Fall is one of the best times of year to be a healthcare traveler. Between the vibrant fall colors, harvest festivals, and the crisp air, everywhere you go has all the cozy vibes that make this season so special. Plus, with cold and flu season approaching, demand for travel nurses and healthcare travelers picks up, making it easier to find jobs where you can enjoy your fall assignment to the fullest.
If you’re starting to dream about your fall assignment, the time to start planning is right now. When you line up your fall assignment early, it can help secure a contract that aligns perfectly with the way you want to spend the season. Here’s how to start planning now and set yourself up for your dream fall experience.
Step 1: Picture Your Ideal Fall 🍁
Before you start searching for your fall assignment, think about how you want your fall to look and feel. This is the fun part: imagining what you want to do on your days off and what you want your fall to look like.
- Extending summer? You might look at southern states or coastal destinations where you can still enjoy warm, sunny days in September and October.
- Ready to embrace sweater weather? Head for states known for vibrant foliage, harvest festivals, and everything you love about fall.
- Can’t wait for ski season? Secure a spot in mountain destinations where the snow flies early and get there before the best slopes even open.
Step 2: Get the Timing Right ⏰
Starting your fall assignment by September 22—the official first day of fall—has some big advantages:
- You’ll enjoy the season from start to finish.
- Your contract will likely end in mid-December, leaving you free to head home or take your next adventure in time for the holidays.
- You’ll avoid the late-fall scramble, when assignment options can be limited and high-demand spots fill up fast.
Step 3: Lock in Your Desired Destination Before It’s Gone 🔐
Fall travel assignments often come with high demand, especially in postcard-worthy locations or places with big seasonal events (think Oktoberfest celebrations, state fairs, or leaf-peeping hotspots). The earlier you start, the more likely you are to:
- Land your preferred location and shift.
- Find the pay and benefits you want.
- Avoid settling for “what’s left” after the best contracts are taken.
Step 4: Factor in Seasonal Perks (and Challenges) 🌦️
Different regions come with unique considerations:
- Warmer climates mean lighter packing and no snow to shovel.
- Northern or mountain destinations can be magical in autumn, but you’ll want to prepare for early snow, possible travel delays, and winter housing availability.
- Coastal assignments can offer shoulder-season tranquility: fewer tourists, but still beautiful weather.
When you plan ahead, you can prepare for anything the weather throws at you and pack accordingly.
Step 5: Make the Most of Your Fall Days Off 🍂
One of the biggest perks of fall travel assignments is the abundance of things to do outside of work. Depending on where you land, you could:
- Drive scenic byways bursting with fall color.
- Spend weekends at pumpkin patches, cider mills, and harvest festivals.
- Explore national parks with fewer crowds and cooler temps.
- Attend local sports matches, from college football to early hockey season.
Planning now means you can choose a location that matches your bucket list and gives you something to look forward to on your days off.
Step 6: Get Expert Help Finding the Best Assignments 🩺
Securing the best travel assignments isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. Top travelers are prepared, competitive, and ready to move fast.
If you’re ready to learn how you can find the best travel healthcare assignments, TNAA is hosting a free webinar showing you how to make it happen. Hosted by Brandy Pinkerton of Travel Nurse 101, you’ll learn key strategies for finding and securing the assignments you actually want.
Join us on Wednesday, August 27, at 2 p.m. ET. Sign up today!
Secure Your Fall Travel Assignment Now
Fall travel assignments are a chance to create a season you’ll remember forever. Whether you want to chase the last rays of summer, immerse yourself in the colors and flavors of autumn, or be first on the slopes when winter hits, the key is to start planning now.
Secure your spot, lock in your ideal location, and let this fall be everything you’ve imagined and more.
