December 26, 2023

2327 Views

Travel Nursing with a Family: Everything You Need To Know

Posted on December 26, 2023November 30, 2023 by Emma Joyce

Travel nursing is a stimulating and fulfilling career choice that lets medical professionals see the world while offering essential treatment. But the journey changes when you’re not going alone—rather, you have a family to think about. It takes considerable planning and thought to combine your employment as a travel nurse with your family life because there are many factors involved that can have a big impact on both your family’s well-being and your own professional development. In order to help you negotiate the intricate and varied world of being a travel nurse while simultaneously tending to the needs and goals of your family, here is all you need to know about travel nursing with a family.

The Benefits of Travel Nursing with a Family

Travel nursing with a family offers several benefits, one of which is the chance to see new places. Every assignment has the potential to be a brand-new journey that gives your family the opportunity to see various communities, climates, and cultures. Your kids might learn a great deal from this, and the whole family could be inspired, developing a spirit of curiosity and adaptability that will help them in their future pursuits.

Furthermore, travel nursing frequently offers competitive benefit packages that include increased pay rates, sizable incentives, and a range of other advantages that might support your family’s financial security. These financial benefits can serve as a catalyst for giving your loved ones greater possibilities, such as unforgettable holidays and high-quality education, as well as for creating a more stable future for your family. In this way, the journey can serve as both a source of exploration and an engine of prosperity, and you can use the time between assignments to learn new things and enjoy life with your family.

Preparing Your Family for the Journey

Given the intricacy of often uprooting your life, it is imperative that you make extensive preparations before setting out on your travel nursing adventure with your family. This involves looking into schools, locating acceptable housing, and building a strong support system in your new community. Selecting the housing choice that best fits your family’s needs and tastes is crucial, so finding cozy apartments for rent might make your family feel at home in any new location. Furnished apartments and extended-stay lodgings are just two examples of available housing alternatives.

Furthermore, since securing your kids’ access to a top-notch education is a primary concern, it is imperative that you conduct thorough research on nearby schools and educational establishments. If your tasks need you to move frequently, you can also think about homeschooling, which would enable you to keep your kids’ education consistent while also giving them the opportunity to experience new things. Creating a network of support is essential; this can include other travel nurses, your neighbors, local community resources, and even online communities that can help and give you a sense of community while you’re on assignment.

Dealing with Challenges

Providing travel nursing care to a family might present some difficulties, which must be overcome with a blend of adaptation, resilience, and proactive problem-solving techniques. Every new place has its own set of conditions, from temperature and culture to local amenities and healthcare facilities, making it difficult to adjust to new habits and situations. Another typical problem is overcoming homesickness, which is a normal emotion brought on by being apart from loved ones and familiar settings.

It can be difficult to manage your family’s healthcare needs since you have to make appointments, locate qualified healthcare providers, and make sure everyone in your family gets the treatment they need. Nonetheless, these difficulties are surmountable and can even present chances for individual and family development if the proper mindset and support networks are in place.

Managing Work-Life Balance

For travel nurses who have families, striking a healthy work-life balance and avoiding burnout may be rather difficult because it requires balancing a lot of responsibilities and making sure that your family’s needs are satisfied in addition to your professional obligations. Before starting any task, it’s critical to talk about expectations with your employer and family. Clear and honest communication is the foundation of a happy and successful trip.

You can achieve a balance that lets you succeed in your nursing career and be present for significant family events and milestones by making sure that your family’s needs are taken into consideration as much as possible while planning your work schedule. It’s important to keep in mind that spending quality time with your loved ones is crucial for both their well-being and the success of your trip.

A unique and fulfilling experience, travel nursing with your family can leave your loved ones with priceless memories and a strong sense of resilience. You can overcome the obstacles you encounter along the path if you have perseverance, flexibility, and a network of people who are there for you when you need them. You are prepared to start your trip as a travel nurse with your family by your side, eager to embrace the adventure in all its forms, thanks to the knowledge and insights offered in this guide.

Interested in a travel nursing job? Our job board is a great place to search for assignments, and if housing is an issue, our housing page can help. It’s time to make a difference!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Host Healthcare

September 6, 2023

2485 Views

9 Ways to Stay In Touch With Family While on Assignment

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Host Healthcare

Host Healthcare provided this article.

