Bilingual Nurses & Why They Mean The World

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Luke Hewitt

A depiction of two people conversing in different languages.

Have you noticed the increased number of bilingual nurse jobs? Imagine being the key that bridges communication gaps in hospitals, doctors’ offices, schools, and communities. Bilingual nurses are becoming invaluable in healthcare, making daily processes smoother and more efficient. Curious why this trend is skyrocketing? Let’s dive in and uncover the reasons together.

No need to wait for information.

Many hospitals and medical offices have access to translators they can request help from when needed, but bilingual nurses can communicate as the needs arise without having to schedule and wait for a translator to be available. This can take longer to arrange than the actual care that is needed from the patient. So having a bilingual nurse is a great solution to this problem that many facilities face on a day-to-day basis.

Puts patients at ease.

Nurses are usually the ones that the patients feel most comfortable with, and they go to them with their concerns, questions, or just normal conversating back and forth. Nurses who are able to speak to the patient in their native language can help them communicate their wants and needs even more efficiently, which can help the patient feel more confutable and at ease.

Admission process.

During the admission process, bilingual nurses can place a crucial role in ensuring that patients and families provide and receive the correct information. When patients are not comfortable speaking in a different language, vital details can be easily lost in translation. Having a bilingual nurse on hand helps bridge this gap ensuring a more accurate admission process.

Consent.

Just like in the admission process, obtaining consent is another area where bilingual nurses make a significant impact. it is essential for patients and their families to understand their rights and give consent in their preferred language. This is especially true for rapidly changing situations, where waiting for a translator could cause critical delays. Bilingual nurses ensure that information is accurately conveyed, allowing for timely and informed decisions.

Discharge process.

Unlock opportunities in healthcare with EmpowerCare. Bilingual nurses bridge the language gap, making it easier for patients to grasp their care plans. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a small town, diversity matters. As the U.S. grows more diverse, bilingual nurses play a pivotal role in our healthcare system. Explore exceptional career prospects in New England through EmpowerCare. Contact us today to discover the path that can take your nursing career to new heights.

This is a great chance for patients to understand their care plan better. Bilingual nurses can quickly answer their questions.

Diversity is valuable, and we need bilingual nurses in small towns too. The U.S. is becoming more diverse, and bilingual nurses are crucial in healthcare. EmpowerCare offers opportunities for bilingual nurses in New England. Contact us to learn more.

New Year. New Us. 2023 Will Be Epic.

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

EmpowerCare - Empowering healthcare, enriching communities

New Year, New Us.

2023 is coming up EmpowerCare. We are still the award-winning team that people have come to know and trust over these 17 years in business, but we’re evolving like never before. Honestly, being in my seat and seeing all the upgrades and changes we are working towards is mesmerizing, and I am so excited to share some of you today. As you know, we love to toot our horn, because it’s a good horn to toot honestly, so come along and enjoy just a few of the changes we are making within EmpowerCare to better fit your needs. New Year New Us.

Dynamic Squads

Gone are the days when you reach out to a staffing agency, and you really don’t know who to turn to or ask questions to. We have implemented our “Dynamic Squads” to make your life easier. These new squads within EmpowerCare consist of small teams of three people. Each person we work with gets assigned to a specific squad and these members will be your point of contact from now on. Our mindset behind this was that we wanted to deliver superior service and outcomes to everyone we work with, as efficiently as possible. So now, your quads know you, your likes, and your dislikes, and you can easily reach them with just a click from your phone.

Best Fit Ambassador Program

This is essentially an ambassador program healthcare professionals can be part of. When apart from this, a person can receive special offers, gifts, parties, and trips from EmpowerCare just by helping us spread knowledge about us. Basically, we reward you in MAJOR ways for being a loyal member of EmpowerCare. It’s as easy as that. There are a few requirements in order to apply for this program and they are:

Must be working with us for at least 6 months
Needs to be working an average of 20 hours or more
Good attendance
Easy and friendly to work with

Could you be our next ambassador? You don’t want to miss this opportunity.

EmpowerCare’s Clean Water Initiative

You are now a part of history! With every shift you work through EmpowerCare, you are supplying clean water to children all over the world. Nearly one-third of all countries currently face medium to high levels of water stress. Billions of people worldwide continue to suffer from a lack of safe drinking water, and we want to help change that, with your help. We partner with experienced local organizations who build sustainable, community-owned water projects around the world such as Hope of Life International and donate $1 for each shift all our healthcare workers have through EmpowerCare. We want to change how people live and work not just in our neighborhood, but around the world. Our end goal is to improve the lives of at least 2 million people in 10 years or less.

