Travel nursing. It’s an exciting prospect for many nurses who are looking to spread their wings.

But what if you’re married or have children? Is it still a possibility?

Good news. Travel nursing can be an amazing opportunity for families who are looking for adventure.

This post explores the ups and downs of being a travel nurse with a family and what you can do to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

 

 

Table of Contents

• Can You Be a Traveling Nurse With a Family?
• Can You Be a Travel Nurse as a Single Mom?
• Travel Nurse With a Family Pros and Cons: Spouse or Significant Other
• Travel Nurse With a Family Pros and Cons: Kids
• 3 Considerations When Being a Travel Nurse With a Family
• Trusted Nurse Staffing Offers Benefits for a Travel Nurse With a Family

 

 

Can You Be a Traveling Nurse With a Family?

Can travel nurses have families? Yes. 

While there are certain factors to consider, travel nursing is not reserved for singles. 

Some nurses choose to be a travel nurse only during school break, while others have made a career out of travel nursing year-round with their families.

Trusted Nurse Staffing offers contracts from 6 to 52 weeks, making it possible to plan for extended nursing assignments and less moving. Or you can take a shorter contract during the summer months.

You may also choose assignments closer to your home base and not bring your family along, but still enjoy the many benefits that travel nursing has to offer.

Whatever you choose, the recruiters at Trusted Nurse Staffing are here to help. Give us a call to learn more about how to become a travel nurse with a family.

Can You Be a Travel Nurse as a Single Mom?

Travel nursing as a single mom can be a very rewarding experience. 

In addition to a higher than average salary, travel nursing offers many benefits to single mothers, such as:

• Free accommodations
• Flexible schedules
• Free travel
• Meeting new people
• Exploring the country; and
• Customized benefits packages

 

Travel Nurse With a Family Pros and Cons: Spouse or Significant Other

Pros of Bringing Your Spouse or Significant Other on Travel Nurse Assignments

Bringing your spouse or significant other along on travel nursing assignments can be a lot of fun. Not only will you be exploring new places together, but you may also find that traveling together will help strengthen your relationship.

Below, we’ve listed some of the perks to travel nursing with a significant other.

Experience New Places Together

Got the travel itch? Travel nursing is the perfect way to scratch that itch.

Maybe you both dream of seeing new places and trying new activities together.

Travel nursing offers the perfect opportunity to travel without the added expenses or waiting until you can book vacation time away.

Whether you want to explore the black sands of Hawaii or the Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas, travel nursing assignments are available in every state.

Visit Out-Of-Town Family

Families often end up spread out across the United States. 

Whether you have a military sibling based in North Carolina or a favorite aunt who took her dream job in California, travel nursing allows you to spend extended periods wherever your family resides.

The need for travel nurses is greater than ever, which gives nurses the luxury of choosing whatever location matters most. 

Why put off visiting the people that matter the most to you when you can live in the same city for a better part of a year?

Save Money

Travel nurses make more on average than staff nurses do. But aside from the higher pay rates, travel nurses with Trusted Nurse Staffing are also privy to …

• Free housing
• Travel and meal stipends
• Extended health care benefits for the whole family
• Sign-on and completion bonuses
• Overtime and double time
• 401(k)
• Per diems
• And much more

… making it easy for our nurses to pay off student loans or debts and save money for their future endeavors.

Increased Adaptability

Travel nursing forces couples to adapt to new situations, such as: 

• Meeting new people 
• Learning new routines 
• Learning your way around a new city; and
• Being flexible to pick up and move to the next assignment

Cons of Bringing Your Spouse or Significant Other on Travel Nurse Assignments

With so many benefits, surely there must be some downside to travel nursing with your spouse, right?

Below, we explore the two most common considerations travel nurse spouses must make before heading off on assignment.

Loneliness

Moving to new places often means entering a community where you won’t know anyone. 

For spouses, this can get lonely when you’re at work. Travel spouses need to have hobbies or activities that they enjoy outside of the home.

Joining a local recreational baseball league or finding a weekly book club, for example, could make all the difference in finding companionship on the road.

Finding Employment

The average travel nursing assignment is 13 weeks, which can make it hard for spouses to try and find employment in each new location.

If possible, finding a work-from-home opportunity or starting a home-based business in advance of moving would be advantageous.

