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	<title>Freedom Healthcare Staffing</title>
	<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress</link>
	<description>Our weblog about healthcare staffing for nurses, allied, and healthcare organizations</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 21:28:08 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>OT Jobs in the Spotlight</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=26</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 21:23:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
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		<description><![CDATA[April was OT Month –Thank you for what you do….
As an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant, you are part of a vitally important profession that helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Your holistic and customized approach to evaluations, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ot-heart.jpg' title='ot-heart.jpg'><img src='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ot-heart.jpg' alt='ot-heart.jpg' /></a><strong>April was OT Month –Thank you for what you do….</strong></p>
<p>As an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant, you are part of a vitally important profession that helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Your holistic and customized approach to evaluations, interventions, and outcomes help a child with disabilities participate in school and in social situations, assist a person recovering from injuries to regain skills, aid an older adult to stay as independent as possible, and offer the specialized support and services to people of all ages and in all circumstances that only Occupational Therapy can provide.<br />
Freedom Healthcare Staffing wants to recognize you for what you do not only this month but all year as well.  Thank you for what you do!</p>
<p><strong>Feeling Lucky?  Take Rebecca’s quiz for a little fun!</strong><br />
(The first two people that email the correct answers to all 4 questions to rloffert@freedomhcs.com will receive a surprise.  Make sure you have “Liked” us on Facebook to be eligible)<br />
1.	How many calories are in a Venti Carmel Frappuccino from Starbucks?<br />
2.	How tall is Mount Fuji in Japan?<br />
3.	What is the name of the Denver Broncos mascot and what is it?<br />
4.	How many states does Freedom Healthcare Staffing offer assignments?</p>
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		<title>Happy National Nurse&#8217;s Week!!!</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=24</link>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 02:14:04 +0000</pubDate>
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On behalf of each member of Freedom Healthcare Staffing, we would like to wish all our wonderful Nurses a Happy Nurse&#8217;s Week.  Everyday you put patient care first, selflessly taking care of your patients and their families, under the best and worst of circumstances - often without thanks.  This is a well-earned week [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/nurse-week-thank-you.gif' title='nurse-week-thank-you.gif'><img src='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/nurse-week-thank-you.gif' alt='nurse-week-thank-you.gif' /></a><br />
On behalf of each member of Freedom Healthcare Staffing, we would like to wish all our wonderful Nurses a Happy Nurse&#8217;s Week.  Everyday you put patient care first, selflessly taking care of your patients and their families, under the best and worst of circumstances - often without thanks.  This is a well-earned week of reflection of all the caring and hard work you do everyday.</p>
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		<title>Travel Nurse Licensing</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=22</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=22#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:04:41 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[
Travel nurses need to have all their ducks in a row when it comes to getting various state licenses. The tricky thing about working in different states throughout the country is that there are not uniform policies and procedures in all 50 states when it comes to getting a nursing license. Below, see our quick [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/nurses-map.gif' alt='Compact States Map' /><br />
Travel nurses need to have all their ducks in a row when it comes to getting various state licenses. The tricky thing about working in different states throughout the country is that there are not uniform policies and procedures in all 50 states when it comes to getting a nursing license. Below, see our quick cheat sheet about getting your RN License in a new state. </p>
<p><strong>Compact License:</strong> The Nurse Licensure Compact is an agreement that allows &#8220;mutual recognition&#8221; of RN and LPN licenses between certain states. Since its enactment in 2000, the Nurse Licensure Compact has now grown to <strong>24 states</strong>, listed below. Participating states allow a nurse that lives in and possesses a current nursing license in an NLC member state to practice in any of the other participating states without having to obtain any additional licensure in that state. However, if an RN or LPN permanently relocates to another compact state, he/she is required to obtain licensure in this new state of residency.<br />
