May 23, 2025

1806 Views

Navigating Travel Nursing: Preparing for Your Next Assignment

Posted on May 23, 2025April 28, 2025 by Miles Oliver

Being a good travel nurse is about more than just delivering high-quality patient care. It’s also about mastering the logistics of a highly transient lifestyle. From securing reliable transportation to choosing assignments in high-demand locations, success in travel nursing requires careful planning and strategic decision-making, not just for your current job, but also for your next assignment.

Proper preparation means the difference between a stressful transition and a smooth, productive experience. Making informed decisions about your career’s trajectory, as well as where you will live, how you will travel, and how you will prepare for your next assignment, sets you up for continued success in this dynamic career.

This article covers essential topics for travel nurses, such as vehicle considerations, renting versus buying a car, selecting high-demand cities, and strategic planning to help maximize your nursing experience wherever you go.

Vehicle Considerations for Travel Nurses

A dependable vehicle is essential for travel nurses, as frequent relocations demand reliability and adaptability. The right car can ensure safe and cost-effective transportation between assignments, allowing you to focus on your career without unnecessary stress.

When choosing a vehicle, prioritize fuel efficiency, comfort, and storage space. Long drives between assignments — or when relocating for your next assignment — require a comfortable ride with ample storage for transporting personal belongings and work essentials. Also, consider how well your vehicle will handle diverse weather conditions, so you’re ready to navigate everything from snowy roads in the Northeast to humid coastal highways in the South.

For nurses working primarily in urban areas, compact cars offer easy parking and great fuel economy. Meanwhile, those who prefer a mobile lifestyle might find an RV or larger vehicle more convenient since it provides flexibility and housing on the go.

Renting vs. Buying: Which Is Right for You?

One of the bigger decisions travel nurses need to make is whether to rent or buy a vehicle. The choice should be based on your assignment frequency, travel distances, and financial considerations — which may vary from one next assignment to the next.

Renting offers flexibility, allowing you to switch vehicles depending on your location and assignment needs. It also eliminates concerns about maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. If your assignments are short-term or spread across different regions, renting might be the best option.

On the other hand, buying a vehicle can be a practical investment if you tend to work in one geographic area for extended periods. Ownership provides stability and can be more cost-effective in the long run, though it does come with ongoing expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and registration.

However, purchasing a car while relocating frequently has its own set of challenges, including state registration laws, tax differences, and logistical concerns. Understanding the nuances of buying a car across state lines can help ensure a smooth transition as you move into your next assignment.

High-Demand Cities for Travel Nurses

Where you choose to take assignments can have a major impact on your earning potential, career growth, and job satisfaction. Cities with high demand for nurses, such as San Francisco or Boston, often generally offer better compensation and job security than other cities. They can also provide valuable professional experience for your next assignment and beyond.

Metropolitan areas and regions experiencing nursing shortages tend to have the highest demand for travel nurses. These locations often provide attractive benefits, such as sign-on bonuses, housing stipends, and opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, working in hospitals with critical staffing needs allows you to gain hands-on experience in fast-paced environments.

Before accepting your next assignment, research the cost of living, hospital rankings, and available community resources. Choosing the right location based on both your career goals and personal lifestyle preferences ensures a fulfilling experience.

Strategic Planning for Travel Nursing Assignments

A well-planned relocation strategy contributes to stress-free transitions between assignments. Understanding the nuances of each new assignment’s location before arriving will help you hit the ground running and better prepare for your next assignment.

Start by researching housing options, local healthcare facilities, and transportation availability. Short-term housing solutions such as extended-stay hotels, furnished apartments, and travel nurse housing platforms can provide convenience and stability.

Beyond logistics, consider professional development opportunities. Continuing education, networking, and mentorship can enhance your career prospects and keep you competitive in the travel nursing market. Attending industry conferences and engaging in online nursing communities are also great ways to stay connected with peers and discover new opportunities between assignments.

By taking a proactive approach to travel nursing, you can streamline your assignments, reduce stress, and position yourself for long-term success in the healthcare industry.

Conclusion

Travel nursing is a rewarding career that blends new adventures with professional growth. While the job comes with unique logistical challenges, success ultimately depends on careful planning and adaptability.

Every choice, from picking the right vehicle to finding high-demand locations, shapes how smooth and enjoyable your assignments will be. With an intentional approach to your next assignment and beyond, each nursing opportunity has the potential to become more than just a job, becoming an opportunity for advancement, exploration, and personal fulfillment.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Vibra Travels

May 20, 2025

2002 Views

Wellness on the Road: Prioritize You

Posted on May 20, 2025April 29, 2025 by Vibra Travels

Mental Health Awareness Month – May 2025

Life as a travel nurse or clinician is full of adventure, but it also comes with a unique set of stressors: adapting to new environments, navigating shifting schedules, and often being far from your support system. This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re focusing on ways to take care of the most important part of your assignment—you.

