Travel Nurse Road Trip Planning

Pre-trip Inspection

Make an appointment with your local auto mechanic or garage and have your vehicle checked over, and complete any routine maintenance. Let them know that you are heading out for a long-distance trip and want to make certain that any potential maintenance issues are addressed. If you are close to an oil change, get it done. Have all of your belts, fluids, etc., checked out. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere in Texas isn’t a fun place to be when one of your belts breaks. Finding a place that you can trust to perform routine maintenance can be difficult as well as time-consuming once you reach your contract location. It’s much easier to have this done at home before you leave.

Roadside Emergency Kit

If you don’t already have one of these, you should consider putting one together before you leave. You can purchase these pre-made, or you can put together your own while you are planning your travel nursing road trip. If you already have one, check through it and make sure that everything you need is still in it and in working order.

Basic items for your Emergency Kit should include:

Water

Non-perishable food

Flashlight with batteries

Reflective poncho

First Aid Kit

Blanket, coat, hat, gloves

Tool kit

Road flares

Spare tire and a working jack

Jumper cables

Towels/Window cleaner

AAA Card with VIN number

Ice Scraper

If you don’t have some sort of roadside assistance or AAA, travel nursing with a car is much less stressful with these kinds of resources. Without friends or family nearby, it’s great to have a service like AAA that can help out in case something crazy happens, like an unexpected flat tire in the middle of nowhere.

Travel nurse road trip planning should also include any items you may need while in the car for a few days. If your travel nurse assignment is far away, you will want to have some daily necessities on hand so you aren’t constantly stopping.

Travel Nursing Road Trip Necessities:

Cell Phone with charger

Registration/License/Insurance

Credit cards

Eye Glasses/Sun Glasses

Moist Towelettes

Meds including Maalox or Imodium in case of upset stomach

Pen and paper

Comfortable/Loose Travel clothes

Grab and go bag for hotel stops

Recruiter phone number

Contact numbers for landlord

Camera to document your trip

Snacks

Cooler with drinks/perishable food items

Travel Nurse Road Trip Planning with Pets

If you are traveling with a cat or dog, check out these tips for driving long distances here. Pack your vehicle so that all of your pet’s items are accessible for those short stops to enjoy the view. Keep in mind that pets also need to stretch their legs, so plan accordingly for long drives!

Is there something we didn’t address that you always make certain to have with you for a road trip? What are your thoughts on the list/suggestions above?

Traveling to a new city is common for a travel nurse, but traveling with a pet is nerve racking. Pets can respond differently when flying and it can be very scary for them. To make traveling easier with your pets, here are some tips for flying with pets.

1.) Book as Early As You Can
Most airlines can only take so many pets per flight, so you should book your tickets as soon as you know you are moving. You should also check before you book your ticket to make sure that the airline has a ‘pet seat’ available. You should try to book with the agent who confirmed the ‘pet seat’ so you are sure that you are both on the same flight.

2.) Direct Flight
If you can, book a direct flight with no stops. This will mean that your pet is not waiting hours in its carrier waiting for the flight to take off.

3.) Buy the Right Carrier
Before planning your trip, you need to buy the right carrier. Your pet is going to be in it for a few hours, so you should think about what would be comfortable for them for that time.

There are many other considerations when traveling with a pet, from housing options, care, and expenses. Don’t take traveling with a pet lightly. Do a little pre-planning and research, and your furry friend can travel with you, enriching both your lives.

Being a travel nurse means that you will be traveling a lot, so you may need to take your pets. Planning is the number one thing that you need to do when you travel with your pets. We hope you found these tips for flying with pets helpful. Do you have tips on flying or traveling with your pet? Please post your suggestions in the comments below.

This article is sponsored by Gifted Healthcare®

Pets on Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment

There are many things to consider when making the jump to your next travel nursing assignment, especially if you’re a dog or cat parent. Recent events have shown how tragedy can strike a furry friend if his or her owner is not well-informed or prepared to travel with a pet.

Whether traveling by car or by plane, before embarking to your next travel nursing destination with your furry companion check out these tips and must do’s to make your traveling experience seamless, and most importantly, safe for you and your furry BFF.

Road Tripping To Your Next Destination

1.) Do a test run –

If your cat or dog isn’t used to going on car rides, go for a short ride to see if they behave well or are prone to getting car sick.

2.) Get a pet seat belt –

They can be a distraction for the driver, and they can get seriously hurt if they aren’t restrained during an accident.

3.) Have your pet’s information handy –

Better safe than sorry, make sure you have an ID tag on your pet’s collar during the drive, and that you have their health history in case of an emergency.

4.) Keep them hydrated –

Don’t forget to bring cold water in the car for them. They can get dehydrated way faster than humans.

5.) Your pet needs bathroom stops too –

Don’t forget to walk your dog or cat at the service station so they can relieve themselves and get some exercise. This will keep them calm and your car clean!

Flying With Fido

1.) Do your research –

Flying with dogs and cats is getting harder and harder each day. Every airline has a different policy on weight restrictions, breed restrictions, carrier size, etc. This is especially true if you want your animal to fly with you in the cabin. Before purchasing your ticket for your next travel nursing assignment, be sure that your pet is in the clear to fly with you.

2.) Find a TSA and airline approved carrier –

Unless your pet is a service animal, he or she will need to travel in a carrier. Make sure the carrier you purchase will be approved at TSA and at the gate. If you have the time, you should even bring the carrier to a desk agent before flying to double-check you’re in the clear.

3.) Talk to your vet –

If you think your pet will be very anxious or could get aggressive during the travel process, ask your vet if there’s any form of tranquilizing medicine you can give him or her. The less anxious your dog or cat is during the flight, the better travel experience you will have as well.

4.) Prepare to pay the fees –

The only way to avoid an airline fee when traveling with an animal is if they are a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA). Be prepared to pay anywhere from $150-250 per pet when flying with them.

5.) Purchase ID Tags –

Be sure to attach all of your contact information to your pet’s carrier and to their collar.

6.) Walk your cat or dog before flying –

Remember, not every airport has a pet relief area.

7.) Always keep your pet’s safety in mind –

Every airline has different policies, but these can be interpreted differently by different members of the crew. Trust your instinct, and if instructed to do something with your pet that seems unsafe, ask to speak with a manager.

Arriving At Your Destination

Phew, you made it to your new home with your pets! It’s now time to find a place to stay that’s comfortable for you and your pets.

1.) Find a pet-friendly hotel –

You’d be surprised how many pet-friendly hotels you’ll find these days in every city. Though most charge you a one-time pet deposit, a select few like the Aloft do not. Be sure to do your research before booking a room if they have any restrictions on the weight or number of animals per room.

2.) Make sure your future home takes pets –

Double and triple check with your Airbnb or your landlord if he or she is okay with you having pets.

3.) Prepare to pay hefty deposits –

Pet deposits vary in every city and by every landlord. From $100 per pet to even $500 per pet. Be sure to do your research and ask questions to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

4.) Update your pet’s information –

Plenty of pet owners forget this crucial part. Make sure to get your pet updated ID tags and update their microchip information in case they wander off outside the house.

You and Fido are now all set to head over to your next travel nurse assignment. Bon, voyage!

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

START HERE

traveling with pets

Step #16: Prepare Your Vehicle for Your Travel Nurse Road Trip

Travel Nurse Road Trip Planning

Pre-trip Inspection

Roadside Emergency Kit

Basic items for your Emergency Kit should include:

Travel Nursing Road Trip Necessities:

Travel Nurse Road Trip Planning with Pets

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Tips for Flying with Pets

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Tips for Traveling with Pets on Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment