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Working as a travel nurse has its own unique challenges. You are constantly meeting new people, packing up your belongings, and working at brand-new facilities. You’re also learning new health systems and experiencing different cultures.
Fortunately, these challenges can also become the most rewarding parts of travel nursing jobs. You simply have to enjoy change and focus on what will bring you joy.
Here are 10 ways you can be happy as a travel nurse.
1. Get moving
It’s easy to come home from work, crash on the couch and catch up on your latest Netflix obsession. While we all have days where we need to just relax and escape, couch surfing shouldn’t become a daily sport. Make sure you’re exercising vigorously at least 30 minutes a day. This might mean hitting the treadmill or bike at the hospital gym, or it may mean joining a dance class in your neighborhood. If you’re not a fan of the gym, put in a workout DVD at home or go for a brisk walk around the park. Getting your blood pumping makes you feel better and helps you fight depression.
2. Meditate
Meditation does not require sitting on the floor cross-legged (although you can certainly do that). To enjoy the benefits of meditation, take 10 minutes each day to breathe deeply and focus only on your breathing. Don’t let your mind wander to your to-do list or concerns about work. Just breathe in and out and keep your mind in the present. You might find it most helpful to meditate in the car right before work or right after your shift ends. Whatever you decide, allow yourself to enjoy those 10 minutes of calm and make them a priority.
3. Explore your new area
One of the biggest perks of travel nursing is, of course, travel! Instead of taking road trips only on your days off or planning your assignment around must-sees, take time for everyday experiences as well. Take a different route home (once you know your way around, of course) and stop in at a restaurant that looks interesting. Check out a little museum in your area, or head to a tiny bookshop. You might discover hidden gems you never would have noticed, and you’ll have a new adventure to look forward to every day.
4. Try something new
You’re already living in a new place and working at a new facility. Why not make the most of your travel nursing assignment and try something you’ve always dreamed of doing? A 13-week assignment is plenty of time for pottery classes, singing lessons or even indoor skydiving. You might try reading a brand-new genre, writing a short story or perfecting your calligraphy skills. Maybe you’ve always wanted to go horseback riding and never made time for it. Whatever it is, commit to doing at least one new thing while you’re working as a travel nurse.
5. Introduce yourself
Meeting new people is important when you’re trying to jump right into your new travel nursing job. You’ll definitely get to know your coworkers and supervisors during your first week. After that, go a step further and introduce yourself to one new person every day. If you’re an introvert, this may prove challenging, but it will help you feel more at home and make new friends in the process. Once you’ve met everyone in your department, say hello to your neighbors or introduce yourself while you’re riding on the bus or train. You’ll probably discover things you have in common and may learn about cool events in the area. And you can make lifelong friendships simply by striking up a conversation.
6. Get enough sleep
You can sleep when you’re dead, right? Wrong. The quickest way to end up grouchy, stressed or overwhelmed is skipping sleep. You’re also more likely to make mistakes at work because you can’t think clearly or are too exhausted to take your time on important tasks. While you should definitely spend time exploring as a travel nurse, you should also get plenty of rest. Hang blackout curtains, put your phone on silent, and use a sound machine to drown out noise while you sleep. You’ll find you’re much happier when you have energy.
7. Keep in touch with friends and family
It’s hard to live far away from your friends and family, especially if you’re a first-time traveler. However, it’s also easy to keep in touch through social media, video calls, texts and emails. Before you leave for your assignment, figure out a regular time for Skyping or calling your family. For other friends you want to stay in touch with, consider posting photos of your assignment on Instagram or Facebook so they can see what you’re up to. Texts or quick emails are also a great way to stay connected to friends while you’re away.
8. Volunteer in your community
One of the best ways to be happy is to make other people happy. What better way to do that than by volunteering? If you’re already involved in an organization like the Boys and Girls Club in your hometown, see if they have a local chapter you can participate in. Search for area soup kitchens or homeless shelters where you can help. Visit the United Way website for a list of affiliated organizations and upcoming events you can join. You can also ask coworkers for volunteer opportunities at your hospital or other local facilities.
9. Challenge yourself
Sometimes you end up feeling depressed because you’re doing the same things over and over. If that’s the case, spice things up by doing a 30-day challenge. You might commit to exercising every day, not buying any new clothes, turning off the TV or eating no desserts for a month. Find a friend to keep you accountable, and keep track of your progress in a journal or on a blog or social media site. If you find you love the challenge when your 30 days are up, keep going for 60 or 90 days.
10. Think happy thoughts
There are times when everything seems to go wrong and it’s hard to feel happy. Prepare yourself for those moments by focusing on things that are going right. Before you leave for work, look at yourself in the bathroom mirror and say, “Today is going to be a great day.” Then repeat it to yourself as necessary so that you believe it. Even if your car breaks down or you have a stressful shift, continue to focus on making the day great. Smile and remember the good things that happened. Try not to let things that are out of your control affect your attitude.
You’ll have your ups and downs as a travel nurse, but staying in touch with your family, focusing on other people instead of your own problems, and challenging yourself to do new things can help you be happier wherever you are.
Share your tips for staying grounded as a nurse below!
