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For the past 2 ½ years, Andrew Craig and his wife, Sarah, have been living in different parts of the Midwest and Northeast being travel nurses and enjoying adventures along the way.
“We both had heard of travel nursing throughout our career. It has a romantic and almost exotic connotation until you learn that the job is quite challenging. It’s not always greener on the other side,” he says.
Both of them are registered nurses, and it made sense to do travel nursing together. Right now, they recently moved to Waterloo, Iowa. This is the first assignment where they are not working the same unit. However, they are both on the 3rd floor, so they see each other regularly. “I work the medical-surgical-oncology unit, and my wife works the surgical unit. However, we both regularly float back and forth to a variety of units. That is very common as a travel nurse,” he adds.
Why did you want to be a nurse in the first place?
Craig’s journey to becoming a nurse took a few years after not being able to go into the Navy like he had planned right after high school. “I didn’t have a plan and spent a few years in many types of jobs. I remember vividly while I was roofing in the winter that maybe this type of work wasn’t for me anymore,” he explains. “Can you believe that there are people that roof their houses in the middle of winter? You bet it happens.”
He went to community college to become a paramedic in Moline, Ill., where he was raised, and decided to become a paramedic. That was for no particular reason other than he liked medical shows. He had no family in the medical field. Craig ended up volunteering in a local emergency department to get some healthcare experience and hoped to get some exposure to paramedics. “It’s a funny thing. I had way more exposure to nurses than I did paramedics. I liked the work even though I really had no clue at the time what they were doing. I thought it was cool, and I got hooked at the interaction with the patients and families at the bedside. The feeling I got that I was making a difference in another person’s life was intoxicating,” he states. He switched majors shortly after that, got into nursing school, and survived the “torturous” three years of his life to become a nurse.
Where did you start out being a nurse and in what departments?
He worked in skilled nursing facilities for about two years. He then applied to multiple positions at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City after he needed a change from long term care. He accepted a job on the Pulmonary Step Down unit there, and was there for about 1 ½ years before starting travel nursing.
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What age were you when you decided it was time to be a traveling nurse?
He was 27 at the time.
How long have you been married, and where did you meet?
They have been married almost four years. “We’ve been together nearly eight years, and we met on a free dating website okcupid.com,” he says. “Legend has it that she was going to delete her profile the day I contacted her. Good thing she didn’t.”
Why did you feel it was the right time to be a traveling nurse with your spouse, and what were your main reasons for doing it?
“My wife and I had just got back from our trip in Scotland. We took our honeymoon there. We rented a car and drove all over the country. When we got back, we wanted more adventure. We subsequently put in our notice in at our jobs shortly after and started travel nursing soon after we got back. We still had the travel bug and wanted more adventure. We had no serious ties keeping us in one place. We also found that travel nursing can be quite financially lucrative which was another huge motivating factor.”
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Do you two always work in the same hospital or department? Do you always have the same shifts?
“Except for this assignment, we have always worked the same shifts and the same unit. It works for us. We’re a good team and work well with each other at work,” he says. He thinks couples that do this must have excellent communication and have some separation of work and home life. “If we were to bring our baggage to work, it would not be good for us or our co-workers. Not that we have much of that, but it’s an important skill to develop if couples are to work with each other regularly,” he says.
Tell about the absolute best days you’ve ever had as a traveling nurse.
“One is driving the California coast from Los Angeles to southern Oregon. We worked in Klamath Falls, Ore., for six months,” he adds. “The drive is absolutely gorgeous. The mist that blankets the scenery coming off the coast is breath taking at times.” The couple also absolutely loved Madison, Wis. The people, the food, their co-workers and the state, itself was great. “When we stop travel nursing, Madison is a strong contender for settling down some roots,” Craig explains.
Explain in a few sentences some of the things you two have been able to do as a couple as travel nurses.
“We’ve been on countless road trips. We’ve driven well over 40,000 miles all over the country. We’ve been to over 40 states together,” he says. They have drank beers in Portland, Ore.; took a road trip to Las Vegas to visit United Kingdom friends; driven through mile high, snowy mountain tops in Colorado; and taken cruises and extended vacations to rest and relax. In some cases, they were able to earn double what they made as staff nurses. So, that leaves money for adventures.
What destinations do you hope to go in the future as pair of traveling nurses?
Currently, on their list is: California, Hawaii, and Alaska. Otherwise, they are pretty flexible.
How long do you think you will be traveling nurses together, and why?
“It depends on when children enter the picture. Otherwise, I could foresee us traveling indefinitely,” Craig says.
