New Assignment, New Friends: Finding Community as a Healthcare Traveler

A travel assignment can introduce you to a new city, a different team and places you have never explored. But when you move regularly for work, finding friends to share those experiences with can take effort.

Your assignment may be temporary, but the friendships you make do not have to be. Here are five ways to meet people, get involved locally and build connections while working away from home.

Connect With Fellow Travelers Online

Facebook groups for travel healthcare professionals offer a place to exchange advice, share experiences and meet others who understand life on assignment. 

They can also help you find travelers working in the same city or facility. Whether you are new to traveling or preparing for another move, these groups provide a starting point for connecting with people navigating a similar experience.

Making Time for Events and Shared Interests

When your hospital or healthcare facility organizes staff gatherings, consider joining in. These events offer opportunities to meet colleagues and other travelers beyond your usual work interactions.

Meetup is another option for finding local groups built around activities such as book clubs, hiking or cooking. For additional resources, explore Aequor’s Useful Apps for Travel Nurses & Allied Travelers article.

Get Involved in the Community

A local festival, community event or volunteer opportunity can introduce you to your temporary hometown and the people who live there.

Start with the city’s website to see what is happening nearby. You might find a familiar activity or discover a festival you would never have known about otherwise.

Getting involved lets you explore the city while meeting locals. It is also an opportunity to connect with people outside your workplace and learn more about the community.

Find Company in a Fitness Class

Joining a gym can bring activity and social time together. A group class gives you a chance to meet people while working out, even if your first conversation is about getting through another set of burpees.

Before signing up, call nearby gyms or check their websites for discounts you may be eligible to use.

Ask Your Recruiter About Nearby Travelers

You may not be the only traveler working in the area. Aequor staff travel nurses, allied health professionals, locum tenens providers and more.

Ask your recruiter whether they can contact you with someone nearby or at the same facility. Aequor’s recruiters can also offer advice during your assignment. For more guidance, explore the recruiter advice article series.

Making friends while traveling can take effort, but lasting connections are possible. Keep an open mind and remember that others may be looking to make friends, too.

An assignment offers more than a chance to explore somewhere new; it can also introduce you to people you will want to stay connected with after you leave.

Ready for your next move? Browse Aequor’s travel healthcare jobs and connect with a recruiter to explore your options.