With Covid-19 dominating our daily lives, travel nursing has become very unpredictable. Most Doctors have started to cancel elective outpatient procedures here in Asheville and the number of cases performed per day has been cut in half. Because of low patient census, this week I was sent home early 3 of the 4 shifts and then my 4th shift was cancelled altogether.
I am guaranteed 36 hours of pay per week with this particular contract, so I won’t be losing my full income, but I would definitely prefer to be working. This particular facility would rather cancel travelers who have guaranteed pay instead of canceling their staff nurses who will lose income. It is hard for me to be in a unknown city during these hard times without a purpose.
This weekend, I was scheduled for my last weekend call shifts, but after giving it to a staff nurse in need of hours, my weekend was suddenly free. I decided to take the opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise.
Although we got to see this beautiful mini falls, we never made it to the fall that we were hunting for. Some hiking days turn out to be better than others! After taking a 2 mile detour down the wrong trail, a tumble in the creek, and the sun rising faster than I could get to the falls, we decided to call it a day and head home.
Social distancing for us is finding isolated places away from others. It is important for both of us to try to continue life as normal, where possible. Staying active, hiking, and sticking to a routine are a few things that we can do to keep us sane during this time of isolation, while still keeping to ourselves and away from others.
I only have 2 weeks left here in Asheville and the Colon Cancer Awareness 5K has been cancelled for next weekend. I will have one last try at finding an isolated oasis before we journey back to Texas.