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What are your best tips for couples who are thinking about being travel nurses together?
* Communication.
* Don’t bring your home life issues to work. Keep it professional on the unit.
* Learn conflict resolution.
* Sometimes swallow your pride and conclude a disagreement. It can spill over at the work place.
* Embrace that you are a couple.
“Some people find it weird that couples work together. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, ‘Well, I could never work with my husband,’” he says. “Be a team player and leader on the unit and show people that it’s perfectly cool that couples can work the same unit without it being weird.”
When you pack for a vacation, it’s easy to get a suitcase and throw in the essentials along with some comfortable and fun clothing. But how do you pack your travel suitcase for a nurse assignment that lasts 13 weeks or more?
But those who have been doing this gig a while now, understand the importance of planning, researching the area of the assignment and paring down to what you need to live happily without too much fuss and muss.
“Every travel nurse feels overwhelmed stepping in a new city,” says a representative from Emerald Health Services in El Segundo, Calif. “It is important to receive a high level of expertise and attention. I encourage each and every traveler to partner with their housing department to discuss all aspects of their future residency.”
Companies want their nurses to concentrate on your new job and avoid any stress.
What should you do before packing?
Many companies offer a variety of corporate set-ups. The ‘turn-key’ offer includes furnishings in all rooms, appliances, housewares, linens, cable, and internet, she says. “Emerald Health Services conducts that very important initial intake to capture what our candidate desires for her/his upcoming assignment,” she adds.
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If your housing does not offer anything but furniture, what should be your essential list for packing to live well but not to go crazy?
For those situations, where the units are “furnished” only, she highly suggests packing a bed in a bag set; a set of towels; and a few pieces of dishware and cutlery. Also, no one should neglect to bring plastic closet hangers and a roll of toilet paper. These essential items will be a welcome to any travel nurse that finds him/herself arriving into town in the late hours of the night.
What things should a travel nurse always purchase later once they get to their destination to make things easier?
“Dependent on which type of housing package a traveler has selected will determine what to pack and purchase later on. As you may want to get everything at once, it’s best to prioritize and address the essential needs for the first couple of weeks of your travel nursing assignment,” she replies.
What documents should you always pack for your job?
It’s important to have all of your banking documents, auto insurance policy, list of medications, emergency numbers, and pet records [if traveling with a pet].
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Since a travel assignment usually is 13 weeks, what is the least amount of clothing and work clothes you can get away with packing?
“In addition to their scrubs, I always suggest bringing a basic set of workout clothes, comfortable walking shoes, a sweater and one nice jacket,” she says. “And, let’s not forget to pack at least one essential going out ensemble.” You can’t go wrong with a little black dress or a suit jacket and nice slacks.
Shoes are heavy usually. So, what’s the right number and right kinds of shoes to pack?
In addition to the perfect work shoe, do pack a great pair of Converse All Stars for exploring the city on your days off, a favorite evening shoe for a special occasion, and your go-to work-out shoe. At most, I would simply keep the shoe count at three pairs.
What items should you pack to make your house feel like a home when you get there?
Framed photos of your family and loved ones can keep them close to your heart. “Everyone wants to make the most of the 750 square feet of living space you will be calling home for the next 13 weeks. Creating the right feel and look for your apartment offers a chance to imprint your personality to your residence,” she says.
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Give your favorite tip on packing like a pro.
“One of my favorite tips is to add a few dryer sheets in your suitcase, as it eliminates wrinkles. It works,” she adds.
What are some easy ways to pack fragile items in your suitcase?
Whether it is a framed photo or a bottle of perfume, wrap these items carefully in between your knits or cotton items.
If you are traveling by car and have more room to bring more things, what other things do you suggest that could make the travel nurse more comfy or less homesick?
Your favorite bed pillow and/or blanket are essential. “Since we spend almost a third of our lives sleeping, it is why the bedroom is one of the most important spaces in any dwelling. Comfortable, cozy blankets and soft pillows is a must for a good night’s sleep,” she explains.
What apps or websites could help travel nurses do a great job of packing?
Two free apps are: PackPoint [Android and iOS] and Packr Travel Packing [iOS].
Are their packing products that can make packing more organized or smoother?
She always suggests to pack with tissue paper. This is especially helpful if you are packing soft items like silk shirts or undergarments.
The excitement of a new assignment for a travel nurse brings exhilaration and hope of new adventures. But the mental well-being of going somewhere you’ve never been and alone can also make someone feel homesick as they start out in a new place and a new job. It’s normal for humans to feel a connection to their hometown, family and friends left behind.
