Travel nursing can be exciting, challenging, and rewarding, but it can also be a little rough on the environment. The San Francisco Chronicle’s website has a list of tips for reducing your carbon footprint.
These suggestions are geared towards travel nurses, travel therapists, and other mobile healthcare professionals who wish to be more green while on assignment.
On average, American commuters traveled 25-minutes to and from work each day in 2009 or 50 minutes per day, according to the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census. Densely populated areas may have trouble meeting federally recommended air quality standards due to the pollution vehicles create. Altering daily habits will aid in reducing carbon emissions in these areas as well as in other communities across the U.S., where Aureus Medical’s healthcare employees are assigned.
1. Purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle. The rising cost of gas makes buying a fuel-efficient car sensible for a commute and a sound future investment. Many newer used cars can offer exceptional mileage options that range from 24 to over 35 miles per gallon, which can greatly reduce the amount of fuel required and the emissions the vehicle produces.
2. Maintain the car by ensuring the correct air pressure in tires. Proper inflation alone can drastically improve gas mileage, which will save money over the course of the year and decrease pollution.
3. Consider public transportation, such as buses, subways and commuter trains. This helps make the footprint of the overall system greener due to the decrease in pollution per capita.
4. Bike to work. Not only will it save gas, but will also reduce car maintenance costs, parking fees and toll expenses. According to Time Magazine, an individual may be able to save $5,000 annually by biking to work.
5. Walk to work. Depending on the location of temporary housing and the hospital facility, a mobile, a travel nurse or travel therapist may be able to walk all or part of the way, and incorporate public transportation that follows the route required.