Participating states as of April 2012 include:<br />
<em>Arizona<br />
Arkansas<br />
Colorado<br />
Delaware<br />
Idaho<br />
Iowa<br />
Kentucky<br />
Maine<br />
Maryland<br />
Mississippi<br />
Missouri<br />
Nebraska<br />
New Hampshire<br />
New Mexico<br />
North Carolina<br />
North Dakota<br />
Rhode Island<br />
South Carolina<br />
South Dakota<br />
Tennessee<br />
Texas<br />
Utah<br />
Virginia<br />
Wisconsin</em></p>
<p><strong>Working in a VA facility:</strong> When working in a VA facility, you are required only to have licensure in any of the 50 states. So, as long as you are licensed, you can work in a VA facility in any state. Easy, right? </p>
<p><strong>Board of Nursing “walk through” states:</strong> Some states allow nurses to obtain a temporary nursing license via a “walk through” with the board of nursing. Such states will grant nurses a license in as little as one day, but only if a nurse’s paper work is in order and up to date. These states require nurses to furnish proof of a current, active, encumbrance-free license from another state. Fees and policies vary by state. For instance, some states require an appointment to be made for walk through licensures. Additionally, the length of temporary licensure varies from state to state and typically ranges anywhere from 8 weeks to 6 months. Depending on each of these state&#8217;s individual policies, fees vary and temporary licensure may be valid for as little as eight weeks or as long as six months. It is important to contact the individual state’s board of nursing, or work with your recruiter to do so to make sure you are a good candidate for a walk through, and to ensure you meet all requirements prior to appearing before the board.<br />
Walk through states include:<br />
<em>California<br />
Colorado<br />
Delaware<br />
Idaho<br />
Kansas<br />
Maine<br />
Maryland<br />
Missouri<br />
Nebraska<br />
North Carolina<br />
South Carolina<br />
South Dakota<br />
Vermont</em></p>
<p><strong>Licensure in non-compact, non-walk through states:</strong> Licensure in non-compact, non-walk through states varies by state. Obtaining licensure in these states is generally a slower process that typically must be done in advance of submittal to facilities in these states. We recommend viewing policies and criteria at each individual state’s board of nursing website, and working with your recruiter if you are interested in obtaining a license to work in one of these states. </p>
<p><strong>Contact info for all State Boards of Nursing: </strong></p>
<p><strong>Alabama Board of Nursing</strong><br />
770 Washington Avenue<br />
RSA Plaza, Ste 250<br />
Montgomery, AL 36104<br />
Phone: 334.242.4060<br />
Fax: 334.242.4360<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.abn.alabama.gov">www.abn.alabama.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Alaska Board of Nursing</strong><br />
550 West Seventh Avenue Suite 1500<br />
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3567<br />
Phone: 907.269.8161<br />
Fax: 907.269.8196<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pnur.htm">www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pnur.htm</a></p>
<p><strong>Arizona State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
4747 North 7th Street, Suite 200<br />
Phoenix, AZ 85014-3655<br />
Phone: 602.771.7800<br />
Fax: 602.771.7888<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.azbn.gov">www.azbn.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Arkansas State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
University Tower Building<br />
1123 S. University, Suite 800<br />
Little Rock, AR 72204-1619<br />
Phone: 501.686.2700<br />
Fax: 501.686.2714<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.arsbn.org">www.arsbn.org</a></p>
<p><strong>California Board of Registered Nursing</strong><br />
1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite N-217<br />
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924<br />
Phone: 916.322.3350<br />
Fax: 916.574.8637<br />
<a href="http://Website: www.rn.ca.gov">Website: www.rn.ca.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Colorado Board of Nursing</strong><br />
1560 Broadway, Suite 1370<br />
Denver, CO 80202<br />
Phone: 303.894.2430<br />
Fax: 303.894.2430<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing">www.dora.state.co.us/nursing<br />
</a></p>
<p><strong>Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing</strong><br />
Dept. of Public Health<br />
410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 13PHO<br />
P.O. Box 340308<br />
Hartford, CT 06134-0328<br />
Phone: 860.509.7624 (860.509.7603 – for testing candidates only)<br />
Fax: 860.509.7553<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.state.ct.us/dph">www.state.ct.us/dph</a></p>
<p><strong>Delaware Board of Nursing</strong><br />
861 Silver Lake Blvd.<br />
Cannon Building, Suite 203<br />
Dover, DE 19904<br />
Phone: 302.744.4500<br />
Fax: 302.739.2711<br />
Website: <a href="http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing">http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing</a></p>
<p><strong>Florida Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Mailing Address:<br />
4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN C02<br />
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252<br />
Physical Address:<br />
4042 Bald Cypress Way<br />
Room 120<br />
Tallahassee, FL 32399<br />
Phone: 850.245.4125<br />