 

 

Travel Nurse With a Family Pros and Cons: Kids

Pros of Bringing Your Kids on Travel Nurse Assignments

Being a travel nurse with a family doesn’t have to be a tough choice. By weighing the pros and cons, you should be able to come to a decision.

If it’s something you’re just not sure would be right for you or you’re nervous to leave the security of your job behind, taking a short term assignment at first might give you a better idea if travel nursing with your family is right for you.

Let’s have a look at the best parts of being a travel nurse with a family.

Learning Opportunities

Imagine the possibilities. You can spend your days off exploring …

• Museums
• Art galleries
• Natural wonders
• Monuments
• National parks
• And more

… while exposing your children to different cultural experiences and broadening their horizons.

Spending More Time Together

Bringing your family along on your travel nursing assignments will only serve to strengthen the bond between you.

Including your children will help with their emotional and mental development by reducing feelings of separation and loneliness.

Raising Adaptable Children

Moving around, be it on short or long assignments, will expose your kids to regional traditions, cultures, and religions.

Adaptability is a soft skill that not everyone possesses. It will set your children up with the ability to make decisions later in life.  Whether it’s for college or even living abroad, they’ll be ready.

Cons of Bringing Your Kids on Travel Nurse Assignments

There’s no doubt that you’re wondering what the negative implications of being a travel nurse with a family are.

While we believe the pros outweigh the cons, there are a few factors that need to be considered before hitting the road with your family.

Schooling Challenges

On shorter assignments, the process of registering your kids for school in each new district can be overwhelming — for both you and your children.

Not only will they be expected to adapt to a new teacher, but they’ll almost always be the “new kid” at school which may be difficult for some children.

Many travel nurses choose virtual or homeschooling options to maintain consistency, while others choose longer assignments to avoid bouncing in and out of schools.

Leaving Friends Behind

Building lasting relationships is an important part of growth and development, so it’s important to consider your child’s social life. 

However, making new friends can be extremely rewarding. And keeping in touch with friends via email or video chat is a luxury of the 21st century.

Depending on the age of your children, including them in the decisions surrounding your travel nursing assignments may make it easier for them to adjust.

 

 

3 Considerations When Being a Travel Nurse With a Family

Before you pack your bags, let’s examine some important things to consider when being a travel nurse with a family.

#1: Consider Housing

The housing provided by the travel nursing agency you choose will most likely be set up to accommodate a single person or a couple. 

However, you will have the option of taking a housing stipend which can be used toward a rental that would be fit for a family. This could end up costing you some money out of pocket.

Researching the area where you plan to work will give you insight into rental prices in the area. If you’re willing to commute, finding housing in suburban areas can save money and provide a safe community for your family.

#2: Consider Childcare and Activities

Finding childcare and babysitters in a new location can be challenging. Without the support of family and friends, you’re limited to the available spaces in a daycare facility or using a babysitting/nanny service — especially if you and your spouse both work days.

Not only will you need to ensure you have childcare in place, but you’ll want to consider what activities are available to your child in the area.

Whether it’s with the childcare provider, or with you on your days off, finding enjoyable and social activities for your child to participate in, such as … 

• Community pools
• Libraries
• Playgrounds
• Extracurriculars
• Community events
• And more

… will greatly enhance their experience.

#3: Consider Local Traveling

Before you book your flights, consider what local travel nursing opportunities are available in your state.

Travel nurses don’t always have to hop on a plane and journey across the country. 

Let’s say you’re a permanent resident of Buffalo, NY, and would prefer to stay close to home. You might look into opportunities in Rochester, NY so that you can commute to and from your travel nursing job while enjoying higher pay and better benefits.

Trusted Nurse Staffing Offers Benefits for a Travel Nurse With a Family

As you can see, being a travel nurse with a family can be a fulfilling and exciting experience.

And at Trusted Nurse Staffing, we believe in rewarding our traveling families with the benefits they deserve, by offering:

• The highest pay in the industry
• Medical benefits for the entire family
• Dental and vision benefits
• 401(k)
• Flexible full or part-time contracts
• Sign-on and completion bonuses
• Travel, housing, and food stipends
• Wellness benefits
• License, certifications, and CEU reimbursements
• And much more

Additionally, we offer 24/7 support while you’re on the road. We appreciate our nurses, so we always have someone standing by to address any concerns or questions that may arise while you’re on the road.

To speak to one of our recruiters, click on the link below.