Making Friends on Travel Nursing Assignments
By Megan Murdock Krischke, contributor
Few things are more exciting than looking forward to your first--or next--travel nursing job; you never know who you might meet or what adventures may be in store. But all of that excitement may come with a bit of trepidation about making new friends.
Never fear: whether you are more of an extravert or an introvert, there are several things you can do to meet people and make friends more easily at each travel nursing job.
Find new friends and career opportunities with travel nursing jobs.
Use your networks
Before you even get to your destination, you can be mining your networks for potential contacts and friendships in your new place.
• Ask close friends, family and co-workers if they know people in your destination city. Then reach out to your Facebook friends and specific Facebook groups to see if they could put you in touch with friends in the area.
• Ask your recruiter to share your contact information with others travel nurses in the same area.
• Search your alma mater’s alumni database for other alums living in the area. Even if you didn’t know each other in college, you might find someone willing to show you around town.
Use online tools
What did we do before the Internet and smartphones? Try these mobile apps and websites to help you connect with shared interest communities online:
• MeetUps will help you find shared interest communities in almost any location, and will let you know when and where they are gathering.
• FieldTrip is an app for iPhones and Android devices that will help you find events for locals, rather than those targeting tourists.
• Badoo will connect you with people who are near you; great for chatting, making friends, sharing interests and even dating. You can begin by texting.
Meet face to face
And, of course, there is the old-fashioned approach to friendships: meeting people in person.
• Connect with fellow travelers. Just like you, other travel nurses are looking for companions; suggest getting together after work, or find other ways to reach out to travelers you meet at work or in your housing complex.
• Reach out to staff. Ask your new co-workers for dining and recreation recommendations; perhaps you’ll even get an invitation. Or post in the break room about an event or an adventure you’d like to take on a day off, inviting others to contact you if they are interested.
• Join a faith community. Faith communities are predisposed to making new people feel welcome and they can often connect you with volunteer opportunities that can help you meet others.
• Follow your passion. Love books? Go to a library or book store to find out about readings and other local events. Love biking? Head to the bike shop and ask about good local rides and group rides. Whatever your interest is, follow it to meet up with like-minded people.
• Become a regular. While you’ll want to try a variety of coffee shops and eateries around town, it helps to find one place you like and stick with it on a fairly regular basis—whether it is where you go on your lunch break, grab your morning coffee or take your evening walk. Soon you will be recognized and it will be easier to strike up conversations.
RELATED: Great Faces, Great Places
Brush up on your social skills
• Plan ahead. For folks who are intimidated by meeting new people, it can help to plan ahead. Think of a few conversation starters or questions you can ask people, or set goals for yourself to initiate conversations or issue invitations.
• Smile! Try not to let any nervousness show. A friendly smile and a word of greeting can go a long way toward meeting people and kick-starting friendships.
• Focus on others. Anxiety can create self-focus (and vice versa). Instead, turn your attention to those around you; it makes them feel valuable and they are more likely to open up to you. Work to remember and use people’s names. Compliment them on something you truly like. Notice details, such as a photos or comments, and ask about them.
Travel nurses often rave about is how fun it is to meet new people and to have friends all over the country. So make the most of your opportunities--you will be delighted with the new nurse friends and other people you get to know.
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