Whether it’s your first day as a travel nurse or you’re considering becoming one, we’re here to share our tips about overcoming your fears of traveling solo. If you’re nervous, that’s okay! In fact, we’d be shocked if you weren’t a bit anxious! Doing anything for the first time can feel overwhelming.
We understand from talking to our travelers that flying or driving solo can have its challenges. Trying to navigate yourself and your belongings to a new place can be difficult sometimes. In this article, we discuss tips for overcoming solo travel to arrive and thrive at your new location.
Safety Issues
We all crave feeling safe when we are traveling as we settle into a new home in a new location. If you’re feeling uneasy and don’t feel safe, please seek help. Call your Recruiter. Tell your coworkers. Ask for security to walk you to your car. We always want our travelers to feel safe.
If your concern isn’t as immediate, let’s talk about what you can do to curb anxiety and feel confident in your new surroundings.
- Share your travel plans and new location with a small circle of loved ones.
- Add a tracking app to your phone. Using an app like Life 360, loved ones can track where you are at any time. If you’re supposed to check in on a regular basis and fail to do so, they will at least know where you’ve been and can call for help.
- Create a travel plan. If you’re driving a long distance, share your plans with a small group of trusted friends and family. Stay on well-known roads. Stay alert. Rest as needed.
- Keep belongings close to you. Make sure you can carry your bags, even from baggage claim to your car, to avoid anyone taking advantage of you needing help.
- Use your intuition. If you feel unsafe, seek assistance.
- Never tell anyone that you don’t know that you’re traveling alone.
Staying alert and being prepared for travel will help you avoid safety issues while you’re traveling solo.
Overcoming traveling solo and the fear of running out of money
As a solo traveler, it is important to save money before heading on the road. That will alleviate fears of being short on cash. You may find there are times when you need to save more because you’d like to take time off between contracts or need to be reimbursed for housing expenses you may incur. Have a plan in place to cover your expenses while allowing for time for activities and dining out. We want you to enjoy your experience and have money to spend on the fun stuff.
Feeling Alone while Eating Solo
Many people have this fear so you’re not alone! Instead of feeling alone, think of it as a time to unwind and ground yourself. In this way, you can focus on the flavor of the food or the decor of the restaurant, rather than being alone.
Before leaving for a new place, try dining out alone at your favorite places. Even enjoying a cup of coffee can get you used to the idea of eating solo. It can also help you adjust once you’re on the road. You can take a book to read or earbuds to listen to music too.
While it can make you feel awkward, it can help you figure out what to do if someone approaches you and the situation gets weird. Think about what you’d do, like asking the server for assistance before leaving by yourself so that you’re safe and secure in the surroundings.
Fear of Getting Lost
It can be attractive to stay in the comfort of your new home and only travel to work but we encourage you to explore the community. If you have a fear of getting lost, use a GPS app and plan your route ahead of time. Ask your recruiter if they know of popular local spots, check our blog to see if we’ve written about the area where you’re working, and schedule a walking tour of your new town. Find what works for you to begin in a new area and start exploring!
Feeling Lonely
Fitting in as the new person can feel intimidating. As you’re settling into your new home, join a meetup group with others interested in the same activities as you. Find the other travelers at work and ask them about their experience as a traveler. Attend local events and activities where you will be so focused on the experience, you won’t feel alone. Create a schedule for keeping in touch with loved ones via calls, texts, emails to help you stay connected.
You’re brave enough for this journey and can help many patients while impacting the community. Get out there and enjoy your new adventure. Most of our assignments are 13 weeks and you may choose to stay if an extension opportunity arises or go somewhere else, if it wasn’t your favorite assignment.
