Working as a travel nurse is certainly one of the most rewarding and engaging careers in the nursing industry. One of the best aspects of a travel nursing career is the flexibility it provides. You have the opportunity to work anywhere in the country that is in need of a travel healthcare professional and you have the ability to bring along children for the adventure.
Some nurses may be a little apprehensive about becoming a travel nurse if they have children. However, many great traveling nurses travel with their families. You might be thinking to yourself, how is this possible? How would my children go to school or have any friends? But don’t worry, if you’re dream is to become a great travel nurse as well as a dedicated parent, there are many ways to make it work.
One characteristic of travel nursing you should keep in mind is even though you will technically be a travel nurse, you can choose to take travel assignments located in your immediate area. For instance, if you live in Richmond, Virginia, you could work in facilities that are short staffed in Richmond, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Washington D.C., Charlottesville and Roanoke which are only about a two hour drive from your family. This way, you’re still able to experience the excitement of working in different facilities and cities and all of the other benefits that come with being a travel nurse, but you can always come home on your days off or even after your shift if you choose.
When you accept assignments that are close to home, your children can stay at their school and stick to their routines just as they would if you were a traditional nurse. Then, when the children are on summer or holiday vacation, consider planning an assignment that is somewhere further from home. Ask your travel nursing agency if there are any assignments available near the beach during the summer and invite your family to come along for part of the contract so they can enjoy a mini vacation!
Finally, some travel nurses decide to bring their children on assignments that are far from home during the school year and either hire a tutor or have their spouse or other family member homeschool the kids. If this is an option for you and your family, go for it! You can always talk to your travel nurse recruiter for more suggestions on how to balance parenting and your travel nursing career. When it comes down to it, it’s all about what works for your children and your family!