As
a traveler, you likely find yourself moving to new locations quite frequently.
Finding new hobbies and go-to errand stops can be difficult to pin down, but
with these tips and tricks you’ll be fitting in with the locals in no time!
Visit Restaurants
Want to really get to
know the culture and vibe of the city you are staying in? Check out the local
“hole-in-the-wall” restaurants. Those spots alone can say a lot about what the
natives are passionate about. Sometimes restaurants hold cooking classes or
trivia nights and those would serve as great opportunities to meet new people.
Local leagues
No better way than to
take some of your hobbies and turn them into an opportunity to meet new
friends. Whether you’re into softball, volleyball or gaming, there are always
seasonal leagues you can consider joining to get involved and meet new people
with your same interests.
Social Media
Often times when
following social media pages, they will share suggested local events and
happenings in the area. This could be anything from a food truck event, to a
craft fair, but regardless the specifics, these local get-togethers serve as a
great way to meet new friends and immerse yourself into your new temporary home.
Volunteer
Typically, animal shelters, festivals, food pantries, etc. are looking for volunteers to assist in daily tasks that require extra sets of helping hands. Volunteering is not only a solid resume builder, but it also is a way to get involved in the community and make new friends. So, during your next adventure consider volunteering, you’ll gain a confidence boost as well as meet new friends while helping!
Daily Necessities
Before leaving for each new adventure, take time to locate grocery stores, banks and pharmacies that will be nearby to where you’re staying. It is also important to consider using a pharmacy that has multiple locations and can usually be found anywhere you go. This will help the convenience of prescription pick-up so you don’t need to change the location each new place you go.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
The holidays are most commonly viewed as a time to relax and spend time with family, however, there are many travel nurses who jump on the chance to work during a holiday. Travel nurses who work holiday assignments cite it as advantageous to their nursing careers and rewarding in more ways than one. If you’ve been considering taking a travel nursing assignment during the holidays, let the below benefits inspire and motivate you to try something new this year.
1. Higher pay
When you’re a Fastaff RN, you are one of the first responders; undertaking challenging opportunities, and changing communities with dedicated patient care. We understand that it is not always easy and we’re here to ensure your success.
As a way of showing
our gratitude for our nurses’ continued hard work this holiday season, we are
offering a pay rate that is 1.5 times your hourly rate for ALL hours
worked during the holiday week from December 22-28, 2019.
2. A calmer, more relaxed atmosphere
Usually,
you will have fewer patients in the hospital over the holidays. Many doctors
don’t schedule as many procedures, and people avoid coming in for non-essential
treatment. This can lead to a more laid-back atmosphere with less
commotion and stress.
3. A chance to build rapport
When
you agree to work on the holidays, you show your employer that you are a team
player and that you are willing to do your part to ensure that the hospital or
clinic is staffed at all times. This helps you to build a strong, positive
relationship with your employer, which can be beneficial to you in the future.
4. More one-on-one time with patients
With
less going on in the hospital, you will have more time to spend with each of
your patients. This allows you to provide them with more comprehensive care.
5. Intrinsic rewards
When
patients are in the hospital over the holidays, they may feel more low or
homesick than usual. By showing them kindness and attention on these days, you
can help to raise their spirits.
6. A sense of purpose
When you work assignments over the holidays, you are making even more of an impact in your patients’ lives; connecting with them on a deeper level during a time when they may need someone the most.
We hope this article makes working an assignment during the holidays a little more bearable.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
Missing family – This is a big subject for me since I am a wife of 21 years and a mom of 2 very active teenagers involved in everything- music and scouts, as well as everything else they can get involved in.
The 4 Hour Commute
I had been traveling for a little over a year, and when I first started talking to recruiters and various companies. I told them I wanted to be within 4 hrs of home. Well, guess what, I still have not been within 4 hrs of home. My first assignment was in Richmond, Virginia. On my first day at the hospital, they give me my schedule for 2 weeks, and I wanted to cry; I was basically doing it every other day. I thought to myself, “how am I going to go without seeing my family?”