New Year. New Us.

These are just three of the MANY changes and upgrades we are working on in 2023. We have always been an amazing company with both customers and staff in mind, but this year we are adding even more benefits and perks so much so that no one will want to work with another staffing agency again.

Are you already on the EmpowerCare team? If not, click on this link to get started and who could start receiving the upgrades and benefits in no time.

https://empowercare.us/signup

Avoiding Holiday Headaches in Healthcare Staffing

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

The holiday season is such a magical time for so many people. Spending time with loved ones, celebrating, and reminiscing is what makes this time of the year so very special. With that, many people also tend to take additional time off during this time as well, including the healthcare industry. With that, it can cause unwanted stress and headaches for the manager and directors. Most industries take time off for the holidays, but unfortunately most healthcare facilities cannot close or take off additional time due to people still needing healthcare during this season. That, in turn, creates understaffed and overworked employees. There are a few ways to help avoid and prevent these kinds of problems while giving your employees the time off they deserve while giving the patients the care they need.

Have a Deadline

Be sure to have a deadline for time off requests during the holiday season. It’s best to make a deadline for this exact reason at least a week in advance. That way employees have plenty of time to switch shifts with one another or plan their lives around when they are going to be working.

Stagger Employee Holiday Schedules

With this, a facility can divide employees into two different groups. The first group will have certain days off, like thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, while the second group can have Christmas and New Year’s Day off. These two groups will then rotate days off each year, that way people can know what they have off and what they can plan for the holidays. The people in these groups will stay in the same group year after year. This way each person is getting at least two major holidays off each year.

Offer Incentives

Incentives are always great. Also, earning extra money during the holiday season is a welcome guest as well. If you are asking employees who would be interested in working the holidays, sweeten the deal by offering some sort of incentive. The most accepted incentive is paying more money for working holidays, but you can also offer other incentives as well such as time off in the future, discounts, gift cards, help with the holidays. There are many different incentives you can choose for this.

Hire Temporary Staffing

This is where EmpowerCare can help in a big way! This is the best and simplest solution for the holiday season. This option will allow your current staff to take their earned time off all while giving all your patients the care and attention they deserve. We also know how big of a headache staffing can cause, so be sure to pick a staffing agency you can trust. Having the right staffing agency on your team can make this option an easy and cost-effective way to avoid headaches, give your staff the holiday they deserve, and provide patients with the care they expect all in one go.

With EmpowerCare we have a large group of highly-qualified temporary employees, so there is no need for you to search for the staff you need. We vet our employees to ensure that each employee we place is the perfect match for what you need. We ensure not only are they qualified, but they are also a great cultural fit for your organization. We are also available when and if you need any additional rsources.

Managing your holiday staffing the right way can really help you avoid that unnecessary and unneeded headache of it all. Make sure to choose the options you will be implementing early and keep all your staff informed. If you take these steps, you can be one of the few that are able to say they are avoiding holiday headaches in healthcare staffing! Happy holidays from EmpowerCare.

America’s Best Maternity Care in 2022

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

America’s Best Maternity Care

Celebrating Excellence in Maternity Care

The arrival of a new baby is undeniably one of life’s most joyful moments. However, the quality of maternity care during this special time can vary greatly. We’ve all heard unsettling tales of individuals encountering inaccessible, unsafe facilities. Which can transform what should be a moment of celebration into one filled with stress and frustration. No expectant mother should have to grapple with inadequate facilities when bringing a new life into the world. That’s why the news we’re about to share is so significant, warranting our enthusiasm from the mountaintops. Read all about America’s best maternity care below.

The Elite Few: High-Performing Maternity Hospitals in the US

In the landscape of healthcare, just over 300 hospitals have been recognized as “high performing” in maternity care in the Newsweek rankings. Remarkably, seven of these distinguished institutions call Massachusetts home, a testament to the state’s unwavering commitment to patient well-being. The list of exceptional facilities includes UMass Memorial, Beth Israel, Mass General, and Southcoast Hospital Group. All of which enjoy a longstanding partnership with EmpowerCare. Our collaboration has played a pivotal role in securing this coveted label, and we couldn’t be prouder. The enduring bond between EmpowerCare and these hospitals is a testament to the high-quality care they provide to their communities, and we are honored to be a part of their journey.

New England’s Commitment to Exceptional Healthcare

In addition to the hospitals mentioned above, the neighboring states of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Maine each earned their place on this prestigious list with at least one hospital. The collective recognition reflects the unwavering commitment of New England to providing exceptional healthcare.

