by Jamie Zarlingo | May 26, 2021 | Uncategorized
Scams, cons and fraud might feel like they only exist in the world of true crime podcasts. (And we love a podcast—there’s a whole playlist of scam stories at the bottom of this blog for your next road trip.) The problem is that scams are all too real, and anyone can fall victim to them.
Unfortunately, the medical travel community is a target for scams—especially housing-related scams. Those who wish to swindle medical travelers know we often find ourselves in new cities, and they try to take advantage of our unfamiliarity with our surroundings. They also know medical travelers can’t tour housing before moving in, so they create fake listings.
Comfortable, secure housing is one of the most important things to obtain as soon as you get a new assignment but scammers prowl through Airbnb, apartment sites and more. Most of the time, they will post fraudulent listings and ask you to wire them money up front. After you send a security deposit, you’ll never hear from them again.
You deserve nothing less than safe, reputable housing along your journey. And while there are several medical travel housing scams, it’s easy to avoid them if you recognize the red flags. Let’s talk about the signs that will tell you if you can trust a housing option or if you should run far, far away.
1. The rent is a little lower than you’d expect.
Sometimes, you land a great deal, which is a fantastic feeling. But when it comes to housing for medical travelers, be wary of the listings that look a little too good to be true. Scammers know travelers love to save money, so they’ll bait people with beautiful accommodations for a lower-than-average price.
Familiarize yourself with average rental prices in the area you’re traveling to before you inquire about housing options. Fake landlords will be well-versed in their area’s average rent prices so they can make their prices look like deals while still seeming believable.
2. You feel pressured to act fast.
While you do need to find housing soon after landing an assignment, you should never feel rushed or pressured by a landlord. Scammers will push you to put down a deposit by constantly reminding you their listing is in very high demand. They’ll make you feel like you’re missing out on a great deal if you don’t act immediately. And if you commit to a listing quickly, you’ll have less time to notice the red flags with the landlord and the property.
Alternatively, scammers will give you a dramatic story about a sudden illness, the loss of a loved one or unexpected unemployment to try to guilt you into giving them money as soon as possible. No reputable landlord would pressure a potential tenant into giving them a deposit, and they would maintain a simple, professional relationship.
3. The landlord never wants to meet in person.
Scammers usually run their frauds remotely. They will set up pretend Airbnb and apartment listings in high-demand, lucrative areas and manage them all from another city or country. If you ever inquire about meeting in person for a property tour, they’ll give you every excuse to not meet up.
Their excuses will sound just barely plausible—they’ll give you just enough to keep stringing you along. But inevitably, scammers will drive the conversation away from their inability to meet up and back to payment. It’s a huge red flag if they are persistently bringing up money and insisting you pay large reservation fees before moving in.
How to Avoid a Scam
The best ways to keep yourself safe from housing scams is to do your own research, know the signs of a scam and look for housing from reliable sources. TravelNurseHousing.com is a trustworthy source specifically designed to help medical travelers find housing that meets your needs. You can find good options on hotel and vacation home booking sites, but they don’t have medical travelers in mind, and they have a higher risk for scams.
If you think you’re falling into a scam, do some detective work to clear up any red flags. Take the address of the listing and find it on Google Street View to see if the property matches the pictures in the listing. Whenever you feel suspicious, trust your gut, stop contacting the landlord and NEVER wire money to them.
Uniti cares deeply about the safety and security of our travelers, and we’re here to help you find comfortable housing. For more medical travel tips and tricks, get in touch with our expert recruiters who can guide you along your journey.
Road Trip Ready Scam and Scandal Podcasts:
American Greed: The House Flipping Reality Star Fraudster
How a celebrity home renovator spent years running frauds and identity thefts.
Scam Goddess: The Airbnb Bamboozler with Lamar Woods
A group of scammers took advantage of Airbnb’s regulations to make thousands of dollars from fake listings.
Con Artists: Frank Abagnale Pt. 1
This teenage fraudster is the base of the film “Catch Me If You Can.”
Fake Heiress: Episode 1
How Anna Sorokin faked her way to become a New York socialite and social media star.
True Crime Obsessed: Fyre Fraud
The story behind the ill-fated Fyre Fest and the scammer who created it.
by Jamie Zarlingo | May 11, 2021 | Uncategorized
There’s one thing Ferris Bueller definitely got right: Life moves pretty fast. We only get 24 hours to work with each day, and they seem to fly faster and faster—especially when you’re traveling. It’s easy to get caught up in the blur of the medical traveler lifestyle, moving swiftly between work, travel planning, exercise, sleep, hobbies and adventures.