Top Wellness Tools That Travel Well 🧘‍♀️📱

These apps and resources are perfect for busy clinicians who need quick, effective ways to reset, recharge, and protect their mental health while on assignment:

Calm or Headspace – Ideal for quick meditations before or after your shift, both offer guided breathing, sleep help, and even daily mindfulness exercises to reduce anxiety.
Insight Timer – A free favorite with everything from sleep stories to ambient music, and tools for deeper self-reflection.
MyPossibleSelf – A wellness app rooted in clinical psychology, it helps with journaling, managing stress, and tracking mood changes.
7-Minute Workout – A time-crunched traveler’s dream. This app gives you short, science-backed workouts to get your endorphins up without needing a gym.
Shine – Created by and for marginalized communities, Shine provides affirmations, meditations, and community support, especially centered around BIPOC mental health.

💬 Pro Tip: Block off 5–10 minutes in your calendar each day as a “check-in” window. Journaling, stretching, deep breathing—whatever feels doable. Over time, those few minutes compound into real mental wellness.

👉 Remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of your mental health is just as essential as showing up for your patients. Keep these wellness apps handy on the road.

Your Ultimate Short-Term Stay Guide

Housing Help: Top Tips From the Road

Let’s face it: housing is one of the biggest stressors to your wellness when jumping from one assignment to the next. But with the right strategy (and a little creativity), finding short-term housing can go from overwhelming to seamless.

🔑 Top Platforms to Explore

Furnished Finder – The gold standard for clinicians; hosts here are familiar with the needs of healthcare travelers and often offer lease flexibility.
Facebook Groups – Try “Travel Nurse Housing” or local travel nurse groups. Fellow travelers often post listings or insider recommendations.
Zillow (Short-Term Filters) – Offers access to legitimate rental options from verified landlords—just be sure to narrow your search.
Airbnb/VRBO – While they can be pricier, these platforms are perfect for last-minute stays or hard-to-find locations. Use long-stay discounts!
Hospital Boards or Staff Resources – Ask your recruiter or unit manager if the hospital has internal housing boards or partner hosts.

📦 Pro Housing Hacks

Negotiate like a pro – Always ask if the listed price is flexible, especially for stays longer than 30 days. Many hosts are open to nurse discounts.
Create a “comfort kit” – Bring small touches of home: a favorite candle, your pillow, cozy socks, or snacks you love. These tiny details make a big difference in a new space.
Do a neighborhood scan – Before you book, research your commute, safety ratings, nearby grocery stores, and Wi-Fi quality (especially if you chart from home!).
Check the fine print – Make sure your rental has a flexible cancellation policy in case your assignment is canceled or moved.

👉 Bonus Tip: Ask fellow travel nurses about their favorite housing wins—and fails. Firsthand reviews are gold.

Now’s the Time to Plan Ahead!

Seasonal Shift: Why Summer Assignments Are Awesome ☀️

Summer travel assignments aren’t just a way to boost your income—they’re a gateway to amazing locations, work-life balance, and in-demand contracts.

🌸 Increased Demand = More Opportunities

Summer is peak time for staff PTO and higher patient loads, which means more openings for travelers. This leads to:

Faster placement and onboarding
More negotiating power on contracts
Opportunities for crisis pay or overtime in certain regions

If you’re open to flexibility, you may also find assignments that combine great locations and higher compensation.

🌴 Travel-Friendly Vibes

From coastal towns to national parks, summer brings out the best in travel destinations, which can also help with your mental health and wellness. It’s the perfect time to say “yes” to assignments near:

Beaches and lakes
Hiking trails and campgrounds
Music festivals and local events
Cities with lively summer scenes and outdoor dining

After your shift, imagine sunset walks, local farmer’s markets, or kayaking with friends you met on assignment. These moments make travel nursing magical.

📅 Plan Ahead for the Best Picks

Housing fills up fast in summer hot spots. The earlier you start chatting with your recruiter, the more likely you’ll land your dream assignment—with housing and pay that match.

✅ Start prepping now by:

Reviewing your license status (do you need a new compact license?)
Updating your traveler profile and references
Communicating availability and preferred destinations with your recruiter

Let this summer be the one where you thrive professionally and personally. Keeping your wellness at the top of your mind! You’ve got options—and we’ve got your back.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your housing search.