A Well-Deserved Congratulations

We invite you to join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to these outstanding facilities for the exemplary care they offer their communities. At EmpowerCare, we take immense pride in our association with many of these facilities. We are here to support your healthcare institution’s growth and success by providing the top-tier staff you require. As an award-winning agency, we have the expertise to elevate your facility to an award-winning status as well. Get in touch with us today to embark on this transformative journey.

Travel Nursing – The Details!

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

Employment is a serious matter, so it’s essential to know all the details from the employer or healthcare recruitment agency to ensure complete transparency. This is particularly true in travel nurse jobs. Assignments can range from a few weeks to several months or even be permanent, so it is of the utmost importance that you understand all the details of your contract.

Expertise is Key

A nurse’s expertise significantly influences whether employment is temporary or permanent. Recruitment agencies like EmpowerCare assess a candidate’s expertise and match them with jobs that fit their qualifications. Nurses with higher qualifications and experience in critical medical departments often secure more stable and desirable employment opportunities.

Certification

In countries like the US, each state has different requirements for travel nurses, necessitating specific licenses and certifications. Keeping your current license updated along with the latest certifications increases the probability of securing multiple travel nursing job offers.

Other Important Details

Understanding job benefits, accommodation facilities, and safety arrangements is crucial in a nursing job to avoid uncertainty. These details should be clarified by the recruitment agency as early as possible.

Travel nursing jobs are vital for medical establishments needing immediate staffing. While experienced nurses might be familiar with employment details, it is essential for inexperienced nurses to know everything beforehand to avoid surprises and potential job refusal after selection. EmpowerCare recognizes this need and ensures open communication with job seekers to provide all necessary details upfront.

Need A Change Of Pace? Try Behavioral Health!

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

Behavioral health nurses discussing notes

If you’re starting to feel burned out in your current work setting, or want to open yourself up to rewarding opportunities in a different aspect of your career, it may be time to check out Behavioral Health!

TL;DR

Nurses who work in Behavioral Health jobs are typically more admired and respected by patients than other fields of nursing.
It is easier than ever to work in this field thanks to temporarily reduced certification requirements
EmpowerCare can help you experience the rewards of working in Behavioral Health on a short term assignment so you can decide if the field suits you.

Valued For Your Service

Sometimes in nursing it can feel like your efforts are taken for granted, which can be a catalyst for burnout. Anyone who has worked in a medical surgical setting knows this can be especially true.

Behavioral Health settings—which can be in a hospital psychiatric unit, but also in an outpatient or community setting—are however quite different in regards to patient appreciation.

Patients remember the nurses who care for them in these settings. This is largely due to the sense of entitlement that has accompanied the advances in western medicine. When people get hurt or sick, many expect to get better. This mindset views nurses as a means to an end on their path to healing.

People who struggle with mental or emotional issues usually don’t see things this way. Many know they are sick, and have tried to get better on their own. There isn’t always a clear path or pill to get them well again, which can leave them without hope.

When hope is harder to come by, people are incredibly grateful to anyone who can provide it.

A Rare Opportunity

As of this writing (March 2022), nurses have a rare opportunity to “try before you buy” so to speak when it comes to pursuing careers in Behavioral Health settings.

Typically, one would need additional certifications to work in these types of settings. However, many of those restrictions have been temporarily lifted.

This is due in part to the nursing shortage that’s currently taking place, but it’s also for a more uplifting reason. The stigma that surrounded mental health issues in the past is steadily fading. People feel much more comfortable seeking help than they used to.

On the flip side of this coin, the work can be more demanding. More patients + less nurses = a problem on the surface. Deep down however the fulfillment you’re looking for may be through that open door right in front of you.

A Day In The Life

Working hours is an important factor in the quest to achieve a favorable work-life balance. Most (certainly not all) assignments or jobs in a Behavioral Health setting are provided in a community setting with hours that mirror typical business hours.

The nurse’s role is to walk alongside patients on their road to recovery, which involves you in every aspect of care. This also means you would work with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. This can include doctors, OTs, PTs, social works, and psychiatrists.

On a typical day, you will care for some of the most vulnerable people you’re likely to encounter. The people receiving your love and care will be suffering from things like anxiety and depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, mental or psychiatric disorders, etc. It is highly unlikely that two patients will be exactly the same.

Your job will revolve around making connections and building relationships with your patients, and their family, friends, and other support systems. You don’t always get to do that in other nursing disciplines.