Whether you’re a nurse working long shift hours, a travel nurse on assignment far from home, or even just beginning to look for a travel RN position, being separated from your family can be emotional and exhausting. Missing holidays, milestones, or simple family time together isn’t easy for anyone.

But with some planning and a few tried-and-true tricks, you can turn your time away into something meaningful for all of you.

Not only does your family provide support, guidance, and love, but staying connected with them via phone calls, social media, or video chatting can actually keep you physically healthy.¹ So, if you’re wondering how to stay in touch while in travel healthcare, whether you are a medical assistant vs. nurse vs. doctor, read on for our 9 best tips to feel the family love when endless shift hours or long miles keep you apart.

Tips for Before You Head Out the Door

Before you ever set foot outside your family home, you can lay the groundwork for a positive separation by communicating with your family members with intention and compassion.

#1 Talk About It

It doesn’t matter if you’re a newlywed, a parent of young children, or a single professional whose pets, parents, and siblings are at home. You need to communicate with your family exactly what your absence will consist of.

Sharing the details of your separation with them, especially if you’re an OR travel nurse, will give everyone the timeline and framework they need to make sense of your absence. Some of the things you should share include:

Why you will be gone,
Where you’re going,
How long you’ll be gone,
How you will travel,
Where you will be staying
What you’ll be doing

#2 Make a Plan

Once your family understands the details of your impending absence, you can make a plan for how you will stay in touch during the hours and days apart. Letting them know that you will reach out through calls, text messages, and/or emails regularly will help alleviate some of the apprehension they might be feeling about your departure.

However, your plans need to be flexible enough that if they get changed, no one feels disappointed. It might be tempting to say, “I’ll call every night at 6 p.m., and we’ll video chat on Saturday morning at 9 a.m.” But remember, things come up. You don’t want your family waiting nervously for your call while you’re handling a work emergency.

Instead, tell your family, “I will do my best to call you daily. Sometimes it might be early, and sometimes it might be late. If I miss my call, just know I’m thinking about you.” While you’re away, you can also send text messages to your loved ones or maybe a close friend to share updates, let them know that you’re okay, and check in with any family members who may be missing you a little more than usual.

#3 Leave Something Important at Home

Do you have a favorite sweatshirt or a pillow that you love? As great as it is to have that comfort item with you on assignment, it might be even better to leave it for a loved one to cuddle. Especially for small children, having something with your scent on it will comfort them when they are missing you.²

Tips for While You’re Away

For a few people, the build-up to departure is the hardest time. For most, though, the actual absence is the hardest. Luckily, we have some ways to stay in touch with family to help you and your loved ones transition easily.

#4 Use Technology

Today’s technology can keep families connected across time and distance. Most people have smartphones, tablets, and computers that can access a program or an app to help them feel connected even when they’re miles apart.

Before you leave, check that you and your family have compatible technology. Do a little tutorial so that everyone knows how to access and use the agreed-upon apps. Some modes of communication that you should consider include:

Emailing
Text messaging
Chatting with apps like:
- WhatsApp
- Slack
- Telegram
Video calling:
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google Hangout
Blends of video calls, group chats, and texting:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Snapchat

#5 Mail Something

It doesn’t have to be big, but a postcard or a little gift in the mail will brighten your family’s day. Similarly, if you are going to be at a location where you can receive mail, a handwritten surprise from home will warm you immeasurably, especially after a long shift.

#6 Bring Them to You

This isn’t always feasible, but bringing your family to you for a few days or a long weekend can transform separation into an anticipated vacation. Plus, it’ll give you and your loved ones time to reconnect and spend some quality time together—whether that’s wrapping yourself in your hotel’s finest robes and gorging on local delicacies while watching your favorite movies or TV show series or getting outside to explore local attractions. This can also help to keep a strong relationship with your long-distance family.

After You Return

Sometimes, the reunion can be the hardest part. If you’ve been away for a while or if you missed a major milestone, it can take a little time to reconnect with your family and friends and return to a sense of normalcy.

#7 Do Something Fun Together

Having something special to do together as soon as you return will give everyone an event to look forward to, as well as soften any feelings of anxiety or angst. This doesn’t have to be a major or expensive event (although that certainly would work, too). Just going to a movie, hanging out in the park, or taking a hike together can be a fun way to reconnect with a family member.