That first weekend, I had a 3 day weekend off, and I drove back to Ohio, slept in my bed for 2 nights, was with my husband and kids, and went back for the 2 weeks of hell. When I figured up the time to drive and the gas for my SUV, I found it was just as cheap to fly back and forth. So when the next 4-week schedule came out, and they had my schedule finally the way I wanted it, I got to go home for 5 or 6 days at a time and spend with my family.
My daughter went with me for a 2-week stay in Richmond. She would watch TV and play video games while I was at work and had plenty of food to eat. On my days off, we would do stuff or sit around and do nothing. I went home a total of 5 times while I was there. I flew my husband down at the end of my contract so he could see a little bit, and we could have some time just him and me before we drove home. After I finished the assignment, I took 4 weeks off to spend at home before my next adventure.
Places I never thought I would go!
My next adventure was someplace I never thought I would want to go to, but it ended up being the most awesome assignment ever. I went to a tiny hospital in southern Vermont. I knew going in it was not 12-hour shifts. I would be working 9 (8-hour shifts) in a 2 week period. This averages out to 72 hrs every 2 weeks.
I thought it would be perfect if they scheduled me 9 shifts in a row; I could go home every 2 weeks if I wanted to. I guess wrong. They would not schedule me that way. I had it in my schedule for 10 days off, so I could go to the conference and go home to watch my kids perform in their first choir performance of the year.
I got to go home twice during the 14 weeks I was in Vermont. The time did go fast, working every day, but by the end, I was like a mother bear, missing her cubs. When I flew my husband up to meet some of the awesome people I got to work with, he did comment on them that he wished I would have gotten home more often, and that made up my mind that I would not make another contract of 8 hr shifts 11 hrs from home.
Making Adjustments
I took off for the holidays and worked per diem at my home hospital for December and the first few days of January. During my time off, I got an assignment in Gilbert, Az, outside of Phoenix, which, as I said, I told companies I wanted 4 hours from home, so I decided to go a day and a half from home.
I had it in my contract for some time off 3 different times for the band and choir performances that the kids would have, not realizing that was the only days I would be spending at home were those days. I did not do the figuring correctly to make sure that I had a few days before and a few days after to be at home where I so wanted to be.
With the winter weather that the Midwest and the east go over the winter, I was thrilled to be where it was sunny and warm, even though my family and friends had a hit list out on me for all of the awesome pictures I had taken of sun and warm. There were so many travelers out there that I did not get bored, but by the first part of April, I was really getting homesick; some of my new friends had left and gone to other assignments, some went home. I had decided when I got the contract in AZ that once it was over, I would take off till the first part of June since my oldest was graduating from high school and with all of the ends of the year stuff the kids had planned.
Next was Massachusetts outside of Boston. I got my schedule on my first day for 6 weeks and could have cried again; I do get a few 3 days in a row off stretches but not enough for me to be able to go home and spend quality time with my family. I hope to get a few trades and ask the scheduler to schedule my days together so I can go home a few times during this assignment. No, I did not ask for any time off during this assignment. I was hoping, like an idiot, that maybe my days would be together since this facility is used to having travelers around.
Dealing with Separation
So to summarize, how do we deal with the separation? It is tough. I do get a little selfish when I get to go home and try to keep my family at my side for the entire time. Yes, my kids will tell you that I am overbearing when I get to come home and smother them.
We have all downloaded Tango on our phones to do video chat whenever we want to. My husband and I talk on the phone at least once a day and try to solve all of the problems at home or where I am over the phone. So far, it has worked very well. They have all adapted very well to becoming a travel nurse as to knowing how to make doctor appointments, knowing what time they need to be placed, taking the dog to the vet, cleaning, cooking, etc. My husband has figured what bills need to be paid when and how much money he needs to get things done.