A Growing Field

United States mental health & substance abuse centers have grown 3.8% on average per year between 2017 and 2022.

It’s not that people are getting sicker, it’s that people are finally receiving care. Federal funding for Medicaid and Medicare has increased during this time, and it’s estimated that reimbursements pay for 51.5% of all care in the industry. Best we can tell, it looks like this trend is likely to continue.

The point is this: working in a Behavioral Health setting may just be the change of pace you’re looking for. High levels of job satisfaction and personal fulfillment are usually discovered when we learn what we’re made of; when we find ourselves in challenging scenarios that on the surface may even look like adversity.

If you don’t know if a move into Behavioral Health nursing is for you, EmpowerCare can help. Reach out to your recruiter and ask about our travel contracts and local per-diem assignments in the field.

Who knows, you might just find exactly what you’ve been looking for.

The Importance of Networking in Healthcare

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

Team of healthcare professionals working together

Networking is the process of making connections and building relationships with other people. Understanding the dual-sided nature of networking will help you advance in your career and personal life.

TL;DR

Networking involves giving and receiving. When networking, remember to find ways you can benefit others.
Developing a friendly and helpful disposition will make networking incredibly natural.
You can be compensated up to $750 for referrals to EmpowerCare.

We’ve all heard the adage:

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”

Nothing is truer when it comes to advancing your nursing career. Any good salesperson will tell you that people prefer doing business with the people they know, like, and trust.

The truth of the matter is, all people feel that way.

Get What You Want Through Reciprocity

Most articles that discuss networking focus on what’s in it for you. It’s true, there are personal benefits to networking:

Strengthen professional connections
Get fresh ideas on how to solve problems
Find new job opportunities
Get career advice

The best way to receive a benefit from networking is to first find a way to be of benefit to others. This is true because people are hardwired for reciprocity.

You can see how prevalent this is in religion and society, and even music.

Christians call it “sowing and reaping”. Hindus and Buddhists call it “karma”. We have sayings like “you’ll get what you deserve”, and songs like “You Get What You Give” (by The New Radicals) and “What Goes Around Comes Around” (by Justin Timberlake)

People tend to repay like for like. Do someone a favor, and they’ll want to do a favor for you. Do someone harm, and watch out—you likely have animosity headed your way.

What most people don’t realize is:

“If you fail to help other people, other people will fail to help you.”

You want to reap the benefits of networking? Then do for others what you want them to do for you.

Who Should You Network With?

When you hear the word networking, most people think of shaking hands with strangers in a crowded room at a networking event.

Your pre-existing relationships are a much better place to start. Consider your:

Former colleagues
Old friends
Previous bosses or charge supervisors
Alumni or classmates
Other volunteers (if you volunteer your time)

Remember, the key to receiving favors from people is to do one for them. The simple act of offering to do a favor will position you in their mind as a helpful and generous person.

You’re probably very busy, which means you’ve lost touch with some of the people above. No problem. Just reconnect! Reach out through text, social media, or give someone a quick phone call to check in and say hello.

Additional Places To Network

Outside of your pre-existing network, you can find like-minded people in many places.

Join some Facebook groups, and be helpful in them. Do the same on AllNurses.com. It’s highly probable you have the answer (or at least some insight) into questions your fellow nurses are asking there.

Seek out professional groups, or expand your network on LinkedIn. If you’re considering a travel assignment, ask people who already work there what the culture is like.

You should also attend events. An event may present itself as volunteer opportunities. Take advantage of that. You never know who you might wind up talking to while doing community service!

Breaking The Ice

The easiest way to break the ice with someone you know is to share a memory you have of them.

It feels so good when a friend reaches out to share a memory they have of you. It means someone was thinking of you, and who doesn’t like a trip down memory lane?

So start there. Think of something you did with the person you want to reconnect with, and let them know you were thinking about it. It could be an assignment you worked on together, volunteer work, a difficult class you struggled through together. The possibilities are endless.

Once you’ve broken the ice, it’s time to ask a question.

Ask about their career goals and look for opportunities to help them reach them. If you can make a connection to someone so they can reach their goal faster, offer to do it.

Ask about any current challenges they’re facing, and offer support, sympathy, or a fresh perspective.

Ask about their family, and how the last few years have affected them.

If you can’t help with their goals or challenges, let them know you will keep an eye out for people who can. Tell them to look through your professional network and offer to make an introduction to anyone they may want to talk to.

Letting others know you are willing to assist them will make them want to do the same for you.

