Making Friends As A Travel Nurse

As a travel nurse, making friends can be challenging, especially if you’re constantly on the go! This is even more challenging when you are a travel nurse on a temporary assignment. As we grow older, forming new friendships can be a bit of a challenge, but fear not! As someone embarking on a 13-week contract in a new location, there are ways to forge meaningful connections with others.

To lay the groundwork for building new relationships, it’s essential to get a feel for the area you’ll be living in as a travel nurse. Thanks to the internet, there are a wealth of resources at our fingertips to help with this. By researching the local scene, you can identify the best attractions, dining and drinking establishments, and upcoming events. This not only helps you become familiar with your surroundings in advance, but also enables you to make informed recommendations and connect more easily with those you meet.

How To Make Friends As A Travel Nurse:

1. Join Your Coworkers

As a travel nurse, building connections with coworkers is crucial, as you’ll be spending the majority of your time with them and sharing similar work schedules. However, it can be challenging to join a group that’s already formed. One way to break the ice is to subtly join your coworkers in their activities, such as coffee or meal breaks or asking for a tour of the facility. Even if you’re just observing, being present and listening is a great way to start building relationships. And if the conversation turns to you, you can easily share a bit about yourself and where you come from. In this blog, we’ll share some tips for joining your coworkers and building connections as a travel nurse.

2. Invite Your Coworkers To Outings

One effective way to build connections with your coworkers is by inviting them to join you on your days off. After conducting your research, you likely have a list of interesting places to visit and activities to try. You can approach your coworkers and ask for their recommendations or opinions on these places. If there is something that catches their interest, extend an invitation to join you. For instance, you could say, “I noticed that insert place is nearby. Have you been there before? Would you like to go there with me?” The same approach applies to local cuisine and drinks. By suggesting that you try a popular dish or drink, you can easily break the ice and get to know your colleagues better.

3. Join a Meetup Group

While coworkers may be a natural starting point for making friends, there are plenty of other people outside of the hospital environment who share your interests. If you’re struggling to meet new people due to a busy work schedule, consider joining a meetup group. Meetup.com is a platform where “interests become friendships,” providing an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passions – whether it’s books, extreme sports, cats, or food. Joining a meetup group can make the process of making new friends that much easier. With shared interests already established, you can build meaningful connections and explore your hobbies together.

4. Attend Local Events

It can be daunting to attend community events alone, but as a travel nurse, you have a unique opportunity to explore your new surroundings as a temporary local. Embrace your tourist status and attend local events with an open mind and friendly attitude. Sharing your travel nursing journey can spark interesting conversations and connections with others who may have similar experiences or interests. Once you’ve made new friends, you can expand your social circle and participate in activities you may have never considered before. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and enjoy the benefits of being a temporary resident in a new place.

5. Connect With Neighbors

While you’re out making friends in the wider community, don’t forget about the people closest to you – your neighbors! Despite our busy lives and reliance on social media, there is still a sense of community in our neighborhoods, and your neighbors could be the perfect connections. Take the initiative and offer them a plate of food when you move in, strike up a conversation about the area, and learn about their background. These relationships can be valuable in case of emergencies or if you need help with anything.

If you’re not comfortable just knocking on your neighbor’s door, consider using the NextDoor app. This secure platform has over 170,000 neighborhoods registered, and all members have been carefully verified for safety and security. By joining your neighborhood’s NextDoor group, you can connect with your neighbors and stay up-to-date on local events and news.

TheraEx Staffing Services

We totally get it – making friends in a new place can feel like an uphill battle! From hanging out with your awesome coworkers to hitting up the hottest local events and even using friendship-based apps, you’re bound to find some awesome new friends to explore your new city with! So don’t be shy – get out there and start building those meaningful connections!

Travel nursing offers a unique opportunity to explore new places and make lifelong connections with people from all walks of life. If you’ve been considering a career in travel nursing, there’s no better time to start than now. As we embark on a new year, it’s the perfect time to set yourself up for success in 2023. By taking advantage of travel nursing opportunities, you’ll not only expand your skills and experience, but you’ll also have the chance to make new friends and explore new communities.

To learn more about the process and determine if you’re eligible for this exciting career path, visit our website or contact us directly to speak with a recruiter. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make new friends and see the world with a career in travel nursing.