#8 Bring a Little Gift

Pulling a little surprise from your backpack or luggage will make both of you feel warm. Again, don’t think big—think creatively! Complimentary hotel shampoo bottles are fun and interesting for children, plus it gives them a little insight into where you have been. Keyrings, magnets, and postcards are inexpensive and easy to find, but they will show your extended family lots of love. Also, looking for these little gifts while you’re away will help you visualize your return.

#9 Don’t Guilt Yourself

No matter where you go or how long you are gone, remind yourself that your career is important. Family separation is normal, and with a little bit of planning, it doesn’t need to be strenuous. Just be sure that while caring for your patients and your family, you’re caring for yourself, too. Furthermore, if you are an RN returning to practice, this can be an overwhelming time for you to manage learning new requirements and being away from home, so give yourself some time to adjust.

Let Host Healthcare Help

At Host Healthcare, we want your experience as a travel nurse to be positive for you and your family. We pledge to always do our utmost to find you the best, high-paying travel nursing jobs to make your separation worthwhile.

Apply with us today to join an award-winning staff of healthcare professionals dedicated to making a difference in the lives of all those we care about. We’ll work with you to find the best opportunities for you and your family so you can continue to build meaningful relationships near and far.

Sources:

Compass. “The Importance of Family Ties.” WebMD, April 16, 2017, https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/family-support#3
Leahy, Meghan. How to Stay Close to Kids When Work Requires Lots of Travel. The Washington Post, September 3, 2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/how-to-stay-close-to-kids-when-work-requires-lots-of-travel/2014/09/02/8c5bbb18-2c6e-11e4-994d-202962a9150c_story.html

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Advantage Medical Professionals

June 27, 2023

1860 Views

Travel Nursing: A Family Affair

Posted on June 27, 2023June 27, 2023 by Advantage Medical Professionals

Advantage Medical Professionals provided this article.

The unprecedented uptick in remote work policies and online education programs have arguably made the world feel a little bit smaller and more accessible for more of us than ever before. Of course, as a healthcare professional, it probably seems that not much has changed for us on that front. After all, our “office” is always wherever our patients are, and wearing your scrubs is probably the closest you’ll ever get to working in your pajamas. However, you can still reap some of the benefits this brave new world provides – the ever-growing remote work and education opportunities available to students and working adults have made it more feasible than ever for immediate family members, roommates, or friends to join nurses and healthcare professionals in their travel journey as a travel nursing family.

Of course, there are still some important factors to consider when deciding whether bringing family or friends along for the adventure is ideal for everyone involved:

The Kids Will Be All Right….Right?

As any parent or guardian would attest, kids naturally have a way of both enriching and complicating their life and career plans. This universal truth also resonates with healthcare professionals who have kids but also want to start or continue taking travel assignments. Unfortunately, there is no universal “correct” answer to whether you should bring your tyke(s) along, arrange for them to stay behind with their other parent, or consider taking only local contracts so neither you nor your children would have to relocate. The age of your child or children may be one factor in your decision – for instance, toddler-age kids aren’t in grade school yet, so that makes some things less complicated if you’re leaning toward taking them along.

However, you would need to make sure you have solid childcare arrangements in place. If you have kids in junior high or high school, childcare is less of an issue, but pulling them away from their hometown, school, and friends will likely be a larger concern. You can always do a ”trial run” by taking a short-term travel assignment (some can be as short as four to eight weeks versus the typical thirteen-week assignment) to feel things out before making any long-term or permanent changes to your (or your child’s) living arrangements. No matter what your decision is, family should always come first.

Shifts in the Night

Regardless of whether you’re traveling with kids, your spouse, a colleague, or a roommate outside of the bedside healthcare field, it is important to take an honest, realistic look at both everyone’s work schedules, habits, and sleeping patterns who will be living under the same roof together to ensure they won’t clash. This doesn’t necessarily mean you and your roomies’ schedules need to be identical, but living with someone who enjoys opening all the blinds and doing an intense workout at 9 AM every morning while you’re struggling to fall asleep because you’re working nights might lead to some recurring trouble in paradise (even if that person happens to be your spouse).

If you and the other members of your family/household decide to travel together, here are just some of the advantages of doing so:

Emotional Support

There is nothing quite like being greeted at the door with your little one’s arms around your waist or a peck on the cheek from your significant other after an exhausting shift. Having someone you care about around for emotional support can be especially comforting when you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained. Conversely, it’s nice to know that you’re in close enough proximity to your loved ones to offer them your support when they need it, too.

