Any successful nurse knows how helpful technology is in our lives. Travel nursing makes staying organized and efficient even more complicated. Thankfully these apps can help simplify your life! Make sure to check out the bonus apps at the end of the article for awesome ways to discover your new location and make friends!
Best App to Find Travel Nurse Jobs
NurseFly
Not to toot our own horn but this app has tons of awesome features. Beyond searching for jobs and locations, NurseFly wants to make the travel process as easy as possible for nurses. You can browse jobs or choose a specific location to compare pay packages. NurseFly also allows you to upload your documents all to one site. So, paperwork like certifications, licenses, and resumes are easily accessible without having to search through the black hole that is your email inbox. While your there browse the blog for tips and tricks for travel nurses, city guides, and more! Download for Apple IOS here or Android/Google here.
Best Nurse Scheduling App
Nurse Grid
a must have for people who like to share schedules and make swaps. It’s super easy to plug your schedule into this app. Get everyone on board in your unit and you can see schedules from home and request swaps with co-workers. The app also saves you from having to log in to the hospital website to view your schedule.
Maps Apps
Whether you are traveling to an assignment or arriving in your new location, WAZE or Google Maps is invaluable. WAZE tends to have better in traffic re-routes but is slower to tell you where to turn, has a cumbersome ‘search near here’ function, and often drops your location and all directions if your cell service is poor.
I personally prefer Google Maps for its ability to search along your route for things like restaurants, gas stations, or specific store names. I find that Maps will not always take you through residential areas to get around traffic, but I have noticed an improvement in this function over the years.
Google Maps is DEFINITELY better when going to remote areas. If you lose service the map will save and keep functioning. WAZE tends to lose signal and not continue the trip. If you don’t have Google Maps open when this happens, you will have no source of digital navigation until you are back in an area of cell service.
Road Trippers
Use this with the maps apps for the ultimate road trip experience You can plug in your departure location and destination to find cool sites, historic landmarks, and rest- stops along the way. Road Trippers also offers route suggestions and has some epic road trip itineraries to help you plan!
Camping Apps
The hottest trend in travel nursing is RV and van-camper living. Nurses are looking to maximize the bang for their buck and see as much of the country as possible. Unique experiences have become more important than having material things!
Use these apps to find free spots to camp during the road trip to your next assignment! (Not recommended for long term housing solutions)
Freecampsites.net
While this is not really an app, this website is super helpful for people looking for free camping across the country. You only have to enter your destination to browse sites near the location and see reviews of other campers.There is a legend\key for the map that will alert you if the site isn’t actually free (some of the sites listed are paid state parks, etc.). I have personally used this site on a few road trips and find it to be very reliable. Sites listed include remote, rural areas as well as rest stops and parking lots across the country.
Park4night
This app is similar to the above site but has a more user-friendly interface and is available for download in the Apple and Google Play stores. I find this to be a little more up to date than freecampsites.net, but missing a few ‘secret, remote’ spots. This app is also useful if you are looking to car camp abroad.
Housing Apps
Finding housing as a travel nurse is one of the most difficult parts of the process. These apps help you cover as much ground as possible and are popular among travel nurses.
Airbnb
Most everyone is familiar with Airbnb for vacation use, but some travel nurses aren’t aware that some homeowners offer long term discounts, especially during an off-season time. Use this app to find rooms or entire apartments. Look into sharing housing with other travel nurses to save some cash!
Furnished Finders
This is a great website and app for travel nurses to find housing! The find the app easier to use and find information than the website. You can filter by room or entire apartment and it the housing is pet friendly. This site tends to have more affordable housing than Airbnb in more popular locations.
HotelTonight
This app is great for finding last minute places while you travel to your next travel nurse assignment or for a spontaneous weekend getaway to explore your new location! You can find discounts for last minute plans or book in advance.
Transportation Apps
Uber and Lyft
Both of these apps provide ride share services and can save you heaps in taxi fees. Each service has its own benefits. Be sure to check with both companies when searching for a ride as prices differ greatly between the two in some cities!
SpotHero
I am always shocked to find out how many people don’t know about this parking app that can save you time and money! You simply enter your destination and parking options with prices are displayed. This app is super helpful in big cities where parking is often expensive and hard to find. Prices are usually cheaper than paying on location and you don’t have to waste time driving around looking for a parking spot!
Airline Price Trackers
Apps like SkyScanner and Hopper allow you have notifications sent to your phone for prices of flights to and from specific locations. This can be very useful if you plan on traveling home a lot from your assignment and are looking for the best deals.
Bonus Apps
Culture Trip
The Culture Trip has great recommendations for tourist sites, museums, food, and much more in cities all over the world. The site includes articles about the best neighborhoods and unique experiences to specific locations. Use the app to explore your new home and discover hidden gems!
BandsinTown
This app is great for travel nurses that love live music! It’s a great way to stay updated on any music happenings in your new city! This app will send you alerts when there are concerts in your area so you’re always first to know!
MeetUp
If you are traveling solo this is a GREAT way to meet new friends! There are activities and adventures available for all interests. I’ve had some amazing experiences with it! Use the Splitwise app to divvy up dinner and drinks costs with your new friends (this app is already great for splitting group vacation expenses!).
-RNRN
