Considered travel nursing with a friend or a group? Having a fellow travel nurse roommate is more common than you may think!
By traveling together, you can create unforgettable memories, have a support system, and save money with shared housing.
Travel Nursing with Friends or Groups: Tips and Insights
Tips to travel nursing with friends or groups
Ready to travel nurse with friends but not sure where to get started? Don't worry! These are a few tips to help you get started.
1. Make sure your goals are the same as your travel nurse companion
Before starting a travel nursing assignment with a friend or group of friends, be sure to discuss your expectations, interests, and preferences, so you can ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone! This way, you have a better understanding of your needs and theirs.
Here are some things to consider:
👍 Do you both receive a housing stipend or would you prefer agency housing?👍 How long do you both want to stay in one assignment?
👍 Will you have similar work schedules?
👍 Have you lived with them before? If so, what was that experience like?
👍 Do you both want to sightsee the area you're in while on assignment or will you want to relax on your days off?
👍 Do you have similar hobbies that you'd want to do together outside of work?
Pro tip: effective communication is the key to having an enjoyable travel nursing experience with your friend. By openly discussing expectations, interests, and preferences, you can establish a solid foundation for a successful journey.
2. Talk about things before you move forward
When searching for a travel nurse friend who would make a good roommate, it's important to keep certain factors in mind to ensure a positive and compatible living arrangement for each or all of you.
👉Compatibility: figure out whether your personalities and lifestyles align with things like cleanliness, noise tolerance, city living, and daily routines.👉 Work schedules: discuss and compare your work schedules to ensure they are compatible. If one person works night shifts while the other works days, it could potentially disrupt sleep and create conflicts.
👉 Communication: open and honest communication is crucial. Ensure that you can openly discuss your feelings with each other to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts down the line.
👉 Financial responsibilities: determine how you will split expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, and any other shared costs. Establish clear guidelines to prevent financial disputes.
👉 Living arrangements: consider factors like the size of the living space, privacy requirements, and any specific amenities or accommodations you may need, such as pet-friendly housing. Make sure you agree upon the living arrangements that suit both of you.
👉 Travel preferences: talk about your travel preferences and goals. Some individuals may prefer exploring on their days off, while others may prefer quiet evenings at home. Ensure your travel styles align to avoid potential conflicts.
👉 Boundaries: establish personal boundaries and respect each other's space and belongings. Discuss expectations regarding guests, noise levels, and personal time to maintain a healthy living dynamic.
👉 Emergency situations: how will you handle emergencies or unexpected situations? Create a plan together so that you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances during your travels.
Selecting a friend to travel nurse with you requires careful consideration to ensure compatibility and a harmonious journey. By addressing these considerations upfront, you can increase the chances of having a positive and enjoyable living experience with your friend.
3. Work with your recruiter to find assignments near each other
When planning to travel nurse with a friend or a group, coordinating your assignments in the same city or geographic region is important. While hospitals may not actively seek teams of nurses, there are ways to work with your Fusion Medical Staffing recruiter to secure jobs in close proximity to each other.
By working closely with your recruiter, you can communicate your desire to travel with your friend and explore opportunities for assignments in the same area. This is how your recruiter or agency can help.
Understanding your needs
Your recruiter is here to make sure you're matched with the travel nursing jobs that fit your lifestyle, so they'll take the time to understand your preferences and requirements, listen to your desire to travel with your friend and consider this when seeking suitable assignments.
Finding assignments in a similar chosen location
Fusion Medical Staffing recruiters are experienced and knowledgeable in the field, which means they will leverage their extensive network and resources to find travel nursing assignments that align with your preferences and are geographically close to each other. This looks like researching hospitals and healthcare facilities in the desired location to match both your skill sets and interests.
Coordinating start dates
To ensure a smooth transition, your recruiter will work with you and your friend to coordinate start dates for your assignments. This allows you to begin your travel nursing journey together and have a seamless experience from the very beginning. Also, talk about if you plan to do an extended stay in that location to explore after your travel nursing assignment is over.
Providing support throughout the process
When you travel with Fusion Medical Staffing, you'll know you're always taken care of. Your recruiter will be there to guide you through the entire travel process, from submitting applications to accepting offers. They will provide updates, answer any questions you may have, and address any concerns or challenges that may arise along the way.
By working closely with your recruiter, you can increase the likelihood of securing travel nursing job assignments in the same geographic region as your friend.
4. Join a Facebook group to find travel nurse friends
Similar to taking a vacation with friends or family members, sometimes it doesn't work out for everyone to go. Maybe you really want to take an assignment in New York, but your travel nurse friend had their heart set on Oregon — that's okay! You can also make new friends and travel with them!
Many of our travelers have become great friends through our Facebook group. This is the perfect place to meet other travel nurses who are just as excited about traveling as you are! Join the Fusion Travelers or Travel Nurse HQ group today and find your ideal travel buddy.
Benefits of travel nursing with friends
Have your support system with you
Travel nursing with friends offers the incredible advantage of having your support system right by your side. You can rely on each other for encouragement, guidance, and a sense of familiarity in new environments. Whether it's navigating the challenges of a new hospital or simply providing emotional support after a hard shift, having your friends as travel companions ensures that you always have someone to lean on.
Plus, they understand the unique demands and joys of the travel nursing career, creating a bond that goes beyond friendship. With your support system with you on assignments, you can tackle any obstacle and make the most of your travel nursing experience.
Save money
Finding ways to save money is important, especially when taking assignments in cities with a high cost of living like San Francisco. The good news is that sharing housing costs with roommates can significantly reduce your housing expenses, allowing you to split rent and utilities and maximize your housing stipend.
Related: 6 Money-Saving Tips for Travel Nurses and Allied Health Professionals
With a group or a friend, you can look beyond the most popular or trendy areas and consider renting or living in neighborhoods that offer more affordable housing options. With a bit of creativity and research, it is possible to find cost-effective housing solutions in high-cost cities.
The best part about sharing housing costs with a friend is you can have more disposable income to explore the local sights, pay off debt, or save for future goals (like buying a house!).
At Fusion Medical Staffing, we understand the value of companionship. That's why we offer numerous advantages to nurses who travel with friends. Not only can you forge lifelong memories together, but you also gain a built-in support system through the ups and downs of this exciting journey. Start your unforgettable adventure with Fusion Medical Staffing and discover the endless possibilities of traveling with fellow travel nurses!