Medical travelers live fast-paced lives by choice and by design. But if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, do you really, truly make the most of it? Or are you putting yourself in danger of burnout?
Developing a mindful work-life balance can help you slow time down and be your best self in every part of your day. By building a schedule, setting boundaries and taking time for yourself, you can bring your A-game to work and have time and energy to soak up the perks of the traveler lifestyle.
A successful work-life balance looks different for everyone, so take our tips as guidelines that you can use to build a life where you thrive.
1. Start a morning routine and stick to it.
When you work as a medical traveler, every day can look a little different. Monday—you might be at work for 12 hours. Tuesday—you might spend the day perusing coffee shops and museums. Wednesday—you might run errands and then go to work later in the day. We can’t really keep a daily routine because every day brings new tasks and opportunities.
You can, however, begin every day on the right foot. The morning is a chance to set the tone for the rest of the day, so put aside time to do whatever will make you feel prepared to take on any day. Stretch, meditate, make coffee, check your emails, write in your journal, shower or anything else that makes you feel centered and refreshed. By starting every day with a healthy routine, you can live more mindfully with the confidence to make the most of the day’s activities.
2. Don’t feel obligated to do everything and be everywhere.
We talk a lot about maximizing the medical traveler life and squeezing all the goodness out of every moment and location, but that doesn’t mean you have to constantly go on adventures and say yes to every opportunity. It means finding what you really love to do and doing it fully.
It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to set boundaries. You’ll protect yourself from burning out by preserving your time for the things you genuinely want to do. Love cooking? Plan a day each week to try a new recipe. Trying to hike more? Invest in your endurance and make time to find new trails. When you let go of the pressure to take every opportunity that comes your way, you’ll be more fulfilled by your adventures and have the energy to get outside your comfort zone too.
3. Mindfulness and gratitude will take you far.
A perfect work-life balance isn’t always in the cards, and that’s okay. Some weeks are super busy, but the key is to recognize when you’re off balance. If you ever feel like you’re going on autopilot or getting caught up in the day-to-day, hit reset by practicing little bits of mindfulness and gratitude.
Take a deep breath, ground yourself in your present moment and pay attention to what you need. By simply giving some thought to yourself and the good things in your life, you can get better at noticing and enjoying the good things.
Medical travel is a thrilling, energetic life and our Uniti team wants you to thrive in it. That’s why we’re always here to offer advice and recommendations. Ready to make an investment in yourself? Reach out to us and we’ll get you set on the best path for you.
by Jamie Zarlingo | Apr 27, 2021 | Uncategorized
There’s nothing quite like facing the open road with your car packed, windows down and music blaring. It’s a sense of absolute freedom. It’s excitement, joy, wonder and maybe a touch of anxiety. But that’s all normal when you begin a new chapter of your life.
Hitting the road for your first healthcare travel assignment is magical. You get to work a challenging, exciting job AND you get to travel wherever you want. It feels like the ultimate travel junkie life hack—almost like you’re getting away with something.
And as soon as you’re out on the road, you’re going to want to hit the ground running. Between shifts, you have beaches to explore, hikes to plan, tickets to buy, restaurants to try, museums to wander and friends to make. You’re here for new experiences—there’s no time to waste.
Being a first-year healthcare traveler is a thrilling time and we want to help you make the most of it as soon as possible. The best way to be a successful healthcare traveler right out of the gate? Preparation. Let us set you up to not just survive but thrive in your first year as a healthcare traveler.
Get organized. Stay organized. Thank us later.
Before you hit the road, make sure every document you’ll need to work is in order and in reach. Double-check your medical and vaccination records to make sure you are ready to travel. Get your relevant healthcare provider licenses up to date and keep a clear record of which states you can work in if you are in a compact license scenario. Don’t hesitate to consult with your Uniti recruiter for guidance on which additional state licenses you could pick up—most travel assignments require you to have license in hand before you apply. The Uniti team can advise you where they see the most opportunities so you can target which state licenses to spend your time and money on.
By keeping your documents organized, you can easily clear any hurdles and stay prepared for any situation. And don’t forget to keep other essential personal documents on hand too—your passport, Social Security card, digital copies of your license (healthcare provider and driver’s) and certifications. When you can confidently reach for a license or documentation whenever you need it, you make things just a little easier and keep all doors open. And always keep your resume up to date and readily available in case an interview for a future assignment pops up.
Do your research, but avoid overthinking it.