Fax: 850.245.4172<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa">www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa</a></p>
<p><strong>Georgia Board of Nursing</strong><br />
237 Coliseum Drive<br />
Macon, GA 31217-3858<br />
Phone: 478.207.2440<br />
Fax: 478.207.1354<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/rn">www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/rn</a></p>
<p><strong>Hawaii Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Mailing Address:<br />
PVLD/DCCA<br />
Attn: Board of Nursing<br />
P.O. Box 3469<br />
Honolulu, HI  96801<br />
Physical Address:<br />
King Kalakaua Building<br />
335 Merchant Street, 3rd Floor<br />
Honolulu, HI 96813<br />
Phone: 808.586.3000<br />
Fax: 808.586.2689<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/nursing">www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/nursing</a></p>
<p><strong>Idaho Board of Nursing</strong><br />
280 N. 8th Street, Suite 210<br />
P.O. Box 83720<br />
Boise, ID 83720<br />
Phone: 208.334.3110<br />
Fax: 208.334.3262<br />
Website: <a href="http://www2.state.id.us/ibn">www2.state.id.us/ibn</a></p>
<p><strong>Illinois Board of Nursing</strong><br />
James R. Thompson Center<br />
100 West Randolph Street<br />
Suite 9-300<br />
Chicago, IL 60601<br />
Phone: 312.814.2715<br />
Fax: 312.814.3145<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/nurs.asp">www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/nurs.asp</a></p>
<p><strong>Indiana State Board of Nursing Professional Licensing Agency</strong><br />
402 W. Washington Street, Room W072<br />
Indianapolis, IN 46204<br />
Phone: 317.234.2043<br />
Fax: 317.233.4236<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.in.gov/pla">www.in.gov/pla</a></p>
<p><strong>Iowa Board of Nursing</strong><br />
RiverPoint Business Park<br />
400 S.W. 8th Street<br />
Suite B<br />
Des Moines, IA 50309-4685<br />
Phone: 515.281.3255<br />
Fax: 515.281.4825<br />
Website: <a href="http://nursing.iowa.gov">http://nursing.iowa.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Kansas State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Landon State Office Building<br />
900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 1051<br />
Topeka, KS 66612<br />
Phone: 785.296.4929<br />
Fax: 785.296.3929<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.ksbn.org">www.ksbn.org</a></p>
<p><strong>Kentucky Board of Nursing</strong><br />
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300<br />
Louisville, KY 40222<br />
Phone: 502.429.3300<br />
Fax: 502.429.3311<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.kbn.ky.gov">www.kbn.ky.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Louisiana State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
17373 Perkins Road<br />
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810<br />
Phone: 225.755.7500<br />
Fax: 225.755.7585<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.lsbn.state.la.us">www.lsbn.state.la.us</a></p>
<p><strong>Maine State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
158 State House Station<br />
Augusta, ME 04333<br />
Phone: 207.287.1133<br />
Fax: 207.287.1149<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing">www.maine.gov/boardofnursing</a></p>
<p><strong>Maryland Board of Nursing</strong><br />
4140 Patterson Avenue<br />
Baltimore, MD 21215<br />
Phone: 410.585.1900<br />
Fax: 410.358.3530<br />
Website:<a href="http://www.mbon.org"> www.mbon.org</a></p>
<p><strong>Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing</strong><br />
Commonwealth of Massachusetts<br />
239 Causeway Street, Second Floor<br />
Boston, MA 02114<br />
Phone: 617.973.0900 / 800.414.0168<br />
Fax: 617.973.0984<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/rn">www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/rn</a></p>
<p><strong>Michigan/DCH/Bureau of Health Professions</strong><br />
Ottawa Towers North<br />
611 W. Ottawa, 1st Floor<br />
Lansing, MI 48933<br />
Phone: 517.335.0918<br />
Fax: 517.373.2179<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/healthlicense">www.michigan.gov/healthlicense</a></p>
<p><strong>Minnesota Board of Nursing</strong><br />
2829 University Avenue SE<br />
Suite 200<br />
Minneapolis, MN 55414<br />
Phone: 612.617.2270<br />
Fax: 612.617.2190<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.nursingboard.state.mn.us">www.nursingboard.state.mn.us</a></p>
<p><strong>Mississippi Board of Nursing</strong><br />
1080 River Oaks Drive<br />
Flowood, MS 39232<br />
Phone: 601.664.9303<br />
Fax: 601.664.9304<br />
Website:<a href="http://www.msbn.state.ms.us/"> http://www.msbn.state.ms.us/</a></p>
<p><strong>Missouri State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
3605 Missouri Blvd.<br />
P.O. Box 656<br />
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656<br />
Phone: 573.751.0681<br />
Fax: 573.751.0075<br />
Website: http://www.pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp</p>
<p><strong>Montana State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
301 South Park<br />
Suite 401<br />
P.O. Box 200513<br />
Helena, MT 59620-0513<br />
Phone: 406.841.2345<br />
Fax: 406.841.2305<br />
Website:<a href="http://www.nurse.mt.gov"> www.nurse.mt.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Nebraska Board of Nursing</strong><br />
301 Centennial Mall South<br />
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986<br />
Phone: 402.471.4376<br />
