In this issue

	The Perfect Summer Rewards
	Travel to Connecticut
	Let's Talk About Nursing
	Memorial Day Recipe

On the web

	Employee Sign In
	Local Branch Offices
	Favorite Benefits

Hot job of the week
Read about Connecticut in today's newsletter and call 800-755-1411 for details on our travel assignments!

The Perfect Summer Rewards

Redeem your Rewards points for great summer gifts!

With longer days and sensational weather, many of us begin to migrate outdoors. Camping, barbecues and outdoor sports become prevalent activities, and with them comes the need for gear of all sorts!

Favorite Nurses has the perfect solution - our Favorite Rewards program! You earn Rewards points just for working, and you can redeem them for great summertime items like the ones featured below.

Roller Cooler 800 Points	5-Piece Deluxe BBQ Set 1100 Points
Eureka Tent 2000 Points	Wilson Ladies Golf Set 3000 Points

Visit our Rewards website and browse through the gift selections. There’s sure to be one there you will like.

Don't know how many points you have accumulated? The system is automated to track your points for you. Your current point balance appears on your paycheck stub and online through payroll look-up. You can also sign in at the Rewards site to view your current point balance.

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Travel to Connecticut

Favorite Nurses offers fantastic travel assignments in this gorgeous New England state!

Located in the heart of New England, the State of Connecticut is no more than two short hours away from Boston or New York City with available transportation via car, trains or buses.

The state of Connecticut is divided into four major regions offering distinct attractions.

The greater Hartford area is a modern metropolitan city, featuring fine art museums, active city life, Mark Twain’s home, nearby colonial cooper mines, a unique Capitol and many historical buildings and libraries.

The Northwest Region offers contemporary art districts, railroad lore, colonial taverns, wine tasting, and sophisticated shopping.

The Southwest Fairfield area is the site of numerous marinas, New England’s unique old churches built in the 17th and 18th centuries, pastoral landscapes, New Haven City, and the Yale University campus.

The Southeast Shoreline area includes the Mystic Seaport and Village and boasts the Foxwood Hotel Casino as the largest casino in the world. Also located at the Southeast Shoreline is Groton’s Submarine Base and Naval museum.

Travel to Connecticut today with Favorite Staffing. We have a number of enticing contract assignments that offer the perfect balance of work and play. Earn top dollar while enjoying the sights and sounds of the beautiful shorelines of Connecticut.

Call us today at 1-800-755-1411 or email us at gotravel@favoritestaffing.com for more information.

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Let's Talk About Nursing

Spread the word on all that you do as a health care professional.

If there is a silver lining to the nursing shortage, it is that it has served to highlight the central role nurses play in almost every corner of our health care system. Regardless of the setting, no one can deny that health care is dependent on the presence of clinically competent nurses to deliver care.

Why is it, then, that nursing’s contributions are so often transparent, so easily taken for granted, or generally ignored by the public, the media and many times health care leadership? Although there are many factors in this, at least part of the blame falls on us. As nurses, we are notoriously silent about who we are, what we do, and our vast knowledge base.

Although our true talents lie more in the care of patients rather than in public relations, it is time for us to reconsider how we translate the values of nursing to the world. The following suggestions can help showcase nurses and nursing contributions inside and outside the work environment:

• Make sure your patient distinguishes you as the nurse who will be taking care of them.
• Invest time in translating your clinical knowledge and expertise to patients and their families.
• Work with the public relations department of your facility to develop press releases about the accomplishments of nurses in your workplace.
• Network at community events. Offer to speak at civic events.
• Contact your local newspaper and share your ideas for pubic interest stories that focus on nursing.
• Get to know the local teachers and guidance counselers in the area and offer to be a resource for health related programs or lectures.
• Write letters to the editors in response to healthcare articles.
• Explain what you do in simple language, not "nursespeak". Avoid acronyms - not everyone is familiar with PACU, PICU, CVRR or TELE.
• Stay informed. Read nursing journals and stay updated with continuing educational programs.
• Always identify yourself as a nurse.

Look for opportunities to talk about what you do and convey the essence of nursing to others. The more you talk about what you do and find opportunities to showcase your knowledge, the more you will advance the cause of nursing and create a climate for others to better understand, appreciate and value what nurses do.

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Memorial Day Recipe

Enjoy this great, low-fat, low-calorie recipe during your Memorial Day festivities!

Southwest Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

Main ingredients:

• 1 lb. shaped pasta, cooked al dente
• 3 (8 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and de-veined), minced
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper chopped
• 1 green pepper chopped

Ingredients for basting sauce:

• 1/2 c. light butter
• 2 T. cider or white vinegar
• 1/4 c. water
• 2 T. seasoned salt
• 1 t. cumin
• 1 1/2 t. ground black pepper
• 1/2 t. cayenne pepper

Ingredients for dressing:

• 1/2 c. light or fat free sour cream
• 1/2 c. light or fat free mayonnaise
• 1/2 t. cayenne pepper
• 1 t. ground black pepper
• 1 t. cumin
• 1/2 t. chili powder
• 1/2 t. granulated garlic
• 1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients for basting sauce and heat on low until blended.
2. Cook chicken over medium-high coals or on gas grill. Baste and turn frequently for about 10 to 15 minutes until cooked thoroughly.
3. Allow to cool, and then cut into 1 inch julienne strips.
4. Prepare dressing by mixing wet ingredients first and then adding dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly.
5. Add pasta, chicken, onion and peppers to dressing and mix well.
6. Refrigerate overnight.
7. Enjoy!

Yields approximately eight 1-cup servings.

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