TNAA Healthcare provided this article.
Your assignment is booked, your bags are packed, and you’re ready to embark on this grand adventure of being a travel nurse. It’s time to explore new places, try new things, and meet new people!
Many travel nurses choose to drive between their assignment destinations. It’s a great way to see more sights and discover hidden gems. Before you hit the road, take a few precautions to keep yourself safe on your travels.
Safety Tips to Remember as You’re Traveling to Your Assignment
1. Make well-lit pit stops.
Whether you’re stopping to fill your tank, take a bathroom break, or grab a quick bite to eat, you want to ensure your pit stops are in well-lit, busy places. This is especially important if you’re traveling solo. Looking ahead and planning where you’ll stop can help you ensure you’re stopping at safe places with plenty of people around.
2. Set realistic daily drive times.
Getting to your next destination as soon as possible can be tempting, but don’t plan to be on the road longer than is safe for driving. Make sure you plan realistic drive times between each place you will stop for the night. A bonus to taking a few extra days on the road means you can explore new places and not feel rushed to get to your next place. If you ever feel tired while driving, stop and rest – but do so in a safe place.
3. Look ahead at weather, construction, and road closures.
It’s essential you are prepared for anything on the road. Being caught in a bad winter storm or extended traffic in hot weather can get you in trouble quickly. Make sure you bring extra water, snacks, and weather-specific items you may need in case you are stranded or stuck in traffic. In cold weather, you will need a heat source, like a candle with matches, a sleeping bag or warm blanket, winter hats, mittens, and other things to keep you warm. In the summer, you’ll want sunscreen, a sun hat, a way to create shade, and extra water to keep yourself cool.
Also, look ahead for any construction or road closures that may impact your route or drive time. Apps like Weather on the Way allow you to enter your route and will give you real-time updates on weather conditions and road closures that could affect your trip.
4. Keep a loved one updated on your location.
Having an emergency contact is essential, but take it one more step and share your itinerary with them. Let them know your route, when you are leaving, and when you expect to arrive, and alert them whenever you stop or if you run into car troubles along the way. Utilize your phone to share your location for an easy way to share your exact location. Apps like Waze are a great way to do this and let your contact know precisely where you are and where you are going. You’ll also want to check in once you’ve arrived at your new assignment destination so they can rest easy that you are safe and sound.
5. Limit the information you share with strangers.
Meeting new people on your travels is part of the fun, but be cautious about what you share on your road trip. You can still be cordial while not giving away your life story, your location, or that you’re traveling alone.
6. Update your agency on your assignment address.
As your support system on the road, your agency will want to know that you’re okay in the event of an emergency. You might be going to a region with natural disasters – like earthquakes, hurricanes, or wildfires – that you’re not used to experiencing. Your agency’s first priority is making sure you’re safe, and they’re likely watching the emergencies that could threaten your area. Ensuring your agency has your updated address makes it that much easier for them to update and prepare you.
Learn More Safety Tips for Travel Nurses
If you want to learn more safety tips to keep you safe throughout your travel journey, join TNAA’s upcoming masterclass, Stay Safe on Your Travel Adventures. We’ve partnered with Brandy Pinkerton of Travel Nurse 101 to give you an in-depth look at how to stay safe on and off the job as a travel nurse. Brandy has been traveling for over 20 years. From encountering grizzlies on solo hikes to cross-country road trips, she’s ready to share her secrets for staying prepared and thriving on the go!
We hope you found this article on 6 safety tips for traveling nurses helpful. Are there any safety tips we missed? Comment some of your top safety tips for travel nurses below.
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