I am very blessed to have a wonderful husband who supports me in my journey of being a travel nurse. It does get tougher for me every time I get ready to leave. It doesn’t matter if I am home for a few days or a few weeks. I know that I will miss my family something terrible, but I do love what I am doing and do not think I could ever go back to being a full-time staff nurse. Maybe my next assignment will be in the 4-hour window of the home, maybe not. I am a true gypsy spirit and will go where the wind blows.
Travel nursing is a career that offers both flexibility and adventure. The job requires nurses to experience working around the world, and after a few weeks or months, they move to another place. The main reason this concept was initiated was due to the lack of ample nurses in different regions.
It looks exciting, for sure. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to choosing this career.
The advantages:
High income: Travel nurses are among the highest paid healthcare personnel. They also receive tax-free stipends, healthcare and retirement benefits, bonuses and generous reimbursements.
Career growth: Through encountering different facilities, travel nurses learn to be more flexible.
Adventure: Since travel nursing involves a lot of travelling, you will find yourself in new and unusual places with each posting.
Exposure to new cultures: The world is a hub for different cultures. A career in travel nursing exposes you to some of these cultures.
Freedom and flexibility: As a travel nurse you get to choose where you want to work and when. Therefore, you choose the time you spend with friends and family.
The disadvantages:
Temporary employment: In most cases, travel nursing employment is contract-based. You end up jobless when a deal comes to an end.
No paid time off Most companies doesn’t offer time off to travel nurses.
Low or no insurance benefits: They get low insurance benefits because they are based on taxable wages, which are also low.
Travel nurses share their personal experiences: Dr. Helen Rook
I moved to New Zealand in 2001 because I wanted to visit a new place and explore a different culture. I started working at Wellington Hospital in the intensive care department.
Later I got married to Andrew, and we now have two beautiful children, Conor and Aidan. In 2017 I received a PhD in nursing, and I’m a full-time academic at Victoria University of Wellington researching on nursing values. At the moment here in New Zealand, nurses are complaining about the low pay, lousy working conditions and low staffing.
Sharon Steeves
I work at DeSalaberry District Health Center in southern Manitoba, Canada. I love my nursing career because this is what I have always wanted to do, since I was four years old.
The theme of International Nurses Day for this year motivated me to join a group of other protesters to agitate about the ongoing cuts to our health services. I like how as nurses we come together to ask for justice and human rights.
Laura Byrne
I’m currently working as a volunteer in a community clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. The clinic mostly deals with refugees from DRC, Zimbabwe and Central African Republic.
The nursing experience for me has been very challenging here because it is different from what I’m used to in Ireland. The patients here are vulnerable, and diseases like HIV, malnutrition and TB are prevalent compared to Ireland.
The Irish nursing degree has helped me work in different environments. For instance, I had the opportunity to work in Australia as an agency nurse for a year. I have also worked for Princess Cruises for a year, and I loved it there.
Michelle Roche
I left Ireland five years ago, and since then I have been working in Victoria, Australia. Emigrating is the best decision I have ever made; working full time in Ireland I was never able to pay my bills.
Here in Australia, I have a good life; I am well compensated for the hard work. I am now a unit manager and there are numerous opportunities available to me.
Kerr Janer
I am a paediatric nurse from Limerick, Dublin where I used to work earlier in a children’s hospital. Currently, I work at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh City. Emigrating has grown my career and also led to personal development. I now work in a big specialist hospital with people from different cultures. There is better pay here with free accommodation and 54 days paid annual leave.
Without a doubt, travel nursing is one of the best things that happened to the nursing community. From the experiences shared above by several nurses, it’s clear that emigrating has been very beneficial. Most of them now work with flexible schedules and receive high incomes. By working in different environments, they have gained personal and professional growth.
Though it comes with some disadvantages like being away from family and difficulties in adapting to a new environment, it is still one of the best careers. It is important that nurses are opting to move away from low-paid jobs and lousy working conditions. Nurses do great work so they should be respected and paid well. There are various organisations around the world that have come up to help nurses fight for their rights and also help them get better job deals around the world.
