I’ve been a travel nurse for over five years and let me tell you – bringing my family along has been the adventure of a lifetime. While many nurses think travel nursing is only for singles or couples the truth is you can absolutely make it work with your whole family in tow.
When I first considered hitting the road with my husband and two kids I had countless questions about housing schools and maintaining stability. But I’ve discovered that travel nursing with family isn’t just possible – it’s an incredible opportunity to explore new places create lasting memories and grow closer together. From finding family-friendly accommodations to choosing assignments that align with school schedules I’ll share everything I’ve learned about making travel nursing work as a family unit.
Key Takeaways
- Travel nursing with family is viable and can offer enriching experiences for the entire family, combining professional growth with unique educational opportunities
- Financial benefits include higher base pay, tax-free stipends, housing allowances, and comprehensive family health insurance coverage, making it financially advantageous for families
- Major challenges include finding suitable family housing, managing school transitions, and maintaining educational continuity for children across different locations
- Success requires creating local support networks, maintaining consistent family routines, and choosing family-friendly locations with quality schools and healthcare facilities
- Strategic time management and work-life balance are essential, including setting clear boundaries, scheduling dedicated family time, and implementing effective self-care practices
- Family-friendly destinations like Boston, Austin, and Seattle offer both high-paying contracts and excellent educational opportunities for children
Travel Nursing with Family
Travel nursing connects healthcare facilities with registered nurses through temporary contracts, typically lasting 13 weeks. As a travel nurse, I accept assignments at hospitals or medical facilities experiencing staffing shortages across different locations in the United States.
Key Components of Travel Nursing
- Staffing Agencies: Healthcare staffing companies coordinate assignments, negotiate contracts, provide benefits packages
- Contract Duration: Standard assignments range from 8-26 weeks with options to extend
- Compensation: Base hourly rate plus tax-free stipends for housing, meals, travel expenses
- Licensing: Multi-state compact license or individual state licenses for non-compact states
- Specialties: Opportunities in various nursing fields like Med-Surg, ICU, ER, Labor & Delivery
Essential Requirements
| Requirement | Specifics |
|---|---|
| Experience | 2+ years in specialty area |
| Education | Active RN license |
| Certifications | BLS, specialty-specific (ACLS, PALS) |
| Flexibility | Available for different shifts |
| Documentation | Updated immunizations, physical, certifications |
- Agency Selection: Partner with 2-3 reputable staffing agencies for maximum opportunities
- Profile Submission: Submit credentials, licenses, work history to agencies
- Job Search: Review available positions matching preferences locations skills
- Interview: Complete brief phone interviews with facility managers
- Contract Review: Evaluate compensation, schedule, requirements before accepting
- Onboarding: Complete facility-specific requirements documentation background checks
Each assignment includes detailed expectations, shift schedules, unit-specific protocols. I maintain communication with both the facility the staffing agency throughout the contract period.
Benefits of Travel Nursing With Family
Travel nursing with family creates unique advantages that extend beyond professional growth, offering enriching experiences for every family member. Here’s how my family benefits from this lifestyle:
Financial Advantages
Travel nursing provides substantial financial benefits for families through multiple income streams:
- Higher base pay rates plus tax-free stipends for housing meals
- Sign-on bonuses ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per contract
- Free family housing or generous housing allowances
- Health insurance coverage for the entire family
- Educational reimbursements up to $5,000 annually
- Travel expense compensation between assignments
| Benefit Type | Average Value (13-week contract) |
|---|---|
| Base Pay | $30,000 – $45,000 |
| Housing Stipend | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Meal Stipend | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Travel Reimbursement | $500 – $2,500 |
Educational Opportunities for Children
Travel nursing enriches children’s education through diverse learning experiences:
- Exposure to different educational systems across states
- Hands-on learning through regional museums science centers
- Cultural immersion in various communities
- Specialized programs unique to each location
- Virtual schooling options maintaining educational continuity
- Access to region-specific educational resources
- Direct experience with subjects they study (e.g., visiting historical sites)
- Development of adaptability social skills
- Enhanced geographic cultural awareness
- Opportunities to learn multiple regional dialects
- Exposure to diverse teaching methods techniques
Challenges of Bringing Family on Assignments
Travel nursing with family presents unique obstacles that require careful planning and strategic solutions. These challenges demand proactive measures to ensure a smooth transition for every family member during assignments.
Housing Considerations
Finding suitable family accommodations remains one of the biggest hurdles in travel nursing. Agency-provided housing often caters to single nurses, making it essential to negotiate adequate space for families. Here are key housing challenges:
- Limited availability of 2+ bedroom units in desired locations
- Higher costs for family-sized accommodations beyond stipend coverage
- Pet-friendly housing restrictions when traveling with family pets
- Extended stay hotels lacking proper kitchen facilities for family meals
- Furniture rental requirements for temporary housing setups
- Lease terms that don’t align with assignment durations
- School district enrollment requirements across different states
- Mid-year transfers affecting academic progress
- Documentation needs for immunization records transfer
- Varying state curriculum standards
- Limited childcare availability in new locations
- Higher costs for temporary enrollment programs
- Sports team participation restrictions
- Special education service continuity
- After-school activity coordination
| Common School Transfer Requirements | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Previous School Records | 5-7 business days |
| Immunization Documentation | Immediate |
| Proof of Residency | Within 30 days |
| Academic Assessment | 1-3 days |
| Special Program Evaluation | 1-2 weeks |
Tips for Successful Family Travel Nursing
Based on my extensive experience traveling with my family, I’ve developed effective strategies to ensure successful travel nursing assignments while keeping my family thriving.