Fax: 402.471.1066<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/nursing/nursingindex.htm">www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/nursing/nursingindex.htm</a></p>
<p><strong>Nevada State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
5011 Meadowood Mall Way, Suite 300<br />
Reno, NV 89502<br />
Phone: 775.687.7700<br />
Fax: 775.687.7707<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.nursingboard.state.nv.us">www.nursingboard.state.nv.us</a></p>
<p><strong>New Hampshire Board of Nursing</strong><br />
21 South Fruit Street<br />
Suite 16<br />
Concord, NH 03301-2341<br />
Phone: 603.271.2323<br />
Fax: 603.271.6605<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.state.nh.us/nursing">www.state.nh.us/nursing</a></p>
<p><strong>New Jersey Board of Nursing</strong><br />
P.O. Box 45010<br />
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor<br />
Newark, NJ 07101<br />
Phone: 973.504.6430<br />
Fax: 973.648.3481<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/nursing.htm">www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/nursing.htm</a></p>
<p><strong>New Mexico Board of Nursing</strong><br />
6301 Indian School Road, NE<br />
Suite 710<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87110<br />
Phone: 505.841.8340<br />
Fax: 505.841.8347<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.bon.state.nm.us">www.bon.state.nm.us</a></p>
<p><strong>New York State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Education Bldg.<br />
89 Washington Avenue<br />
2nd Floor West Wing<br />
Albany, NY 12234<br />
Phone: 518.474.3817, Ext. 120<br />
Fax: 518.474.3706<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse">www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse</a></p>
<p><strong>North Carolina Board of Nursing</strong><br />
4516 Lake Boone Trail<br />
Raleigh, NC 27607<br />
Phone: 919.782.3211<br />
Fax: 919.781.9461<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.ncbon.com">www.ncbon.com</a></p>
<p><strong>North Dakota Board of Nursing</strong><br />
919 South 7th Street, Suite 504<br />
Bismarck, ND 58504<br />
Phone: 701.328.9777<br />
Fax: 701.328.9785<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.ndbon.org">www.ndbon.org</a></p>
<p><strong>Ohio Board of Nursing</strong><br />
17 South High Street, Suite 400<br />
Columbus, OH 43215-3413<br />
Phone: 614.466.3947<br />
Fax: 614.466.0388<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.nursing.ohio.gov">www.nursing.ohio.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Oklahoma Board of Nursing</strong><br />
2915 N. Classen Boulevard, Suite 524<br />
Oklahoma City, OK 73106<br />
Phone: 405.962.1800<br />
Fax: 405.962.1821<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.ok.gov/nursing/">www.ok.gov/nursing/</a></p>
<p><strong>Oregon State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd<br />
Portland, OR 97224<br />
Phone: 971.673.0685<br />
Fax: 971.673.0684<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.osbn.state.or.us">www.osbn.state.or.us</a></p>
<p><strong>Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
P.O. Box 2649<br />
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649<br />
Phone: 717.783.7142<br />
Fax: 717.783.0822<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&#038;q=432869">www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&#038;q=432869</a></p>
<p><strong>Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education</strong><br />
105 Cannon Building<br />
Three Capitol Hill<br />
Providence, RI 02908<br />
Phone: 401.222.5700<br />
Fax: 401.222.3352<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.health.ri.gov">www.health.ri.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>South Carolina State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building<br />
110 Centerview Drive, Suite 202<br />
Columbia, SC 29210<br />
Phone: 803.896.4550<br />
Fax: 803.896.4525<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/nursing">www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/nursing</a></p>
<p><strong>South Dakota Board of Nursing</strong><br />
4305 South Louise Ave., Suite 201<br />
Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3115<br />
Phone: 605.362.2760<br />
Fax: 605.362.2768<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.state.sd.us/doh/nursing">www.state.sd.us/doh/nursing</a></p>
<p><strong>Tennessee State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
227 French Landing, Suite 300<br />
Heritage Place MetroCenter<br />
Nashville, TN 37243<br />
Phone: 615.532.5166<br />
Fax: 615.741.7899<br />
Website: <a href="http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/Nursing/index.htm">http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/Nursing/index.htm</a></p>
<p><strong>Texas Board of Nursing</strong><br />
333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460<br />
Austin, TX 78701<br />
Phone: 512.305.7400<br />
Fax: 512.305.7401<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.bon.state.tx.us">www.bon.state.tx.us</a></p>
<p><strong>Utah State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Heber M. Wells Bldg., 4th Floor<br />
160 East 300 South<br />
Salt Lake City, UT 84111<br />
Phone: 801.530.6628<br />
Fax: 801.530.6511<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/nursing.html">www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/nursing.html</a></p>
