Let’s be honest. None of us has this totally figured out. The timeline of a travel nurse is anything but predictable. It is like frosting sugar cookies 🍪.

Sometimes your snowmen come out looking like the poster child for Hallmark’s next hit movie… but other times the frosting consistency is just wrong, and the snowman looks like the plow just threw all of the dirty street snow on it and transformed it into an abominable snowman. ☃️❄️😅

It just depends on the day, how steady your hand is, the consistency of the frosting, and how much time you have.

Travel Assignments Are The Same Way 🎡

Some travel assignments can be absolutely perfect, and everything will line up straighter than your cornrows after your family vacation to Mexico in 1997.

Other times, housing falls through, or the hospital doesn’t give what they promised, or you can’t seem to connect anywhere. Living life in the Upsidedown almost seems more enjoyable than the current turmoil you are enduring.

Regardless of the frustrations or joys an assignment might bring, I have figured out that there are quite a few consistencies that tend to occur throughout the 13-week period. This might be my own personal progression, but I have talked to many travelers who have expressed similar feelings.

So, what does it look like to move every 13 weeks and continually uproot every aspect of consistency, you know? Let me tell you. 👇

You’re Ready to GO 🚙✨

The contract is signed, the boxes are packed, your car is busting at the seams, your coffee mug is filled to the brim, your phone is charged, and Google maps have been downloaded; the last hugs have been given. You pull out of that driveway and head into the sunrise on an early morning full of expectation of what the next weeks will bring.

Your mind is full of all the anticipation and excitement of a new city, a new hospital, and hopefully new friends. The unknown seems foreign yet so familiar as you welcome it to take the shotgun seat in your car because it will be the closest thing you know for quite some time, so you might as well get acquainted over bad karaoke and gas station snacks together.

When you finally arrive at your new temporary place, the mix of excitement with nerves produces enough energy to charge your phone, which is now at 3% from all of the podcasts you listened to on your drive-in. If you are anything like me, you have given yourself a solid 12 hours to unpack, dig out your one business casual outfit you own, and pull into orientation the next day. 🎒👚

Timeline of a Travel Nurse 📅🩺

Week 1 🎢

What a ride. It is basically like riding Space Mountain at Disneyland for the very first time🎡 . You’ve waited forever for this, and now it’s go time!

You’re driving to a new hospital, finding orientation, and hoping to meet other travelers. Your brain is on overdrive as you take in the layout, colors, smells, and policies of a new building.

Here is the thing: no amount of preparation can truly get you ready. You won’t know your favorite parking spot until you discover it. You can’t plan how much room will be left in the fridge for your oversized lunch box if you clock in at 6:54 instead of 6:50.

You don’t yet know which doctors you’ll love and which ones will make you wish you had stayed home with the stomach flu. 🤒 But this week? This week teaches you a lot.

Week 2 👋😬

You’ve now spent 20+ hours enduring bad computer modules and listening to another ICARE mnemonic. You’ve survived your first few shifts… exciting, overwhelming, and a bit chaotic. You’re learning where everything is, meeting coworkers, navigating a new computer system, and trying to pick up the floor gossip.

Your smile is still plastered on, and you’ve mastered saying: “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m the new traveler. Please be nice to me and answer the next 30 questions I have.” 😆

The excitement of being new starts to fade. On your days off, you explore the area but are hit with the harsh truth: you’re doing it alone.

Week 3 😔📺

This is always my hardest week. The newness has worn off. The reality has set in.

Once again, I’m in a new city. No community. No connection.

I’ve watched more TV in the past two weeks than the past four months combined… just to feel something. 📺

Sometimes, talking to the cashier at 5:00 PM is the first real conversation I’ve had all day. It’s hard work. Work doesn’t feel natural yet. Everything feels like it takes so much energy. I puff up and act brave for the most basic things.

Week 4 🎉👯‍♀️

I made a friend! Okay… I’ve been hanging out with people here and there, but someone actually invited me to something. And it didn’t feel like a pity invite!

People at work are including me in plans and connecting during those 3 AM slowdowns. I’m starting to hit a social stride. 🙌

Weeks 5-8 ☕💪

I’ve found my staples. The go-to grocery store. A gym I love. The local coffee shop knows my order.☕ My favorite trails feel familiar. This city? It’s starting to feel like home.

Week 8 📩😲

The recruiter called. She wants to know what I want to do next.

What do I want? I just started feeling comfortable. I just made real connections. Am I ready to leave?

Do I extend? Do I try another adventure? ⛰️

For now… I’m pretending I didn’t see that email.

Weeks 9-11 📷💔

I’m imagining what life would look like in a new place. 🌍 But, I’m also trying to check off my bucket list here, before time runs out.

Coworkers start with the “you can’t leave!” comments.

Some beg me to stay. New job listings hit my inbox. I apply for some. And for once? I actually turn my ringer on, just in case. ☎️

Does your 13 weeks sound like this? 🧳💭

Let us know your journey in the comments below. 👇

Every travel nurse story is unique, but if this timeline sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. ❤️

The Timeline of a Travel Nurse

Travel Assignments Are The Same Way 🎡

You’re Ready to GO 🚙✨