Sandy Getzky is the executive coordinating editor at The Global Nail Fungus Organization, a group committed to helping the 100+ million people suffering from finger and toenail fungus. Sandy is also a registered Herbalist and member of the American Herbalist’s Guild.
It’s 8 am, you hear the loudspeaker outside “GOOOOODDDD MORNING CAMPERS!!! It’s Saturday, todays activities are…bunks 1-10 please have your laundry ready for pickup…”, and any other general announcements for the day.
But wait, who am I kidding? I’m filling my wagon with inhalers and the bins of the countless allergy and PRN meds that my campers take. That’s right, I said MY campers.
You see, camp nursing isn’t just a job, it’s a commitment, it’s family, it’s being a nurse, a mom or dad, a mental health counselor, a calm voice in the panic, and a trusted professional; 24/7 for the duration of the summer.
Still with me? Okay great! Then you may want to think about exploring this rewarding opportunity that your nursing degree can offer you.
Let’s go on with our day. We packed the morning meds and head to the dining hall. Most bigger camps have a few nurses and sometimes a nurse aide, so this doesn’t have to be you every morning. In true fashion, the dining hall is chaos. You think having 2 hungry kids at home in the morning is hard, try 500! They flood in by bunk, previewing the days offering on their way to their table. You get a few coming for pre-meal meds, but all that most of them think about is their growling stomachs and all the activities they are doing that day. At some point in their meal, they stroll to the med table, wait in line, take their meds, and go about their day. Inevitably you will get a few that want to show you a new rash they found or a bug bite, just like your friends and family do in the real world.
After breakfast, you pack up and head back to the health center. This is usually where the nurses live and work out of, and where sick campers stay overnight if needed. (Many camps offer private accommodations with air conditioning, TV, and internet for the nurses.) Then it’s time for clinic. My camp held clinic twice a day, after breakfast and before dinner. The camp doctor will come over and the nurses running clinic will triage the campers and decide who needs to see the doctor. Camps usually have protocols in place to allow nurses to treat common injuries, so not everyone has to see the doctor. Clinics can run 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how many campers come in. The complaints can run anywhere from runny noses to joint pain to rashes and colds. The doctor may write some prescriptions that need to be sent to the pharmacy, and some campers may have fevers and must stay in the health center. Clinic wraps up and things usually calm for the rest of the morning.
This is a great time for some leisure, and one of the best benefits of being a camp nurse. Camps encourage the nurses to use the facilities of the camp during their downtime. This could range from lake and pool activities, to arts and crafts, gymnastics, archery, and hiking. There is plenty of downtime during the days to read a good book, or simply enjoy nature.
While the on-duty nurse is at the health center, they typically see a few campers trickle in for ice packs or prn meds throughout the day, but this should not be a constant stream of kids. We would send many away and encourage them to come to next clinic, if still necessary. Remember, camp nursing is sometimes parenting. At home, you would tell your kid to walk it off, and not schedule a doctor appointment for every sniffle or pain. Same goes for camp! Of course, the broken bones or serious cuts are treated immediately, and can come in at any time. Your camp may be able to treat some, and others would have to be sent to the ER or out for an X-ray.
Lunch is typically light for medications, and the nurses can prep for dinner and night meds and relax during the afternoon. Every camp has their own system for medications. Mine had pre-made packets for each camper that came from an outside company, and we used paper MAR’s to keep track of them.
Before dinner, the clinic was open and ran the same as in the morning. Just like the doctor’s office or ER you worked in, you will have your “frequent flyers” and kids and counselors that just need reassurance that their bug bite will not turn them into a monster. The counselors come for treatment too. Many of them are from all over the world and they are usually in their late teens and twenties. Did I mention you’re parenting them too? Dinner meds were typically similar to breakfast ones.
After dinner, most camps have some sort of evening activity. These range anywhere from a play put on by the campers, to outside entertainers like bands and magicians. This was always a fun time to immerse myself into the camp lifestyle, and really form a bond with the campers. Going back summer after summer, you see them grow and develop into young adults.