Shared Expenses

Let’s start with the most obvious perk – if you’re traveling with at least one other working adult (e.g., a spouse, friend, or roommate), you won’t be left to shoulder all the temporary housing expenses on your own. This can be a huge load off your mind AND your bank account.

Please note: If you’re rooming with at least one other adult that is sharing housing costs with you (especially if they are also a travel nurse), you should consult a tax professional about how this can affect one or both of your untaxed stipends since both of you clearly won’t be duplicating 100% of all your expenses. They can advise you about the best (and legal) way to manage your finances accordingly.

Bonding Experiences

Embarking on an adventure has a unique way of bringing people closer together, and the adventure that is travel nursing is no exception. From the road trip toward your new/temporary home to navigating a new city together, there is nothing quite like the experience of discovering new places and meeting new people with some of YOUR favorite people. In some cases, you may get the opportunity to take a travel contract in a place that one of you is familiar with. If that’s the case, it helps to have someone you trust to show you the ropes. If you are the one who happens to have connections in your new/temporary town, don’t forget to take a moment to fully appreciate and experience some of your familiar haunts through the new, fresh eyes of your companion who is seeing them for the very first time.

Safety in Numbers

As nurses and healthcare professionals, we know all too well that the world can be a scary place. Living and working in a new place can further compound the anxiety many of us feel when we are already outside of our literal (and metaphorical) comfort zone. However, knowing you aren’t coming home to an empty apartment or hotel room every night can help alleviate some of the uneasiness we may feel if we were traveling/living completely solo. It may not cross your mind too often, but the opposite is also true – living under the same roof as you (and in the same zip code, no less) will probably help your loved ones sleep easier, too.

Of course, there is no magical one-size-fits-all solution that would work for every family or household. However, advances in telecommunication coupled with the growing awareness of how important it is to prioritize family and our mental health have made it easier for us and our loved ones to stick together, no matter where our travel nursing journey takes us.

Are you a travel nursing family? How do you make it work while on assignments? If you would like to share any travel nursing family tips or advice, comment them below.

>> Treat yourself to a change of pace (and PLACE) by exploring all the travel nursing assignments we have available nationwide.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Furnished Finder

September 28, 2022

1543 Views

Top Tips for Travel Nursing with a Family

Posted on September 28, 2022September 27, 2022 by Furnished Finder

So, your next travel contract is set, and your family is joining. Whether this means that you have a spouse with you for the trip or you are traveling with kids, things shift when you’re traveling with family. Here are some of our very best tips and tricks to make it as smooth as possible for traveling with family!

Keep everyone included

With big life events, everyone is far more likely to be on board if they feel involved. Think of making it a “team travel” versus one person making the decisions and the others simply designated as passengers. There are ways to make everyone feel included and a part of the process without giving away important decisions. For instance, if traveling with kids, the parents will make the decisions regarding housing, but the kids can decide on travel tunes or some decor for their rooms. They can even decide a handful of things they want to do in their new home area or attractions they are interested in. This way, everyone is a part of the journey!

Plan for things big and small

This tip is particularly applicable if traveling with children. When thinking about traveling, “big” things are often the first things arranged. Transportation, housing, etc. To kids, the small things are big, too. Don’t forget to find local parks, kid-friendly restaurants, travel entertainment packs for the car, and snacks! While they seem small to adults, these things are game-changes to kids, particularly when they are going through a big change.

Divide and conquer

The bigger the crew, the more overwhelming travel can seem. Take time to divide and conquer the responsibilities and tasks that have to get done when traveling. Do not be afraid to ask for help! Friends and family may be able to pitch in a few hours to help you get details arranged, pack things up, or help you run errands last minute.

Join the community!

Spouses and kids may feel a little lonely when entering a new community, especially if they work from home or are home-schooled. It can be intimidating to think about jumping right into a new community. You have a built-in network with your new coworkers, but spouses and kids don’t get that new network. Take some time and research local churches, meetup groups, interest groups, rec centers, and more. This will allow your family to feel involved in the new community as soon as possible.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Advantis Medical Staffing

July 11, 2022

2304 Views

Enjoy Travel Assignments Solo, in Pairs, and in Families

Posted on July 11, 2022October 5, 2022 by Advantis Medical Staffing

Advantis Medical Staffing provided this article.

