Are you an adventurous nurse? A hiking nurse? In this modern age, there are ways to work without having to be confined inside an office. In fact, even medical professionals such as nurses can travel as part of their job. For many people who don’t want to be confined in a particular place, they’re working remotely because they want to travel more. These people are usually adventurous.
So if you’re a travel nurse looking for an adventure, you’re likely a fan of physical activities such as hiking. And if you’re one of the adventurous travel nurses looking to start hiking, provided there is an opportunity, then here are some tips you need to keep in mind.
Hiking Nurse Tips:
Inform others about your plans
It’s fine that you’re adventurous. However, it doesn’t mean you should be taking risks that would put yourself in danger.
In 2013, Aron Ralston, a mechanical engineer, and outdoorsman met a canyoneering accident during a solo descent at the Bluejohn Canyon in Utah. This led him to amputate his arm with a dull pocketknife after five days. Although it didn’t deter his love for adventure, his ordeal taught him to tell people where he’s going.
You should do the same whenever you’re hiking. That way, in case you get yourself into any danger or emergency, some people can identify where to look for you.
Familiarize yourself with your chosen trail
Since you’re a travel nurse, you’re not going to be staying in a particular place often. This also means that your hiking trails are going to be different every time. One hiking trail does not mean it reflects the hiking trails in the rest of the country, so you should make sure that you familiarize yourself with the trail you choose to go to.
For example, you should check out information about the local flora and fauna just to be aware of what you might be dealing with.
Train for your hike
If you’re not actually a physically active person but are interested in getting into hiking, make sure that you train before you do any long hikes. You don’t have to commit to any day-long hikes that require you to travel miles upon miles. Instead, you should train yourself to day trips and hike during these times until your body gets used to it.
Don’t forget to stretch before you go hiking so that you don’t end up pulling a muscle.
Bring the necessary hiking gear and equipment
You might think that the only equipment you need to go hiking is your legs, but that is wrong. The right hiking gear and equipment are essential if it’s something that you want to commit to for a while.
What you would need are hiking poles, a good pair of hiking boots or shoes, a whistle for emergency purposes, and something to protect you against the rain. Of course, you shouldn’t forget your backpack filled with other essentials like extra clothes and food.
Hike during daylight
As much as possible, make sure that you hike when the sun is up to see your path. That way, you won’t get lost and stray away from the track.
Aside from that, it will be safer for you to hike during the daylight because wild animals might be roaming during the dark. To make sure that you don’t end up having to hike during the evening, you should set a particular time when you set up camp no matter what.
Check the weather forecast before you go.
Although the weather is subject to change, it is still a good idea to check the weather forecast before you go hiking anywhere. If a storm is approaching, you should know not to schedule a camping or hiking session until you’re sure that it will not be on the horizon. Again, remember that the weather changes anytime, so you should carry extra clothes that will protect you from the rain or the sun during your hike.
Pack light
Since you’re going to be hiking, and it can take you miles and miles to reach your destination, you should pack light.
If you pack a lot of things with you for your hike, then it’s going to kill your knees and your legs, and it will tire you out more than it should. Only pack the true essentials so that you don’t burden yourself with a load of things you might not even use.
Wear hiking-appropriate clothes
If you plan on going hiking, you should make sure that your clothes are not made of cotton. That’s because it can absorb sweat, and it’s going to stay wet for a while.
Instead, you should invest in hiking clothes made of synthetic fabric. These are the types of clothes that will be most comfortable for you while you’re hiking.
Remember always to leave no trace
When you are hiking, you should make sure that you treat your environment with the respect it deserves.
At most, you should “leave nothing but footprints,” as the old saying goes. Don’t throw away anything on the ground and keep your garbage with you until you return home.
Wrap Up
Travel nurses can go to a lot of places so that they can help fulfill the medical needs of various hospitals. Since you get to see many places and walk on various hiking trails, having a hobby as a hiker (while working as a nurse) is a great physical activity to get into. The tips listed above are great for adventurous travel nurses, and they will teach the basics of hiking to those who are only starting.
We hope that these hiking nurse tips help travel nurses consider hiking or even reiterating what seasoned hiking travel nurses already knew.