Night meds were done at the health center, and typically were low volume. At night, one nurse is typically on call. You tuck in the overnight campers and make calls to parents if needed. Campers can come during the night with their counselors if they need to be seen. Usually this would only be for fevers or if someone woke up vomiting. There were nights where I slept straight through, and some where I’d be woken by the knock on my door a few times.
If you made it through the day with me, I’ll tell you a little more.
Camp nursing is awesome! What it isn’t is a vacation. There will be stress and times you question your sanity. Try it for a summer, you won’t regret it! It gets you out of the typical healthcare setting and exposes you to a side of nursing long forgotten. When I was travel nursing, my summers were spent at camp. 8 weeks away from call bells and sirens, making life long friends from around the world, and developing my sense of autonomy. Room and board included, I hardly spent any money the entire summer, and came back refreshed. I did everything from flight nursing, to ED and ICU, and still enjoy helping in between my full-time job on weekends at camp since 2006.
So it’s that time again; your next adventure awaits! We saw some of you lovely people reaching out for the best road trip stops from LA to Seattle and based on your responses we made you a quick little cheat sheet! Here’s a list of the best attractions, nature and grub for your next 13 week adventure on the West Coast.
Redwood National Park-
There’s just not many things that can make you feel as small on this big planet then standing next to a mammoth tree in California’s Redwood forests. This park for instance is home to tallest of all the redwood trees. For the Instagram savvy, you may want to stop at the Drive-Thru Park and pay $5 to drive through one and get to snap a quick picture to prove it!
Cannon Beach –
Cannon Beach is truly like a dream come true. Celebrated as one of America’s 10 most beautiful towns on the West Coast, there’s a little something to captivate everyone. Personally, I like exploring and taking in the sights, so Haystack Rock would be a must for me to enjoy the landscape, the areas Tufted Puffins and the beautiful marine life in the tide pools. For those more adventurous, you should check out the zip-line tours, surf classes or even a helicopter ride!
Yosemite –
Found in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite and it’s indescribable beauty is on most adventurers bucket list. It’s best known for it’s breathtaking waterfalls, but has nearly 1,200 square feet of landscape to roam and explore. Camping sites are available for tents, as well as RV’s, if have a few days to unwind and enjoy in the great outdoors.
Crater lake-
With it’s crystal clear and nearly pristine fresh water, Crater Lake is a must-see for those traveling through Oregon’s,Cascade Mountain Range. This beauty was created nearly 7,700 thousand years ago from volcanic eruption that caused a mountain peak to collapse. The water gets it fascinating beauty from rain and snow, and is the deepest lake in the United States!
Monterey –
Roll down Highway 1 and take in all that Monterey has to offer. Like the rest of these sites, there is so much beauty in nature that it’s hard to make a short list! Some of the top attractions are famous Bixby Bridge on the way to Big Sur, hang-gliding above Marina State Beach and diving deep with the scuba team at Seven Seas Scuba. If you’re lucky enough to travel with your significant other, you have to check out Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove.
Do you have any other suggestions? Places I’m crazy to have not mentioned? Drop a comment below and let us know! We love hearing about your experiences so we can share them with our growing gypsy community!
Nurses are in higher demand than ever, especially since many will soon retire. According to at least one study, the U.S. will need to add at least 5.6 million new healthcare professionals by 2020, and 4.6 million will need some college education. All of this adds up to a rosy future for travel nurses. Sign on with a travel nursing agency, and you can take temporary positions around the country or even abroad. You’ll receive competitive pay and benefits and the ability to work as much or as little as you want. Many agencies provide you with housing and travel reimbursements.
Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse
Perhaps the primary benefit of working as a travel nurse is the ability to travel. The typical travel nursing assignment lasts about 13 weeks, so you’ll have the opportunity to spend more than three months exploring a new city or rural area. Perhaps you love skiing — wouldn’t it be nice to spend three months of the winter in Colorado? Or maybe you like the beach — you could spend time working in Florida, California, or even Hawaii. Nurses are in high demand everywhere, so there’s no limit to where you can go as a travel nurse. Nursing already offers great flexibility, but travel nursing offers even more than standard staff positions. You can work anywhere from four weeks to an entire year, then take a month off if you prefer.