After money, adventure is one of the most sought-after benefits of being a travel nurse. The chance to explore new destinations for long enough to experience them fully is highly appealing and hard to do for most professionals. Along with remote staff, travel nurses and allied health workers have some of the best jobs for explorers. But unlike remote workers, travel clinicians get the added benefits of being active participants in a new community. And that makes travel assignments more fulfilling in three main ways:

Social interaction is good for your mental health.
You can learn about the locals’ favorite things to do and places to go, and what tourist traps to avoid.
The friendships you form can last way longer than 13 weeks.

Let’s look at ways to engage with locals while on travel assignment for singles, pairs, and families.

Solo Travel Without Feeling Alone

Independence can be wonderful. With no one to answer to, you can explore freely without a care for scheduling or the whims of others. It’s exciting, empowering, and lets you feel like the star of your own movie. Until you get lonely. Or just want some company or conversation. Here are some ways to share space, make new friends, and even learn a thing or two.

Movie Night –

Exhausted from a long shift but not ready to turn in? Fathom Events shows the classics, advance screenings, and cinematic special events at theaters across the nation. And because you’re solo traveling, you don’t have to worry about anyone else’s opinions when choosing a movie screening! If sharing space is what you seek, Fathom or the latest blockbuster might be exactly what you need.

Burn-Off Stress –

If you like to work through emotions with a workout, consider the unconventional. Sure, if you have a gym membership that travels with you, that’s a great way to meet people who share your passion for fitness (or your willingness to work out to justify dessert – we don’t judge here!). But since you’re trying out a new locale, maybe try a new workout with a coworker or two, like Yoga in the Park. The main thing here is to ditch your app and get fit around other folks for a double dose of endorphins.

Get a Culture Fix –

You can learn about local culture by visiting museums or attending concerts. Adventuring solo lets you go at your own pace! Feeling lucky? Sites like Stubhub and Seatgeek often sell discounted tickets on the event day. This lets you be spontaneous and also gives you extra cash for concessions.

You Have Agency –

You probably chose to work with a top healthcare staffing agency to make your job search more expansive, efficient, and effective. Capitalize on that! Many agencies host virtual and in-person events and com m unities that can make your travel career go from solo to in pairs or a group. Sign up and join in! This is a great way to share the fun with those who share your passion for healthcare. Pro tip: keep it fun. Try not to let shop talk seep into your off time.

Tour the Town as a Team

For many travel nurses and allied health professionals, traveling as a pair is the best of everything. You have a built-in plus one when you want and the option for alone time. And that holds true whether the duo you’re a part of is “pals” or “partners.”

Let Your Belly Lead the Way – Have you ever enjoyed a hot slice of Chicago-style pizza in the heart of the city? How about a heaping helping of Texas barbeque? Explore local cuisine! It’s the tastiest way to learn about your destination.
Have a Ball – Want thousands of new friends in an instant? Join the cheering crowd for a sporting event – team colors and face paint are optional!
Are You Game? – Lots of restaurants and bars have Game or Trivia Night. Hone up on obscure knowledge to win new friends AND a contest.

Family-Friendly Fun on the Road

Want to feel safe and not spend a lot of money? Check out the local library! Most libraries have free or nearly free events that are open to the public. Best of all, libraries tend to be centrally located and have tons of family-friendly activities:

Story Times for All Ages
Maker Spaces
Craft Nights
STEM Events
Book Talks

Another great virtual stop is your destination’s Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. If your location isn’t linked to this list, a quick Google search should have you covered. CVBs offer listings of permanent and pop-up events across the community, so they not only help you find a way to get out but also help you find your way into the most-hyped local happenings.

Safety First When Travelling

Safety is key – especially for solo travelers. Follow these three tips every time:

Make sure to use trustworthy sources and avoid unfamiliar or shady online options. If your gut tells you to pass, trust it.
Keep it public. After all, you’re reading this blog to inspire socialization. Not only does a public-facing outing likely keep you safer, but being out and about is the point!
Be prepared. The bear spray takes up little room in a pocket or purse and is a quick, easy way to defend when you’re solo. It’s also a good idea to let someone know where you’ll be and with whom once your plans are set.

