As a travel nurse, embarking on new assignments often means navigating unfamiliar territories not just in healthcare settings but also in social circles. Understanding how to make friends as a travel nurse and fostering new connections is essential for a fulfilling experience in a new city or location.
This guide explores various avenues for building friendships, from utilizing friend-making apps to engaging in fun outdoor activities, and recommendations on some insightful books that offer valuable advice on nurturing meaningful connections in adulthood. Whether you’re seeking companionship during your off-duty hours or aiming to expand your social circle beyond the workplace, this is a guide to help enhance your social life and enrich your travel nursing experience.
How to Make Friends Using Friend-Making Apps
In today’s digital age, making friends online has become the norm—and for good reason. With a thriving community of people seeking new connections, there’s a rich selection of apps designed to help you forge new connections. Explore some of our top picks!
Our top picks:
Bumble BFF
If you’re looking for Tinder for friends, this is for you. Bumble BFF is a popular social networking platform designed to help users forge new friendships. For travel nurses, who often move to new cities and need to build social networks quickly, Bumble BFF can be an invaluable tool.
How It Works
Bumble BFF is a mode within the Bumble app, primarily known for dating. Switching to BFF mode allows users to focus solely on making platonic connections. Here’s the process:
- Download and Set Up: Download Bumble from the App Store or Google Play, then create a profile. If you already have a Bumble account, simply switch to BFF mode.
- Profile Creation: Fill out your profile with a picture and a bio. Include interests, hobbies, and what you’re looking for in a friend.
- Matching: Swipe right on profiles you find interesting. If they swipe right on you too, it’s a match!
- Chatting: Once matched, you can start a conversation. Bumble encourages women to make the first move within 24 hours of matching.
Key Features
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate with a clean design.
- Interest Tags: Add tags to your profile to showcase your hobbies and interests, making it easier to find like-minded individuals.
- Location-Based: Matches are suggested based on your current location, which is ideal for travel nurses frequently relocating.
- Safety Features: Bumble has robust safety measures, including photo verification and the ability to block or report users.
Hey! VINA
Hey! VINA is a social networking app specifically designed for women to make new friends. It’s particularly useful for travel nurses who frequently relocate and need to build social circles in new places.
How It Works
Hey! VINA functions similarly to a dating app but focuses on fostering female friendships. Here’s how to get started:
- Download and Set Up: Available on the App Store and Google Play, download the app and create a profile.
- Profile Creation: Fill out your profile with photos and a bio. You can link your Instagram and Facebook accounts to provide more context about your lifestyle and interests.
- Personality Quizzes: Take personality quizzes to help the app understand your preferences and match you with compatible friends.
- Matching: Swipe right on profiles you’re interested in. If the other person swipes right too, it’s a match.
- Chatting: Once matched, start a conversation through the in-app messaging system.
Key Features
- Women-Only Platform: Designed exclusively for women, creating a safe and comfortable environment.
- Personality Quizzes: Helps to match users based on personality traits and interests for more meaningful connections.
- Communities: Join communities within the app that align with your interests, such as “Travel Nurses,” “Fitness Enthusiasts,” or “Food Lovers.”
- Articles and Advice: Access to a wide range of articles and advice on making friends, maintaining relationships, and adjusting to new cities.
Meetup
Meetup is a versatile social networking platform that helps people form communities based on shared interests and activities. For travel nurses who often find themselves in new cities, Meetup can be a powerful tool for building social networks and engaging in local activities.
How It Works
Meetup connects people through events and group activities. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:
- Download and Set Up: Available on the App Store and Google Play, download the app and create an account.
- Profile Creation: Fill out your profile with your interests, hobbies, and a brief bio.
- Explore Groups: Browse through various groups based on your interests, such as hiking, cooking, professional networking, or book clubs.
- Join Groups: Join groups that match your interests. Many groups are location-specific, helping you find events nearby.
- RSVP to Events: Once you join a group, you can RSVP to attend their events. These can range from small gatherings to large community events.
Key Features
- Wide Range of Interests: Covers an extensive array of activities and interests, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
- Location-Based: Suggests groups and events based on your current location, which is ideal for travel nurses.
- Community Building: Facilitates both casual meetups and more structured group activities.
- Event Management: Tools for organizing and managing events, making it easy for users to host their own meetups.
First Friend Date Ideas
When it comes to first friend date ideas, fun outdoor activities offer a perfect blend of excitement and bonding opportunities. You can kickstart your friendship with exhilarating adventures like hiking trails with breathtaking views, biking through scenic routes, or a picnic in the park.
If you’re a night-time lover, consider some of these fun things to do with friends at night, such as attending an outdoor movie screening or going out for dinner, which is a classic choice, allowing you to explore local cuisine and chat over delicious meals.
If you prefer a low-key hangout, explore fun things to do with friends at home like hosting a backyard barbecue or organizing a game night with board games or card games. Whatever your preference, these activities provide the perfect backdrop for creating memorable experiences and strengthening your budding friendship.
Books on how to make friends
For those seeking guidance on making friends as a travel nurse or navigating adult friendships, here are some insightful books that offer valuable advice and strategies.
‘Here to Make Friends: How to Make Friends as an Adult’ delves into the intricacies of adult social dynamics, providing practical tips on expanding your social circle and nurturing meaningful connections.
Similarly, ‘We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships‘ offers insights into fostering deeper friendships and overcoming barriers to socializing.
Finally, another great pick is, ‘Friendships Don’t Just Happen: The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of Girlfriends!‘. This book provides a comprehensive roadmap for building and maintaining a supportive network of friends.
These books not only address the challenges of making friends as an adult but also offer valuable insights tailored to the unique experiences a travel nurse may go through.
Drawing inspiration from our legends!
Take inspiration from our travelers! As a travel nurse, one of the easiest ways to build a friendship can be through work.
Previous Legends of the Month, Sonya and Macsima are a great example of this! A few years prior they bonded and formed a friendship while at work. Recently, through Mader MedX, they were able to reconnect on an assignment together.
Keep reading about Sonya and Mascima.
Similarly, another pair of Legends, Jayme and Heather, found one another through working the ICU together. Since then, Heather began her contract with MedX and shortly after referred Jayme to join the team!