By Kimberly Nnanna

May 17, 2025

3610 Views

Nurse Self-Care Strategies: A Real-World Guide for Busy Shifts

Posted on May 17, 2025April 23, 2025 by Kimberly Nnanna

As a nurse, your shift can be non-stop, leaving little room for you to think about anything other than your patients. But what about you? It’s easy to neglect your own well-being when you’re focused on others, but practicing nurse self-care strategies can help you manage stress, maintain your health, and stay energized throughout the day. In this article, we will give you some nurse self-care strategies in the form of a real-world guide.

The Shift Begins: Finding Your Groove

It’s the start of the shift on the unit, and you’re in report, listening to updates about the patients you’ll be assigned. You’ve hopefully had your coffee or hot drink of choice and are hoping that it lasts you through the first 2–3 hours of your shift, if you’re lucky. Once you get your assignment, you’re off to the races! Yes, you’re doing well, managing your patients’ varying needs. Most importantly, you’ve promised yourself to stay on top of your health with some new nurse self-care strategies, like eating better and keeping your cool when stress levels start to rise.

The Forgotten Lunch: A Common Self-Care Slip

Well, you’ve found your groove, and it’s now past 12 pm. You go to the staff fridge in the breakroom only to find that your lunch is nowhere to be found. Oh no! It’s still sitting on your kitchen counter at home because you remembered that you wanted to add an extra apple to it for a healthier meal today.

This is where one of the most important nurse self-care strategies comes into play: self-compassion. Give yourself grace, reset, and remember that these small setbacks don’t define your journey. Using self-kindness as a tool will help you navigate the day and keep you on track with your goals.

Breathe: Regulate and Reset

Breathing is one of the most effective ways to manage stress. Slow, mindful breathing can help you regulate your emotions and calm your thoughts. Cognition declines when stress is elevated, so taking a few moments to focus on your breath can significantly improve your ability to manage both acute and chronic stress.

Breathing exercises help activate the vagus nerve, which is key to regulating your nervous system. When you practice breathing techniques, you increase vagal tone and promote a calm, focused state—a crucial self-care strategy for nurses dealing with high-pressure environments.

Purposeful Movement: Release Stress

Movement is a great way to channel nervous energy into positive action. Walking, dancing, or even light stretching helps release endorphins that improve your mood and mental clarity.

In the heat of the moment, taking a short walk off the unit can be a simple yet powerful nurse self-care strategy. It offers a reset and can prevent snap decisions, helping you approach situations with a clearer mind.

Preparedness: Plan for Your Energy Dips

Being prepared is another key nurse self-care strategy. If you know that your blood sugar tends to dip at a certain time, have easy, portable snacks on hand. Planning ahead allows you to maintain steady energy levels and avoid making unhealthy food choices when you’re too busy to think clearly.

Having healthy options readily available is a great way to avoid those “I’ll grab whatever’s closest” moments. It’s a proactive approach to fueling your body for sustained energy throughout the day.

Know Your Hunger Signals

Hunger isn’t always physical. Sometimes, we hunger for emotional connection, rest, or relief from stress. As nurses, we tend to give so much of ourselves to others that we forget to refill our own emotional tank.

One important nurse self-care strategy is to stay in tune with your own needs. Recognize when you’re craving more than just food—when you need rest, a break, or a few minutes of quiet. It’s vital to be mindful of your emotional and physical needs in order to maintain balance.

The Power of Words: Speak to Yourself With Compassion

How would you treat your best friend? That’s how you should treat yourself. Speak to yourself with the same care and compassion you offer your patients.

The words we use shape our thoughts and beliefs. Choosing kind, encouraging words—even during moments of self-doubt—will empower you to maintain your focus and peace. Treating yourself with empathy is one of the simplest but most profound nurse self-care strategies.

Progress Over Perfection

Don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress. Every step you take toward improving your well-being counts, no matter how small.

Every positive choice you make—whether it’s breathing, moving, or eating well—contributes to your overall health. As bell hooks teaches, spiritual practices can be simple, everyday actions like going outside for fresh air or taking a mindful pause. These moments of restoration matter.

Light Hygiene: Improve Sleep and Mood

Managing your exposure to light can significantly impact your mood and sleep quality. Blue light from screens can disrupt your circadian rhythms, affecting your energy levels and emotional balance.

A simple yet effective nurse self-care strategy is to limit screen time and increase your exposure to natural light, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime. This can improve sleep and ensure you’re well-rested and ready to take on the next shift.

