How to be Safe as a Travel Nurse in a New City

Working as a travel nurse can be an exhilarating and unique chance to explore the United States on your own — but it can also be a bit frightening to live alone in a new city. Finding housing, transportation and even established neighborhoods to shop or eat in can be challenging, as can getting to know new people while you’re on assignment.

Fortunately, you can work with both your recruiter and the facility to protect yourself, and a little common sense goes a long way. Here are six ways to keep yourself safe as a travel nurse:

Make friends with security guards

On your first day at the new job, introduce yourself to the building and parking lot security guards, receptionists and cleaning crew in addition to the doctors, nurses and technicians you’ll be working with. Whenever you see them, say hello and build a relationship of trust.

You’ll not only have more friends in the office who can potentially help you find the best restaurants and tell you the areas to stay away from, you’ll know first if the stairs are icy or if anything seems off at the facility. Many guards will walk you to your car or wait with you while a taxi comes; you just have to ask.

Pay attention to gut feelings

If you’re about to leave your shift and something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore the feeling. Stay at the hospital a bit longer, if you need to, or find another nurse who’s leaving (if you can’t find a security guard to accompany you) to walk out with you. You’ll be much safer if you leave the hospital in a group or with at least one other person.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times; resist the urge to immediately text someone as you walk out or put on headphones with music. Your gut feelings can help you sense when something is different and protect you from a potentially dangerous situation.

Never leave valuables in plain sight

Always keep the doors to your apartment locked, even when you’re home, and keep valuables like TVs, jewelry, laptops and tablets hidden. Close the blinds and lock the doors when you leave home, and keep your car doors locked at all times, even when you’re driving.

Never leave anything thieves might want, even a cell phone, in your car and ensure that its anti-theft protection is working. Even when you’re at work, keep your purse, extra clothes and other essentials locked up so no one is tempted to go through your things.

Don’t go to unfamiliar places alone at night

You may be confident in your ability to protect yourself, but it’s never a good idea to go to a neighborhood you’re not familiar with alone, especially at night. If you like to run in the evenings, stick to public streets with lots of people around or, better yet, find a jogging buddy or join a local gym.

Go grocery shopping on your day off or only head to well-lit, established stores if you must run errands at night. Even tourist attractions or parks can be dangerous at night, so stick to these areas in the daytime.

Tell your recruiter if you feel unsafe in your apartment

Your travel nursing agency’s housing team is committed to providing you safe, comfortable housing while you take travel nursing jobs — but sometimes the place you’re staying in doesn’t live up to its description on paper.

If you’re uncomfortable with the neighborhood where you live or don’t feel safe when you’re at home, tell your recruiter immediately so he or she can speak to the landlord or find you another place.

Keep a toolkit and emergency pack in your car at all times

Being stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire or a dead battery is scary enough, so be sure to keep jumper cables, a spare tire, wrenches and other tools in your car wherever you are so you can quickly fix minor problems without having to rely on strangers (aside from getting a jump) or finding a repair shop in the middle of the night.

It’s also a good idea to keep a 72-hour-kit in your car with bottled water, food, extra clothes, a warm coat, blankets, flashlights and emergency cash.

Though traveling by yourself can be more risky than bringing along a friend, partner or spouse, following these tips can ensure that you’re safe at work and while you’re at home or exploring the new city.

Check out our open travel nursing jobs, and read Tips for Traveling Alone as a Travel Nurse for more suggestions on making the most of an assignment on your own.