How to be a Travel Nurse with a Pet

There are numerous decisions to make when deciding whether to pursue travel nursing. One of the most important questions is “What am I going to do with my pet? Some people believe that you can not work as a travel nurse if you have a pet. I have worked as a travel nurse with pets for the last two and a half years. It isn’t a difficult task to accomplish, but it takes planning to accomplish. Let me show you how it is done. 

Before hitting the road with your loveable fur baby in tow, there are some tasks that need to be completed:

1. Vaccination records need to be updated and maintained. 
2. Have your pet identified by getting your dog microchipped so that your pet can be returned to you if the pet is lost.
3. Make sure to pack the essentials for your pet.
4. Two weeks prior to traveling, take the pet crate out of storage and place it in a communal area so that your pet can get used to it and explore either rebonding to it or making an initial bond. This can ease the pet’s anxiety surrounding the crate.. 

Travel Options

Once you have your travel contract settled, it’s time to decide how to get to the assignment with your pet. Will you fly, drive, or have your pet shipped while you drive separately? Each of these have their merits and tasks that will need to be addressed. 

The New York Times article about flying with your pets Flying with your pet? It just got more difficult describes the difficulties that the Centers for Disease Control has placed on traveling with pets.  Make certain that if you decide to fly, you buy your tickets with an airline that allows animals to fly.

You could choose to drive with your pets to the next assignment location.. Each pet will need their own travel case, even though you are in a car. Providing a place for them to relax gives them a sense of security. You can help ease the anxiety that can come with travel just by simply opening the carrier, letting them explore the vehicle and then they may decide to travel in their pet carrier. 

Finding a place to rest your head

Now that you have made the decision to take your pet with you, where are you going to stay? There are pet-friendly hotels that offer long term stay options as well.Trips with Pets can show you hotels in each state that will let your pet stay with you. You could also choose to find a room on a platform like Furnished Finder, which will accept your pet. You can expect to pay a deposit and a non refundable pet deposit. 

If finding a hotel isn't for you, then consider using an RV that allows you to take your home with you wherever you go. Traveling with your pet can be one of the most rewarding things you do for yourself. There is nothing like coming home to that soft face that gives unconditional love. No matter how bad your day has been, or how home sick you feel, they make it better.

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Bio

Author Stacy Burr BSN, RN. 

I have been a nurse since 2009. I started out as an LVN and transitioned to my BSN. I am currently a travel nurse which was a goal of mine since 2011. I have been traveling since March 2019. I have traveled with 2 different companies and have been on 6 assignments. I am also the Vice president of Nita Marie's Angels (NMA) we are a 501(c)3 organization and we recover victims of Human trafficking and support families of violent crimes. I have been in this role since 2016.