family travel nurse on assignment

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:

1. Social interaction is good for your mental health.
2. You can learn about the locals’ favorite things to do and places to go, and what tourist traps to avoid.
3. 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 communities 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:

1. Make sure to use trustworthy sources and avoid unfamiliar or shady online options. If your gut tells you to pass, trust it.
2. 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!
3. 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:

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