The COVID-19 pandemic has been a massive challenge for folks worldwide, but we know that it’s definitely hitting healthcare professionals extra hard and in unique ways.
In good times and bad times, our goal is to be the best partner we can be to the healthcare travelers and facilities we serve. In that spirit, we’d like to make sure you’re connected with all the resources we can possibly offer you in our ongoing pursuit to always have your back, so we’ve compiled some key COVID-19 wellness resources for Medical Solutions travelers to reference.
We hope the following info will help satisfy your curiosity, provide support for emotional and physical wellness, and provide peace of mind!
Resources to Stay Centered
The CDC has a great information addressing the management of stress and anxiety during the pandemic. We love this page because it details common reactions, which can make us all feel a little less alone. It also has specific sections for high-risk individuals like healthcare workers and first responders, which offer great advice crafted just for you.
If you haven’t already fallen in love with John Krasinski’s Some Good News series, get ready to get happy. The Office actor appears with a suit on top and jammie pants on the bottom, bedecked by SGN logos hand-drawn by his children, and shares the kind of feel-good news we all need a big dose of these days. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry happy tears, you’ll feel better for a minute!
When you need to commiserate, who better to turn to than fellow healthcare travelers? Join or visit a community like The Gypsy Nurse Network or one of the COVID-19 Nurse Support Groups that have recently formed online.
Keep Calm and Carry On: Maintaining Your Composure Amidst the Pandemic Panic is a helpful webinar from Cigna, accessible through the hyperlink. This session provides strategies for tackling stress and anxiety, addressing panic in the workplace, and when/how to reach out for further help and support.
We know that anxiety and stress are especially inflated for healthcare workers and travel nurses right now. Whether you’ve just gotten your contract canceled or you’re working so much overtime you can’t see straight, you must make time to care for yourself. Engage in self-care in any way that best supports your well-being. That could mean yoga classes online, meditation, taking a hot bath, Facetiming a friend or family member, or downing a pint of Cherry Garcia. No matter what, there’s no shame in your game — just take care of you and unwind when you can!
COVID-19 Questions Answered
Crazy times like these always mean we see and hear lots of questions. And that’s good! Questions are a healthy, wise way to navigate life when things are uncertain, and we encourage you to ask away. To address some of the more common questions we’re getting lately, we created this handy COVID-19 FAQs page, which is co-branded with our PPR Travel Nursing and Aureus Medical Group family members.
We encourage you to start here whenever a question pops into your mind, but if you don’t find a satisfying answer please know you can always contact your career consultant or call our toll-free main line at 1.866.633.3548. Remember, we are ALWAYS here for you and there will always be someone on the other end of the line to help!
Wellness Benefits to Help Ease the Burden
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — which is always available to all of our current travelers — provides support with everyday life stressors, including coping with anxiety, stress, or issues related to the impact of COVID-19. Our program provides three free face-to-face sessions with a counselor for you and/or your family members. You can download this brochure highlighting all offerings and how to access this benefit.
Virtual visits are available for travelers who have insurance through Medical Solutions. This benefit offers virtual doctors to help answer questions about the virus, evaluate your risk, and provide support if you develop symptoms or have concerns. Doctors are available 24/7 via video or phone to support and advise you. If you’re enrolled in our health insurance plan, download the instructions on how to access virtual visits. If you are not on our insurance plan, we encourage you to research similar options, like Teladoc, Doctors on Demand, and AmWell.
The Health Advocate program provides access to expert assistance with a wide range of healthcare and health insurance challenges. This is available to all current travelers regardless of whether you have insurance with us! Personal health advocates are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–12 midnight ET at 866.799.2725.
If you are enrolled in our Short Term Disability voluntary benefit, you may qualify for financial assistance if you need to be off work due to an illness. To file a disability claim, call Keeler & Associates at 877.282.0808.
If you enrolled in Hospital Indemnity and Critical Illness voluntary benefits with us and are diagnosed with an illness, such as COVID-19, you may qualify for benefits under the plan. Hospital indemnity may provide a daily benefit for hospital confinement. Critical illness may provide a lump sum payment when diagnosed with a covered illness on or after your coverage effective date. To file a claim for one or both of these benefits, call Voya at 1.888.238.4840 for assistance.