You can expect to earn more money than an ordinary staff nurse — as of June 2023, pay packages range from $2,000 per week gross and up. Many agencies offer 401(k) plans with contribution matching, and you can qualify for medical and dental benefits. You can be reimbursed for continuing education or receive opportunities for free continuing education credits. Housing is also covered — you’ll either receive a housing allowance commensurate with the area’s cost of living or be assigned free housing offered by the hospital where you work. Perhaps best of all, you’ll have the opportunity to experience how hospitals and clinics in different parts of the country and world do things and to improve your patient care skills thanks to the experience.
How to Become a Travel Nurse
To become a travel nurse, you will first need to earn a nursing degree and pass the NCLEX to obtain your RN. Once you’re an RN, you should work in a hospital for at least a year to gain the experience you’ll need to make yourself an attractive travel nurse candidate. A certification in your specialty can also help you gain a travel nursing position.
Most travel nurses work for a travel nursing agency that places qualified nurses in positions around the country. You’ll receive most of your benefits, including health care, housing, retirement, and travel reimbursement, from the agency itself, not from the hospitals where you work. Usually, you’ll be interviewed by a hiring manager at the agency; you may or may not also be interviewed by a unit manager at the hospitals and clinics to which you travel for assignments. Most travel nurses have preferences for where they would like to travel, and you always have the option to accept or decline a contract. In addition, the agency will do its best to place you as close as possible to your preferred city.
Travel nursing is a great career option for a nurse passionate about travel. It’ll allow you to see the country and the world, learn from a greater variety of healthcare professionals, make new friends, and have experiences that will be the envy of your loved ones back home. Give travel nursing a try, and start making the most of your life.
As many of you know, The Gypsy Nurse Travel Nurse Guide has helped hundreds of would-be travel nurses over the years get started on their travel adventures. Where to start travel nursing? The Gypsy Nurse Travel Nurse Guide is a great travel introduction for nurses trying to decide if this is the path they want to take.
In this travel nursing guide, I’ll be breaking down each of the following steps into easy-to-follow directions. It is recommended that you follow them in order. If you have any questions that aren’t covered in our travel introduction, please feel free to join our network on Facebook and post them there: Travel Nurse Network – The Gypsy Nurseor contact us directly here.
Using the Travel Nursing Guide
Knowing where to start when you’re a new travel nurse can be a bit daunting. Due to this, we’ve broken our travel nursing guide down into easy-to-digest snippets. The guide is designed so that you can jump into it at any point. However, it’s recommended that you use the travel nursing guide beginning at Step #1. Even if you have already completed a travel nurse contract, this guide will help you to be better prepared. Furthermore, our agencies tell us that members that follow the guide are more organized and ready to tackle travel nurse challenges.
Travel Nurse Guide: Assessment
When you are thinking about travel nursing and just don’t know how to start, we recommend that you go through these steps to figure out if travel nursing is right for you. Additionally, completing these steps will make you better at effectively communicating your needs to the agency.
Now that you’ve decided to start travel nursing, here is where the work begins. Completing all of these steps will help you start travel nursing with ease. Planning is your key to success!
The first travel nursing assignment is usually the most intimidating. You’re heading into an unknown world, and we’re here to help with every step of the way. From your arrival at your new location all the way through the entire contract, we provide a guide on what you need to focus on. Above all, this guide is designed to ease some of those fears.
“What activities did you do on your travel nursing assignment in ___________?”
You are going to have a really hard time answering that if you don’t get out and explore and see what is out there!
