Volume 10 Number 6 - July 5th

Stop putting your dreams of traveling the country on the backburner and saying, maybe when the kids are grown up. Have children? No problem.

Travel nursing is a career that allows nurses with wanderlust to still get out on the road, fulfill their career ambitions and bring their kids with them.

It’s become commonplace for nurses to take their families along on travel assignments. Kids of all ages can enjoy and benefit from a life on the road. A traveling lifestyle allows children to broaden their horizons, expand their worldview and see places they may not get to see otherwise.

It’s important to be prepared for traveling with the family. There are many aspects of traveling with children to consider, including housing and work shifts. Working with a recruiter at a staffing agency can help you find an assignment that accommodates your individual needs. Family-friendly living arrangements and flexible work shifts are available.

Cheneaka W., a Med/Surg RN, is traveling with her daughter, Nylah, who will be two years old next month. Being a single mom affects what Cheneaka looks for in a travel assignment. To her, proximity to home is a major factor because she has family who watches Nylah while she works night shifts at a hospital in Crisfield, Maryland.

Access Nurses, a healthcare staffing company, found her exactly what she needed.

“They were able to find an assignment close to where I live,” said Cheneaka.

By working close to home, she’s able to maintain a support group, without stifling her desire to work as a travel nurse.

Jeff Chauvapun, territory manager in the Housing Department at Access Nurses, says that the department receives several requests for traveling families, and as long as nurses express their travel needs to their recruiter, it’s easy to find them proper housing.

“Our Housing Department is one of the best because we have territory managers who take pride in the housing they chose,” he said. “[They] have a lot of personal care in finding and accommodating the special needs that a nurse might have.”

For nurses traveling with small children, it’s best to find housing with an easy commute to work. This will allow for more time to be spent with family during free time. Also, Cheneaka offers a helpful piece of advice for those traveling with young ones.

“If you are able, have a babysitter travel with you, especially if you work nights,” she said.

It’s important to plan your assignment with your family in mind. If your daughter has never seen the beautiful Pacific Ocean, look for a travel opportunity in Southern California. Or if your son wants a snow-filled holiday season, you might want to check out a state like Colorado. Consider your children’s ages, maturity, interests and, of course, your budget when trying to pick out the location that’s perfect for your kids.

If your children are older, the best time to travel is during the summer. School schedules are tough to work around, but during the summer months, there’s nothing to hold you back. Think of a travel nursing assignment as a more hands-on family trip; instead of spending a few days in a new city, you can really experience the culture and lifestyle of your surroundings during the 13-week assignment.

Be sure to research the area in which you’re traveling. Check out the city’s school district Website and visit the Chamber of Commerce for helpful tips about the area. The Chamber will have plenty of delicious restaurant suggestions and entertainment ideas to suit your interests.

Travel nursing is not just for those without kids; if you have dreams of traveling the country as a nurse and you have children, there’s an assignment waiting for you. So pack your bags and hit the road. And don’t forget the kids.

Travel Nurse City to See: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, a city rich in Native American history and culture, is made up of different quadrants, each with unique points of interest. The northeastern and southeastern regions house the scholarly University of New Mexico. The northwest area, also known as Old Town Albuquerque, dates back to the 1700s and the popular Rio Grande Zoo is located in the southwest. The International Balloon Fiesta is a resident favorite and is the largest hot air balloon gathering in the world. Another major event is the annual Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow, a celebration of more than 500 indigenous Native American tribes.

Hot Travel Nursing Jobs

Contact your recruiter or call Access Nurses at 1-866-687-7390 to inquire about the following jobs!

Albuquerque, New Mexico
PACU
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: September

Albuquerque, New Mexico
ER
Positions: Five
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: July 9

New Orleans, Louisiana
NICU
Positions: Four
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Denver, Colorado
OR
Positions: Six
Shift: Any
Start Date: ASAP

Frisco, Colorado
L&D
Positions: Two
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: July 9

Seaford, Delaware
ER and OR
Positions: Three
Shift: Days, evenings and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Lancaster, California
OR
Positions: One
Shift: Days
Start Date: ASAP

Lancaster, California
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Nationwide
Chronic & Acute Dialysis
Positions: One
Shift: Days
Start Date: ASAP

Overland Park, Kansas
NICU
Positions: Two
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Overland Park, Kansas
ER
Positions: Two
Shift: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. of flex schedule
Start Date: ASAP

Independence, Missouri
Mother-Baby
Positions: One
Shift: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Battlecreek, Michigan
ER
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Memphis, Tennessee
L&D
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Nursing Site of the Week

Nurse Traveler

Created by a travel nurse, this site is perfect for nurses on the move. Get great traveling tips and useful information to make life on the road that much easier.

Featured Forum Topic

Agency Advice

I’ve been working days at a hospital in San Fran for the last couple years, but I’ve decided to try travel nursing. I’ve been researching agencies to go with and I’m having trouble picking one. Any advice?

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