Travel Nursing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself On and Off the Clock

TL;DR: What are the most important safety tips for travel nurses?

• Know your risks: healthcare workers face much higher rates of workplace violence and injuries than most industries, so safety has to be intentional, not assumed. (ANA)

• Vet every assignment: ask specific questions about staffing, orientation, security, and violence-prevention policies before you sign a contract. (AACN)

• Use orientation like a safety drill: learn exits, panic buttons, codes, PPE locations, and who to call when something doesn’t feel right. (AACN)

• Protect your body and your health: practice safe lifting, use proper patient-handling equipment, follow CDC infection-control basics, and speak up if you don’t have the right PPE. 

• Take housing and off-duty safety seriously: avoid scams, research neighborhoods, secure your home, and keep a low profile about your schedule and travel.

• If something is unsafe, escalate fast: use your chain of command, involve security, and loop in your travel nurse agency so they can advocate and intervene.

What are the core safety principles every travel nurse should follow?

Travel nursing safety comes down to six core habits: do your homework on facilities, take orientation seriously, communicate clearly, follow infection-control and body-mechanics best practices, take workplace violence seriously, and protect yourself in housing and daily life. When you repeat those habits on every contract, you dramatically lower your risk of injury, burnout, or scary “never again” experiences.

Healthcare workers are several times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries, and they account for the vast majority of nonfatal workplace injuries due to violence. (ANA) That’s the backdrop you’re walking into as a traveler—which means good assignments, supportive units, and strong personal safety routines aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re how you protect your license, your body, and your career.

Why does safety feel different for travel nurses today?

Safety feels different for travel nurses because you’re stepping into unfamiliar systems just as violence and stress in healthcare are trending up, not down.

Recent data shows assaults and verbal abuse toward nurses are rising nationwide, with tens of thousands of reported assaults in a single year and up to three-quarters of healthcare workers reporting some form of violence. (AACN) Travel nurses feel this more acutely because:

• You’re often filling in during staffing crises or surges.

• You don’t always get the same depth of orientation as core staff. (AACN)

• You may not know a unit’s “unwritten rules” about high-risk patients, families, or areas.

The flip side: as a traveler, you can be more selective. You can ask tougher questions before you accept an assignment and lean on your agency to steer you toward facilities with better safety culture and support.

What should travel nurses do before accepting an assignment to stay safe?

Before you ever sign a contract, treat safety like part of the interview—because it is.

When your recruiter presents an offer, ask questions such as:

• Staffing & acuity

  • What is the typical nurse-to-patient ratio on this unit, days and nights?

  • Are ratios frequently broken?

• Orientation

  • How long is orientation, and is it unit-specific?

  • During orientation, will you be shown key emergency locations (exits, code carts, PPE, lift equipment)?

  • Will you be trained on how to call rapid response, security, and use any panic or badge system?
     

• Security & violence prevention

  • Are there security officers on the unit or in the building 24/7?

  • Are panic buttons or staff duress systems available? (Business Insider)

  • Does the hospital have a formal workplace-violence prevention plan and training? (Axios)

• Culture

  • How does the team generally treat travelers?

  • Will you be the only traveler, or is there a group?

Professional groups emphasize that adequate orientation, training, and ongoing support are essential for both patient and nurse safety—especially with temporary staff. (AACN) If an assignment can’t answer basic safety questions, that’s a red flag.

How can travel nurses use orientation and communication to stay safe on the unit?

Your first few shifts are your best opportunity to build a safety net.

During orientation, make it your mission to learn:

• Where emergency exits, fire pulls, oxygen shutoffs, and code carts are located.

• Where PPE, lift equipment, and isolation supplies are stored.

• How to activate rapid response, security, and any panic-button or badge system. (Business Insider)

• Unit-specific code words or overhead call phrases for violent situations.

If your facility doesn’t formally assign one, ask for a “go-to” nurse or preceptor during your first week. Units that pair travelers with buddies and provide clear written materials before arrival have smoother, safer onboarding. (AACN)

From day one, communicate in plain language:

• Let your charge nurse know what you’re comfortable with and where you need a quick refresh (e.g., certain pumps or procedures).

• Speak up early if an assignment feels unsafe outside your scope or ratio.

• Clarify who you call at night if something feels off—house supervisor, security, or a specific provider.

Good communication doesn’t just make you “a team player.” It reduces errors, de-escalates tension, and helps your colleagues watch your back.

What personal safety habits should travel nurses follow while working?

The safest travel nurses are boringly consistent about their day-to-day habits.

At work, focus on three big areas:

1. Body mechanics and injury prevention

   • Use lift teams, transfer equipment, and slide sheets whenever they’re available.

   • Avoid “just this once” manual lifts—those are the ones that cause back injuries.

   • Adjust bed height, lock wheels, and avoid twisting while holding weight.

2. Infection prevention and PPE

   • Follow your facility’s standard and transmission-based precautions: hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, and proper isolation practices. (CDC)

   • Don’t accept “we’re out of that size” as the final answer for PPE—escalate through your charge or supervisor.

   • Get recommended vaccinations and stay current on facility policies for respiratory viruses and other infections.

3. Sharps and medication safety

   • Use safety-engineered devices as designed; don’t defeat needle-safety features.

   • Dispose of sharps immediately in approved containers, never on a bedside table or trash can.