The Uniti team has decades of experience in pairing healthcare travelers with their dream destinations, so lean on us as much as you need to in your early travel days. We encourage you to do your own research about potential locations to pick for travel assignments. We recommend that you keep a log of places you want to work and look at the local hospitals, activities and amenities.
By familiarizing yourself with destinations before you book them, you save time because you won’t have to spend much of your new assignment discovering things to do or deciding what area of town to find housing. Prior research will let you hit the ground running. Keep a spark of spontaneity, however. When an exciting and unexpected opportunity comes your way, we say take it and figure out the rest later. You have the Uniti team to help you sort everything out.
Listen to yourself and care for yourself.
Life on the road is incredibly rewarding and so much fun. One of the best things about being a healthcare traveler is there is no one right way to travel. Some travelers go as fast as they can and bounce all around the country. Some take a slower pace—with lots of time to maximize their experience in each new community. It’s all up to your personal taste. In your first year as a healthcare traveler, it’s extremely important for you to find a travel style that excites you while preventing burnout.
Throughout each of your first assignments, check in with yourself and your recruiter to see how you’re adapting to the travel life. Ask questions, build relationships, give your all at work and evolve with each assignment. The more you stay in tune with yourself, the more you’ll be able to seize each day in your most fulfilling way. The healthcare travel life can mold to fit your needs, and the Uniti team is here to help you settle perfectly into this adventurous path.
We are so thrilled that you are embarking on this amazing healthcare travel journey. It’s an exciting endeavor to jump into and the Uniti team is here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to our recruiting team today to start your adventures on the right foot!
by Jamie Zarlingo | Apr 27, 2021 | Uncategorized
You’re a traveler because you aren’t afraid of an adventure. You love the world and love exploring it—so many magnificent sights to see, hidden gems to uncover and mountains to climb. On the whole, travelers believe the world is a good place full of good people.
But we can’t pretend it’s perfect. Sometimes tires go flat, sometimes credit cards get stolen and sometimes travel mishaps just happen. A good traveler is a smart traveler—the less naive a traveler is, the smoother their adventures will go. A set of essential safety practices for all your travels will not only keep you safe but help you avoid travel headaches.
So, whether you’re a newbie to medical travel or a seasoned pro, you should absolutely practice these travel safety and security measures before you head out on the road again.
1. Get the lay of the land during your first few days of a new assignment.
Before you book your lodging—and well before you hit the road—research the neighborhoods of your next destination to find your ideal neighborhood. Take into consideration how far you want to commute to work, what kind of activities you want close to home and how safe each locality is.
Once you settle on a place to call home, use your free time during your first days in town to explore the area. Go during the day so you can orient yourself, get to know your way around and find interesting restaurants, shops and resources. The earlier you know how to navigate your new surroundings, the safer you will be. This protects you from getting stranded with a dead phone or becoming lost in general.
2. Make AAA, or any roadside assistance, your bestie.
We LOVE a road trip, and we bet you do too. Most medical travelers get from point A to point B by car, which is a great way to see the sights along your journey. Cars, however, can run into a wide variety of problems. You never want to get caught with a flat tire or engine trouble miles away from town, but sometimes it happens.
Since you are likely going to be doing a lot of driving during your time as a traveler, it is advisable to invest in a AAA membership or some form of roadside assistance. Whenever a car-related crisis arises, roadside assistance will come to lend you a hand. Having a service like AAA on speed dial will go a long way in keeping you safe and back on the road to your destination.
3. Always, always have a backup plan (especially for your money).
When you build redundancies into your normal travel plan, you won’t be caught off guard when a problem comes up. This particularly applies to money—you should always have more than one form of funds on hand. Carry your debit and credit cards, but also try to carry enough cash to get back to your lodging from wherever you are.
Travelers move around so much that banks and credit card companies flag transactions as fraudulent more often than usual. If you try to run your credit card in a new city for the first time without notifying your financial institutions, they may freeze your card out of an abundance of caution. This is where backup cash comes in handy. Don’t get stuck anywhere simply because your cards are frozen—practice travel safety and security by always having a backup plan.
4. The buddy system isn’t just for elementary school.
Make friends with your coworkers! This may be a no brainer for intrepid, adventurous travelers, but your fellow medical workers can offer you protection as well as friendship. Your coworkers are likely much more familiar with the local area than you are, and they can guide you, offer advice and walk you to your car if you feel you need someone with you.