<p><strong>Vermont State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Office of Professional Regulation<br />
National Life Building  North F1.2<br />
Montpelier, Vermont 05620-3402<br />
Phone: 802.828.2396<br />
Fax: 802.828.2484<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.vtprofessionals.org/opr1/nurses">www.vtprofessionals.org/opr1/nurses</a></p>
<p><strong>Virginia Board of Nursing</strong><br />
Department of Health Professions<br />
Perimeter Center<br />
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300<br />
Henrico, Virginia 23233<br />
Phone: (804) 367-4515<br />
Fax: (804) 527-4455<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing">www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing</a></p>
<p><strong>Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission<br />
Department of Health</strong><br />
HPQA #6<br />
310 Israel Rd. SE<br />
Tumwater, WA 98501-7864<br />
Phone: 360.236.4700<br />
Fax: 360.236.4738<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/nursing/default.htm">www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/nursing/default.htm</a></p>
<p><strong>West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses</strong><br />
101 Dee Drive<br />
Charleston, WV 25311<br />
Phone: 304.558.3572<br />
Fax: 304.558.4367<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.lpnboard.state.wv.us">www.lpnboard.state.wv.us</a></p>
<p><strong>Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing</strong><br />
1400 E. Washington Avenue<br />
Madison, WI 53703<br />
Phone: 608.266.2112<br />
Fax: 608.261.7083<br />
Website: <a href="http://http://drl.wi.gov">http://drl.wi.gov</a></p>
<p><strong>Wyoming State Board of Nursing</strong><br />
1810 Pioneer Avenue<br />
Cheyenne, WY 82001<br />
Phone: 307.777.7601<br />
Fax: 307.777.3519<br />
Website: <a href="http://nursing.state.wy.us">http://nursing.state.wy.us</a></p>
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		<title>Travel Allied Healthcare Jobs: Freedom Revamps Allied Healthcare Division</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=20</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=20#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:55:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[allied division]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[allied healthcare]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=20</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Did you know that in addition to our Travel Nursing Division Freedom Healthcare Staffing has a Travel Allied Division? The Allied Division works with Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, and Speech Language Pathologists on travel assignments in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, outpatient, and home health jobs. 

We are very [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Did you know that in addition to our Travel Nursing Division Freedom Healthcare Staffing has a Travel Allied Division? The Allied Division works with Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, and Speech Language Pathologists on travel assignments in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, outpatient, and home health jobs. </p>
<p><a href='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/physical-therapist.jpg' title='physical-therapist.jpg'><img src='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/physical-therapist.jpg' alt='physical-therapist.jpg' /></a></p>
<p>We are very excited to announce that we are increasing the size and scope of our Allied Division with the hire of Rebecca Loffert, our new Allied Staffing Division Director. You’ll hear from Rebecca on this blog from time to time, and please feel free to contact her at rloffert@freedomhcs.com, or (866)463-0385 ext. 115. Welcome to the Freedom family Rebecca, we are so glad to have you on board! </p>
<p>In honor of this exciting step for Freedom, check out some of the amazing things going on in the world of Allied Healthcare:</p>
<p>•	Physical Therapists in California are using motion capturing video games to increase range of motion in paralysis patients. (<a href="http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1504998245001&#038;odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cfeatured">via First Coast News</a>)<br />
•	Speech Language Pathologists are helping autistic children communicate with the help of iPads. (via the <a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120226/news/702269896/photos/">Daily Herald</a>)<br />
•	U.S. News &#038; World Report named Occupational Therapist a Best Job of 2012. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapist employment will grow 33.5 % between 2010 and 2020. (via <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/02/27/best-jobs-2012-occupational-therapist">U.S. News &#038; World Report</a>) </p>
<p>Elizabeth Broder<br />
Marketing Manager</p>
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		<title>The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals: Patient Identification</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=15</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=15#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:48:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=15</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
One of Freedom’s most important initiatives is to support The Joint Commission and its National Patient Safety Goals. We’ll be talking about these goals periodically in this blog.
