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Taking a 13-week travel nursing job in a new city and traveling and living on your own can be daunting — especially if you’ve always had a roommate or spouse with you. Fortunately, there are ways to stay safe and enjoy your time alone. Read on for a few of our tips:
Check out your neighborhood thoroughly before choosing housing. While it may not be possible for you to fly to the assignment location early to drive around the area where you’ll be living, you can ask the recruiter for as much information as possible to make an informed choice. Make sure the apartment you’ll be living in requires a card or code to get in to the building — or, if you’re living in older housing, ensure that the doors and locks are sturdy. Get a feel for the neighborhood and consider what it will be like when you’re coming home from or leaving for work. If you feel unsafe at all, ask your recruiter to help you find a different place to live.
Keep your cell phone with you at all times. You may not be allowed to have it in your pocket at work, but make sure to take it with you on every shift and leave it in your locker, if you need to. Having a smartphone with you as you drive or ride the bus or train to and from work ensures that you’re prepared if an emergency occurs and can quickly find directions, phone numbers and other information in a hurry.
Pack lightly. Save yourself the hassle of unpacking multiple boxes and drawing a lot of unwanted attention when you move in by just packing the essentials. Bring only a few dishes and kitchen utensils, pack neutral clothes that can fit with a lot of pieces, and save room by packing a laptop instead of a TV and streaming TV and movies from it. You’ll be able to pack things into your new space on your own and won’t attract people who might break in while you’re gone.
Ask if you can have packages delivered to your work. Long hours away from home mean you might not be there when packages are delivered. Rather than risk someone stealing an important delivery from your front door, see if the hospital will allow you to occasionally have packages delivered there. If that isn’t an option, contact your deliveryman or post office about delivering mail later in the day or leaving them with a neighbor you trust. Make sure to also have bills sent via email so that they don’t get stolen or lost.
Interested in learning more about travel nursing? Call us for more information at 800.866.0407 or view today’s job openings.