Many times this feeling of loss is temporary. Michelle McAfee, senior talent advisor for travel nursing company Liquid Agents, has been working with travel nurses as an advisor and recruiter since 2002. She has seen nurses go through many emotions when starting a new position when one is far from home.
“Familiar surroundings, as well as relationships, add a sense of security during this transition period and when that is removed it becomes very noticeable,” she adds.
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Anxiety, loneliness and a whole bunch of other stressful feelings can happen.
“The excitement of the new assignment initially fills that void. But once a traveler settles into a more normal schedule, the feeling of homesickness sneaks up,” McAfee explains. “Experiencing your first night alone and your first solo meal away from the comfort of your living room can become daunting and magnify these feelings.”
Travel nurses begin to long for anything that is familiar, stable, or comfortable. It’s not even just “home” because they are always experiencing the constant shuffle. Some even begin to have pre-emptive homesickness in anticipation of the next assignment, she says.
What is one of the best ways a newbie travel nurse should pick their first assignments, so they won’t be homesick?
“A fantastic way to pick an inaugural travel assignment is to look at your bucket list. Where have you always wanted to travel?” she says. “The excitement associated with that location can ease some of the homesick anxiety and the positive mindset can also help a travel nurse embrace the new location.”
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What are the best ways they can easily explore the area they are assigned to on their days off to make them feel better?
Create a list of places to see and things to do before you arrive to your new location. The visitors’ bureau and websites of the city you are heading to will highlight attractions. But even a simple walk through the neighborhood or a conversation with one of the town’s local citizens can provide great information of things to see and do, she adds. You can always find out the best restaurants and local hangouts by just talking to people. Talk with those in your apartment complex, gym and grocery store, or those at the nearby coffee shop.
How can a travel nurse better fit in to their new job and get to know people there to ease the homesickness?
“When a travel nurse starts a new assignment, it is sometimes hard to break the ice. But the best thing to do is embrace the new and invite a co-worker to dinner or happy hour,” McAfee says. “Do something outside of work that will begin to foster a friendship.”
How can they use social media to get more involved in the area to meet with new people?
Bumble BFF is an effective digital resource where you can meet your new friends or find a workout partner, so that travel nurses don’t have to explore their new area alone, McAfee adds.
You can also use Meetup for finding a group in your area that has the same interests such as biking, hiking, cooking or book clubs.
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Would having friends and family visit off and on during the assignment help with that homesickness and why?
“Of course. Encourage friends and family to visit and explore the area with you. The shared experience will also help maintain your long-distance relationships,” she says.
What are some other ways the homesick nurse can feel more comfortable in their new surroundings?
McAfee suggests hosting a travel nurse dinner at your apartment and invite all of the travel nurses in the area.
Also when packing your bags to go to a new assignment, remember to put in a few keepsakes such as meaningful photos or a piece of jewelry that means a lot with you. Just looking at snapshots of your nieces or your mom and dad can give you a smile and get you through the day.
You can also buy or bring something special to add to your temporary home to brighten it up or to signify your new adventure. Maybe you can collect something small from each place you live and bring them to new assignments to remind you of where you’ve been.
One of the most amazing benefits of being a travel nurse, is being afforded the opportunity to pay off student loans. By following an appropriate budget and using extra income allotted from travel nursing, you may be able to eliminate student loan debt faster than expected.
RNs can make up to $2,300 per week as a travel nurse. Speak to a recruiter today!
1) Non-Taxed housing stipend – While working as a travel nurse you will have the choice to receive a non-taxed housing stipend or have your agency coordinate housing. If you’re looking to pay down debt, we recommend taking the stipend and living within your means. By saving on housing costs you can then “pocket” the remaining stipend to put towards paying off your student loans instead. As an added bonus, you can also opt for a housing stipend from your agency. Some travel nurses will rent out a basic room or purchase second-hand furniture (to sell when they leave) – this additional cash will come in handy to pay off debt.
2) Meal and incidental stipend – Travel nurses receive non-taxed stipends for meals and other incidentals while they are away working. This can be an additional few hundred dollars beyond your weekly paycheck. In many cases, they also receive non-taxed travel stipends to alleviate some of the costs incurred from traveling from place to place. Most agencies reimburse $500-$1000 of travel expenses per assignment. This helps you save money on necessary expenses and provides available funds to pay off your student loans.
3) High pay – It is quite well known that working as a travel nurse pays better than working as a staff nurse. In some states, such as California, nurses are even paid double the typical pay in other states. Commit yourself to continue living on your previous salary and use this extra income to get rid of your student loan debt!