Conscious Consumption: Protect Your Energy

While food is important, so is the information you consume. The news, social media, and other external sources can overwhelm your mental space. One of the best nurse self-care strategies is to limit your exposure to sources that drain your energy.

Choose content that informs and uplifts you, not what stresses or depresses you. Be mindful of the media you engage with, and protect your peace from unnecessary anxiety.

You Are Enough

The journey to better health is personal and unique. It’s okay to have setbacks, like eating that cupcake or skipping a workout. These moments don’t define you.

Remember, your body is more than just a number on a scale. It’s your partner in caregiving, your vessel for life. Practice self-compassion and focus on the progress you’ve made, not on any perceived “failures.”

You are doing enough. You are more than enough. Your well-being matters, and it’s essential to prioritize your health just as much as you prioritize the care of others.

Conclusion: Empower Your Self-Care Journey

Remember, nurse self-care strategies aren’t about perfection—they’re about balance and progress. Small, mindful choices each day can help you sustain your energy, protect your mental health, and show up as the best version of yourself for both your patients and your own well-being.

You’ve got this. You are enough, and your health and happiness matter!

All in all, the journey is just that, a journey, and it is unique to everyone. Rather than telling yourself that you’ve failed as you decide to eat the cupcakes and then go to the cafeteria to get whatever you can scrounge up, take heart. Your body is more than just the weight it’s trying to lose. Your friends and family are most likely not concerned about being the best at reaching your health goals, and love you as they might. You remember this and stop self-flagellation because you’re worth kind words to yourself.

You put your phone away and try to find other ways to make up for this cheat. Remember that food is indeed just food, and we cannot assign it any more power or function than it already has: to give us energy.

You remember your reasons for wanting to get healthier in the first place and recall that low energy, iron levels, hormonal imbalances, or poor digestion may have been your primary drivers for wanting to get healthy.

Remembering that stress is indeed counterintuitive you also remember that as you care for your patients and even your lives loved ones, at times we forget the relationship that we have with things that are around us like food or even habits like worry and social media use, we give far more weight to the bad that we may do rather than focusing on what matters like experiences with those we care about and even ourselves. You can do this. You are enough as you are, and your highest priority at the end of the day is you. Be empowered and encouraged. Keep this guide for nurse self-care strategies handy and refer back to it when you are feeling down.

Do you have any nurse self-care strategies to share with your fellow travel nurses? Or have you found other resources with nurse self-care strategies you would like to share? Comment them below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By trustaff

May 3, 2025

3086 Views

Navigating the Challenges of Being a Travel Nurse with a Family

Posted on May 3, 2025April 29, 2025 by trustaff

Being a travel nurse is an exciting and rewarding career choice. It offers the opportunity to explore new places, meet diverse people, and gain invaluable professional experience. However, when you are a travel nurse with a family, the journey can be filled with unique challenges. Balancing work, travel, and family life requires resilience, adaptability, and a strong support system. Here are some strategies to help overcome these struggles and thrive as a travel nurse with a family.

Navigating the Challenges of Being a Travel Nurse with a Family:

1. Communication is Key

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, especially when you’re constantly on the move. Regularly check in with your family, share your experiences, and listen to their concerns. Use technology to your advantage—video calls, messaging apps, and social media can help bridge the distance. Establishing a routine for communication can provide stability and reassurance for both you and your loved ones.

2. Plan Ahead

Planning is crucial for managing the logistics of travel nursing with a family. Before accepting an assignment, research the location thoroughly. Consider factors such as housing, schools, childcare, and healthcare facilities. Create a detailed plan that outlines your family’s needs and how they will be met during your assignment. This proactive approach can alleviate stress and ensure a smoother transition.

3. Involve Your Family in Decision-Making

Involving your family in the decision-making process can foster a sense of unity and support. Discuss potential assignments together, weigh the pros and cons, and consider everyone’s preferences and concerns. This collaborative approach can help your family feel more connected to your career and more invested in the journey.

4. Establish a Support Network

Building a support network is essential for travel nurses with families. Connect with other travel nurses and families in similar situations. Online forums, social media groups, and professional organizations can provide valuable resources and emotional support. Additionally, seek out local community groups and activities in your assignment location to help your family feel more at home.

5. Prioritize Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is vital for maintaining your physical and mental well-being. Travel nursing can be demanding, and it’s easy to neglect self-care when juggling work and family responsibilities. Make time for activities that rejuvenate you, such as exercise, hobbies, and relaxation. A healthy, balanced lifestyle will enable you to be more present and supportive for your family.

