For those in the healthcare field considering travel assignments, a common question arises: “Is it possible to travel with my family?” The resounding answer is YES! It absolutely is achievable. While the specifics will vary from family to family, and careful planning is essential, many have successfully integrated family life with travel healthcare careers. We’re thrilled to share the story of Alex, a travel nurse, and her family, offering a glimpse into how they navigate this unique lifestyle.
Balancing Healthcare Travel with Family Life
Hello! I’m Alex McCoy, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) travel nurse. Nursing has been my profession for eight years, and I’ve embraced travel nursing for about five of those. Initially, travel nursing was a strategic move to boost our income when I was the primary breadwinner, supporting our family while my husband, Keaton, completed his physical therapy degree.
Once Keaton graduated, we embarked on a journey of traveling together as a couple. It was an incredible experience, exploring the country side-by-side. For two years, we managed to coordinate travel Physical Therapy and Travel Nursing contracts, which not only allowed us to experience new places but also to aggressively pay off debt, purchase a car with cash, and build substantial savings.
Expanding Our Family on the Road
Around our second year of traveling as a duo, we decided to start a family. I continued working on a travel contract during the first half of my pregnancy. Eventually, we chose to return to our home base to be closer to family as we prepared for parenthood. However, the transition to permanent positions didn’t unfold as smoothly as anticipated. For instance, I hadn’t been at my job long enough to qualify for paid maternity leave, and my health insurance didn’t become active until I was nearly seven months pregnant. Looking back, continuing with a travel assignment until delivery might have been a more beneficial choice, considering the superior benefits and compensation.
Our daughter arrived in late 2019, and I transitioned to a PRN (as-needed) job as I adapted to being a working mother. Unbeknownst to us, a global pandemic was looming, poised to disrupt the entire healthcare landscape. We had considered returning to travel nursing after our daughter’s birth, but the physical therapy job market declined sharply in mid-2020, and the pediatric nursing job market wasn’t promising either. Consequently, we decided to stay put near home for the time being.
Towards the end of 2020, we were expecting our second child, another girl, who was born in May 2021. We were living what seemed like the quintessential American dream – two adorable daughters, a lovely home in a nice neighborhood, and stable jobs. Yet, we were struggling. Full-time daycare for two children under two was costing us $2500 per month (in Kansas City, Missouri). Most of our sick days and vacation time were spent managing childcare crises – a child with a fever, or another with a stomach bug. Despite having a strong support system, we had minimal quality family time, and the supposed “perks” of regular employment weren’t truly benefiting us.
Alex and her family smiling while standing outside in a campground.
Taking the Plunge Back into Travel
When our youngest daughter was about seven months old, I reached out to a friend who had become a travel nursing recruiter. On a whim, I asked her for a list of high-paying travel nursing positions within a three to four-hour radius of our home. She quickly found a position in St. Louis that offered weekly pay equivalent to my monthly salary, and it was for weekend nights only.
This marked the start of an intense three months. We opted for a trial period. I worked Friday to Sunday nights in St. Louis, while Keaton worked four 10-hour days during the week in Kansas City. This arrangement meant we only needed childcare on Fridays and Mondays, and I could be home with my daughters four days a week.
Financially, this was a significant improvement, but it wasn’t sustainable long-term. I adjusted to the drive quickly, and Keaton and the kids often joined me in St. Louis on weekends. I was still nursing our younger daughter, and it was comforting to spend a few hours with my children on Saturdays and Sundays after waking up before my shifts.
Embracing Full-Time Family Travel
As my contract in St. Louis neared its end, we decided we were ready to fully commit to travel. Keaton had become accustomed to managing the household solo on weekends, boosting his confidence in being a stay-at-home parent. I was enjoying the freedom and flexibility that the higher income provided, and I was eager to break free from the constraints of a traditional employer.
That summer, we set off for Virginia and haven’t looked back. So far, I’ve been the one taking contracts while Keaton cares for the children, primarily because PICU travel nursing roles are averaging $3500 or more per week, and I only need to work three days a week. We do plan to have Keaton take the next contract to maintain his clinical skills as well.
Alex and her family posing in front of a scenic mountain view during their travels.
Transitioning to Full-Time RV Living for Family Adventures
Before we knew we would return to full-time travel, we had purchased a pop-up camper in the fall of 2021 for road trips. If you have children, you understand the ordeal of packing for even a short outing. The pop-up camper was our solution. We kept most essentials stocked in it, allowing us to simply pack clothes and go. The pop-up also offered a more budget-friendly travel option while providing a climate-controlled space for naps and bedtimes.
We even brought the pop-up with us to Virginia, where we were staying in a short-term rental. It added so much fun to our weekend beach trips. During these trips, we began to seriously consider full-time camper living.
