If you’re anything like me, where you go…your tribe must follow. Whether your “tribe” be your significant other, your two kids, or your french bulldog; there’s no reason not to bring them every step of the way throughout your career’s journey. One of the major concerns that nurses have before considering the travel lifestyle is if it can work with their loved ones in tow. Single parents especially worry about the logistics of travel nursing with children. The long and short of it is, yes. However, there’s a lot more than has to be put into consideration before signing that contract. When it’s not just your needs that require attention, major details must not be forgotten for others. Think of your traveling nurse assignment as a voyage and yourself as the captain of the ship. If the captain doesn’t steer the crew in the right direction, you can expect there to be some bumpy seas.
The good news? You aren’t alone at sea. And there’s no need to feel like you’re without a paddle. Your travel nursing agency will help you make even the tough planning actually feel kind of easy.
Considerations When Travel Nursing with Children… or a Pet
1. Find a Drivable Assignment (if possible)
If you’re going to be with a working partner or spouse and/or a child or two, relying on public transportation and Ubers can be far more challenging. While it’s not impossible, having the convenience of a personal vehicle is really priceless. Simple tasks such as midnight grocery runs, errands, running kids to school become a huge ordeal without a vehicle. Plus, it’ll make bringing kids to fun activities in the area much simpler. In terms of your assignment, traveling shorter distances to work a temporary nursing job is often ideal for parents. Maintaining your home base allows for a sense of consistency when travel nursing with children. Working in locations only a state over may provide just the right opportunities with the perfect balance of family!
2. Figure out School Arrangements/Daycare for Children
Recruiters can be an excellent resource for helping you during the school enrollment process for your children. However, some feel that it is an easier option to do homeschool or cyber schooling to make the transition easier for their kids. Although some parents solely take on travel nurse assignments in summer months so their kids can come along and get a fun vacation out of the duration of the stay without worrying about their studies. Lots of kids love being able to pack up and move for the summer with their parents during their assignments. The ability to travel is something that provides a wealth of learning experiences and opportunities to explore the country.
If you will require daycare services to look over your little ones while you work, definitely investigate whether or not your assigned facility has an on-site daycare. Additionally, be sure to ask your recruiter if they can help you find some reputable childcare in the area. Most recruiters will have a network of resources available for this very situation so don’t be afraid to ask!
3. Find the Right Housing for your Family’s Needs
There’s a lot to consider when you are planning for a stay in a new place. Making a home away from home is all the more important while travel nursing with children. In most cases, travel nurse assignments allow you to find your own housing options. Otherwise, agencies will set you up with a living space from their network of partners. While you might have found your dream position, having children along for the ride can change your plans from time to time. However, with the proper planning, you’ll find the most ideal travel nursing job available! Always ask your recruiter to make certain you have enough bedrooms, if there’s laundry available onsite, places for the children to go, a safe neighborhood, and whether or not a location is pet-friendly.
4. Find Doctors/Veterinarians Ahead of Time
As a healthcare professional and a parent, it’s likely that you’re acutely aware of the important role healthcare plays in your family’s life. Seeking out the right doctors for your kids and veterinarians for your pets make a huge difference in terms of your piece of mind. In many cases, injuries can happen in the blink of an eye so there’s good reason to plan out your medical situation way in advance.
First, start by figuring out what healthcare benefits are available through your employer. Lots of facilities hiring travelers will provide you with healthcare coverage, but this doesn’t always extend to your significant other or your children. In the best case scenario, you’ll have the full coverage needed during your assignment. Otherwise, there’s something to be said about being a nurse and working in hospitals!
5. Does it Work with your Significant Other’s Lifestyle?
Don’t be inconsiderate about your loved one’s career goals or flexibility. Perhaps you are lucky enough to have a retired partner, one that works for home, or a stay-at-home parent. Travel nursing with children can be a wonderful, yet challenging adventure that many couples embark on every day! One of the most important aspects of this lifestyle is maintaining open communication with everyone along for the assignment. If certain things aren’t working or need to change, having these conversations is the key to making travel nursing with children a success.
Have you spend time travel nursing with children, pets, or just a significant other? Let us know about your experience and what challenges you overcame in the comments below!
August 16, 2020
I’m currently on a travel contract with my 3 kids and husband. Since my hubby dont work and stays with the kids it all the time Im comfortable to work. We are 6 hours drive away from tax home and although the area we’re in right now doesnt really have much to do, we go out of town on my days off. Because of covid, I enrolled the kids for now to online class but still with the old school they were enrolled.