When taking a new travel nursing assignment, maintaining meaningful relationships might seem like an uphill battle. Whether you’re adjusting to a new area, new schedule, or a new lifestyle, staying connected to your friends and family back home can make all the difference in your travel nursing experience. No matter what time of year you're on assignment, with a little planning and intentionality, you can still enjoy everything that is special to you and your loved ones.
There are creative (and easy) ways to stay connected with your people. Keep reading for tips, apps, and websites to help you stay in the loop and feel less lonely on assignment in a new city.
1. Plan to meet in-person.
One of the most effective ways to maintain strong friendships while traveling is to schedule a time to catch up. Find the halfway point between your home and your new assignment, and plan a gathering with your loved ones there. This will work especially well if you wrote in block scheduling into your contract, meaning that you'll work three or four days in a row each week, which gives you three or four days off for an extended weekend.
Making an effort to see each other face-to-face can strengthen your bond and combat any loneliness you might be feeling, especially if you're in an unfamiliar area without a travel buddy.
2. Share what you're feeling.
According to relationship experts, vulnerability is highly significant to the success of long-term relationships. Being open about what's happening in your life and encouraging your friends and family to do the same can lead to deeper connections. By sharing your thoughts, fears, and dreams, you create an environment of trust and understanding.
3. Remind your friends that you're thinking of them.
Small gestures can have a big impact on your friendships. And no matter what their love language is, words of affirmation are received well by nearly everyone. Sending a random text to let your friend know you're thinking of them can brighten their day.
A simple message like, "I just drove past our favorite coffee shop and miss you," shows that you care and are keeping them in your thoughts, even when you're apart. If your friends enjoy digital humor, send them your favorite meme, reel, or TikTok.
4. Talk about the future.
Chatting about upcoming events or plans with your loved ones can help solidify your connection. Thinking about the future gives you concrete things to look forward to, and can motivate you when you're struggling or feeling isolated.
We understand that starting a new job in a new area can be overwhelming, but planning for events in the future can help remind you that it's only for a few weeks, and you can handle it. When talking or texting with loved ones, highlight events you both plan to attend, or milestones you're looking forward to achieving together.
5. Start a virtual book club.
If your schedules aren't necessarily aligning for FaceTime or Netflix dates, consider starting a virtual book club. Reading the same book (each of you on your own time) and talking about it together can be a fantastic way to stay connected and share experiences. This creative idea can foster lively discussions and create a sense of togetherness, even when you can't meet face-to-face. Pro tip: use an app like Goodreads to find recommendations by genre, and to see which books other people really enjoyed (or hated).
6. Download the free Squad app.
Imagine an app that lets you connect with your friends without the distractions of social media clutter. Sounds nice, right? The Squad app is designed to do just that. It provides a platform for you to stay in touch with friends in a fun and easy way. Through Squad, you can share voice messages, polls and more with your chosen circle of friends.
7. Host a long-distance movie night.
Another fun tool for staying connected with friends while traveling is Teleparty. This website synchronizes videos and adds a group chat to your chosen streaming service like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime. This means you can watch your shows and relax together, even if you're miles apart.
Staying connected with friends while traveling requires effort and creativity, but it's entirely possible. With the right tools and a commitment to maintaining your relationships, you can strengthen bonds and enjoy meaningful connections no matter where life takes you.
Whether it's through technology, face-to-face catch-ups, phone conversations, or laugh reacting at a series of Instagram reels at 2 a.m., staying connected with your loved ones is the best medicine for beating the blues while on assignment.