Travel nursing is a challenging profession with many obstacles as well as perks.
The main challenge for travel nurses is that they need more stability, especially regarding social connections within the hospital. Usually, the higher pay given to travel nurses compared to the regular nurses in the hospital can be a touchy subject that causes difficulty in staff cooperation.
Also, since you travel often, there is no time to solidify your experiences with other members working with you. This lack of social interaction can be lonely. However, one way to curb that is by being a travel nurse while bringing your family along with you.
You’ll have a solid group of people by your side to create a sense of stability even as you move from place to place for your work. If you’re planning to be a travel nurse with your family, here are some tips to help ease that transition for all parties involved.
Tips for being a travel nurse with your family on assignment
1. Can Travel Nurses Bring Their Families on a Job?
Before we cover some travel nursing tips, you might be interested in knowing whether travel nurses traveling with a partner or their families are okay. Well, worry not because it’s acceptable to do so. However, as with anything in your professional life, you should follow specific guidelines first.
The essential rule to this is to make sure that you notify your assigned recruiter immediately if this is an arrangement that you plan on having. That way, they can prepare accordingly to ensure that you fulfill your family’s needs while you’re on a travel assignment.
Now that you know you can bring your family, it’s time to move on to the tips below.
2. Develop a Plan in Advance and Communicate Clearly
For those new to the field, thinking about how they will travel with their family can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. The following tips can help you plan for your travel and make sure that you and your family are safe and happy during your travel nursing journey:
- Make plans in advance with your partner or family members who know what to expect
- Get an idea of what is expected of you as a travel nurse, including work hours, days off, etc.
- Create a list of everything you need to do before leaving home so there is no last-minute scrambling.
- Communicate clearly with co-workers or employers about the expectations for both parties.
Taking the time to do these steps ensures that you start and end each assignment on a clean, professional note that doesn’t overstep your boundaries.
3. Choose the Right Housing
When you’re a travel nurse traveling with family, it can be challenging to find suitable housing. It’s important to consider where you want to live and the amenities that will make your life easier. That’s why when you’re considering where to stay, here are some things to consider:
- What amenities do I want my family members to have?
- How close will my new home be to hospitals and other healthcare facilities?
- Is there a school nearby?
- How much space am I willing to spend on rent?
Check with your family to know what they want from the house you’re getting while you’re on your assignments.
4. Prepare Entertainment on the Go
When you travel with your family, it can be challenging to keep them entertained.
Pack some of their favorite toys and games they can play together in the car or hotel room to keep your kids entertained while traveling. You should also pack an iPad or tablet so they can watch movies, videos, and shows on it. Luckily, there are many free educational games available everywhere that you can use to entertain while educating and teaching your kids.
Don’t forget to spend some time seeing the sights in your new locality with your family. After all, these are the perks of traveling for work, so you might as well make the most out of it.
5. Built-in Road Trip Family Vacations
Since you’ll have to go on a trip to get to your next travel nurse assignment anyway, you might as well take the time to make the commute fun by making it a road trip.
Seeing the sights along the way to your destination can make it an exciting endeavor for you and your family. Just ensure you prepare and maintain your car if it is a long drive to get there.
6. Make the Most of Days Off
Wasting time on your days off is a big mistake many travel nurses make. You should spend time with your family instead of just sitting around watching TV or playing video games when you can (although there’s no harm in a few lazy days, either).
If you’re traveling with family, it’s crucial to take advantage of the new area you’re in and go on a short trip to do something fun and exciting for everyone in the family.
Conclusion
Traveling with your family while being a travel nurse can help ease the loneliness, but you have to make sure you make the most out of it when possible. Hopefully, the tips in this article show you how to do just that. That way, you enjoy a fulfilling career while also making time for the people in your life who matter most.
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.
