Tips on how to balance Nurse and Mommy Life
- Kayla Chatman
- Sep 1, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 6, 2022
I come across so many nurses who want to embark on this wonderful travel nurse journey, but feel like they can’t or are limited due to having children. My daughter was only 5 months when I put my two-week notice in at my staff job. One month after coming back from maternity leave, I begun my travel nurse journey, and nearly tripled my income. Now my little one is 3 yrs old, and here we are traveling the world, and I wouldn’t change this experience for the world. Here are some tips so you and your little one/s can travel the world together.
1. Set a plan. You don’t plan to fail; you fail to plan. What’s your goal? Do you want to travel with your little one during summer break, winter break? Are they virtual due to the pandemic? Take full advantage of your kid’s time off from school, or start early so by the time your little one is in kindergarten, they have already travel places w/ Mommy. All while Mommy has made enough money to save and be even more present during the school year.
2. Find a caregiver you trust or bring your family along with you. Fortunately, my Mom is a retired nurse, so I have the pleasure of just telling her the next destination where we are going to be, and she already has her bags packed.
Do you have a spouse that is working from home, or just has the flexibility to be mobile? Use that as an advantage. I've talked to multiple nurses from all over, who have brought family members along the way to help take care of their little ones (husbands, grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends). Even if you must help pay for some of their expenses, everybody still comes out on top.
Here are a couple websites that my fellow coworkers have used if your looking for a trusted nanny to help take care of your loved one while you’re on your shift.
Keep in mind that with using these websites, you also have access to background checks, reviews, and they allow you to set up interviews. Portable nanny cams are also available on amazon, for as little as $58.
3. Housing Accommodations. From experience, I would recommend planning to stay in housing that are more house or apartment style rather than a hotel or extended stay. It brings more comfort and familiarity to the little one bringing in the “home” feel. This also allows you to pack much lighter. I find that sites like "Air bnb" or "apartment finders" are becoming more accommodating to people w/ children by providing highchairs, pack n plays, etc.
With Love,
Kayla Chatman
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