This is YOUR Adventure

Travel clinicians are a special breed. Embracing challenges and broadening horizons comes naturally to you. Building and maintaining new friendships is a rewarding and healthy part of a successful travel career. Whatever your approach, we hope your experience is safe, fulfilling, and exactly what you hoped it would be.

We hope you found this article on enjoying travel assignments solo, in pairs, and in families helpful. Do you travel solo, in pairs, or with family for your travel assignments? Comment below.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

July 19, 2020

11159 Views

Guest Article: Preparing our family for travel – Sarah Owens, RN

Posted on July 19, 2020March 21, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

With so many travel nurses posting questions about how you travel with your family, kids, pets, etc., we thought this would be a great guest article to post and give you some insight on how one travel family is getting ready to do just that.

Hi, my name is Sarah; my husband Chad and I travel with our three kids. They were 9,6, and 3 when we started in April and 7,4, and 1 when we first started considering and planning for life as a traveling family. We often talked with the kids about living in different apartments in different towns and moving every three months. We made lists of what we wanted to see and got the kids involved in making that list. We made a list of our fears and made a plan of action that we would take to actualize any of those fears. This let the thought of it soak in. It got them excited and calmed their fears.

Next was the biggest job of all, scaling down on all our stuff. We did this several times and continue to do it as we discover how little we truly need. We drive a 4 Runner and have three kids and a large dog, so space is limited.

Then we needed to consider our education plan. As homeschoolers, we knew we wanted to continue homeschooling the kids, but unlike when we stayed in one place, we would not have the weekly support of our homeschool group. Also, we wanted to integrate our current assignment and all its historical and scientific offerings into the kid’s education. After all, that is why we are traveling, beginning with.
To keep in touch, the kids have the addresses and phone numbers of their friends, and we FaceTime family frequently, which has made a big difference, and so far, we have heard very little about the kids being homesick.

There have been many benefits of traveling with the kids already—bonding as a family, a well-rounded education, and an expanded world view. We are traveling for our kids, not just with them.

NOTE: Want to learn more about the travel adventures of this travel nurse? Sarah and her family have a blog all about their experiences! Owens Endeavors

By Jennifer Traub

May 2, 2019

6029 Views

Too Close to Home – a Travel Nurse’s Death of a Family Member by Suicide

Posted on May 2, 2019November 10, 2023 by Jennifer Traub

The effects of mental illness and suicide on its sufferers and their love is all too familiar to me.

I had a cousin named Stefan

Whom I grew up with and was like a brother. He has had a huge influence on my life. He had tons of friends, was good looking, smart, funny, and the life of the party. Stefan had it all. Little did any of us know what was truly brewing below the surface.

He suffered with severe depression and masked it with drugs and alcohol. He portrayed he was happy and had it all together while remaining too proud to ask for help or acknowledge he even had a problem. Perhaps he viewed that as a sign of weakness.

I was on my first travel nurse assignment in Fresno, California when I woke up to the news that Stefan had committed suicide at age 32 years old and was found on the bedroom floor by my aunt and cousins with a rope around his neck. He had suffered in silence.

It has been 3 years since his death,

..yet the wound is still fresh. There are so many unanswered questions I have including what demons he faced and where he is now. It is incredibly painful to have someone you love leave you in such a drastic way. How could you choose to take your life? Isn’t life all we have?

My message from this horrific experience is this

No one is better than anyone else. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what your job is, what you look like, how much money you have, etc. As drastically blunt this is, we are ALL going to die, so therefore we’re all the same. You would think given that logic, we’d make existing a little more pleasant for one another.

Growing up and living in the world, and this country could be very tough. Especially today. Society sets a bar of what people feel they should look like, be, or have. They are constantly bombarded with images of this on social media and the internet. If they fall short, they feel like they don’t measure up and are a failure. They feel they shouldn’t exist.

My message to you is that is so wrong

Success could be defined in so many different ways even if it includes just being a good freakin’ person to someone else and performing random acts of kindness for people even when no one is looking. If you’re going to be anything in this life, be kind. Many are facing daily battles that you absolutely know nothing about. Being kind could go a long way even if you don’t realize it. It could even potentially save a life.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC)

The CDC reported that in 2014, there were more than 40,000 deaths by suicide in the United States. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among all ages.