Creating a Support Network
I connect with local parenting groups through platforms like Facebook Groups MeetUp within the first week of arrival at each assignment. Online forums specifically for travel nursing families provide valuable insights about family-friendly activities healthcare facilities. Local community centers events playgroups create immediate social connections for children. I maintain relationships with 3-4 reliable babysitters through care.com background checks for backup childcare options during shift work. Virtual connections with extended family through scheduled weekly video calls help maintain strong family ties across distances.
Maintaining Family Routines
I establish consistent daily schedules that mirror our previous routines regardless of location changes. Morning routines include set wake-up times breakfast rituals school preparation. Evening activities follow a structured pattern: homework time family dinner shared activities bedtime rituals. I keep a digital family calendar accessible to all family members displaying work schedules school events social activities. Regular meal planning shopping schedules create stability during 13-week assignments. Weekend family activities like movie nights game tournaments maintain familiar touchpoints across different locations.
| Family Routine Element | Time Allocation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Routine | 1-2 hours | Daily |
| Family Dinner | 45-60 minutes | 5-6 times/week |
| Shared Activities | 2-3 hours | Weekends |
| Video Calls | 30-45 minutes | Weekly |
| Family Planning | 1 hour | Weekly |
Best Locations for Travel Nursing With Kids
Based on my extensive experience traveling with my family, certain locations offer exceptional opportunities for travel nurses with children. These destinations combine high-paying contracts with family-friendly amenities.
Family-Friendly Hospital Systems
Children’s hospitals excel at accommodating travel nurses with families. Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) Kaiser Permanente (California) Stanford Children’s Health (California) provide comprehensive support systems including:
- Flexible scheduling options with 3-day work weeks
- On-site childcare facilities at select locations
- Extended orientation periods for family adjustment
- Strong nurse-to-patient ratios enabling work-life balance
- Employee assistance programs covering family needs
Cities With Quality Schools
Top-rated school districts complement travel nursing opportunities in these locations:
- Boston, Massachusetts
- 85% high school graduation rate
- Advanced placement programs
- Strong STEM focus
- Austin, Texas
- Year-round enrollment options
- Diverse language programs
- Modern technology integration
- Seattle, Washington
- International baccalaureate programs
- Special education services
- Quick enrollment processes
| City | Average Math Score | Reading Score | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 82/100 | 85/100 | 13:1 |
| Austin | 89/100 | 87/100 | 14:1 |
| Seattle | 86/100 | 88/100 | 15:1 |
Each of these cities offers specialized magnet schools specialized programs distance learning options enabling educational continuity during assignments.
Managing Work-Life Balance
Travel nursing demands strategic time management to maintain family harmony while meeting professional obligations. I’ve developed effective strategies to balance work responsibilities with quality family time across multiple assignments.
Setting Boundaries
- Block dedicated family time on my calendar between shifts
- Communicate shift preferences during contract negotiations
- Establish a “”no-work”” policy during planned family activities
- Create quiet zones in living spaces for post-shift rest
- Use noise-canceling headphones during sleep hours when working nights
Time Management Techniques
- Batch cook meals on days off for easy weekday dinners
- Schedule medical appointments during grouped days off
- Complete paperwork during quiet periods at work
- Use meal delivery services during busy weeks
- Coordinate childcare schedules with shift patterns
Family Integration Strategies
- Plan local exploration activities around work schedules
- Schedule video calls with extended family on consistent days
- Create a shared digital calendar for family coordination
- Pack healthy snacks for hospital shifts to maximize break time
- Use commute time for audiobook stories with children
Self-Care Practices
| Activity | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | 3x/week | 30 minutes |
| Meditation | Daily | 10 minutes |
| Solo time | Weekly | 2 hours |
| Date night | Bi-weekly | 3 hours |
| Family meal | Daily | 45 minutes |
- Complete continuing education during children’s school hours
- Attend virtual conferences during off-shift periods
- Join professional networks with family-friendly meeting times
- Participate in hospital committees that align with shift schedule
- Schedule certification renewals during assignment transitions
Travel Nurse
Travel nursing with family isn’t just possible – it’s an incredible opportunity to combine career growth with unforgettable family experiences. My journey has shown me that with proper planning strategic choices and a flexible mindset families can thrive in this lifestyle.
The key is to approach each challenge as an opportunity for growth. From finding the right housing to managing school transitions I’ve learned that solutions are always available. The rewards of travel nursing with family far outweigh the obstacles making it a uniquely enriching experience for everyone involved.
I encourage families considering this path to take the leap. With the right preparation and mindset you’ll discover a world of possibilities that can transform both your career and your family’s life.
