Travel nursing isn’t just a job but a fulfilling career path.
It allows you to explore breathtaking locations, diverse cultures, and healthcare systems across the USA. In addition, it serves you the opportunity to meet other healthcare pros. The latter aids you in advancing your nursing skills in addition to cultivating lifelong friendships.
Forming new bonds on your nursing gig might sound fun to you, but it could be a bit of a challenge. The fact is, you’re only going to be there a short time.
So let’s dive into a few ways that you can make new besties on that temp contract you’re on or about to embark on.
1. Look for connections before you arrive
Before starting your first assignment, look out for connections in the place you’re headed.
You can also count on your previous co-workers and friends to connect you with someone in the new destination to form a healthy bond prior to your arrival.
Also, you can find like-minded people on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. You can find and join numerous travel nurse groups too. Who knows, you may make some really good friends before you ever even arrive at your destination.
2. Organize a party
If you are a social butterfly who enjoys getting to know people in your neighborhood or on your unit, organizing a party might be right up your alley.
A super simple way to do this would be to invite your new workmates to pop over for a fun, themed mini-fiesta. Call it a “Meet The New Kid Party” and have everyone bring a fav dish. You supply the place and the beverages.
I mean, who doesn’t love a party, right?
This kind of fun-filled event helps you in creating brand-new friendships within your new environment.
3. Join a Meetup Group
Meetups can give you a chance to communicate with people who have similar interests, just like you.
For instance, you can form a group related to anything, such as a book club, hiking group, poetry slam, foodies, etc. The sky is the limit as far as the type of groups and folks.
Meetup groups make up the largest online community with various categories to connect with new peers during your travel nursing gig or gigs.
And worst case scenario?
If you don’t find any that you resonate with, you can create a meetup group by yourself!
4. Take your time creating bonds
Believe it or not, there are indeed some introverted travel RNs who just want to ease into a contract.
If you’re an introverted travel nurse who prefers meeting people in an old-fashioned manner, then, by all means, wait until your first day to see and feel who you ‘click’ with. Sure, it might mean having to wade through some of the first day and week’s chaos, but every travel nurse has their own way of meeting new peeps.
Remember, you should never let your introversion prevent you from creating new bonds. That’s why when someone gets along with you, invite them for a coffee or lunch at the hospital’s cafeteria.
Additionally, you should attend small outings with your peers to form friendships with more people.
The final word
Travel nursing is a great opportunity to explore new places, meet other healthcare professionals, and make lifelong friends.
While it might be a challenge to form new bonds quickly, there are several ways to do so. You can look for connections before you arrive, organize a party, join a Meetup group, or simply hang out after your shift with your co-workers.
No matter how you go about it, forming friendships is a fun part of any travel nursing experience.
To learn more about the travel nursing opportunity and cities across the country, visit Bestica Healthcare and start planning your next assignment today.
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