Being a travel nurse is an exciting way to explore new places and travel the globe. However, moving to a new city or town may feel a little intimidating if you don’t know very many people. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make friends in your new location.
If you’re looking for some tips on how to do so on your next travel nurse assignment, follow our ideas below.
1. Volunteer in the community
As a nurse, there is no doubt you already love to give back. When you have a passion for giving back, it is easy to find others who share that passion. Find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you on VolunteerMatch.org by entering your city and your areas of interest.
2. Join an amateur sports team
Whether you are highly athletic or just enjoy having fun, there is a sports league for you. From competitive softball to flag football, to “just for fun” dodgeball leagues, sports leagues create great ways to meet new friends in new cities.
3. Join a gym and try an exercise class
Working in patient care, it can be easy to forget about your own health and well-being. Joining a gym and trying a class is a great way to stay fit and get social. You may find something you really enjoy, and a new workout partner could become a friend outside the gym as well.
4. Join a dance class
You don’t need to be an experienced dancer to join a class! If you enjoy great music and staying active, dance classes provide one of the best ways to meet new friends.
5. Run a local road race
Races and running clubs offer fun ways to meet new friends, see your town from a new perspective, and break a sweat.
6. Join your local Chamber of Commerce or a Professional Networking Group
If you own your own business, joining the Chamber of Commerce is a highly effective way to meet new people and build a network of referrals.
If you don’t own your own business, networking events are the number one way to meet people in a travel nursing profession.
7. Join a religious group or cultural club
Becoming active in a local church, synagogue or mosque will ensure that you engage with a community of like-minded people who will support you.
If religion isn’t for you, but you have strong ties to your culture, consider seeking out the local club or chapter that represents your culture in your city.
8. Join a wine club
If you enjoy a nice glass of wine and good conversation, it won’t be hard to make new friends in a wine club.
Many cities have wine clubs that tour the local wine bars and wineries (where applicable). Learn more about wine and make friends on the journey!
9. Join a book club
Unwind with a new book each month and join a club where you can find new friends and enjoy a discussion. Finding the right book club is easy with websites like My Coffee and Book Club.
10. Join a sports team fan club
Do you love your team? You aren’t alone! Chances are there are others in your city who also love them.
Joining a fan club is one of the great ways to meet friends online! The easiest way to find these clubs is through your team’s official website.
11. Take your dog to the park
If you love dogs and the outdoors, taking your dog to the dog park is definitely one of the best ways to meet new friends.
No dog parks nearby? Walk your dog in a popular place like downtown where there will be a lot of people around.
12. Go to the beach or lake
You spend a lot of time in healthcare facilities as a travel nurse, so go enjoy the sunshine at a beach or lake when you can! Spending time at the beach or lake is a fun activity by yourself, but it creates lots of opportunities to meet new friends.
Consider taking a water-based class like paddleboarding or snorkeling and use these activities to meet friends.
13. Join local Facebook Groups
One of the best ways to meet friends online is to join Facebook Groups. There are so many groups you can join to find other people with similar interests. Maybe you want to find fellow travelers that are in the area temporarily or a local who can show you fun activities to do on the weekends. Just use the search bar at the top of the home page and select “groups” to narrow down results to your liking. Use the search bar at the top of the home page and select “groups” to narrow down results to your liking.
14. Go to bars with events like Trivia Night
If you enjoy a competitive round of trivia, consider making new friends by joining a team at a local bar or brewery.
15. Visit a museum, zoo, aquarium or national park
Spending time at one of these public places can be a great way to enjoy the day and meet new friends who share similar interests.
16. Go to a local music, food or art festival
Festivals are very communal, centered around having fun, and often include group activities like games, competitions, and demonstrations that will encourage interaction with others.
17. Take a foreign language class
Learning a new language is a fantastic way to continue your education and open yourself up to a new culture. Learning in a group setting makes it easy to form new connections, but it can also be a great way to meet friends online.
18. Shop at local businesses
Spending time in the local boutiques and restaurants in your town creates opportunities to meet other members of the community who also “shop local” and could become shopping buddies.
19. Go to a farmer’s market
Many towns offer monthly farmer’s markets full of great produce and local products. Like shopping locally, farmer’s markets create a fun way to support your community and surround yourself with neighbors who are interested in doing the same.
20. Take a local brewery tour
In addition to great beer, these breweries often offer tours and classes, making them a great place to meet new people and have fun.
21. Join MeetUp.com
Perhaps one of the very best ways to meet new friends is to join MeetUp.com. This online forum allows you to enter your city and interest to view endless numbers of “meetups” near you.
Try Something That Interests You
Adjusting to a new city can be difficult, but always remember that you’re not alone! If you’re wondering, how to make friends as a travel nurse, try some of the ideas in this article. You can also get in touch with a travel nurse agency to help you find the most ideal travel assignment. They can locate you in a great place and provide you with the resources you need to connect with new people.
Be confident, be yourself, and be open to new social connections. Before you know it, you’ll feel settled in and establish genuine friendships with like-minded individuals.