There is no one cause for suicide. Risk factors include social isolation, substance use, mental illness, and situational crises.

If someone you know is considering suicide, talk to them. Listen to them. Let them know that you are there with them and that they are not alone.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

Available 24 hours everyday

By Soliant Health

December 17, 2018

10288 Views

Travel Nursing and Personal Relationships

Posted on December 17, 2018May 20, 2021 by Soliant Health

This article is provided by Soliant Health.

How travel nursing affects personal relationships.

Travel nursing offers some amazing benefits and opportunities to those who decide that this is the right career path and lifestyle for them. The chance to see a variety of new places and sights and to experience a variety of local cultures is a wonderful motivator for medical professionals. Plus, there are opportunities to learn from new people with a variety of different experiences as they travel.

There are, however, some downfalls to travel nursing. One of the biggest of these is how travel nursing affects personal relationships. It takes a lot of work to develop and maintain relationships when you are on the road. Sometimes, travel nurses find that they drift away from friends and loved ones at home. Others feel that they quickly lose touch with newfound friends or romantic interests that come into their lives. Although this can’t always be avoided, it’s possible to minimize how travel nursing affects personal relationships. Here are a few techniques that can help you to manage your personal relationships as you pursue your career as a travel nurse.

Maintaining Relationships at Home

Spouses, children, and other friends and family are high priority relationships that will require your effort when you are traveling as a nurse. When an assignment keeps you on the road for a long period of time, it can be hard to keep your loved ones feeling as if they are a priority in your life. By creating communication plans and sticking with them, knowing at all times when you are planning to come home, and making yourself as available as possible when they need your help or just want to hear your voice can go a long way to maintaining your relationships at home.

Make sure that you and your significant other are on the same page about your career if you hold your relationship at a higher priority than your job. Look for creative solutions, such as your partner traveling with you and working remotely. Finding ways that you can be together can be a miraculous epiphany for the relationship. Working together also prevents hard feelings and separation.

It’s not impossible to keep your relationships strong during and between travel assignments.

Developing New Relationships While on the Road

As you move from city to city and assignment to assignment, you will come in contact with many amazing people. Some you will instantly connect with and others with whom you naturally fall into a friendship. While it is important to maintain your friendships and relationships at home, these newfound friendships can often fill a void and enhance your life. Put a concerted effort into spending time with new acquaintances. Make an effort to keep in contact as you travel to your next assignment or return home.

A budding romantic relationship that starts when on an assignment could be difficult to maintain, but with some effort on your part, it is a definite possibility. While you are on location, make time for dating and growing the relationship with a potential partner. Communicate openly about your next career move and discuss what that means for your relationship. Develop a plan for how you will take things to the next level. Decide together what the next steps should be. When you are in agreement about the future of the relationship, you can work together and give your romance the chance it deserves.

How has travel nursing affected your relationships? What are some of your best tips for relationship maintenance as you travel?

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

December 2, 2018

11701 Views

Ask A Travel Nurse: Home Schooling vs Public School

Posted on December 2, 2018January 16, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Gypsy,

Hi! I’m considering going into travel nursing but have a couple of things I’m figuring out to see if this would be the best fit.

I am traveling with my family – I wonder how common or workable it is to do traditional school vs. homeschooling? We want to plan on assignments based on the school year and in locations where multiple hospitals are within driving/public transit commutes so the kids can have the majority of their schooling in one place, and I can be flexible with assignments.

Thanks for reading this whole message, and I can’t wait to hear back!! -Sherrie

Many of the travelers I know that travel with children do home-schooling. I don’t know if any of them enroll their children in the public school system or not. I would caution you on enrolling a child in school due to your tax-home status.

According to Joseph Smith at TravelTax

The travel nurse would still be “governed under the one-year rule that affects the tax residence. Additionally, some conflicts arise with the school district if you are not officially a resident of the jurisdiction. This is why homeschooling is more common with travelers.”

I hope that this helps at least a little bit. I would encourage you to the Travel Nurse Network – The Gypsy Nurse. Lots of travel nurses there to help answer your questions and lend guidance along the way!!

We hope you found this information on Public vs. Home Schooling helpful. Do you have experience with home schooling or public school while travel nursing? Comment any tips you have.

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#6 Bring Them to You

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#7 Do Something Fun Together

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Keep everyone included

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Join the community!

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