We all know the importance of patient identification. The question is: do you stop to use two patient identifiers every time you provide care, treatment or services? If [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/identification3.jpg' title='identification3.jpg'><img src='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/identification3.jpg' alt='identification3.jpg' /></a></p>
<p>One of Freedom’s most important initiatives is to support The Joint Commission and its National Patient Safety Goals. We’ll be talking about these goals periodically in this blog.</p>
<p>We all know the importance of <strong>patient identification</strong>. The question is: do you stop to use two patient identifiers every time you provide care, treatment or services? If you answered “No” to the question, this is the goal to review. </p>
<p>The following information will help you in obtaining this goal (taken from the Joint Commission’s <a href="http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx">website</a>):</p>
<p><strong>Goal: </strong>Improve the accuracy of patient identification. </p>
<p><strong>Requirement:</strong> Use at least two patient identifiers when providing care, treatment or services.</p>
<p><strong>Implementation of Goal: </strong><br />
1. Two patient identifiers are used when doing the following:<br />
• Administering medications or blood products<br />
• Collecting blood samples and other specimens for clinical testing<br />
• Providing other treatments or procedures </p>
<p>2. The patient’s room number or physical location is not used as an identifier.<br />
3. Containers used for blood and other specimens are labeled in the presence of the patient.</p>
<p>A Patient Safety Solutions issue has these suggestions for patient and family involvement:<br />
•	Educate patients about the risks related to patient misidentification.<br />
•	Ask patients or their family members to verify identifying information to confirm that it is correct.<br />
•	Ask patients to identify themselves before receiving any medication and prior to any diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.<br />
•	Encourage patients and their families or surrogates to be active participants in identification, to express concerns about safety and potential errors, and to ask questions about the correctness of their care. </p>
<p>Be the best nurse you can be!</p>
<p>Michelle Campbell R.N. B.S.N.<br />
Vice President of Clinical Services</p>
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		<title>Congratulations Hank!</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=13</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=13#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:40:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Freedom Healthcare Staffing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Hank]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[recruiter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=13</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Please join us in congratulating Freedom Recruiter Hank and his wife Stephania on the birth of their first child, beautiful daughter Teagan!

Little 6 lb. 2 oz Teagan May replaced Hank&#8217;s yellow lab Remy as the cutest member of the Longhenry clan on February 9th. 
Teagan is a great sleeper who is already taking after outdoorsy [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Please join us in congratulating Freedom Recruiter Hank and his wife Stephania on the birth of their first child, beautiful daughter Teagan!</p>
<p><img src='http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/teagan.jpg' alt='Baby Teagan' /></p>
<p>Little 6 lb. 2 oz Teagan May replaced Hank&#8217;s yellow lab Remy as the cutest member of the Longhenry clan on February 9th. </p>
<p>Teagan is a great sleeper who is already taking after outdoorsy mom and dad! At just a few weeks old, Teagan is currently accompanying her family on a snowmobiling trip up in the Colorado mountains. </p>
<p>Congratulations Hank and Stephania, and welcome to the Freedom family baby Teagan! </p>
<p>Elizabeth Broder<br />
Marketing Manager</p>
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		<title>The Joint Commission&#8217;s National Patient Safety Goals: Effective Communication</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=12</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=12#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:56:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[NPSG]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Nursing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[The Joint Commission]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=12</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of Freedom’s most important initiatives is to support The Joint Commission and its National Patient Safety Goals. We’ll be talking about these goals periodically in this blog.
Today, we are reviewing effective communication among caregivers. According to the Joint Commission’s web site “Ineffective communication is the most frequently cited category of root causes of sentinel [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of Freedom’s most important initiatives is to support The Joint Commission and its National Patient Safety Goals. We’ll be talking about these goals periodically in this blog.</p>
<p>Today, we are reviewing effective communication among caregivers. According to the Joint Commission’s web site <strong>“Ineffective communication is the most frequently cited category of root causes of sentinel events.” </strong> Below we will cover steps in receiving information and review confusing abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations</p>
<p>The following information will help you clearly and safely communicate as a caregiver (taken from The Joint Commission’s <a href="http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx">website</a> ):</p>
<p><strong>Goal: Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.<br />
</strong></p>
<p><strong>Requirements: </strong><br />
	For verbal or telephone orders or for telephonic reporting of critical test results, verify the complete order or test result by having the person receiving the information record and &#8220;read-back&#8221; the complete order or test result. </p>
<p>	Standardize a list of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations that are not to be used throughout the organization. </p>
<p><strong>Implementation of Goal: </strong><br />
o	The receiver of the information <strong>writes</strong> down the complete order or test result or enters it into a computer.<br />
o	The receiver of the information <strong>reads</strong> back the order or test result.<br />
o	The receiver of the information <strong>receives</strong> confirmation from the individual who gave the order or test result.<br />
o	The organization develops a standardized a list of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations that are not to be used throughout the organization.</p>
<p>For a great reference, review The Joint Commission&#8217;s <a href="http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx.">Official Do Not Use List</a> .  In addition, your hospital should have a “Do Not Use” list. Locate this list at each facility you visit to note any changes. For a quick exercise, take a few moments to think of suggestions for the list or of situations that could cause ineffective communication. </p>
<p>Michelle Campbell R.N. B.S.N.<br />
Vice President of Clinical Services </p>
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		<title>Love on the Road: Travel Nursing and Relationships</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=11</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=11#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:39:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[housing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[recruiter]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[relationships]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[travel nursing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=11</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d give you the rundown on travel nursing and romance in this week’s blog post. Birds of a feather flock together, or so we’re told. Perhaps this explains why so many travel nurses are in relationships with other travel nurses! 
