spouse of a travel nurse

Posts: 2 · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Cincinnati

Hello,

My husband - who is a nurse - and I are both very excited about beginning travel nursing around this time next year. Here is the thing: I am not a nurse! Until now I've been the primary breadwinner and I work in a non-profit. Ideally, he hopes to work three 12 hour shifts per week so that we can explore the rest of the week. So... here is my question:

Any suggestions on how I might find a job during our various stops? (We hope to do eight 13-week contracts.) I definitely do not want a 2 year gap on my resume.

Has anyone else brought a spouse or partner along? If so, what did they do while you were working?

Thanks so much.

Amy

Posts: 3 · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Michigan

There are alot of jobs you can do in a hospital if that what you are looking for. The hospitals in Tucson use sitters ALOT. Orientation is short and you just sit with confused patients or suicidal patients to keep them safe and make sure they don't pull out lines and tubes. Its a very easy job and the pay is not too bad. Check it out with the hospital.

kat

Posts: 5 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Location: AR

Amy,

My husband travelled with me for a year and a half. We travelled in our motorhome so he worked at the RV parks that we were at. If you are going to travel for a while, and you want to go that route, go to www.workamper.com. They have jobs posted all over the united states and canada. We really enjoyed it and are planning to start up again in 2009.

Hope this helps.

EC

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Has anyone else brought a spouse or partner along? If so, what did they do while you were working?

Thanks so much.

Amy[/quote]

Posts: 2 · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Cincinnati

Thank you both!

EC, we have been looking at living on a motorhome too but I'm not entirely sure. As we get closer to our departure time I might ask for your advice about living in a motorhome / furnished apartment.

If anyone else has experience with bringing a partner, I am interested in hearing about it.

Take care. Amy

Posts: 5 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Location: AR

Amy,
Sorry it took so long to respond. If you have any questions feel free to email me privately at escool@hughes.net (Please put "Traveling Spouse" in the subject line so I'll know it's not Spam).

EC

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EC, we have been looking at living on a motorhome too but I'm not entirely sure. As we get closer to our departure time I might ask for your advice about living in a motorhome / furnished apartment.

If anyone else has experience with bringing a partner, I am interested in hearing about it.

Take care. Amy[/quote]

Posts: 3 · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Salt Lake City, UT

My husband and I have been traveling for almost a year now, and he takes fun jobs wherever we go: Ski resort in Utah, campaign stuff in DC...there are a lot of fun things to do, and it is a great way to experience the country and meet different people. National/state parks are also a great way to go. Good luck!

Posts: 3 · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location: FL/CA

My spouse and I are traveling to California on an assignment. We are looking at volunteer work since we do not need the extra income right now. If this is feasible for you two this is a good way to go to fill in the gap on your resume and look very impressive at the same time to a prospective employer. I noticed you said you worked non-profit organizations before, volunteer with one, a hospital or maybe they may have a salaried position with one in the state you are going too. I just do not like having so many jobs on my resume making it seem unstable, however having the voluntary position looks as if you went out your way to help an organization and will do the same for an employer.

Posts: 9 · Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 9 Location: ND

Hi Amy,

I take my husband along on assignmnets. He manages to find odd jobs or temp jobs on occasion, but for the most part, he is a house husband and that I really enjoy! House is clean, laundry is clean and pressed, meals are prepared, and usually with little supervision. Makes my life so much easier. But there has been times when I get tired of being around all the time, but I don't leave home without him!

Posts: 3 · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 3 Location: TN

I took my daughter with me for a year. She wants to be a chef so she would work in various 5 star restaurants. When she would apply she would tell them she was only going to be there for 3 months and she would be glad to fill their need for that time. They were welcomed to continue to look for a permanent employee during that time and if they found one they just had to tell her and she would be happy for them if they did not they would have help for 3 months. Seemed to work she has never had trouble finding a job. They kept her the full time and she has had some great exp. and learned alot about the restaurant business.