5. Stay in close contact with your recruiter—AKA your lifeline.
At Uniti, we care deeply about you and your safety. Our recruiters won’t send you anywhere they wouldn’t go themselves, and they have plenty of first-hand experience to supplement your safety protocols. Work with your recruiter to find safe, comfortable lodging and go to them with any (we mean any) questions or concerns about your next assignment. We have your back no matter what. If you’re ever in a tough situation, your Uniti recruiter is just a phone call away.
With these travel safety and security measures in mind, you’ll become a savvy traveler in no time—moving from town to town and assignment to assignment with total confidence. We want your travels to be a life-changing, positive experience. Remember, your Uniti team is here to support you. Reach out and let’s prepare you for your next safe, grand adventure.
by Jamie Zarlingo | Apr 7, 2021 | Uncategorized
As the Uniti recruitment team grows, we gain more stories, experiences and insights to better match travelers with awesome assignments. And we are so excited to share these stories and experiences with you—our Uniti community.
Justin Jacob is a newer member of the Uniti recruitment team, with eight years of travel nursing experience under his belt to inform his travelers and curate the best job options for them. We sat down with Justin to discuss his career, his recruiting philosophy and his incredibly unique travel adventures.
So, tell us a bit about your nursing career and journey to becoming a recruiter.
I started working as a nurse about 10 years ago, when I took a job at an ICU in Rapid City, South Dakota right out of school. In the two years I spent in South Dakota, I gained a ton of experience and got to work with a really diverse patient population. That job definitely prepared me to take the leap into travel nursing two years into my career.
I was a travel nurse for eight years, and worked primarily in ICUs and emergency rooms. A job like that is always intense, but caring for people in the ICU was my job and I loved it.
As I started looking for my next career step, I talked to my long time recruiter, Elsa, and she offered me the chance to start recruiting for this new agency called Uniti. So I made another pivot in my career and worked as a travel nurse and recruiter for a few months before switching to full time recruiting.
Now, I’ve been full time with Uniti since March 2021. It’s strange for me to not be bedside, but it’s cool to help people in a new way by setting medical travelers up with awesome assignments.
What was your favorite assignment location when you were a travel nurse?
That’s a tough one—each location has been so different. But my very first assignment was in Brownsville, Texas and it made a big impact on me. Though the hospital environment wasn’t ideal, I got to live on the absolutely beautiful South Padre Island. On days off, I’d take my dog to the beach and go kayaking out in the ocean. I caught so many fish and spent so much time outdoors while living there. From there, I told my recruiter Elsa that I needed places to have outdoor adventures and she took that request seriously.
I bounced around through Texas, Nevada and Colorado before ending up on assignment in Sitka, Alaska. Sitka completely blew me away. I bought a boat and a piece of land there and started building a cabin I can go back to whenever I want. I’m actually about to go back soon, and my Uniti team members are going to visit at some point. Alaska is certainly an adventure, and I don’t know if I ever would have found this place I love so much without a great recruiter like Elsa.
What makes an excellent medical travel recruiter?
The three key qualities of a great recruiter are trustworthiness, honesty and availability. We genuinely listen to a traveler’s wants and needs then use our knowledge to find job options they will love. Making travelers feel understood and showing them they’re in good hands is so important.
And I make a point of being very forthright with travelers. I was a nurse for 10 years, so I know exactly what they’re heading into. I won’t send a traveler anywhere I wouldn’t go—city or hospital. I’m not going to sugarcoat anything because I want to get to the heart of what my travelers really seek and value. This mutual relationship of trust and honesty is what lets me find the best options for each traveler.
Uniti is honestly unlike any agency I’ve ever seen. The expertise on our team is off the charts. I get to work alongside brilliant recruiters like Elsa, Mike, Kimberly, and Mackenzie, who all bring a different skill set to the table, making Uniti so special. We’re here because we’re passionate. And we believe travelers deserve the best.
Ready to discover your next favorite slice of the world? Reach out today and Justin and his team members will help you find your perfect assignment.
by Jamie Zarlingo | Apr 7, 2021 | Uncategorized
Just for a second, close your eyes and picture yourself feeling the cool springtime air as you look up at Mount Rushmore for the first time. You never thought you’d be here, looking at the monument that cost $989,992.32 and took 14 years to finish.
But, that’s what is possible when you live the adventurous life of a traveler, isn’t it?
Close your eyes again.
This time, you’re caving at the Land of Fire & Ice in the New Mexico desert, or dipping your toes in Lake Winnebago or kayaking over the Portland shipwreck lying in shallow waters in Bell Bay.