At Freedom Healthcare Staffing, we work with [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d give you the rundown on travel nursing and romance in this week’s blog post. Birds of a feather flock together, or so we’re told. Perhaps this explains why so many travel nurses are in relationships with other travel nurses! </p>
<p>At Freedom Healthcare Staffing, we work with many travel nurse couples. Some of them are dating, and some of them are married, but almost all of them met on the road on various travel assignments throughout the years. Case in point? We asked our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/freedomhealthcarestaffing">Facebook page</a> if any of our friends had travel nurse love stories. Freedom nurse Brenda Tashiro said “I met my husband while I was a traveling nurse in New Mexico over 10yrs. ago. In fact, we will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in July. We are going on a cruise to Europe.” Congratulations Brenda, and enjoy that cruise!</p>
<p>Some of you may be familiar with our awesome recruiter Ryan. He met his lovely wife Kristina while working a strike where she was a travel nurse. They have been married for 9 years and have two adorable children. </p>
<p>Freedom currently has several couples out on the road who work assignments together. They all agree that travel nursing is a great career to share with a significant other. In case you are curious about the process of getting hired with your significant other by a healthcare facility, here’s the breakdown.</p>
<p>Your recruiter will submit you and your significant other to a healthcare facility as a package deal. No matter if you have the same specialty, or different specialties, your recruiter will work to find a facility that is hiring your specific combination of expertise. As a package deal, the facility has the option to hire both of you, or neither of you. We work with many, many facilities, and as long as they have the staffing need, they are open to hiring couples. </p>
<p>Some couples have specific requests about their shifts. For example, there are nurses who are open to working any kind of shift, as long as both they and their significant other are on the same shift. That way, when they aren’t working, they can spend time together. Other nurses in relationships will have each person working his or her preferred shift. It is all a matter of preference, and our recruiters and facilities have worked to customize plans for all kinds of requests. </p>
<p>In terms of housing when travel nursing with a significant other, some couples share a Freedom Healthcare Staffing or self-arranged housing unit. This situation can be economically beneficial because each person is still given his or her own housing stipend. Other couples choose to have individual housing assignments in the same area. Again, there are many options for couples who travel together. </p>
<p>In short, a lot of you have found love on the road, and continue to travel with your companions even after settling down in your relationship. With the options and flexibility offered to you, we can certainly see why.</p>
<p>Do you have any stories about love on the travel nursing road? We’d love to see them in the comments section below. </p>
<p>Elizabeth Broder<br />
Marketing Manager  </p>
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		<title>The Joint Commission&#8217;s National Patient Safety Goals: LASA Drugs and Proper Labeling</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=10</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=10#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:16:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=10</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of Freedom’s most important initiatives is to support The Joint Commission and its National Patient Safety Goals. We’ll be talking about these goals periodically in this blog.
Today, we are reviewing medication safety. This post will cover the look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drugs and the proper labeling of medications.
The following information will help you in obtaining this [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>One of Freedom’s most important initiatives is to support The Joint Commission and its National Patient Safety Goals. We’ll be talking about these goals periodically in this blog.</strong></p>
<p>Today, we are reviewing <strong>medication safety</strong>. This post will cover the look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drugs and the proper labeling of medications.</p>
<p>The following information will help you in obtaining this goal (taken from <a href="http://www.jointcommission.org">The Joint Commission’s website </a>): </p>
<p><strong>Goal:</strong> Improve the safety of using medications.</p>
<p><strong>Requirements:</strong><br />
o	Identify and, at a minimum, annually review a list of look-alike/sound-alike drugs used by the organization, and take action to prevent errors involving the interchange of these drugs.</p>
<p>o	Label all medications, medication containers (for example, syringes, medicine<br />
cups, basins), or other solutions on and off the sterile field.</p>
<p><strong>Implementation of Goal:</strong><br />
o	On a yearly basis or when entering a new facility, you should identify and review the facility&#8217;s LASA drugs list. Also, be aware that this list can change annually. Additionally,the Institute of Safe Medical Practices (ISMP) has published a <a href="http://www.ismp.org/tools/confuseddrugnames.pdf">comprehensive list of LASA drugs</a> </p>
<p>o	Labels for medications should include drug name, strength, amount, and when warranted, the expiration date and time. All medications need a label when transferring from the original packaging to another container. Also, all solutions and medical containers on and off the sterile field must be labeled.</p>
<p>Medication safety is something we can help improve with awareness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “The existence of confusing drug names is one of the most common causes of medication error and is of concern worldwide.” As travel nurses, we can do our part by properly labeling the medication and solutions we use.  </p>
<p>Michelle Campbell R.N. B.S.N.<br />
Vice President of Clinical Services</p>
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		<title>Managing Your Online Image Can Help You Land a Travel Nursing Job</title>
		<link>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=9</link>
		<comments>http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=9#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:59:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Administrator</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[interviews]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[job search]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[jobs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freedomhcs.com/wordpress/?p=9</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is your online image? 