6. Embrace Flexibility

Flexibility is a key trait for travel nurses. Unexpected changes and challenges are inevitable, and being adaptable can help you navigate them more effectively. Embrace the uncertainty and view it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Encourage your family to adopt a flexible mindset as well, which can help everyone cope with the ups and downs of travel nursing.

7. Create Meaningful Memories

Despite the challenges, travel nursing offers unique opportunities to create lasting memories with your family. Explore new destinations together, immerse yourselves in local cultures, and cherish the moments you share. These experiences can strengthen your family bond and provide a sense of adventure and excitement.

8. Seek Professional Guidance

If the struggles become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance. Counselors, therapists, and career coaches can offer valuable insights and strategies for managing the complexities of travel nursing with a family. Professional support can help you develop coping mechanisms and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Conclusion

Being a travel nurse with a family is undoubtedly challenging, but with the right strategies and mindset, it can also be incredibly rewarding. By prioritizing communication, planning ahead, involving your family in decisions, building a support network, practicing self-care, embracing flexibility, creating meaningful memories, and seeking professional guidance, you can overcome the struggles and thrive in your career. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and with resilience and determination, you can navigate the journey successfully.

We hope you found this article on navigating being a travel nurse with a family helpful. Do you have any tips for being a travel nurse with a family? If you would like to share them, comment below.

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel healthcare gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities. We have opportunities for all travel healthcare professionals.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel healthcare assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Grace Hawkins

April 21, 2025

8179 Views

7 Essential Skincare Tips While Traveling This Summer

Posted on April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by Grace Hawkins

Have you ever heard that a skincare routine is at the top of any traveler’s to-do list? No, right! That’s because travelers hardly take care of their skin while on a trip. As a result, often, a trip results in tanning, sunburns, dull skin, breakouts, or flare-ups. However, traveling does not always mean frizzy hair, a dizzy face, tired eyeballs, and a limp body.

If it were for you to look face-fresh always on a trip, won’t you take enough care of yourself while traveling this summer? The scorching summers are about to hit your skin hard. So, if you are going on a business trip or you are a traveling nurse, keep reading this piece till the end. It has the seven most essential skincare tips for you to follow while traveling this summer!

7 Essential Skincare Tips While Traveling This Summer:

1. Don’t Forget to Bring Sunscreens and Moisturizers

One of the most important skincare tips is to be sure to pack a moisturizer and a high-SPF sunscreen if you intend to travel in the sun. Putting on a moisturizer provides you with a healthy base so that all the sun products can sit nicely on your skin. You can also pack skin creams that will help nourish your skin, make it look fresh, and add a glimmer to it when outdoors.

2. Take Enough Care of Your Eyes and Lips

Long flights can be particularly exhausting. They can easily tire sensitive skin around the eyes and lips. Therefore you must take care of it a bit! Of course, it’s not easy to be a full-time travel nurse, which requires you to travel from one place to another for different jobs. Therefore, when your eyes get dry, irritated, or strained after traveling this summer, put on some eye drops and relax for a few minutes. You can also put on a little eye cream and wrap ice in a washcloth to use on the outer skin to slim the eye puffiness.

Also, carry lip essentials to protect your lips from getting dry, torn, or dull. Not only will it keep your lips shining, but it will also prevent them from de-moisturizing.

3. Exfoliating is The Key to a Glowy Travel Skin

Although you keep moisturizing your skin regularly, you won’t win the deal unless you exfoliate if you don’t exfoliate your skin while on a trip, the shredded cells can make you feel dry. You look dull. CBD can reduce skin irritation with its anti-inflammatory properties. So what are you waiting for? Grab an excellent CBD body scrub, apply it in circular motions over your body, and turn towards taking a shower. If you do it 2 to 3 times during a trip, you’ll start loving your skin more!

4. Remove Makeup Before You Hit The Bed

No matter if you are at home or on a trip, if you don’t remove makeup at night, you’re in big trouble. Leaving makeup on while you go to bed can cause some severe damage to your skin. Therefore, you should carry an organic makeup removal on every trip. Use detoxifying cotton pads or towelettes with makeup removal to clean your skin while being gentle with it. It’s okay if you want to look all even-toned during the day. But leaving makeup during sleep is a strict no, no!

5. Carry All Your Wellness Products With You

Nothing worse can happen than relying on those chemically loaded hotel soaps while traveling this summer. Do you think that using those soaps and oils is a good idea? Instead, carry all your wellness products with you. To start with, you can pack all your face essentials in mini bottles or look for travel sets. For your body skin, you can carry soap and shampoo that you use daily.

