The 6 C’s of City Research for New Travel Healthcare Assignments

Landing a travel healthcare contract in a new city can seem overwhelming. There is much to do before beginning your assignment, such as preparing documents, packing your personal items, and coordinating living arrangements. When you receive a travel nursing or other travel health contract, it is important to research the location. This will help you become familiar with your surroundings, plan your commute, and find necessary places like the grocery store. TotalMed recommends you move in at least one week before your travel healthcare assignment starts to get accustomed to your new town. Read on to learn more about the six "C's" to research before moving to your new city.

1 – Commute

The first "C" on our list is COMMUTE. Before your move, research the location of the healthcare facility at which you will be working. Use Google Maps or a similar application to view routes and distances between your new home and place of employment. This information will give you an idea of how long your commute will be and which route will be the best for arriving to work on time. When you first settle into your new place, conduct a test run of your routine to gauge traffic and make adjustments to your schedule.

2 – Cost of Living

The second "C" on our list is COST OF LIVING. Before your move, research the cost of living in your new town. This data will give you an idea of what the prices of fuel, groceries, and other expenses will be compared to where you live now. There is a very useful website, bestplaces.net, that allows you to search and compare cities to see how prices differ between the two. For instance, if you currently reside in Appleton, Wisconsin and you are moving to Phoenix, Arizona for a travel healthcare assignment, you can use Best Places to view the difference between population, income, housing, and average commute time. This not only gives you more information on your new town, but can also be helpful when it comes to budgeting while living and working there.

3 – Climate

The number three "C" is CLIMATE. No matter what time of year your travel healthcare assignment starts, it may be helpful to research the weather to ensure you pack accordingly. For example, if you are coming from a sunny state to the Mid-West in the fall, winter, or spring seasons, you may not be used to the cooler temperatures. Or, if you are moving to Seattle, you may want to pack a raincoat since it is known for rainy weather. Wherever your assignment is, be sure to look at their weather patterns so you have an idea of what to expect while fulfilling your travel healthcare contract.

4 – Crime Rate

We are over the halfway point with "C" number four - CRIME RATE. Along with the cost of living, you may also want to check out the crime rate, especially in your new neighborhood. Every city has crime. Viewing crime rates will give you an idea of what activity happens on or near your street, along with what times these activities typically occur. You will have an understanding of how to protect yourself and keep yourself safer during your travel healthcare assignment.

5 – Culture

"C" is for CULTURE! Culture is a fun topic to research. Before moving to your new town for your travel healthcare assignment, spend some time learning about local cuisine and restaurants, regional idioms, and traditional practices. For example, in Michigan, they call a water fountain a “drinking fountain”, whereas in Wisconsin they call it a “bubbler.” Wisconsin is also known for supper clubs, which can be a fun and unique experience. Soon you will be talking and eating like the locals!

6 – Community

The last, but not least, "C" on our list is COMMUNITY. What is your new location known for? Which festivals or events take place? Some cities have a farmers' market that occurs every weekend during the summer and fall seasons. Check out local events that take place during your travel healthcare assignment. Make opportunities to learn about the history of the town and meet the locals. Another great way to be a part of the community is to volunteer. On your next day off, volunteer your time at a local shelter or animal rescue. Volunteering is a great way to support the community and help those in need.

This checklist of the six "C's" to research before moving to a new city for your travel nursing, med surg, home healthcare, or labor and delivery job should help smooth the bumps in the road along the way to your next adventure. 

Are you a healthcare professional that loves helping people and exploring new cities? Click here to apply with TotalMed and take the next step in your travel healthcare career!