4) You don’t shop as much when traveling – When living out of a suitcase, you cannot afford to shop due to limited space. Most professionals have a shopping budget, but as a travel nurse there is no need for shopping. Since you cannot buy tons of things and bring them around with you, many travel nurses avoid shopping altogether. This allows more savings towards student loans.
5) Work overtime – The majority of nursing shifts are three 12-hour shifts. This allows nurses 4 days off, plenty of time to be out and about wasting money. Instead, it makes more sense to pick up extra shifts at work. This way, you can make time and a half pay to use towards paying off your student loans, instead of blowing your budget.
Plenty of travel nurses have been successful paying off their student loans. Many of them account the above benefits of travel nursing that enabled them to become student loan debt free. If you are tired of carrying around the burden of student loans, sign up today to begin an exciting career in travel nursing!
RNs can make up to $2,300 per week as a travel nurse. Speak to a recruiter today!
When someone decides to be a travel nurse, he or she does it for a myriad of reasons. Adventure is on the top of the list along with making more money and meeting new people in new parts of the country.
Of course, an adjustment period usually happens – getting used to the area, understanding the facility you work in, and eventually, connecting with your co-workers and other travel nurses. Some people love it from the first day. Others take a while. But most have great stories and great memories of amazing days on the job and off the job.
Here are four travel nurses who contract with Host Healthcare who talk about their best days as a travel nurse:
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Kentia Davis, who has been a travel nurse two years, has had assignments in Colorado, Arkansas and Washington. Her next destination is California.
When and why did you decide to become a travel nurse?: “I grew up in Northwest Arkansas, went to college in Northwest Arkansas, and obtained my first nursing job in Northwest Arkansas. I love Fayetteville, but I wanted to see more while I had the chance. I have always had an adventurous spirit, and knew that travel nursing was calling my name.”
Her best day as a travel nurse outside of the job: “Hiking Mt. Rainier in Washington State was the most beautiful, incredible and breath-taking experience of my life. This is a must do if you take an assignment there.”
Her best day as a travel nurse on the job: “Being new to units can be scary as a travel nurse. I was fortunate in my first travel assignment to have an amazing colleague who was also a former travel nurse really help show me the ropes of my new unit.”
During her first assignment, she was really nervous that nurses in her assigned unit wouldn’t be helpful or receptive to a traveler. To combat this, she just made it very clear that she was there to help the unit. Having this mindset really helped her and is something she would tell all new traveling nurses.
“Stay positive. Most units are very glad to have some back up come in,” Davis adds.
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Kendall Turner, who has been a travel nurse since 2013, has had assignments in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Virginia.
When and why did you decide to become a travel nurse? “I decided during school that I wanted to be a travel nurse. What drew me to becoming a travel nurse was the ability to learn something new every day. Being a travel nurse has allowed me to meet so many amazing people. I also like that being a travel nurse pushes me a little outside my comfort zone. I am forced to meet new people quickly, explore new cities and enjoy new experiences.”
Her best day as a travel nurse outside the job: “Visiting Lambeau Field, Home of the Packers. It is such an amazing stadium and a wonderful tour. But I also love just being in and exploring Appleton. It’s a smallish town, and the people are so friendly.”
Her best day as a travel nurse on the job: “I had a patient come in during my first day of my new assignment. She was a young girl who was clearly scared and nervous. I took some time and just chatted with her. I learned about what she liked, her hobbies and her favorite food. That connection that we make as nurses really motivates me to want to help as many people as possible.”
Sonya Rymarchyk, who has been a travel nurse since 2014, has had assignments all across the country. Some of her early assignments were in Pennsylvania but she recently came to California. She took that time to drive across the country and check out some amazing places.
When and why did you decide to become a travel nurse? “I decided to become a travel nurse in 2013. I met a few travel nurses, heard how much fun they were having and I thought ‘I want to do that.’ ”
Her best day as a travel nurse outside the job: “My favorite experience, so far, was getting lost in Napa with my best friends. It’s a great place to get lost.”
Her best day as a travel nurse on the job: “My favorite part of being in the ER are the highly skilled people you meet and work next to. I learn something new every day. You never know what will come in on a stretcher. No matter how bad the situation is, you have the confidence that the team you are with will do their best.”
One of her favorite things about being a travel nurse is the places you get to see. Her favorite place so far is San Diego. It’s 70 degrees all the time and is better than a snow shovel any day.
“I love all the hidden treasures southern California has to offer including great eateries, places to visit and meeting wonderful people,” Sonya says.
