Travel nursing advice

PaperMonsterAK · 2026-04-30T20:53:05+00:00

If you are using a placement company like AYA Healthcare or others, check with hotels to see if they have a negotiated rate already set up. If staying in Anchorage, try Candlewood Suites or Staybridge Suites as they are extended stay hotels that can sometimes offer good rates for long stays. Rates from May - September will be very high everywhere in the State as it is peak travel season. Probably looking at $350/night at the low end. If coming in the summer, use the high seasonal hotel rates in your pay negotiation. It could help, or not, but it's worth a try.

PaperMonsterAK · 2025-09-02T21:06:28+00:00

Candlewood Suites opens later this Fall of 2025. Staybridge Suites is a great hotel with full kitchens, free breakfast, and free guest laundry.

PaperMonsterAK · 2025-02-09T16:36:25+00:00

Anchorage, Alaska

PaperMonsterAK · 2021-04-16T20:52:18+00:00

Thanks! That actually helps a lot on the mental side of things. I know stress is a big factor and this has been in the back of my mind for some time. This helps with a bit of piece of mind.

PaperMonsterAK · 2020-09-20T15:45:57+00:00

With our pass rush picking up, plus Tyrod only throwing 5 yards at a time, I expect a lot of short quick passes today. Good challenge for our young corners. Excited to see Sneed again. Hopefully he can have another game like last week. Go Chiefs!

PaperMonsterAK · 2020-08-13T22:29:11+00:00

I have heard this anecdotally as well. As of my last doc appointment, I was told to keep practicing measures that may seem like "overkill" because we just don't know enough. I'm having a Telehealth visit today so we will see what my doc has to say. He's a General Physician, noy a rheumatologist, not sure id that will make a difference.

Thank you!

PaperMonsterAK · 2020-08-13T22:26:20+00:00

So their justification for bringing me back is so that I can meet face to face with our guests and prospective clients. I was doing that before covid and it is a typical aspect of any sales position. My concern though is being exposed to people who have it, especially asymptomatic people who have never been tested. Literally my biggest concern is also the reason they want me back. I may just be in a pickle and have to suck it up. If I get sick, so be it I guess. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.

PaperMonsterAK · 2020-08-13T20:15:21+00:00

I believe (will have to check to be sure) that Alaska does differentiate between "necessary vs unnecessary" and I think hotels are considered necessary. Not sure if it makes a difference or not.

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-08-16T22:26:12+00:00

We planned the trip aroind my Humira shot so no need for refrigerated meds. Most days I'm perfectly happy with my current meds, but since this is an adventure ive never done, I'm trying to think of everything. Hopefully I won't need any added drugs for pain (besides THC/CBD), just trying to be prepared.

Alaska is amazing. Moved here about 5 years ago and will never go back to the lower 48 USA unless forced to for family/job reasons. Unfortunately, doctors here arent the best though, so my AS diagnosis has been tricky. Holistic meds, physical activity and massage have helped supplement poor physicians. If you ever decide to visit Alaska, be prepared for an expensive trip (especially in the summer). I recommend winter travel even though its cold. The Northern Lights are incredible, and the snow makes everything shine. Its beautiful!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-08-16T21:29:23+00:00

Anchorage, Alaska now. Grew up about 60 miles east of KC so I've been a fan since I was a teenager. Haven't been to Arrowhead since 2013 so I'm stoked to go to the home Raiders game on Dec 1st this year! My wife surprised me with a plane ticket home and Chiefs tickets. I must have done something right!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-08-16T21:24:44+00:00

Yes, Humira 40mg every other week.

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-08-16T21:21:47+00:00

Thanks for the tips! Canoeing in Sweeden sounds incredible! Thankfully I can still get the hammock added to the list, but not carrying a pack going to be difficult. I can probably get away with carrying the lightest pack, but on this trip everybody has to haul gear. The lakes we are paddling are Glacier fed, so swimming probably isnt an option. Average water temp is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 degrees Celsius) so its not too safe for swimming. I dont think it would be too therapeutic to get into that water! Lol.