These days, employers look beyond your resume, references, and interviews when making hiring decisions. You might look great on paper and rock your phone interviews, but if you aren’t getting hired, your social image might be to blame. According to Recruiter Ryan Mordecai, your social media presence is under constant [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>What is your online image? </strong></p>
<p>These days, employers look beyond your resume, references, and interviews when making hiring decisions. You might look great on paper and rock your phone interviews, but if you aren’t getting hired, your social image might be to blame. According to Recruiter Ryan Mordecai, your social media presence is under constant scrutiny. “The first thing employers do is check social media to see if you are somebody they’d want to work with.”</p>
<p>As a traveling healthcare professional, most, if not all, of your interview process with your recruiter and the hiring facilities occurs via phone and email. Unlike more traditional positions, this means that you might not have any face to face interactions with the people deciding whether to hire you. That’s why it is crucial to maintain a professional image online. </p>
<p>If utilized correctly, your social image can actually be a great tool to advance your career. Below, our expert recruiters give their best tips on harnessing the power of the web to make you a standout candidate! </p>
<p><strong>1. Email</strong><br />
Not only is your email address featured prominently on the top of your resume, but it is probably the medium through which you and potential employers first contact one another. Whether you are asking questions about a position, or trying to set up an interview, your email address and email etiquette can make or break your chances in this early stage of job-seeking.<br />
Although it might not seem important, having a professional email address is crucial if you want to be taken seriously in the healthcare industry. Your email address should include your name, so you are easy to find in an inbox, and should not include anything overly personal or inappropriate. For example, if your email address is currently hotnurselady5@domain.com, you are hurting your image before you even have a chance to type a sentence. If you are married to your current email address, but it does not meet professional criteria, we suggest creating a new account to be used for work purposes, and auto-forwarding messages sent to your old address to your new one. </p>
<p>In terms of email etiquette, in the age of smart phones emails are treated as professional and official correspondence. As a general rule, it is best to respond to emails as soon as you receive them, and you should respond to any work related email in no more than 24 hours. Any longer, and you are signaling to the recruiter or hiring manager that you are no longer interested. What does this mean? If you don’t currently check your email at least once a day, now is a good time to start doing so! Timely emails and responses are a great and important way to convey interest in a position. </p>
<p><strong>2. Facebook and Twitter</strong><br />
We recommend utilizing the privacy features of all social media sites you frequent. Technically, unflattering pictures of you partying in college and on your personal time probably have nothing to do with your work effort and aptitude. However, if you let people see these pictures, it can and will negatively affect your professional image if potential employers are looking for you on these sites. Make sure your Facebook wall, photos, and posts are viewable to friends only and that your Twitter account is set on private. Finally, be sure to have a default picture that allows you to be seen as a professional. This means appropriate attire, no lewd gestures, and as a rough measure nothing you wouldn’t want your parents or children to see. “If you seem more interested in partying than working, you are unlikely to get hired,” explains Ryan. This is especially important if you interact with employers, recruiters, or facilities on Facebook. </p>
<p><strong>3. LinkedIn</strong><br />
Set up a LinkedIn account. It’s easy, free, and a fantastic tool for building your online image. Take some time to fill in details about your work history, specialties and certifications. Connect with a past employer or colleague and ask for a LinkedIn recommendation. Having a complete profile with recommendations is a great way to stand out to potential employers. </p>
<p>We challenge you to take an hour out of your day to help your career. You can greatly improve your candidacy just by tweaking your email address, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Being aware of your web presence and maintaining your online identity are two of the most important tools for job-seekers in this day and age. </p>
<p>Have any questions about online presence or tips for maintaining a professional web identity? As always, we’d love to hear from you in the comments field. </p>
<p>Elizabeth<br />
Marketing Manager</p>
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