Travel nursing is an exciting career. Travel nurses earn high pay. They have the freedom to explore the world on their own schedule. They go places where they make a difference. But staying safe at work destinations worldwide, Kathryn Lynn Trammel says, depends on following five rules.
Do your homework before you accept an assignment
There are openings for travel nurses in Waziristan, Ukraine, and on the Syrian border in Turkey, but only the most intrepid travel nurses would consider them. Similarly, there are a few destinations, even in the United States, where single nurses are exposed to extraordinarily high risk of violent crime.
Do your homework on a location before you accept an assignment. Check out not just the city but also the neighborhood on crime checker apps like SpotCrime. Avoid high-risk locations, or make sure you can take appropriate precautions before you go.
Make a habit of being aware of your surroundings
No single habit makes a more significant difference in safety than simply staying aware of what is going around you. It is particularly important to avoid gluing your eyes to your phone when walking to the station or waiting on a bus, using the stairs in a parking garage, or waiting for an Uber or a taxi late at night—simply being aware of who and what is around you and never looking lost go a long way toward keeping you safe from life-changing or even life-ending acts of violence.
Seek contracts that include housing
Finding a short-term rental is a hassle. And many weekly hotels simply aren’t safe for nurses who live alone. Seek contracts that include hotel accommodations or come with referrals to reliable rental companies with references. And never give your credit card number or wire money from your bank account to a potential landlord for a place you have never seen.
Make smart use of Tile and Apple Air Tags
In an era when airlines are having tremendous difficulty keeping up with luggage, Apple Air Tags and Tile are terrific ways to help your carrier find your suitcases. However, they can also be handy tools for a stalker tracking you to find you someplace you will be alone and vulnerable. If your phone notifies you of unknown tracking devices that seem to be going everywhere you do, stay in safe, well-lighted, public places. Lock your doors when you reach your destination.
Keep in touch with your home base, Kathryn Lynn Trammel says
Everyone needs someone who will look for them if they go missing. Enjoy the adventure of your high-energy job, Kathryn Lynn Trammel advises, but have someone somewhere who will call the authorities when they don’t hear from you. You should also have someone who has copies of important documents like your birth certificate, passport, and living will and the ability to get them wherever they are needed.