Tips for Travel Nursing With Your Pet
If you have experience as a travel nurse, you understand how isolating it can feel to go weeks at a time without companionship or any reminders of home. That’s why it’s common for travel nurses to bring their pets along with them on assignment. However, as comforting as it is to have your pet accompany you on assignment, travelling from place to place can be taxing on them.
Nevertheless, if you wish to bring your pet along with you on your next assignment, keep these tips in mind for a safe and comfortable trip.
Keep Your Pet’s Safety Top-of-Mind
Before you and your furry friend leave for your next assignment, make sure you’ve checked on your pet’s health. This includes scheduling a wellness visit to ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date. Also, take a copy of your pet’s health records with you and do your research on local veterinarians or pet hospitals near where you’re staying so you already know where to go if an emergency takes place while you’re on assignment.
Keep Them Comfy While Travelling
When you’re on the road, make sure you have your pet’s medication, food, water, and cleaning supplies. You may also want to consider using a crate or carrier with a cushioned pad or blanket. Additionally, make sure you plan breaks throughout your trip. If you’re driving, make stops frequently to take your pet out for a walk to stretch or go to the bathroom.
Get to Know Your New Location
If you can, try to get to your new location a few days before your start date at work so you and your pet can get acclimated to the area. For instance, you can take your dog for a walk while you find your way around town, or if you have a cat, you can have them roam around your living space so they’ll feel more comfortable where they’re going to be living.
Set a Routine for You and Your Pet
A new travel assignment can mean you’re working different hours or days than your pet is used to. New shifts can affect your pet’s feeding time or when they get taken out on walks. If this is the case, then have a plan in place to make sure your pet isn’t neglected. This may mean signing your pet up for a daycare service, hiring someone to walk your pet, or connecting with neighbors you trust to take care of your pet while you’re working. Whatever you find works best for you and your pet, stick to it so both of you fall into a routine while you’re on assignment.
Ask Your Recruiter for Help
From placing you in your dream position and location to finding a pet-friendly home so you and your pet are comfortable in your new assignment, the right recruiter can help you in many aspects of your travel nursing career.
HealthCare Support is a premiere, national staffing resource for the healthcare industry that helps talented, passionate healthcare professionals like you land your dream travel assignment. Our professional network is vast, and our dedicated team of experts provide customized staffing solutions, dedicated advocacy, compassionate guidance, and highly responsive support to help unlock your potential and place you in the ideal situation for your career.
To learn more about our open jobs and services, please give us a call at 888-219-6285.