Being a travel nurse or allied professional who’s on the move can be exciting and adventurous. It can also be intimidating, hectic, and even a little lonely. Whether you’ve picked up a short travel nursing assignment or a long-term contract, moving to a new community means a lot of change.
We’ve pulled together a list of our favorite travel apps—for Apple and Android smartphones—to help your next transition go more smoothly.
These smart apps can help you:
● Get to know your new community
● Make new connections and stay in touch
● Stay organized
● Take care of yourself
Have a look!
Smart Apps to help you stay connected and organized this year
Get to know your new community.
Nextdoor
Download for Apple / Android
Whether you want the latest neighborhood news, a coffee shop recommendation, or a new walking buddy, Nextdoor is the app for hyperlocal information. Nearly one in three U.S. households is part of this online community, limiting your network to users within a specific geographic area defined by your home address.
Why we like it: You can’t use Nextdoor to scope out neighborhoods ahead of time, but it’s a great way to
quickly get up to speed once you’ve landed in a new location.
Citymapper
Download for Apple / Android
While other apps, like Google Maps, may include transit information, Citymapper is a navigation app that’s dedicated to making your trips as simple as possible. It doesn’t just list all your route options; it also tells you which entrance/exit to use and where you may want to sit on the train. Citymapper also incorporates alternative options like scooters, bikes, and car shares.
Why we like it: Map apps don’t always give quite enough detail for public transit, particularly for complicated transit systems. We gave Citymapper a try after one adventure when the recommended route kept changing while we tried to find a particular metro station. Now we’re hooked!
AllTrails
Download for Apple / Android
When you’re in a new area, trying to enjoy the outdoors can become a source of stress. Where are the trails? Which ones are a good match for you? And how do you even find the trailhead? AllTrails provides
recommendations based on your location, and the trails are easy to filter by activity, fitness level, and other preferences.
Why we like it: Who wants to be anxious about spending time in nature? AllTrails shows you where to go and how to get there—and you can check out photos from other travelers to see exactly what to expect.
OpenTable
Download for Apple / Android
There are lots of websites with reviews and ratings to help simplify your search for a fave new brunch place but OpenTable pairs that with a reservation system so you can book plans quickly. The app includes a filter to help you find delivery options if you just don’t want to cook tonight.
Why we like it: Finding new restaurants is fun—and time-consuming, particularly if you’re trying to find a place with the space for you to meet up with a new group of friends. You’ll still have to decide where you want to go, but you can avoid the frustration of finding out the place you want is closed or booked up.
Make new connections and stay in touch
Meetup
Download for Apple / Android
Finding a group of friends can be a big step toward feeling settled in a new community but making
friends—particularly as an adult—can be a challenge. Enter Meetup: An online community that enables people to come together in person around shared hobbies and interests.
Note: There’s a fee for organizers to create a group, so you may find that some groups are connected to a
business or organization, while others may request a donation to help cover expenses.
Why we like it: Launched in 2002, Meetup is one of the original social apps. That means it has a broad reach, even outside of urban centers, that newer apps don’t always have. It can take time to find someone you click with, but it only takes one other person to start your new social network!
Bumble BFF
Download for Apple / Android
Bumble—commonly known as a dating app—actually has three modes: Date, BFF, and Bizz. With Bumble
BFF, you swipe through potential matches to find people who share your interests and sound fun. Then you can send a message and see whether you hit it off!
Why we like it: As a way to make friends, Bumble gets mixed reviews. But it’s good to have options—and, as we said above; one great connection can make a big difference.
Strava
Download for Apple / Android
While Strava is a fitness-centric app, it’s also a social network that can be a great starting point for finding
sports clubs in a new community: you can search by sport,, including cycling, running, surfing, and yoga.
Why we like it: Joining any kind of club can be a fun way to meet new people, and Strava is a great way to find nearby groups. While groups aren’t always actively social on the app itself, you can often find public clubs on other networks with a quick search (i.e., Facebook).
TouchNote
TouchNote uses snail mail to help you connect with friends and family who don’t live nearby. Using templates or your own photos, you can create postcards and customized gifts to send to people across the country or even around the world: TouchNote prints and sends postcards from the UK, U.S., Netherlands, and Australia—whichever is closest to the recipient.
Why we like it: Particularly when we haven’t been able to visit others in person as much as we’d like, making custom cards to send to the people we care about has been a little something that’s guaranteed to put a smile on their faces.
Stay organized
Encircled
Download for Apple / Android
Whether for insurance purposes or just to keep track of your stuff, Encircled makes it easy to create an
inventory of your belongings.
Why we like it: Maybe you’ve mastered a minimalist and nomadic lifestyle—but if not, having an up-to-date inventory can be incredibly helpful if anything goes missing from your place or during your next move.
MileIQ for pros that need to track mileage
Download for Apple / Android
If you’re in a position where you need to track mileage, MileIQ has got your back: It automatically tracks your miles, then you can sort each trip as Business or Personal and get an accurate mileage report when you need it.
Why we like it: We know how frustrating it is to calculate miles after-the-fact with a calendar and mapping app—and then it’s the best guess with the hope that you haven’t forgotten anything. MileIQ means one less thing to think about.
Mint
Download for Apple / Android
It isn’t always easy to find the time, or the motivation, to manage your money—even when you know, it’s
important. Mint connects all your bank accounts in one place so you can track cash flow, manage your budget, and stay on top of your financial goals without a lot of extra effort on your end.
Why we like it: Simplified finances. What’s not to like?
Todoist
Download for Apple / Android
Todoist is a task management app that helps you capture and organize everything you need to do at work or at home. With mobile and desktop apps—including apps for smartwatches—you can carry your to-do list almost anywhere.
Why we like it: Todoist is focused on tasks, which keeps the app relatively simple, but it provides features and flexibility to organize those tasks in any way you like. And its portability makes it difficult to lose track of your to-do list. Another bonus: By learning how to use Todoist templates, you can create your moving checklist once and reuse it as needed.
Take care of yourself
Libby
Download for Apple / Android
If you love to read, but it’s been a while since your last trip to the local library, let Libby be your motivation: A (free!) library card can unlock Libby’s extensive (free!) library of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines.
Note: If a library isn’t affiliated with Libby, ask what your options are for borrowing items electronically.
Why we like it: Frequent moves and extensive personal libraries don’t mix! While we love a good book shop, Libby has an extensive range of titles available, and it’s also a great way to discover interesting new reads. And did we mention it’s free?
ClassPass
Download for Apple / Android
A ClassPass membership gives you credits that can be used to access thousand U.S. of facilities across the U.S. (and in a number of other countries, too). While the main focus is gyms and fitness-related activities, you can also book spa and salon appointments with participating businesses.
Why we like it: Signing a contract with a gym often isn’t an option. We appreciate the flexibility of accessing classes wherever we happen to be—and it’s a great way to check out different gyms after a move.
Medely
Sorry, we couldn’t resist! We don’t have an app, but the Medley platform is the easiest way for nurses and allied professionals to find and book your next opportunity, whether you’re looking for a local or travel nursing assignment. If you haven’t used Medely yet, sign up today to see what per diem jobs or assignments you can add to your schedule.
We hope you found this article on smart apps help travel nurses be more organized and connected this year helpful. Are there any smart apps you use as a travel nurse that you think others would find helpful? Or any smart apps we didn’t include on the list that you think should make the list? Comment the smart apps below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)
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