Working in the Travel Nurse Industry is a great opportunity to see the world and make everlasting friends, but do you really go out on the town and make friends?
I remember my 1st day at college, sure my two best friends were my roommates, but we had different majors and didn’t see each other during the day. I had the daunting task of making friends in a new place. To me that’s hard. I am shy at first, but once you get to know me, I can be rather loud! HA
Follow these simple tips and you should have no problem finding new friends while being a Traveling Nurse.
1. Get to know your neighbors. If you live in a community which hosts regular meetings or events, make an effort to be involved. Knowing people who live around you is always a help and makes your neighborhood a more social place.
2. Join a club or class relating to a subject or hobby that interests you, e.g., a dance class, hockey team or painting course. This helps you get out and meet people who share similar interests to you – a good starting point for any friendship.
3. Take part in a running club. Most cities organize groups who train together and all levels are welcome. It’s one way to stay fit and you’ll socialize by chatting as you run, too.
4. If you have a dog, take it out for a walk where other dog-owners in the area go. Popular dog walking areas are always great places to meet other dog-owners – it’s hard not to admire each other’s pets and swap pet-owning stories.
5. Volunteer to do something helpful. There are always places looking for help like soup kitchens or child-mentoring organizations. You’ll benefit your community and are sure to come in contact with lots of people – especially like-minded ones who want to make a difference too.
6. Check your local newspaper for local events – there may be a new cafe opening or a new exhibition at the museum. Just because you haven’t made any friends yet, it shouldn’t be an excuse to stay indoors. The more you go out, the more likely you are to meet someone new…even if you don’t, and at least you’ve been out and enjoyed yourself.
7. If you like coffee - try a local coffeehouse. Younger crowds often gather here to meet up and chat. Libraries and college campuses, too, often are a good place to meet up with others.
8. Keep a smile on your face - and don’t be afraid to approach people. Ask for directions or advice when necessary, and use that as an opportunity to strike up conversation. You may meet the occasional curmudgeon, but in general, people are friendly and like helping others.
I hope these tips will help you. If you have any tips that you believe will help, please leave a comment. You never know if your tip will help another traveler.
