Travel nursing with a family is possible and fun. Many nurses bring their spouses and kids along and find ways to balance career and family life. This article has tips on planning, housing and childcare and the challenges and benefits you can expect.
Key Points
- Travel nurses can bring their families on assignments but advance planning for transportation, housing and childcare is a must.
- Travel nurses get tax free stipends but these don’t increase for additional family members; however higher salaries often offset the costs.
- Traveling with a family can be bonding and new adventures but requires careful planning to manage logistics and routines.
Can Travel Nurses Bring Their Families on Assignments?
Travel nurses can bring their families along on travel assignments and share the experience with spouses, partners and kids. Planning and preparation is key to a smooth transition. Advanced planning and patience is essential to successfully manage travel nursing assignments with your family.
Key considerations are transportation, housing and childcare or education needs. Talking to many nurses and experienced travel nurses can really help with your preparation process.
So if you’re wondering if you can travel nurse with your family in tow the answer is yes.
Do Travel Nurses Get Additional Stipends for Family Members?
While travel nurses get tax free stipends for housing and meals during their assignments these stipends don’t increase based on the number of family members traveling with them. However travel nurses can earn more than staff nurses which can help with financial stability of their families.
This extra pay can offset the cost of bringing your family along.
Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing with Family
Travel nursing with a family has many benefits:
- To explore new places together and create memories.
- Family gets to decide when and where the nurse works which adds to unity and adventure.
- Spend more time together during assignments which can strengthen family bonds and self esteem especially when nursing with your family.
But travel nursing with a family also has challenges:
- Frequent relocations can disrupt stability and make it hard to maintain a routine.
- Logistical issues like finding housing and healthcare can add stress.
- Travel nursing can be demanding and strain relationships.Despite the challenges travel nursing with a family can be worth it. Clear communication, planning and a positive attitude can make travel nursing with a family a great experience.
Travel Nursing with a Spouse
Travel nursing with a spouse can be great but requires coordination and communication. To help with this consider:
- Many agencies encourage nurses to travel with their families.
- Recruiters have experience managing family logistics.
- Inform your recruiter about your preferences and requirements as a couple to help with logistical arrangements.
Housing can vary from short term leases and Airbnbs to living in a camper. Having individual travel nurse contracts ensures both partners are covered in case of changes. Flexibility in scheduling allows couples to get better assignments and shared downtime making the experience more enjoyable. By considering different facilities in the same area couples can get more job opportunities and reduce travel costs.
Traveling as a couple strengthens relationships and creates more quality time together. Clear communication about travel preferences and goals ensures happiness. Involve significant others and family members in the travel experience to foster stronger relationships and support systems, making the overall travel nursing experience better. Couples can also spend time together exploring new places.
Travel Nursing with Kids
Travel nursing with kids requires strategic planning and flexibility. Key considerations are:
- Finding reliable childcare which can be tough.
- Researching locations for childcare and education before starting.
- Establishing a routine with regular mealtimes and family time to help kids adjust.
Finding suitable housing is critical considering safety, proximity to work and recreational areas for kids. Researching local schooling systems helps understand enrollment process and requirements. Frequent relocations can be disruptive but travel nursing gives kids the opportunity to experience different cultures and develop adaptability which is a great life skill.
Involve school aged kids in the moving process to help them adjust to new locations. Open communication about moving can also ease their transition. By addressing these challenges proactively families can make the most of their travel nursing experience and create great experiences for their kids.
Traveling with Pets as a Travel Nurse
Travel nursing with pets is totally doable and can add a layer of comfort and companionship to your journey. Many travel nurses bring their pets along on assignments which can really boost their overall well being. However there are some considerations:
- Finding pet friendly housing can be tough. Pet friendly housing may vary depending on landlord’s policies and lease duration.
- Some hotels like La Quinta and Red Roof Inn are pet friendly and offer additional pet accommodations.
Travel nurses must be aware of state regulations for pet travel as failure to comply can result to 120 day quarantine. Planning for pet care services like boarding and walking during shifts is also crucial.
With proper planning traveling with pets can be a great part of the travel nursing experience.
Housing for Travel Nurse Families
Travel nurse families have two main housing options: tax free housing stipends or travel nurse housing. Agency provided housing is often bigger and can accommodate families but may not always meet specific needs.
Housing stipends offer flexibility for families to find accommodations that meet their needs but requires planning. Factors like pet friendly housing, number of bedrooms and proximity to schools should be considered when choosing housing.
Pros and Cons of Agency Provided Housing
Agency provided housing is a convenient solution by removing the stress of finding accommodation in unfamiliar places to cover housing. It’s often fully furnished so you don’t have to spend time and effort to settle in. However it may not always meet the specific needs or preferences of family members so may be uncomfortable.
Weighing the pros and cons helps families make informed decisions.
Pros and Cons of Housing Stipends
Choosing a housing stipend allows families to choose their accommodations based on personal preferences. Staff nurse nurses choosing stipends should research local rental prices to ensure they can find housing within their budget.
Finding an affordable apartment on a housing stipend may allow nurses to save money and pocket the extra money, adding to their financial stability.
Alternatives to Travel Nursing for Families
For families looking for alternatives to traditional travel nursing, local contracts and per diem nursing offer flexible work options:
- Local contracts allow nurses to work in their home city without tax free stipends.
- These contracts last around 8 to 13 weeks.
- They offer higher pay than traditional nursing jobs.
- This option balances the benefits of travel nursing and the stability of staying close to home.
Per diem nursing has several benefits:
- Ability to choose shifts
- Ideal balance for managing family responsibilities
- Flexibility to coordinate work around family commitments
- Higher pay ratesHowever there are downsides:
Local Contracts
Local contracts in travel nursing have:
- Inconsistent hours
- No employment benefits
These are good options for families who want to enjoy the benefits of travel nursing while staying close to home.
Per Diem Nursing
Per diem nursing allows healthcare professionals to:
- Choose their shifts
- Coordinate work around family commitments
- Earn higher pay rates
However inconsistent hours and no employment benefits are potential downsides.
Is Travel Nursing with Family Worth It?
Travel nursing with family can be amazing:
- Bonding during assignments and exploring different cultures and environments together
- Higher salaries up to $4,500 per week, more financial stability and better quality of life for their families
- Flexibility to explore different parts of the country through travel nursing jobs
However frequent moves can be tough for kids, leaving friends and familiar surroundings when adjusting to a new location. Despite the challenges the experiences and life skills gained from travel nursing can outweigh the difficulties.
Overall the experiences created during travel nursing assignments make the journey worth it for the next assignment.
Conclusion
Travel nursing with family is a unique mix of challenges and rewards. From navigating with a spouse and managing kids’ routines to finding pet friendly housing, it requires planning and adaptability. But the opportunities for family bonding, cultural exposure and financial stability makes it all worth it. Go for the adventure, plan well and enjoy the journey of travel nursing with your family.
FAQs
Can travel nurses bring their families on assignments?
Yes, travel nurses can bring their families along on assignments including spouses, partners and kids. It’s a great way to explore new places together!
Do travel nurses receive additional stipends for family members?
No, travel nurses do not receive additional stipends for family members; housing and meal stipends remain the same regardless of family size.
What are the main challenges of travel nursing with a family?
Travel nursing with family can be hard with frequent moves, finding the right housing and managing childcare and school for the kids. These can be stressful but being organized and flexible can make it work.
Are there other options for families?
Yes! You can look into local contracts or per diem nursing jobs which offer flexibility and often higher pay and stay close to home.
Is travel nursing with family worth it?
Yes, travel nursing with family is worth it, experiences and bonding time and financial benefits.