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Tom Baker, who has been a travel nurse since July 2015, has worked in Alaska, Maine and Nevada. So far his favorite place is Reno. “If there is one word to describe Reno, it’s passion. That place will always be a second home to me,” he says.
When and why did you decide to become a travel nurse? “My wife and I wanted to see the United States before having kids. We are both nurses and becoming a travel nurse seemed like an awesome way to take a perpetual vacation,” he says.
His best day as a travel nurse outside the job: “During one assignment in Alaska, my wife and I decided to see the Northern Lights. It was so great watching the Northern Lights explode to life in the night sky.”
His best day as a travel nurse on the job: “I have had the pleasure of working with amazing people. I have always been welcomed with open arms. I remember my first day at an assignment in Reno, my unit wrote me a very nice welcome card. It was that little gesture that made me feel welcomed and like I belonged.”
Being a travel nurse has given him so much flexibility to spend more time with his family. You work long shifts and during assignments, and sometimes you aren’t always on the same schedule as your family. “But when you are in between assignments, it’s great to explore the world. One of my favorite trips with my family was seeing the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland,” Baker says.
As a travel nurse, the excitement of a new place can be fun and adventurous. But without friends and family around, it can get lonely. Plus, it gets a little tough to get close to people you work with when you only have a short stint.
“Making friends in a new place can be really tough, especially if you’re only around for 13 weeks,” says Tameeka Williams, registered nurse and travel nurse with GIFTED Healthcare. “My first real travel assignment brought me to San Diego, and I could not have picked a better place to begin my travels.” She adds that everyone in San Diego was extremely welcoming and friendly. There was always an adventure being planned and she was always invited, which was very surprising at first.
“I traveled from Louisiana with a stereotype that Californians were not friendly. I found that to not be the case at all in San Diego.”
She adds that making friends outside of work can be a bit more difficult. But luckily, social media can be a great resource for networking with other new travel nurses in the area who are also looking for someone to connect with and get to know while on assignment. “I would tell a new traveler to get on Facebook and locate a travel nurse group in the city you are in, join the group, and you will find someone posting an invite to attend an event or just to meet-up,” Williams explains.
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How can they try to fit in at a new place of work when everyone else has been in that department for years?
“For me, it not too hard to connect with the nurses on my unit. Everyone is usually very welcoming and helpful,” she says. When she is in a new environment, she observes the atmosphere and personalities of those around her — observing people and their actions and how they treat others. She understands that not everyone will have her best interest at heart, and that is OK. She believes that as long as she continues to have a positive and welcoming disposition, the staff in her department will see those qualities and be welcoming in return.
One of the most important factors that determine if the staff will accept you is how well you do your job. There are some nurses who come to a facility and feel they don’t always have to comply with the floor policies. They may leave work for the day with unfinished tasks or leave a patient in a bad condition for the nurse coming on. That will make staff nurses not receptive of you, Williams says.
Why is it tougher to make close friends as we get older, and how can you get over that fear of rejection or get over our high expectations of what a connection should be?
“I turned 28 this year and place a higher value on friendships than I ever have before,” she adds. “I do not walk into every facility and expect every person that I befriend to stay in my life forever or meet all of the requirements I feel a lasting friend should meet.” This outlook allows her to be more open to new friends in new cities. Expecting a person who is living their own life and fighting their own battles to be a perfect friend is unrealistic.
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What are the things a travel nurse should remember not to do or say when starting out at a new place of work so not to offend?
Not completing all of the patient care requirements in the day is the biggest no-no, Williams says. “Starting a shift with issues that were left by the nurse on the previous shift is a huge nuisance. This makes it hard to focus on what you should be focused on – the patient. It also makes you feel as if you are doing double work,” she adds.
What are some great ways to meet new people in a new place outside of work?
A great resource to meet people is meetup.com. You simply sign up, choose your city and select your hobbies, a list of groups that align with your interests will populate. I like to read so I find local book clubs in new cities. If you like hiking, theater or the arts you simply click that hobby and all of the groups for that area will populate for you.
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What are some of the best ways to find out about great restaurants, theater, and other activities in a town you will only be living in a few months?
When it comes to food and things to do locally the best sources of information are the locals. “Yes, you can Google restaurants. But I’ve come to find the locals know the hole-in-the-wall restaurants that have really amazing food or good hiking trails that aren’t mentioned on the internet. Yelp is another great resource that allows you to read customer reviews to help you make decisions,” she says. She also discovered Groupon when I came to San Diego. It helps her to find good deals on local activities.