All of that is right at your fingertips when you choose the lifestyle of a travel nurse. At Uniti, our goal is to land you in the right spot for your next assignment, no matter where or what you’re looking for.
You should always consider the kind of weather you want to work in, job availability in your specialization, your current goals and priorities and your overall travel plans.
We understand that this process can be overwhelming, but our experienced team will help you filter down the best travel options based on your needs to make sure you land the best possible assignment for spring adventures.
Here are some of our favorite springtime prompts and locations to get you brainstorming:
Do you have a bucket list? (Of course you do, you’re a traveler!)
If so, then you’re in luck if you travel to Rapid City for your springtime assignment. You can cross Mount Rushmore off your bucket list then bask in the scenic drive down the breathtaking Needles Highway. But that’s not all this destination has to offer.
The Black Hills of South Dakota burst into life in the springtime, offering endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and the lovely Rapid City community. In your free time, you’ll take a stroll around Rapid City’s Main Street Square to see the magnificent granite sculpture—The Passage of Wind and Water—and visit the fun local shops. Just outside the city, there are miles of hiking trails in the Black Hills National Forest.
Hidden Gem: Start your day by grabbing a coffee with freshly made almond milk at Harriet and Oak. After your caffeine fix, head out to Founders Park and hike through the history of Rapid City and take in the sights of Rapid Creek and the beautiful hills. And be sure to set your reservation at Kathmandu Bistro, so you can settle right in to the best Indian food around after a day of hiking.
Are you tired of winter?
If yes, look no further than spring in New Mexico, where you are almost guaranteed perfect weather. The sun shines 310 days per year in Albuquerque, the desert climate gets very little rain and in spring, the extreme heat of summer is months away. Begin your desert adventure at one of Albuquerque’s many outdoor dining options, and peruse the shops along the city’s stretch of Route 66. Then, escape to nature at the Rio Grande Nature Center where you can spot hundreds of species of birds and walk the tranquil hiking trails.
Hidden Gem: Located on the Continental Divide, New Mexico’s Land of Fire & Ice features two self guided trails: one into the Bandera Volcano and the other into the perpetual Ice Cave. You can walk through the twisted old-growth Juniper, Fir, and Ponderosa Pine trees; over the ancient lava trails; down into the cave; and into a dormant volcano. (An ice cave? Sign us up!) Hungry on Route 66? Hit up Tia B’s La Waffleria for some of the best waffles in town. And if you want to escape for a day or two, you can hop on the Rail Runner train to Santa Fe. The trip only takes an hour and a half and opens up a whole new part of New Mexico to explore.
Do you need a getaway that features little noise and less distractions?
If you’re looking to escape to a town right out of Gilmore Girls, then Chilton is the destination for your spring assignment. This cozy small town on the edge of Lake Winnebago is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and contains a welcoming, lively community. Local festivals are a frequent occurrence in Chilton, and several state parks are just a quick drive away. For an outdoorsy weekend trip, drive an hour and a half north to Door County, Wisconsin. This area is a unique peninsula surrounded by Lake Michigan and is reminiscent of a quaint oceanside town, with plenty of waterside activities to enjoy.
Hidden Gem: You can get the best cup of coffee in town at Terra Verde, which encapsulates the small town feel with its atmosphere. And who is going to complain about from-scratch bakery and mouth watering paninis, to their bottomless cups of coffee, which is roasted on site? (Hint: Not us).
Are you looking for something to take your breath away?
Then stop what you’re doing and find an assignment in Alpena, often referred to as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes. At Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the cold, fresh water of Lake Huron has preserved a nationally significant collection of nearly 200 historic shipwrecks in and around the sanctuary that you can explore.
The adventure doesn’t stop there.
You can find dozens of unique natural wonders to explore here, including beaches, forests, fossil beds and sinkholes. Take a day to kayak along the rivers, hike through the trees or tour the multiple lighthouses on the shore. And as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, the community of Alpena will always welcome you back from a long day with a good meal and comfortable lodging.
Hidden Gem: Overlooking beautiful Hubbard Lake, Churchill Pointe Inn has been serving high quality and fresh cuisine and offering comfortable lodging in the best traditions of Northern Michigan hospitality since 1927. The Inn ranks No. 2 in all of Michigan in waterfront dining and is the perfect place for a sunset view.
This spring, work hard and embrace your free time in the great outdoors. Uniti will help you find the location and assignment that works for you, and you take the adventure from there. To find your next assignment today, reach out to the Uniti recruitment team.