Our housing in Virginia was adequate for a couple or single person. We found a charming little house on Furnished Finder at a reasonable rate. The issue was that most “reasonable” options were one-bedroom. We made it work, but space was tight. Our bedroom essentially doubled as a bunkroom, and the main living area constantly felt cluttered with the kids’ belongings.
Keaton and I started crunching numbers and realized that even with financing a truck and a portion of a larger camper, we would still spend less on housing than a two-bedroom furnished rental in most locations. Ultimately, we decided to invest in a used camper and a newer truck.
The family stands in front of their RV, ready for their next adventure.
The Joys of Full-Time RV Family Life
So far, we are thoroughly enjoying full-time camper life. Our RV is a Keystone Bullet Premier Ultra Lite 31 BHPR floor plan. It features a dedicated bunk room for the girls, which serves as their playroom and storage space, and a separate small “bedroom” for Keaton and me.
My favorite aspect is the increased time we spend outdoors. Since RV living avoids areas with extreme weather, it’s usually pleasant enough to spend at least part of each day outside. Plus, campgrounds typically offer plenty of walking paths and areas to explore, and often include playgrounds nearby. We even recently invested in a Frozen Power Wheels Jeep— providing mom and dad with plenty of exercise as the girls drive around.
We also appreciate the ease of mobility. We simply retract our slides and we’re ready to move on. During our Virginia contract, packing, loading, and organizing our belongings took several days. Pre-kids, we could manage it in a day, but now, with little ones, it’s far more complex. In the RV, while we do some pre-departure cleaning and organizing, it doesn’t need to be as meticulous as when handing back the keys to a rental property.
The family enjoys outdoor time together at a campsite, with their RV in the background.
Navigating the Downsides of the Family Travel Lifestyle
Undoubtedly, the most challenging part of full-time travel with young children is the absence of a consistent “village” or support network. Keaton and I have been married for over seven years and still prioritize quality time together. Without readily available babysitters or family nearby, traditional date nights or extended time away are less frequent.
We operate as a team to ensure each of us gets individual time to unwind or pursue personal interests. We consistently find gyms with childcare services, allowing our kids to play while we work out, eliminating the need to juggle childcare with workout schedules.
We also consciously maximize any childcare opportunities that arise. When we visit home or have visitors during assignments, we usually request a few hours to go out and reconnect. We also aim to plan an annual trip just for the two of us.
Overall, we are grateful for the increased family time this lifestyle provides, but we recognize the importance of carving out individual time and making it work, even while traveling.
Alex and Keaton share a moment together, highlighting the importance of couple time amidst family travel.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Our Family Travel
Truthfully… we’re still figuring it out! And that’s okay with us. Continuing to travel and potentially homeschooling our girls is a viable option, but with our oldest being only three, we have some time to decide. As long as we are traveling, we intend to alternate who takes travel assignments, with the other staying home with the girls.
Currently, if we continue traveling, we don’t foresee returning to short-term rentals. Having our own space and avoiding the hassle of packing up each time is invaluable, and it’s hard to imagine giving that up.
If we fully commit to long-term travel, homeschooling, and RV living, we would consider upgrading our RV and truck to gain more space. We’d love a fifth-wheel and possibly a toy hauler area that could serve as a multi-purpose room.
Ultimately, we are continually grateful for the opportunities our healthcare careers provide. Whatever path we choose in the future, there’s always room to adapt and make choices that best suit us and our family!
A family portrait capturing Alex, Keaton, and their daughters, symbolizing their family travel journey.
Alex McCoy is a Pediatric ICU Travel Nurse, writer, and content creator in the travel nursing community since 2017. She currently travels with her husband, Keaton, and their daughters Jade and Cecelia in a 35-foot travel trailer. Alex and her family enjoy exploring new regions and spending time outdoors hiking and discovering national parks and monuments. You can connect with Alex on Instagram @alexmccoyrn or via email at [email protected].
We extend our sincere thanks to Alex for sharing her inspiring journey of making travel healthcare work for her family! If you’re contemplating whether travel healthcare could be a fit for you and your family, remember that individual circumstances will always bring unique considerations. We know many families successfully navigate travel healthcare. Whether you are a single parent, a dual-income couple, or a couple where one partner is a stay-at-home parent, numerous healthcare travelers with young or school-aged children are making it work. Many bring their families along, while others travel solo and frequently visit home.
For more information on traveling with a non-healthcare spouse and exploring their work options, whether remote or local, check out this article. No matter your situation, we believe there’s another healthcare professional in a similar position who has achieved their travel healthcare goals!
For deeper insights, watch our video discussion on Travel Healthcare with a Family!
If you’re a healthcare traveler who travels with family, please share your story in the comments below!