Make A Referral: Give What Has Been Given To You

If you work with EmpowerCare, then you know we strive to be the most convenient, personable, and responsive healthcare staffing service in Massachusetts.

Too many nurses are feeling burned out these days. Working with agencies that don’t fully disclose what they know about assignments, or don’t promptly return phone calls and emails is exhausting.

We can help! Our purpose statement is to improve lives one assignment at a time, through proper care and concern for all.

That “all” includes you. Our Referral Program pays up to $750 for referrals. You don’t even have to currently work with us to take advantage of it.

If you are a healthcare professional and need help finding the right job, or your next assignment, please reach out!

The Truth About The Congressional Pay-Caps for Travel Nurses

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

TL;DR

Rumors are speculating that congress proposed a pay cap on traveling nurse salaries
This misinformation stemmed from a letter written by congress, wanting to ensure staffing agencies aren’t unfairly profiting by inflating rates they charge hospitals during the pandemic.
Congress does not want to impose a pay cap for traveling nurses.

A Story Of Misinformation

Two congressmen, Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA), wrote a letter to the White House’s COVID-19 response team coordinator on January 24, 2022.

They were worried about rumors of staffing agencies taking advantage of the nursing shortage by increasing their rates to provide hospitals with desperately needed traveling nurses during the pandemic.

200 senators from both sides of the aisle signed the letter.

Then confusion hit. Facebook posts started to emerge and cause quite a stir. One post read:

“As of March 2020 the NFL’s minimum salary was $660,000.

The man who tattooed four letters on my wrist charged $80 for 15 minutes of time.

But according to Congress travel nurses need a pay cap.”

The post continued:

“If you support the cap, we probably can’t be friends.”

Comments like “according to Congress travel nurses need a pay cap” and “If you support the cap” imply a congressional pay cap is on the table, when in reality, it isn’t.

Misinformation is created when someone wrongly interprets what’s happening. A letter from 200 senators asking for a government official to look into rumors of illegal activity is very different from proposed legislation.

What Was Congress Really Asking About?

To fully answer that question we have to understand how staffing agencies make money.

When a hospital or healthcare facility doesn’t have enough nurses to care for patients, they turn to staffing agencies.

Staffing agencies find and hire nurses who are willing to travel usually for at least 13 weeks at a time.

The traveling nurses’ pay comes from an “hourly bill rate”, which is how much the hospital or facility pays the staffing agency for every hour worked by a traveling nurse.

The nurse’s pay isn’t the only thing that comes out of the bill rate. The staffing agency incurs additional costs, including:

Recruiting the traveling nurse
Orientation (which is sometimes unpaid by the facility or paid at a fraction of the bill rate)
Liability and insurance coverage
Credentialing
Your licensure reimbursement
The VMS/MSPs
Medical malpractice lawsuits (which are often fought by the staffing agency, not the hospital)
A Nurses Week or Christmas gift from your agency.
Your stipends and travel expenses to get to your contract.
etc.

Bill rate ≠ Nurse’s Pay

The Bill rate is a combination of three factors: 1) The nurse’s pay 2) The staffing agency’s expenses 3) The staffing agency’s profit.

Are Staffing Agencies Unfairly Profiting From The Pandemic?

Now we can address the real question congress was asking in their original letter:

Should there be a cap on how much profit a staffing agency can make on traveling nurses during the pandemic?

Commenting on the confusion from his letter, Congressman Griffith said:

“The bipartisan letter I sent to the White House asks about potential illegal practices by staffing agencies that charge high rates and then keep that money for themselves, not nurses. Rumors are that middleman staffing agencies keep as much as 40% of the money they charge for nurses instead of giving more of the money to the nurses,“

His next remarks are critically important:

“I do not and will not support legislation to cap nurses’ pay. Anything to the contrary is fake news.”

Do you see the twist?

Congress does NOT want to cap nurses’ pay. They want to make sure staffing agencies aren’t illegally lining their pockets off the risks taken by traveling nurses to provide care for patients during a pandemic.

Do Traveling Nurses Need To Worry About A Pay Cap?

In a word: no.

The demand for traveling nurses is not likely going away anytime soon. Some nurses have even commented that a pay cap would cause them to strike, or change careers.

Nobody wants there to be less traveling nurses.

What Congress wants is to ensure traveling nurses aren’t being taken advantage of. At EmpowerCare, we think that’s a good thing!

If you know of a traveling nurse worried about a pay cap, please reassure them not to worry, and share this article with them.

