 Being a travel nurse, something that I love the most is the freedom and ability to explore new places both in the form of new cities while on assignment, and leisure vacations in between contracts. I love planning trips and finding unique experiences to do within that destination!
Over the years, I've made some expensive and timely mistakes, but also researched and learned lots of great tips and tricks for traveling both domestically and internationally. Check them out below!
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 The title is a little daunting. It’s never easy to step out of your comfort zone or overcome loneliness but being lonely can really take a toll on your emotional, mental, and sometimes even physical health!
As an extrovert, I thought traveling would be a piece of cake. I accepted my first assignment thinking it would be great and everyone would be nice and helpful, however, I was wrong. 12 hours into my contract, I was canceled. I was sad and defeated, with it being my first contract, I thought, “This is it, I’m going to be staff forever.” I wallowed in self pity for about 3 days before switching agencies and getting a new contract. During this time, I was at an all time low. With the last bit of courage I had left, I went to my next contract in Boston, MA and prayed that it was the right decision. After being there for a week, I started to get my groove back. Thankfully, there were other travelers on my floor that I connected with right away....
 To be completely honest, I started looking into travel when I was still in grad school. I knew that I wanted to work with the pediatric population for the duration of my career so my first concern was how to become a travel PT and still only work in pediatrics. I almost put the idea of travel on hold because it didn’t seem like there were enough short term travel contracts with peds to be able to get back to back placements. However, that’s when I began considering traveling as a school-based physical therapist.
Right off the bat, I found that there were quite a few pros and cons to this idea, so as a list person… making a pros/cons list was exactly what I did.  As a travel nurse, I often tell people that I live my best travel life 13 weeks at a time, which is typically the length of one contract. Thirteen weeks in a new place are full of ups and downs – the excitement of starting over, the horror of realizing you’re starting with zero other people in your social network, meeting new people and finding friends and having a grand old time, and then all of a sudden, your contract is over and it’s time to start the process all over again in a new city. It’s this cycle fueled by the adrenaline of everything and everyone shiny and new, made even knowing you could just dip after your contract if you’re just not feeling the vibe.
 Four years ago, I decided to take the leap into the world of traveling as a healthcare professional. I was scared, nervous, and constantly anxious at how my life would play out with so many uncertainties. I wasn't worried about starting at a new hospital or uprooting my life, my true fear was being alone in a new city without any friends.............
 The process of downsizing can be daunting and overwhelming. You may be asking yourself: How do I even get started? What do I keep and what do I give away or donate? What happens to my keepsakes and personal items?
This blog is how my husband Jacob and I downsized from our 3,000 square foot home to a 25 foot travel trailer...  Whether you are browsing or getting ready to embark on your first traveling healthcare assignment, you need to stay organized and be prepared. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help make the process much smoother and an easier transition. Since I had to learn some things the hard way, I’ll share all of the nitty, gritty details so that you can learn from my experiences. Hopefully, I’ll be able to ease your fears by clearing up any misconceptions you may have.
Gain the Experience First thing is first – you’ll want to gain clinical experience. You’ll need to obtain at least 1-2 years of experience in your specialty or field of expertise. If you will be working in a specialized unit, such as Labor and Delivery or ICU, some travel hospitals may require you to have even more experience before traveling. I was listening to a podcast the other day that discussed why we compare ourselves to other people. The message reminded me of a conversation I’ve had over and over again with a few of my fellow travelers. Sometimes it can be hard not to compare our lives to others around us, especially those we grew up with. Most traveling healthcare workers have a life that looks “different” from other people. People in our hometowns are settling down, getting married, and having kids. Not saying some of us travelers aren’t doing that, but the majority aren’t and if they are it doesn’t “look the same” as people who are more stationary. Their timeline isn’t your timeline.
Oahu island is known as the "Gathering Place" for good reason, most of Hawaii’s population lives here and has the most visitors than any other island. Even residents on the neighbor islands love to hop over for a weekend trip on this busy and plentiful island. Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, North Shore are all iconic places you have heard of before. But if you have traveled to Hawaii you know it is more than just movie sets, beaches and Mai Tais. Hawaii has a rich culture as well as a tumultuous history.....
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