When in a new town, what are your tips on staying safe when adventuring out on your own and trying to meet people? The best way to stay safe especially in a big city like San Diego is to use common sense. Don’t walk alone late at night. Have someone you trust with you and travel in groups, she says. “Trust your instincts,” Williams explains. “If something doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it. To sum it up, the best way to stay safe is do everything your parents ever told you to do.”
The best day Dylan Lackey has had so far as a travel nurse was parasailing in Honolulu with his friend and Matt Martin, also a travel nurse. “Matt was terrified at the beginning but ended up loving it. It was a wonderful experience,” he says. The two met in nursing school and have been friends for four years. Matt decided at age 40 to be a traveling nurse. Dylan was 23. “When you travel with someone, you at least know one person when you move to a new city,” Matt says. “Plus you get to share your experiences with someone else and your bills. Plus, he’s a better cook than me.”
Many travel nurses end up traveling with another nurse to make things more fun, more stable and less lonely.
Here’s Matt and Dylan’s story along with Gloria Means and Cheryl Clay’s journey into travel nur
sing together:
Where do you two work now?
They are at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, Maine. Both work in the cardiac unit. They contract through Jackson Nurse Professionals.
Where did you start out being a nurse?
Dylan – He started out as a nurse at the University of Alabama Birmingham Kirklin Clinic as a float pool nurse. He also worked at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital in the liver transplant, GI medicine, GI surgery and surgery oncology departments.
Matt – In the ENT, OMFS, urology and plastic surgery floors at University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital.
Why did you feel it was the right time to be a traveling nurse with a friend?
Dylan – “Traveling with a friend works out better financially. Traveling can allow for a way to boost your income as a nurse. However, you have to be smart with your money. When traveling with a friend, you get to split the cost of everything whether it be rental cars, grocery bills or housing. Also, travel nursing is in way like a free vacation. You do work while you are on assignment. But on your days off, you get to experience a variety of activities you might not have ever been given the chance to experience otherwise.”
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Why did you want to be a nurse in the first place?
Dylan – “As a child, my family and me were in a car accident and were hospitalized for several days. One of my younger cousins, he was 6 at the time, passed away shortly after the accident. The compassion the nurses shared that day made me want to pass that same compassion along to other people in the same way that it was received by me.”
Matt – “Nursing as a career has so many attractive characteristics. You get to help people and interact with other professionals. The schedules are flexible, and you get to constantly learn new things.”
Do you two always work in the same hospital or department?
Matt – “No. This assignment, we are on the same floor, but usually we work in different areas.”
Dylan – “Most managers try to work with your schedules to give you as many days off together as possible so that you can enjoy activities with each other when off.”
What are some of the things you two have been able to do as travel nurses that you would have never been able to do if you had stayed where you were?
Matt – “I have been able to save more money and live in Hawaii for six months. And now I get to snowboard in Maine.”
Dylan – “I hope to continue my education with a degree as a CRNA and traveling has made it possible to make my savings account closer to my goal more quickly than when I was working full time as permanent staff. I also have gotten to meet and make a lot of new friends and memories along the way.”
Make lifelong friends across the country while doing what you love!
What destinations are you hoping for as a travel nurse in the future?
Matt – “I am open to trying just about anywhere. My goal is to end up in California.”
How has the higher salary helped you fulfill some dreams?
Matt – “I am saving money so that I can get my master’s degree.”
How long do you think you will travel nurse together, and why?
Dylan – “Hopefully, we can travel together for the next couple of years. We have a lot of fun together. Traveling with someone means that you are guaranteed to know at least one person when you get there.”
Matt – “Probably a couple of more years as long as I am enjoying it.”
Every travel nurse has their own stories and experiences. Here’s Gloria and Cheryl’s story, who contract with Stability Healthcare:
How long have you been friends?
Cheryl — “I met Gloria in 2010 at Washington Hospital at her the travel nurse contract. We met during orientation, worked in similar departments and formed a friendship.”
What age were you when you decided to be a traveling nurse?
Cheryl – 57
Gloria – 55
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As friends, do you always live in the same apartment when you are traveling nurses?
Cheryl – “Not always, but it is convenient if we are in the same location. We’ve also worked at different hospitals but lived in the same apartment or worked at the same hospital but lived in different housing.”
Why did you decide to be a travel nurses together?
Gloria – “We found out that we liked to do the same things, shared expenses cut down on costs and it’s always fun to explore the area with another friend.”
What was the absolute best day you’ve ever had as a traveling nurse?
