Travel nursing can be an incredibly liberating adventure. However, when traveling solo it’s always a good idea to take some extra precautions, so you can focus on having a safe and awesome trip. Here are seven tips for staying safe while travel nursing.
Do your research
Before you even leave for your trip, doing your homework on the area you’re going to be living in for 13 weeks is crucial. This is especially important when you’re looking into housing for your trip. Research crime rates, best neighborhoods, the credibility and ratings of your potential landlord/housing company, and other safety factors.
Leaning on the advice of other travelers who’ve been to the area before is also advised. Join a travel nurse group like Fusion Marketplace Connect to get recommendations on the best places to stay and other tips for certain locations.
Once you’ve started your assignment, it’s wise to gather neighborhood information from the perm staff you work with as well. They'll have local information you might miss otherwise.
Have a ‘just in case’ document
Another step to take before you leave for your assignment is to create an “in case of emergency” document to leave with your family and friends. This document should include information like:
- Travel itinerary
- Your new address
- Your facility’s address
- Facility contact information
- Recruiter contact information
Leaving this information with people you trust ensures that if anything were to happen, your friends and family know where you are and how to get ahold of you.
Prepare for all travel situations
If you’re road tripping it to your next assignment, planning for a safe trip is crucial. Make sure you pack essentials like:
- Car battery jump starter
- Portable tire inflator
- Emergency blanket
- Emergency first aid kit
Bring along a paper map or printout of directions in case your phone dies or you lose service during the drive. Try your best not to leave valuable like laptops or phones unattended or at the very least visible when you leave the vehicle during pit stops.
Safeguard your temp housing
If you’ve done your research, you should feel secure in your temporary housing. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Bringing a travel door alarm that sounds an alarm if the doorknob moves or an additional door lock is never a bad idea. There are quite a few affordable options available that can help give you a little extra peace of mind while traveling.
Stay in touch with people back home
Once you get to your assignment, stay in contact with your friends and family back home. Let them know when you reach your destination, and consider sharing your location with them so they can make sure you’re safe.
It’s also smart to stay in regular contact with your recruiter. A good recruiter should be your first touchpoint for anything you may need throughout your assignment. Let them know how it’s going and make sure to bring up any problems to them if they arise.
Practice cyber security
Protecting yourself digitally as well as physically is key while traveling. Unfortunately, travelers can be the targets of scams and identity theft, and travel nurses in particular can be targeted by fake travel nurse agencies or housing scams.
Here’s a few ways to protect your identity while traveling:
- Only use verified wireless hotspots
- Use cellular data or a secure network when performing sensitive online activities (checking your bank statement, logging into accounts with personal information)
- Don’t use public computers to check sensitive information
- Let your bank know when and where you will be traveling so they can look out for fraud
- Set up multi-factor verification on your online accounts
Trust your gut
Above all else, trust your instincts when traveling alone. Keep in touch with your gut feeling. If something feels wrong or too good to be true, you’re probably right and you should get out of that situation as soon as possible.
Maintaining a confident attitude is also a good way to ward off anyone with bad intentions. You won't appear to be an easy target and therefore be too much of a risk. Of course, always remain aware of your surroundings when traveling solo as well.
Taking a solo travel nurse assignment can and should be a fun adventure! If you practice these tips, you can spend less time worrying and more time exploring new areas in between taking care of your patients.
