, and available to provide your nursing expertise were needed. Travel nurses have become the solution to filling staffing gaps. MYTH #3- Traveling Nurses are not liked by permanent staff. False. If your assigned healthcare facility is contracting travel nurses, it’s because they need help easing the burden on permanent staff who have been working short-handed and long hours. The staff will welcome you and appreciate that you have arrived to provide needed relief. If you arrive ready to work without being judgmental about the processes used or comparing where you have been to where you are, the road to acceptance will be easy. You will fit right in. The more you can do to help, the easier it will be to integrate into your new team. By the time you leave your assignment, you will have made new friends. Don’t let myths prevent you from experiencing personal and professional growth. If you have weighed the advantages of becoming a Travel Nurse and feel it is the right path for you, MetaSense can help you find your first or next assignment. If you need more information, your dedicated Recruiter will be available to answer any questions you have.
Tips to Help Travel Nurses Get Sleep
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Tips to Help Travel Nurses Get Sleep

One of the best things a Travel Nurse can do for their health and well-being is to get enough quality sleep. Sleep Matters: Getting rest is as important to your body as eating and drinking water. Insufficient sleep, inadequate quality of sleep, or disruptions to the sleep cycle have consequences. It will affect how you function at work and can cause irritability, sleepiness, fatigue, and a lack of good judgment. You will not be working at your best without enough rest. The National Institute of Health states, “Sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. Sleep deficiency is also linked to a higher chance of injury in adults…”. As a Travel Nurse with demanding shifts and responsibilities, it’s important to include a “Pre-sleep and Sleep Plan” in your routine. The goal is to sleep well without distractions, so you are alert and focused when caring for patients. Pre-sleep Routine: Get into a sleeping mood. A few ways to wind down include taking a warm bath/shower, doing a skin care routine, meditating, reading, listening to soft music, and stretching. These activities will help provide the calm you need to relax your mind and transition into sleeping. During this pre-sleep period avoid bright lights, loud sounds, or taking on tasks that require heavy concentration. During the Pre-sleep period do not drink coffee or drinks that include caffeine. Sleep Time: Now that you have calmed your day, turn off the lights, TV, and electronic devices – computers and smartphone. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and naturally drift off to sleep. Take Workday Micro Breaks Short pauses and lunchtime breaks have shown they have a positive impact on productivity and can boost your performance. If you find you are always too busy to take a break, consider this a sign that you need to slow down. Take your breaks and rejuvenate. Try one of our top 5 things to do during your next break: 1. Perform Breathing Exercises 2. Read a Book 3. Write in Your Journal 4. Do Chair Exercises 5. Take a Walk Outdoors As Essayist Tim Kreider noted in the New York Times in 2012: “Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets… It is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.” To ensure you are getting enough sleep to be a success on the job, download our Sleep Tracker here. ___________ If you have weighed the advantages of becoming a Travel Nurse and feel it is the right path for you, MetaSense can help you find your first or next assignment. If you need more information, your dedicated Recruiter will be available to answer any questions you have.
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