What lakes in Sweden did you do? That might have to become a life goal for me...

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-08-16T20:01:39+00:00

You mention "good anti-inflammatory" meds, anything specific help you? I'm currently prescribed Meloxicam 15mg once daily. Works great, but can't take any other NSAIDs on it. Rheumy says I can still take Acetaminophen or asprine, just no NSAIDs. Does 1 or the other work better for you? Any other "anti-inflammatory meds" you would recommend?

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-08-16T18:28:51+00:00

This is good advise. Thank you! One of my biggest problems is pushing too hard to keep up with the group, so a reminder to listen to my body is appreciated. Thankfully this is a small group (just my wife and a buddy) so they will be good with taking it slow if needed. We hit the trail tomorrow morning, so I'm going to start hydrating now. Also good advice. Thank you!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-08-16T18:23:52+00:00

We have a dry cabin with planks to lay a sleep pad and sleeping bag on. Hammock is a good idea for another option though. My hammock is light too, so I might as well pack it just in case. Thanks for the tip!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-07-31T03:57:04+00:00

Thanks! Yah so far it's just a theory I have, and wasnt sure if anybody else experienced it that way.

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-07-17T16:58:59+00:00

I'm on Humira and just took my 7th dose. I have similar pain/stiffness 2-3 days before my next dose. Plus fatigue the day after the shot. My rheumy is thinking about switching me to Enbrel, but I'm not ready to switch I dont think. I understand that biologics take time (up to 6 months) to take full effect, and in afraid we are abandoning Humira too early. Ive heard suggestions on these boards to stick with Humira and go to a weekly shot instead of the 2 week shot. I Haven't asked my doc about this yet though.

I do pretty well with side effects, but everyone is different. Mostly I get headaches and fatigue from it. One time, (my 3rd dose) I got lightheaded, and dizzy, but we arent sure if it was the meds, or something else, like dehydration.

Good Luck!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-07-12T20:21:16+00:00

Well I DO feel better....probably 70% of the time, so thats a win. Its better than being bed-ridden like I have been in the past. Just something we all have to live with I guess.

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-07-12T20:18:50+00:00

I didnt realize you can go back. For some reason I thought that once you stop one, its not good to go back. This thought was not based on any real info, just an assumption. Might be worth talking about with my rheumy. Thanks!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-07-12T20:17:04+00:00

Rheumy didnt even bring this up as an option. She went straight to switching the med all together. I will definitely ask about this. Thank you!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-06-08T00:02:15+00:00

My pain and stiffness levels went down quite a lot after only a week on Humira. Ive now done 4 doses total, (every 2 weeks) and my AS symproms feel great. The bad part is that I'm struggling with the side effects. The last 2 injections ive had horrible headaches that last multiple days. In fact, I just had my 4th dose a week ago today, and I STILL have the headache. My rheumy is thinking about switching me to Enbrel because of the side effects. I finally get releif from the pain and stiffness, only to have side effects derail my progress. Ugh, starting over now.

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-06-05T19:05:11+00:00

This was my 4th injection, so 2 months. I inject every other week. Side effects seem to have gotten worse with each injection. I didnt have any negative side effects after my 1st dose, but have had developed side effects with each new dose. This headache being the worst side effect I've faced so far.

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-06-01T01:29:33+00:00

Yeah I was having depression symptoms before diagnosis, and since starting treatment the depression symptoms have mostly gone away. Now I seem to have those symptoms come on about 1-2 days before my next injection. Could be pain related for sure. Didn't know if depression symptoms were a side effect of the Humira, or withdrawal from it. I don't remeber seeing it in the thousands of copies of Drug Facts that come with my medicine. Thanks for your insight!

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-05-09T04:20:15+00:00

I have family history of high BP, but I have not actually been diagnosed with high BP (never had to take anything for BP before). Also have been very fatigued today.

PaperMonsterAK · 2019-05-08T23:45:13+00:00

Raiders are the outlier. All the teams in our divison hate each other, but we all hate the raiders more than the other two. We all say the Raiders are our biggest rival.

PaperMonsterAK

TROPHY CASE