Among the many benefits of travel nursing, is visiting exciting U.S. destinations. So with summer right around the corner, why not take your kids along on your next adventure? Here’s how to mesh family time with your travel nursing career this summer.
Before the Trip
- Pick a location near extended family. Most of us have grandparents, siblings, and cousins scattered across the country. So why not choose an assignment near relatives? That way, your kids could spend time with Grandma and Grandpa while you’re working. Plus, your relatives might know off-the-beaten-path activities the whole family would enjoy.
- Find housing with outdoor space. Most kids love to be outside during the summer, so try to find housing with access to playgrounds or pools.
- Take a road trip to the destination. Instead of flying, pile everyone into the family vehicle for an old-fashioned road trip. Involve the kids by letting them plan the route, the sightseeing stops, the music, and travel games. Build in extra travel time each day to accommodate impulse stops at interesting places along the way.
- Play tourist in your temporary hometown. Find out all the unique and kid-friendly places in and near your assignment. Online sources like the local chamber of commerce or tourist sites can apprise you of summer activities and special events.
- Build a calendar. Put your desired activities on the family calendar. Decide which activities to do together and which activities your family can do while you’re working.
During the Trip
- Adjust as needed. Maybe, your assignment will take more out of you than you’ve anticipated. So, you might add a low-key buffer day between your workdays and time off to ensure you’re ready for the more strenuous activities.
- Be flexible. Weather and illness can disrupt the best-laid plans, so remember to be as flexible as possible. Help your kids to see that “not today” doesn’t mean “not ever” when it comes to anticipated events or activities.
- Have designated family historians. Does one of your kids like to snap photos? Assign them the job of family photographer. Another child could make a written record of the trip.
After the Trip
- Hold a debriefing session. When you return home, schedule a short family meeting to discuss what went well and what didn’t. This strategy will help you plan future trips.
- Record your trip. Make a trip album through Shutterfly or another online photo book company using the photos and written notes. Do so within the first couple of weeks of your return. Otherwise, it will be harder to remember why you took a particular photo or what you were all laughing about in another picture.
- Gather intel on future destinations. Now that you have one trip under your belts talk about potential locations for next summer. It’s never too early to think about where you’d like to spend time together.
Travel nurses have a unique opportunity to bring their families along on short assignments. Use these ideas to make this summer one you and your kids will remember. Find more info at “Tips for Travel Nurses Traveling with Family."