What Job Seekers Need in a Recruiter

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Luke Hewitt

Job Seekers and Recruiting.

Imagine you decide you want a change in your medical career. Maybe you are looking for new RN jobs near you, or want to try a travel nurse job for a chance of scenery. Then you want to work with a staffing agency to help you find the right position for you and your current needs. Now though, how do you pick the right recruiter for you? There are certain traits you should look for when trying to find the right recruiter for your present and future needs that we will go over now.

Knowledgeable Expert

Having an expert in the recruiting field is crucial when looking for the right recruiter for you and your needs. You want a recruiter who understands the healthcare industry. They need to know current healthcare trends, current facilities and what openings would work best for you. To have someone on your side who can explain the different types of CNA jobs near you, or the different nursing salaries available at your experience level, is invaluable. You must have confidence in your recruiter to make sure you have everything you need to find your next role.

Personalized and Friendly Attitude

A positive recruiter attitude is crucial, as they’re not just a recruiter but also your trusted friend. They build a personalized, trustworthy relationship and advocate for you. With a “glass half full” approach, they recommend you for roles that align with your specific needs.

Strong Communication Skills

The details matter with a recruiter. They need to be able to communicate quickly and efficiently with you, the internal team, and the facilities you could potentially work with. Following up and following through is vital to make sure all the intricate parts are completed on time. Your recruiter needs to take the time needed to make sure you understand the process and to keep you informed every step of the way.

Realistic Expectations

When it comes to your career, you want someone who listens to your concerns and will not sugarcoat things. They need to be realistic and set goals for the candidates they are working with. This is from the initial contact with the recruiter all throughout the new placement and beyond. They need to have clear foresight and planning all while being able to be proactive.

At EmpowerCare, we trust our recruiters to find our candidates the best fit positions with all the above traits. If you are ready to have a recruiter that you can trust and work with, contact us today.

Visiting Massachusetts in the Fall

Posted on September 4, 2021 by Luke Hewitt

Fall foliage over a lake in Massachusetts

Visiting Massachusetts

Fall is my favorite time of year with all its beauty and changing of colors. It’s just magical. Massachusetts is one of the few states that can be explored within a weekend while enjoying everything that the fall season has to offer. From drives to an entire city dedicated to the holiday season, Massachusetts is a must visit state in the fall. EmpowerCare has a few top-rated events you can’t miss we want to share with you in hopes that you too will be visiting Massachusetts soon.

Walking the Freedom Trail

Take advantage of the cooler temperatures and spend some time walking the Freedom Trail located in downtown Boston. You can explore it on your own or you can book a tour where a guide will educate you about the history of the area as well as the sixteen official sites on the trail.

Food Picking

No matter where a person is, during the fall picking apples and pumpkins are a staple in the fall season. In Massachusetts, there are lots of fun and unique farms to visit depending on what area of the state you are in. Most places have their own websites showing their schedules and if reservations are required so be sure to explore it before heading out. While traveling to these unique farms, you will get to experience all the fall colors on the scenic drives.

Tangerini Farm in Millis is a great choice for families, they have a restaurant and an ice cream stand. Belkin Lookout Farm in Natick is another one of our favorites, they offer a fabulous, outdoor restaurant with their own beer and hard cider. Another family favorite is Honey Pot Orchards in Stow has the largest edge maze in North America, hayrides, and farm animals.

Visit Salem

The historic town of Salem is home of the Salem Witch Trials and is a great place to visit in the fall – especially in October. They offer all sorts of spooky and fall related activities including outdoor markets, magic shows, haunted houses, tours, and ghost hunts. So many events are happening you will not get bored during your visit.

While you are in Salem, you can also visit the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, the House of the Seven Gables, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and more. Salem is my favorite destination in October.

The Mohawk Trail

This trail is New England’s first official “scenic tourist route”, and it does not disappoint.

It is a 63-mile stretch of road in Western Massachusetts. Along this route, you’ll find beautiful views of the fall foliage, antique shops, state parks, museums, and more. Spend your day driving and taking in all the scenic colors and towns. It is sure to relax you and make your heart feel warm and happy for the season.

Whatever your favorite fall activity is, our small state has it and more. From vibrant foliage to cozy autumn festivals, the options for enjoyment are endless. EmpowerCare offers job opportunities throughout Massachusetts and New England, ensuring you won’t miss any of the season’s beauty, if you choose to come here on a travel nurse job.

Connect with one of our recruiters today to secure your new position before the fall colors peak. Don’t wait – experiencing Massachusetts in the fall should be the top of your bucket list this year!