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Working as a travel nurse doesn’t have to mean weeks away from your family and friends. Why not bring your spouse or partner along on your assignment? The following suggestions can help you make this time together go smoothly.
Keep your recruiter in the loop
When your partner or spouse decides they’d like to travel with you, immediately let your recruiter know so he can ensure that your housing is large enough, your schedule hasn’t changed and you’ll have reliable transportation to and from the facility. If you need to rent a car so that your spouse can drive to work or sightsee during your shifts, tell your recruiter as well. She may be able to help you find the best deal or suggest companies you may not have considered.
Get involved in your new community
If your partner is fortunate enough to have a job where he can work from home anywhere or find temporary work while you’re on assignment, the transition will be much easier. However, if this isn’t the case, the days and hours can stretch on when you’re not around — especially if you’re living in a new place and aren’t sure what the local attractions are. Cure homesickness by finding a Meetup group in your new area or joining a community Facebook page to find friends and upcoming events.
Spend time together every day
You may be on totally different schedules, but if possible, find a little day to spend time with your spouse or partner. Eat breakfast together, take 20 minutes to catch up on your favorite TV show, go for an evening walk or even meet a park near your workplaces to eat lunch together. You’ll be able to make sure that he or she is enjoying the time away from home, and you’ll grow closer knowing you have something to look forward to every day.
Don’t plan out every moment of your days off
Sometimes the best days are spent relaxing at home or choosing a restaurant or event at random and heading there. You may be tempted to pack your weekends or days off full of activities so your spouse or partner can experience the area’s wonders with you, but make sure to leave a little wiggle room for sleeping in, taking a late lunch or just reading a good book. Your spouse wants you to be happy as well, and overplanning can cause extra stress and disappointment when things don’t go the way you want them to.
Cultivate your own hobbies
If you love photography and your husband loves hiking, for example, make sure you take time while on your assignment for these hobbies — separately. Sure, you’ll be at work most of the week and he’ll be at work or at home, but make sure you have personal time to yourself outside of work to do what you love doing. It’ll make you happier and more fulfilled, and you’ll find you value the time you have with your spouse or partner more as well.
Do you take travel nursing assignments with a husband, wife, partner, boyfriend or girlfriend? What tips do you have for making an assignment work well for both of you?