Gloria –“I loved being in Alaska and taking a tour of Denali. Another time when there were three of us together and had the same day off, we jumped in the car and headed to Lake Tahoe.”
What have been some of the experiences you have had as a travel nurse?
Cheryl – “I lived in Hawaii for six months, Alaska for 1 ½ years and always explore the environment, experiencing nature in its natural habitat versus going to a zoo. I’ve met some really nice people. In Alaska, I learned about the culture of native Indians, something I would have never had knowledge or access to anywhere else.”
Meagan Madden has be en a traveling nurse in Alabama and Florida for the last year. She didn’t want to get too far from home and family in Alabama when she contracted with Jackson Nurse. “I never have a problem finding adventure in a new location because social media has helped me search for fun things, and I also like to Google ‘fun things to do’ or ‘best restaurants in the area,’ ” she says.
Currently, she is working at the Jupiter, Fla., Medical Center on the medical oncology floor. “Since being in Jupiter, I am less than two hours away from Orlando. So I have been to Universal Studios for the weekend and tried some of the top restaurants there as well,” she adds. Because the weather is conducive to outside living, she has made a few trips to the beach and taken a boat cruise to Jupiter Island, where professional golfer Tiger Woods lives.
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“I never feel intimidated or lonely in a new location because I am very friendly and social. I meet new people on my first day of orientation and that makes me feel better about being somewhere I am not used to,” Madden explains.
Fellow co-workers also have given her great pointers on the best food and fun in an area where she is a travel nurse. “Whatever someone’s motivation is to be a travel nurse – monetarily, relocation or some other personal reason – it can be an amazing journey,” says Meg Vernon, managing partner of Stability Healthcare, a travel nursing agency founded in 2009. “It’s fun. You just have to get involved, and find the things that interest you.” You may not get that all coveted spot yet in Hawaii. But great destinations across the country can offer great times and memories, she says.
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Here are some of her suggestions on how to begin your quest in a new place:
Social media – “This has given people access to everything,” Vernon adds. For instance, Meet Up can be a great one to join in your area to find groups who hike, quilt, bike or whatever it is you enjoy. They often have get-togethers at restaurants, cooking classes or a park for picnics.
Facebook and Instagram – Search different cities by hashtags and interesting things to do.
Websites – Groupon, Living Social, Woot, and similar websites – These connect subscribers with local merchants by offering activities, travel, goods and services. A few less known but fun ones to try include:
Luxury Excapes — Book upscale and ultra-luxe holidays for up to 65% off regular prices, and also pay them interest free over 6 months.
Blackboardeats – Restaurant deals in the cities you choose.
Cudo — Gives buyers the chance to enjoy selected items at discounted deals within a specified timeframe after which the product reverts back to its original price.
TripAdvisor – “I go there all the time for different tours and reviews. Not everybody will put positive stuff on there, but you can get a sense of what a business or restaurant is like,” Vernon says.
AirBnB – Has added a section about what to do in different cities.
Yelp – Lots of recommendations on what restaurants, activities and hotels in your city.
ChooseChicago and other cities’ tourism websites – These can help with maps, free days at museums, public transportation information, theaters and other scheduled entertainment.
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Get info at hospital orientation – Many times the hospital, they will have an orientation for travel nurses. Get all the information you can from them including any brochures, coupons and more. If there are other travel nurses at the orientation, trade phone numbers and emails, in case you aren’t in the same department or have the same schedule. Forge friendships and start doing things together on your days off.
“You are there for such a short time, so take advantage of all the fun things,” Vernon says. “You can meet up with one of the other travel nurses in the same hospital or town and go experience the city together.”
Attend the annual TravCon – The Travelers Conference is held once a year and is for, about and by healthcare travelers. This year, it will be Sept. 9-11th at Bally’s, Las Vegas.
“It’s a growing industry,” Vernon says. “A couple hundred travelers get together and make some cool connections.”
“It’s fun to get out of your comfort zone. There are travelers all across the country. They are adventurous. It’s good to shake things up a bit because life is too short,” Vernon says.
Peggy Patterson has lived and worked as a traveling nurse in 15 states coast to coast. So far, she’s completed 29 assignments with 10 extensions in 26 cities.
Even in her mid-fifties, she is enjoying all the advantages that being a travel nurse can give from new adventures to better pay to lifelong friends.
“My plan is to work near the Dakotas, then up in the Northeast and take the dream assignment in Hawaii,” the Mississippi-based grandmother says.
Her goal is to finish off her bucket list of traveling through all the states, and then maybe take two assignments a year until she decides to hang up her traveling shoes for good.