6. Keep Drinking Water Always

The best way to keep skin clean is to detoxify it, and drinking water is the best way to do it. Ask any dermatologist for tips to save your skin, and all will recommend drinking plenty of water. Besides keeping you hydrated during a trip, drinking water will also help you flush out toxic elements. It will keep skin and lips naturally hydrated and won’t let them break. Water ensures a smooth digestive cycle on a trip that keeps skin away from acne and pimples.

7. Carry Other Essential Accessories, Too

Above carrying all the skincare products and drinking water, there’s something important, too. Little accessories like sunglasses and hats do a lot in summers to protect the skin. It is advisable to take a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes and nearby skin from harmful UV rays. A hat can also save your entire face from the direct contact of sunlight. So, if you’re a travel nurse going on assignment, pack all your summer essentials without fail!

Summary

A summer trip can really damage your skin. It is ideal to be prepared and battle that sun, which can otherwise get on your nerves. Keep these seven excellent and easy-to-follow skincare tips in mind, and you’ll be ready for traveling this summer.

We hope you found this article on skincare tips for summer helpful and maybe you can put some of the skincare tips to use. Do you have any tried and true skincare tips you want to share with your fellow travel nurses? Comment your favorite skincare tips for summer below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Miles Oliver

April 6, 2025

3090 Views

Essential Financial Tips for Travel Nurses: Managing Your Money on the Go

Posted on April 6, 2025March 6, 2025 by Miles Oliver

Travel nurses can have deeply fulfilling careers, but knowing the potential challenges associated with this career path is critical: examples include fluctuating income, moving to different cities, and adjusting to varying living expenses. Fortunately, a proactive budgeting and financial planning approach can manage your money and alleviate stress.

Any financial advisor will tell you this one thing — start out by building a solid budget.

Essential Financial Tips for Travel Nurses:

Build a Solid Budget To Manage Your Finances

As a travel nurse, setting up a flexible budget is key to managing your finances. Since your expenses might vary by assignment, it’s essential to have a system to track them and make adjustments when necessary. Creating a budget maximizes your income while preventing unnecessary financial stress during transitions between assignments.

This doesn’t need to be complicated. Start by determining your total earnings and spending by week, month, and year; remember to include taxes, loan payments, and side hustles. Then, open an online banking account and schedule regular withdrawals like car payments.

To prioritize your spending, designate budget categories like housing, transportation, and entertainment. From there, you can work with different kinds of budget allocation models. One is the 50/30/20, which is basics/luxuries/savings. A reverse budget drops 10 to 20 percent of total earnings into a savings account before using the funds for other expenses.

Need more guidance? There are travel nurse apps for this! Three suggestions are YNAB (You Need A Budget) for budget management, Mint for tracking spending, and SoFi for stock trading.

Another component of managing your financing is designating an emergency fund.

Plan for the Unexpected With an Emergency Fund

Building an emergency fund is one of the most critical ways for travel nurses to protect their financial stability. With a fluctuating income and frequent moves, you must have a cushion to cover unexpected costs, like medical emergencies or unanticipated moving expenses.

Aim to save three to six months of living expenses to protect yourself from financial uncertainty. That safety net allows you to continue working confidently, knowing you can handle unexpected challenges without significant financial strain.

Explore Financial Aid for Education and Career Development

If you’re still in nursing school or considering additional certifications, many financial aid options are available to cover the costs of your education. Scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans can help reduce the monetary burden of nursing education; work-study programs are another option.

Some travel nurse agencies offer financial assistance programs to help you further your career. Review any available opportunities, as debt can be quite a burden.

Maximize Your Income and Minimize Expenses

Many travel nurses leverage tax deductions to maximize their salaries. You can claim business-related expenses like housing, transportation, and equipment on your taxes, potentially saving you a significant amount. A tax professional familiar with travel nursing taxes can help you take full advantage of these deductions.

In addition to tax savings, negotiating pay rates and housing stipends with your agency can help reduce your living expenses, allowing you to keep more of your income. Don’t accept an offer without due diligence; researching different contracts and understanding compensation packages can help you make the best financial decisions for your career.

Set Long-Term Financial Goals for Stability

Saving for retirement is an often overlooked aspect of travel nursing. Even though you may not have access to an employer-sponsored 401(k), you can still invest in an IRA or other investment vehicles.

Consider automating those contributions to consistently build wealth for the future, even as a traveling professional. Sticking to this routine early in your career will help you stay on track and create long-term stability.

