Travel nursing has plenty of perks. Lucrative pay, chances to explore new places, opportunities to lend a hand where help is needed most, valuable professional experience … what’s not to love? Unfortunately, despite the perks, there are some drawbacks. Frequently moving from one place to the next can be lonely, and maintaining healthy relationships isn’t easy. While they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, long-distance relationships are tough.
Whether you had a partner long before starting your travel nursing career, met someone before leaving for an assignment or fell for someone living in a city you temporarily called home while on assignment, you don’t have to give up your medical scrubs and travel nursing career to have a successful relationship. Staying connected when you’re hundreds of miles apart is tricky, but it’s possible. Keep reading to learn how to manage a relationship as a travel nurse.
Set Expectations and Come Up with a Plan
Establish some ground rules before starting your next travel nursing assignment. Whether you are in a new relationship or have been together for a while, you both need to be on the same page regarding expectations. Outline your wants and needs for the relationship, and encourage your partner to do the same.
From there, come up with a plan to ensure both your needs are met. Decide how you’ll stay in touch, determine whether you’ll visit each other during your assignment, etc. The more you figure out now, the less stressed you’ll be when you leave town.
Communicate
Effective communication is crucial in relationships, whether you’re sitting next to each other or you’re hundreds of miles apart. It’s a key component of any healthy relationship, but it can be challenging in long-distance relationships. Remind yourself not to just talk about the big stuff. Chat about smaller things, too, to maintain a strong connection between you and your significant other and enhance the feeling of togetherness.
Texts and phone calls are great but don’t be afraid to get creative. Send videos and photos showing off your new housing and city. Share a link to the menu at the restaurant you’re trying. Plan a date for when you’re together again. Schedule long Skype dates during which you both can talk about anything and everything on your mind. The options are limitless, so have some fun with it. Creative communication makes long-distance relationships more enjoyable and eases some of the stress of being far apart.
Establish a Routine
Sometimes, the hardest part of being in a long-distance relationship is not getting to enjoy the little things like your partner making your morning coffee or kissing your forehead at bedtime. You don’t have to give up all of those special moments just because you’re apart, though. Something as simple as making it a rule to always tell each other good morning and goodnight can make a huge difference. These little rituals help you feel more connected despite the distance.
Have Date Nights
Getting together in person may be impractical (or downright impossible) when you and your significant other live in different places. But, thanks to technology, you can share experiences and enjoy romantic date nights even if thousands of miles separate you.
Is there a TV show you both love or a new one that you’d like to check out? Plan to watch it together while on a video call. You can do the same with movies or even books. If your usual date night includes having dinner together, prepare meals “together” while in your own homes. Set up a video call or throw in some earbuds so you can chat while cooking and enjoying your meals.
Not much of a chef? Plan to order takeout simultaneously and enjoy it “together.” Take online classes to learn hobbies you both can enjoy when you’re together and when you’re apart. Play online games together. Go for walks and chat with each other as you roam. There are all sorts of ways to enjoy a date with your partner even when you can’t be together physically.
Be Supportive
Long-distance relationships are hard for both parties. While you may feel like you’re struggling more because you’re also dealing with living and working in an unfamiliar place, don’t discount your partner’s feelings. Let them know that it’s okay to express their feelings. When they open up to you about their struggles, reassure them that everything will be okay and that you will be together again. Share your feelings too. Neither of you should suffer in silence, and you’ll likely both feel better after discussing your feelings.
Send Special Surprises
Fun surprises are a great way to let your significant other know how much they mean to you. Showing up for an unexpected visit is the best surprise, of course, but there are plenty of smaller ways to let someone know you care.
If you are working in a popular tourist destination, put together a care package of souvenirs and ship it to your sweetie. Non-perishable local treats make great surprises too. Sending a surprise from your partner’s Amazon wishlist is also a great way to let them know you are thinking about them.
The great thing about surprises is that they don’t need to be expensive to be meaningful. Even a postcard or a letter will put a smile on the recipient’s face. If your partner’s mailbox is usually filled with bills and junk mail, they’ll be thrilled to receive a special surprise from you.
Conclusion
Keeping the romance alive isn’t easy in long-distance relationships. It’s easy to drift apart and start feeling less connected to your significant other. However, the tips above will help you manage your relationship as a travel nurse and strengthen your bond with your partner. On the hard days, remind yourself that the assignment isn’t forever. Eventually, your assignment will conclude, and you’ll get to see each other in person again. You’ll be packing up your cute scrub jackets for women and heading home before you know it!