A study done by Onward OGH, LLC, found that 21.3 percent of travel nurses are over the age of 50; 34.7 percent are 40-50 years old; 26.9 percent are 30-40 years old; and 17.1 percent are 25-30.
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Patterson is working in Central California, where the days are sunny and mild and the nights are cooler, she says. She is contracted through the Aureus Medical Group.
“I work in a general ICU that has many different types of patients on three different units. This is my second time working at this hospital, and the second time that I have extended.”
She adds that the town is very different from coastal California cities, places where she has been but will probably never be again.
She didn’t grow up wanting to be a nurse but dreamed of becoming a veterinarian because of her love for animals. The desire to become a nurse came later in life when her last child was about to enter kindergarten.
“It was almost like an empty nest syndrome. I found myself wanting to do something with my life,” she says.
She began her nursing journey in 2001.
She began her career in a neuro ICU stepdown.
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While working in the Neuro ICU unit, Patterson worked with a few travel nurses.
“I found it intriguing, and thought one day, when the kids are grown, I’m going to do this. Well, one day happened sooner than I thought and before the kids were grown.”
Hurricane Katrina hit, and their families lived on the coast. They moved to Mississippi to be closer to family and to help out her husband’s dad. The pay as a nurse was almost $6 less an hour than what she had been making. Her husband encouraged her to check into travel nursing, maybe finding a contract close to home.
“So, that’s what I did. Although, I had only been a nurse for less than three years, my days as a traveling nurse began and what an adventure it has been.”
“I’ve had many memorable moments as a travel nurse, but I guess the best day I had was being able to be there for the birth of my first grandchild.”
Her son was in the Army, and he and his wife were stationed in Washington State. She was able to secure a job in Seattle, less than an hour from their home.
“Until you experience it, you have no idea what becoming a grandma feels like. It was the best day of my life and being able to be there was all due to me being a travel nurse.”
Financially — “It has allowed us to have things in life that most dream of, along with being able to save for our future — our retirement.”
Spiritually –It has allowed her to grow as a person, to put judgement aside and let acceptance prevail.
Adventure-wise – “We have seen more than most people have seen in a lifetime. We have been to forty two states, twenty-eight major league ballparks (my husband’s bucket-list), numerous national parks as well as state parks, plus many tourist cities and hot spots, as well as a multitude of wonderful restaurants along the way.”
“I feel that becoming a nurse in my mature years has allowed me to not only be compassionate but have a real respect for the patient I’m taking care of,” Patterson says. “I look at the person as a whole not just as a sickness, taking care of them as if it was my own family member.”
I have to say that one of the most amazing aspects of being a nurse is the flexibility of our schedules. We can work all hours of the day and only a few days a week.
Luckily, travel nurses are privy to the same schedule which gives plenty of time to get out there and explore because let’s face it – one of the biggest draws to travel nursing is the adventure.
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Making your access to activities both easy and inexpensive is key to an enjoyable experience. When I was working in Los Angeles, I worked three 12’s and always had at least one day off a week. The flexibility in my schedule allowed me to drive to Santa Monica to meet up with friends on a weekly basis.
While on assignment in LA I was able to pick up new hobbies I would have never had the opportunity if not for travel nursing. A couple of my favorites were riding bikes along the ocean and taking trapeze lessons on the Santa Monica Pier.
With the high tourism in Santa Monica and Venice Beach, this commute and ability to schedule trapeze lessons was only possible because I had the flexibility to schedule weekdays off. I personally would not be able to tolerate the traffic or the amount of people on the weekends.
I also found it much easier to go grocery shopping, go to any appointments and even go hiking during the week. Not to mention that work tends to be a bit more chill on the weekends.
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If you know that when you work nights you turn into a zombie who sleeps all day, then it may be wise to avoid working night shift if possible. A big part of travel nursing is to create adventure in your life. Do not ruin your experience by sleeping all day.
If you know that three days in a row kills you, then let your scheduling person know that information. The last thing they want is a nurse with a bad attitude at work. You usually can’t pick your schedule but you can let them know your preferences.
I also don’t recommend working extra shifts because the money isn’t worth it if you will be too tired to go and enjoy yourself.
Creating fun and adventure in your travel nursing life takes some planning. It’s not like back home when your friends would call you up and invite you to go do something. You will have to make a point to meet new people and try new things. ‘
Most cities have a website with a calendar of events so plan on doing something new on your days off. Travel nurses have the rare advantage of living in cities all over the country for short periods of time so take advantage of that. You don’t want to return home without some fun stories.
