Being a travel nurse is exciting and invigorating. You get to explore places of the globe that many others don’t, helping people along the way who might not otherwise receive the care they need.
But there’s also no question that travel nursing is a lot of work, and it can be stressful at times. However, you do have a unique opportunity to have extraordinary adventures, and it can be done by combining work and leisure to make the most of your career.
While you can’t avoid your duties, there are things you can do to turn your travel nurse job into a workcation. With that in mind, let’s cover a few tips you can use to strike a healthy work-life balance as a travel nurse, as well as financial tips you can use to explore your destinations.
How to turn your travel nurse job into a workcation:
Dream Destinations
You won’t always get to choose where you’re going as a travel nurse. The idea is to travel wherever there is a need. This can make your career feel more like a journey, and your eyes might be opened to destinations and experiences you never expected.
If you do get to choose your destination, consider places you might like to go if you were taking a vacation. Think about your interests and your needs. Are you an outdoorsy person? Places like the Santa Barbara region, Flagstaff, and Salt Lake City will all be up your alley.
Do you have bigger bucket list locations and adventures on your list? Don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and volunteer to get out of the country. Some of the most beautiful, adventure-filled locations are waiting across the globe. Not only are they great for exploring, but leaving the country allows you to immerse yourself in other cultures. Working and vacationing like a local – in any country – is better than falling into any tourist trap.
Striking a Balance
You can’t always slip away from your responsibilities as a travel nurse to go exploring or find local restaurants. But it also isn’t realistic or sustainable to focus all of your attention on your job while you’re in a different location.
Nursing is stressful, and large amounts of consistent stress can take its toll on the body and mind. Some symptoms of long-term stress include:
- Feeling overwhelmed or as if you are no longer in control of your own life;
- Procrastination, difficulty concentrating, or problems managing your time;
- Having a hard time relaxing.
However, with proper stress management, these symptoms can be alleviated. In addition to getting enough sleep and exercise, taking the time to balance your career with the excitement of traveling can also help.
When you find a good work-life balance, you’ll perform better on the job and enjoy your time in a new location. Not sure how to achieve the ideal balance? Form a routine, as much as you’re able, and stick with it. Make a point to do at least one self-care item for yourself each day, whether that’s a walk in the morning to explore your surroundings or enjoying a unique meal at a local restaurant after work.
Plan for your next destination to ensure it has everything you need to be comfortable. That includes reliable internet so you can get information about your destination as needed and connect with friends and family back home. Depending on your mobile provider, you should be able to gain 5G internet access on your workcation, so you don’t have to worry about paying extra or accessing public WiFi that isn’t secure. If you’re staying somewhere for an extended period, researching the home options your provider has to offer can help.
Be Smart With Your Travels
It’s important to remember that you’re in a unique position with equally unique opportunities as a travel nurse. With that in mind, there’s no reason you can’t go the extra mile (literally) with your travels and take advantage of some of the financial perks you might get from setting the country or the world.
For example, most of your travel expenses will be taken care of when you’re heading somewhere for work. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the perks of travel-focused credit cards. Consider opening one and using it for all of your expenses — even the ones you’ll be reimbursed for, as long as your employer allows it. Many travel cards have incentives like cash-back rewards, points rewards programs, mileage rewards, and airline and hotel loyalty programs.
When you use a travel card and take advantage of the benefits, you and your loved ones can enjoy extra vacations and amenities when you choose to take some time away from work.
Chances are, you began your career as a travel nurse because you wanted to help people across the globe. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you have the opportunity to work in unique destinations, make sure you’re striking a healthy work-life balance and turning every job into a workcation you won’t forget.
Have you turned your travel nurse job into a workcation? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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.