   • Only administer meds you’re familiar with; ask questions if the protocol looks different than what you’re used to.

You can’t eliminate all risk on the job. But consistent habits dramatically reduce the chance of the kind of injury that ends a contract—or a career—early.

How can travel nurses reduce the risk of workplace violence?

You can’t control every patient, family member, or visitor—but you can control your awareness and your response.

Know the warning signs. Agitation, pacing, clenched fists, raised voice, and verbal threats should never be brushed off as “just stressed.” Healthcare workers are among the most frequent victims of workplace violence in the U.S., and nurses are often targeted. (AACN)

Use these practical tactics:

• Position yourself so you have a clear path to the door when you feel uneasy.

• Keep potentially dangerous items (sharps, cords, furniture on wheels) out of reach during escalating situations when possible.

• Call security early rather than waiting “to see what happens.”

• Use your facility’s de-escalation training—calm tone, non-threatening body language, setting limits, and bringing in backup. (ACS)

• Activate duress buttons or staff badge systems as trained.

Most importantly: report incidents. Many nurses underreport violence because they see it as “part of the job” or think nothing will change, which hides the true scale of the problem and delays systemic fixes. (ANA) When travel nurses document events, it gives both the facility and your agency the data they need to push for better security, staffing, and policies.

How can travel nurses stay safe in housing and off-duty life?

Your safety doesn’t end when you clock out. Housing scams, unfamiliar neighborhoods, and solo travel all add risk—but you can manage it.

Finding safe housing

• Consider agency-provided housing when available.

• If you’re finding your own:

  • Research crime rates and reviews for the area.

  • Ask for video tours or live virtual walk-throughs. (The Gypsy Nurse)

  • Avoid wiring money or paying large deposits before you verify the landlord and property.

Securing your space

• Change or add door locks if allowed, and use window locks or security bars on ground-floor units.

• Don’t display hospital badges, scrubs, or “Nurse Parking” signage outside your home.

• Vary your commuting route and schedule when you can; avoid posting your exact schedule publicly or in real time.

Out and about

• Share your address and schedule with a trusted friend or family member, plus your agency contact.

• Keep essentials like ID, some cash, and a charged phone on you when exploring new areas.

• Trust your gut about social invitations; say no when something feels off, even if you’re worried about “being rude.”

Many travel nurses find that once they establish a simple housing-safety checklist, it quickly becomes second nature.

What mental health and burnout safety tips should travel nurses follow?

Safety isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and psychological, too.

Because travel nurses frequently move between high-stress environments, you’re at higher risk for compassion fatigue and burnout. Combine that with the rising rates of verbal and physical abuse, and you have a mental-health hazard as real as any sharps container. (AACN)

Protect yourself by:

• Setting clear boundaries: Limit extra shifts, especially if you’re already in a high-acuity or high-violence unit. Money is replaceable; your health is not.

• Building a portable support network: Stay connected with fellow travelers, mentors, or online communities who understand the lifestyle.

• Using employer and agency resources: Many facilities and agencies offer EAP counseling, debriefing after critical incidents, and wellness tools—use them.

• Decompressing intentionally: Sleep, regular meals, movement, and downtime aren’t luxuries; they’re what keep you sharp enough to stay safe at work.

If you experience a violent incident, ask for formal debriefing, follow up with mental health support, and give yourself permission to end or avoid future assignments that don’t feel safe.

What should travel nurses do if something feels unsafe on assignment?

If something feels unsafe, assume your instincts are correct and act quickly.

In the moment:

• Remove yourself from immediate danger whenever possible.

• Activate security or rapid response according to facility policy.

• Ask a colleague or charge nurse to step in if you’re being threatened or harassed.

Afterward:

• Document what happened: date, time, location, people involved, and your actions.

• File an incident report according to facility policy.

• Contact your travel nurse agency’s clinical or safety team to report the event and discuss options.

Strong agencies want you to speak up so they can intervene with the facility, adjust your assignment if needed, or steer future travelers away from unsafe environments.

If you’re working with Advantage Medical Professionals and you’re in a situation that feels unsafe, reach out to your recruiter or clinical team immediately—they’re your partner in protecting both your patients and you.

Where can travel nurses find safe, well-supported assignments?

One of the easiest ways to protect your safety is to choose assignments with agencies that prioritize robust orientation, supportive unit cultures, and strong safety policies.

If you’re ready to explore your next travel contract with a focus on safety and support:

• RNs: Search RN Jobs

• LVNs/LPNs: Search LVN/LPN Jobs

Look for roles where your questions about safety, staffing, and workplace culture are welcomed—not brushed aside.

Travel nurse safety FAQ

Q: What safety questions should I always ask before I accept a travel assignment?
Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios, typical acuity, how long and how detailed orientation is, what security measures are in place (guards, badges, panic buttons), and whether there is a formal workplace-violence prevention plan with training.

Q: Is workplace violence really that common for nurses?
Yes. Healthcare workers are far more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries, and nurses are often on the front lines of verbal and physical aggression. Many incidents go unreported, which means the real numbers are likely even higher. (ANA)

Q: What should I do if a patient or visitor threatens me?
Take all threats seriously. Position yourself near the door, call for help, follow your facility’s de-escalation protocols, and involve security early. After the incident, file a report and notify your agency so they can support you and help advocate for safer conditions.