Your Financial Independence is Within Reach

Managing your finances as a travel nurse can be part of your routine. You can prioritize financial stability throughout your career by setting up a flexible budget, building an emergency fund, exploring financial aid options, and choosing methods for maximizing your income.

Financial independence is within reach — sticking with these strategies will help you stay on track and thrive in the dynamic field of travel nursing.

By Brandy Pinkerton

March 29, 2025

5415 Views

Two Travel Nursing Destinations for the Mountain Lover

Posted on March 29, 2025March 29, 2025 by Brandy Pinkerton

The Mountains are calling, and I must go! -John Muir

If you’re a mountain lover, adventure seeker, and love to travel to destinations that feed your passion, here are a couple of places worth considering.

Colorado

There are few major cities in America where you can be a short drive to hiking trails, mountains, waterfalls, canyons, and urban amenities. Colorado has so much to offer with its majestic Rocky Mountains range in every direction. Colorado travel assignments might just be for you if you like a winter wonderland. Colorado offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the U.S., with Vail and Aspen as two of the most popular destinations.

Personally, Breckenridge is a favorite of mine. The moment you arrive, you feel a contagious energy, a laid-back mountain vibe, and a fun-loving sense of adventure that calls out the freedom-seeker in all of us! You will feel right at home, and honestly, you may not ever want to leave. For those who prefer to stay off the slopes but still want to experience all that winter has to offer, Colorado offers plenty of opportunities to snowshoe, snowmobile, or cross-country ski.

My first travel assignment was in Colorado Springs; it quickly stole my heart and is still one of my most favorite assignments. It is a gem of a city! Depending on your specialty and time of year, there are usually an abundance of travel nursing options in Colorado. If you are looking for a relaxing lifestyle in a town with natural beauty that offers awesome outdoor opportunities available year-round, you definitely need to add this town to your bucket list.

Staying fit and healthy is a priority of the locals, and it is a very pet-friendly town. Pikes Peak is the most famous natural attraction in the region, and you can enjoy hikes up to the 14,000-foot summit. In Colorado, you can be in the urban city but have the option to head to the mountains for a quick getaway in minutes!!

* Mentor Tip: If you are up for a big challenge, make sure to check out the extreme rated, heart-pounding Manitou Incline Hiking trail where you gain over 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile climbing 2,744 stairs to reach the summit where there are stunning panoramic views. Trust me, the views at the top are well worth the effort!

Montana

I saved the best for last. I must warn you, proceed with caution because Big Sky Country will likely steal your heart, and you may never want to leave. As soon as you cross state lines into Montana, you get this laid-back, easy pace way of life vibe. You can follow the Rockies all the way up through into western Montana into the northern region where the Canadian Rockies begin. There are jagged peaks, pristine water, and abundant wildlife in every direction.

Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks are all worth visiting while in this area. In my opinion, Glacier National Park steals the spotlight. It is land of mountain ranges carved by prehistoric ice rivers full of alpine meadows, deep forests, waterfalls, about 25 glistening glaciers, and 200 sparkling lakes. The vistas seen from Going-To-The-Sun Road are breathtaking, a photographer’s paradise.

Relatively few miles of road exist in the park’s 1,600 square miles of picturesque landscape, thus preserving its primitive and unspoiled beauty. It offers tons of hiking trails and backcountry camping and hiking. Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell, are all cities that often have travel nursing needs. I was able to spend 9 months in Kalispell as a traveler to help them open up a brand new Children’s Hospital. As a traveler, you get to enjoy the breathtaking views of vast forests, rugged mountains, and green meadows, which will make your assignment an unparalleled adventure. Montana is truly the Last Best Place.

*Mentor Tip: Montana is Grizzly Bear country and hiking in these areas requires some preparation and planning. Make sure to educate yourself on Bear Safety and understand the proper way to secure your food. Make sure to always carry bear spray and know how to use it; it could save your life. Also, this is NOT the place to hike alone, and if you do, that is a risk you assume. Try to hike with groups of 3 or more and make lots of noise when on the trails.

Being able to have endless adventures in the mountains is one of the many perks of becoming a traveling nurse. The mountains are a place to go to feel fully truly alive.

This is just a glimpse of the incredible locations travel nurses can enjoy while on assignment. Want to learn more? Contact Brandy@travelnurse101.com today to schedule your complimentary 1:1 mentor session.