Most recruiters will tell you that their travelers are most happy on assignment when they are out and about and enjoying their temporary home and exploring their community, outside of work. Getting our and about is a great way to fend off homesickness, even for the most experienced #GypsyNurse. Even if you do not know what to do, no worries! We have collected some great ideas from fellow travelers, just like you. Even if you do not have hobbies, or you might be kind of shy- there are still ways for you to get out and enjoy your surroundings. The key is to get out and take that first step.
Beat Travel Nurse Boredom
Here is list of a few ideas that were submitted by fellow travelers. There is sure to be something that will appeal to you.
Meetup.com – a website dedicated to helping people in a specific geographic area meet up, get together, and plan outings or get togethers.
Local parks- these are great places to sit, relax, get some fresh air, maybe read a book. Maybe hike the trails and enjoy nature (pick up a book at the library on local birds or wildlife)
Bike rentals- great exercise alone or with a group
Ask the locals- a great conversation opener with coworkers. Ask them what they like to do for fun, and then invite them along!
Geocache- fantastic way to get out and adventure, locating little hidden caches that are placed in specific areas. Geocaching.com has a great explanation, and list of caches by city.
Google the ‘Top 10’ things to do in the area- great way to get local recommendations on restaurants, festivals, historic locations, etc.
A lot of people like antiques, or second hand stores, etc. Spend a day off exploring the shops and you might find something unique to remind you of your assignment to take home.
Chamber of Commerce- this is a great resource for local activities. For Example: strawberry picking, peanut festival (Virginia)
Are you stuck in your comfort zone? Gypsy Nurse Ambassador, Patricia Carter said, “Some people are simply afraid to get out of their comfort zone. The activities, events & festivals are there, you just have to want to get out & explore. What I do varies with location. I am on the East Coast. I am a Ballroom Dancer, I don’t leave home without my dance shoes ! I ask the Nurses I work with that live in the area…. best recommendation! They can tell you where not to go! There are day City Tours , Hiking , Dance Studios, Restaurants. I find out if there are other Travelers in the hospital & organize a Meet & Greet.”
Check the Network group on Facebook for local Meet & Greets! If you do not see one posted, create one! Baseball games, football games, museum tours, etc. There are so many things to go and see and do! The key is getting out and doing them! Make memories on your assignments. If you like taking pictures then go explore your surroundings, and take your camera with you. You never know what you may find.
Suggestions, Suggestions
TripAdvisor.com has a list of free things to do in just about any area.
Check out the state/city website. Most have a website with a list of local free or “Under $25” activities.
Ask your waitress, or bartender what they recommend. They can be a wealth of information on fun, interesting things to do in the local area, or within a short drive.
Apps, Apps, Apps- one overwhelming response from fellow travelers was see what apps are available for a specific area. They are usually loaded with great ideas on what is going on around you.
As active as our jobs are you would think that we get enough exercise, not necessarily, and the more active you are, the healthier you are. Look up local running or walking clubs. You would be surprised how many people get together and just walk, or even go running together. Check out the local YMCA for Zumba classes, yoga, swimming, or dance classes.
If you are fortunate enough to be in a coastal area, why not try snorkeling, scuba diving, or even surfing. Community centers are a great place to learn arts and crafts, painting, pottery, even take a photography class.
Another great suggestion is check out Groupon or Living Social for local activities that are going on or coming up in the area, or within a short drive. Better yet, get a group of other travelers together and make a day of it.
In the winter months you might be a little more limited, but you can still get out and enjoy yourself. What a perfect time to take a beginner skiing class, or even snowboarding! Check with the locals! They can tell you the best non-touristy things to see and do. Ask around at work- several of the travel nurses on the Network ice skate and the first thing they do is search out the local rink.
Regardless of what you choose to do for fun while you are on assignment, make sure you get out and explore your surroundings. You never know what is out there if you do not get out and go!
Don’t forget to post your adventures on the Travel Nurse Network and submit your photos here
Happy Nurses Week 2025! We’re so grateful for all that nurses do—every single day. This week is all about you, and we’re excited to celebrate with a giveaway! Need more details? Visit our Facebook page.
