3 ways to strengthen your long distance relationship while on an assignment

Travel nursing comes with many professional and personal rewards, but it can be rather challenging when you’re trying to maintain a relationship from afar. Putting distance between you and your loved one, whether your spouse or a long-time partner, can feel threatening while you’re on a nursing assignment. However, there are various ways to keep the flame alive while you’re away and ensure the bond stays strong, regardless of the distance.

Here are a few ways to strengthen your long-distance relationship while on an assignment:

1. Think outside the digital box

Technology makes it so easy to stay connected to loved ones while you’re away, but it’s second nature to use social media, texting and phone calls as a means of communication. Spice things up and think outside the box when it comes to keeping in touch with your partner. Postcards, letters and care packages show you went the extra mile to stay connected and can be rather exciting to receive in the mail.

2. Make your conversations count

It’s one thing to constantly check up on each other, but this can make conversations seem more like a chore than something you look forward to. Andrea Bonior, PhD recommended preparing for each talk with something fruitful to share about your day.

“If you are in a long-distance relationship, you lack the ability to have a high quantity of communication compared to couples that are together in close proximity, but you do have the potential to even exceed them when it comes to quality,” she wrote for Psychology Today.

It’s also important to understand the depth expected out of your conversations. Since you won’t have the face-to-face interaction, it’s critical to go the extra mile in expressing your feelings in the words you use and the tone of your voice.

3. Make plans and get excited by future engagements

Whether you and your loved one plan on meeting up during your assignment or you can’t see each other until your 13-week job comes to an end, there’s always something to look forward to. Plan something exciting that makes the wait worth it and gives you both a future engagement to visualize; the idea of camping in the mountains or relaxing with each other on the beach the next time you’re together can be the push that gets you both through the distance.

Travel nursing poses an amazing opportunity to get out there and practice your skills, network with other like-minded professionals and grow as an individual. Working on yourself doesn’t only impact your own being – it can also make you a stronger and more reliable partner. It’s easy to assess the personal perks that come with travel nursing, but keep in mind the indirect advantages that come with it as well. An opportunity to strengthen your long-distance relationship can be the extra motivation you need to succeed on the road.