We hope you enjoyed this article on two travel nursing destinations for the mountain lover. Have you found any great mountain destinations for travel nursing assignments? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

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

By Alex McCoy

March 22, 2025

2116 Views

How to Work with Multiple Travel Nurse Recruiters at Once

Posted on March 22, 2025March 12, 2025 by Alex McCoy

One of the best aspects of travel nursing is the potential it affords you. Pay rate, location, shift– all are negotiable and can be shopped out to best meet your needs at any given time!

What is the best way to make sure you have the most options available in your career as a travel nurse? Have multiple travel nurse recruiters!

Why you should work with multiple travel nurse recruiters:

This is important for one main reason: exclusive contracts. Every company will have access to certain jobs based on their relationship with hospitals and vendor companies. Therefore, to have the best access to jobs, you need to have a travel nurse recruiter from a few different companies who have different relationships with different hospitals or systems.

It may sound like a lot at first, but it is totally normal and a good travel nurse recruiter will expect you to have other recruiters as well. The key to balancing all of this is to be open about it with your recruiter(s). Be up front and say something like “I just wanted to let you know I have another recruiter looking for contracts right now as well. I will let you know as soon as I sign a contract if I choose to go with them based on what we find.”

Another helpful thing is to let your recruiter know what is most important to you as they look for jobs. This can help them be more successful in their search, and you with your overall satisfaction. Don’t say you are open to night shift if you really are not, for example. If you really, really need a specific location at a certain time, tell them that!

A good travel nurse recruiter will also let you know if they simply don’t have what you need at that moment. They won’t try to draw you into jobs that don’t fit your needs if you have done a good job at communicating what those are. A good travel nurse recruiter should say something like “I’m sorry I don’t have that right now, but I’ll be here whenever your contract finishes up and we can try and find the right fit for the next one!”

If a travel nurse recruiter tries to tell you that it is abnormal or bad to have more than one recruiter–they are not looking out for your best interest. While a good recruiter might be able to do some digging or reach out to try and “find” a position that will fit your needs, they ultimately can recognize that they simply might not have the job that you need right now. However, if they are smart and courteous they will realize that building a good relationship and leaving the door open for you to circle back is more valuable than being a hard sell or discouraging you from doing what is best for you.

At the end of the day, your relationship with your travel nurse recruiters should be treated as a business relationship. The respect should be mutual, and communication should be direct and open without causing the other person to take things personally.

Remember that this goes both ways. While your travel nurse recruiter needs to be respectful and communicative to you, it helps them do their job better if you can reciprocate these actions. Don’t ghost them if you find another assignment, or if you are upset with something they are doing. Instead–communicate! Let them know why you are frustrated. Tell them you took another assignment but will be done on a specific date. A good travel nurse recruiter will not be offended, they will be appreciative that you have enough respect for them to communicate.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Amber Pickler

March 18, 2025

8856 Views

Tips for Surviving Travel Nurse Anxiety

Posted on March 18, 2025March 18, 2025 by Amber Pickler

Travel nursing means starting a new job every 13 weeks, give or take. This can cause travel nurse anxiety to rise. We see many posts in our Facebook group about nerves before the first assignment. And many veteran travel nurses say that they still have those same first-day jitters after many assignments. So, how do you handle the jitters and travel nurse anxiety? Below, you will find some of the tips fellow travel nurses had in our Facebook group.

Surviving Travel Nurse Anxiety:

Think Positive

Keeping a positive mindset will help you get through. Going into the assignment with a positive outlook will affect your assignment. Many people believe that your thoughts genuinely affect your actions, and it is true. So keeping a positive mindset will help to ease some of your anxiety even if the positive mindset is that it is only 13 weeks, and then you are on to your next location.

Be Positive in Your Skillset

Most travel nurses have at least 2 years of experience. You have developed a great skill set and learned many things in that time. Your skillset won’t change just because you are going to different facilities. Things may not be done exactly like you are used to, but hey, you may just learn something new with each new facility you work at.

Become familiar with the facility, unit, and parking prior to your first day

Members mentioned taking time prior to your first day to get accustomed to the area, the facility, your home unit in the facility, and the parking situation. Some assignments charge for parking. Knowing that before your first day will help with your anxiety. One member said she asks for an orientation of the unit before her first day. This would give you time to ask questions about where things are, codes for doors, and just any questions you may have. Getting to know the facility prior is a great idea too. It gives you a chance to get to know where things are in the facility.

Remember, you are the same nurse at any facility

The biggest takeaway from the comments on the post was that at the end of the day, you care for patients and nurse the same regardless of the location. So, just because your hospital is changing, you are still the same nurse and will give the same care.

We hope you found these tips for coping with travel nurse anxiety helpful. Do you suffer from travel nurse anxiety? How do you cope? Do you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

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