Being a Travel Nurse and a Mom – How Do You Do Both?

Traveling with kids ... can it be done? The answer is yes!

Many nurses who are also parents are itching to experience the joys of travel nursing. But what if you have kids? Is it possible? Has anyone ever done it? Short answer: yes, indeed! Is it easy, breezy, carefree? Erm, not entirely. But while traveling with children presents some challenges, there are also a lot of unexpected advantages. For example, traveling may allow for extended time between assignments, which means extended quality time with the kiddos. And, of course, there's also the travel nursing pay, which can well exceed that of a staff nurse.

As reported in Nurse Leader in 2022, travel nurse demand by hospitals has increased due to retirement among older-aged Registered Nurses, along with the recent employment trend labeled "The Great Resignation." Hospitals continue to hire an abundance of travelers -- your recruiter can tell you where and when the pay is the best.

You can work as a travel nurse no matter the age of your children, but single parents with infants or toddlers will want to ensure that they have reliable daycare for their young children before they accept a travel assignment. You may be able to set up temporary daycare in your new location. Online sites focused on connecting community members (such as Nextdoor.com and location-specific Meetup.com groups for parents) can be resources for finding babysitters and daycare providers in a new locale.

Given that many nurses work evenings, nights, and variable shifts, it is often more practical to travel with an adult caregiver. This may be a relative, partner, or friend whose lifestyle (retirement, remote work, college semester break) permits them to travel with you and provide responsible child care. This is the most common arrangement that we encounter when a parent travels with children.

Another option would be to take an assignment in a location where you already have family or friends who can provide care. Haven't seen Aunt Margaret in a while, but she loves the kids and can't wait to babysit? It's something to consider! Reconnecting with family who rarely see the children can be a great thing all around.

This is admittedly a wide age range, but most children are more independent at this stage. Still, if they're not on summer break, they'll need an education plan, along with ongoing "babysitting." Many parents choose to homeschool in this situation. Here's where your travel companion comes into service again. While there are many excellent online home-learning programs, your homeschool students still need to be monitored and coached.

Not all education comes from a book: travel exposes your kids to experiences they can't find anywhere else. Have they grown up in the suburbs? Imagine what they'll discover if your assignment is in a rural location or a bustling metropolis. They'll meet the kinds of people they wouldn't have met back home; they'll visit historic sites and see the U.S. in a whole new way. An open mind and an adventurous spirit are wonderful qualities to cultivate at any age.

Travel nurses typically earn more than permanent nurses (according to Nurse Journal in 2022). This can enable moms who are travel nurses to cover the ever-increasing costs of raising children: school, clothes, extracurricular activities, and more. Additionally, travel nursing can help you acquire new skills and introduce you to different systems and practice settings -- significantly enhancing your resume. The more you travel, the more competent and confident you become -- the more sought-after you are as a staff member. As if that were possible!