Tidbits from the Road

Lessons Learned:  Every Cloud has a Rainbow

1. Less is More. I still am not efficiently packing.  Because I often transition from a work assignment to leisure travel or a national meeting/conference, I tend to pack a variety of clothes and shoes.  As I continue doing locums, I hope to pare down my wardrobe to be able to carry all the basics for any occasion into a carryon bag.
2.  Eating well on the move. Short assignments are the most difficult.  Grocery shopping for 2-3 days can be challenging.  Most extended stay hotels have refrigerators and some have microwaves, but stovetops or ovens are uncommon.  On these type of assignments, I tend to eat out more which is not fiscally or health conscious.  Longer assignments, greater than a week, usually allow accommodations that include a stove and oven, which permits me to cook at home.
3.  Thankfully, most hotels have an onsite gym.  My fitbit has been a great addition in helping me to track my exercise but also to use pre-programmed fitness routines to follow in a crunch.  Depending on the location, I try to find local gyms, the YMCA or community centers that allow short term passes, memberships or class packs.  It has been a great way to spend my off time and allows me to interact with the community in a non-clinical capacity.
4.  Car rentals. USB ports and Bluetooth access are a must.  I spend a great deal more time driving than I have in the past.  Not driving during the course of the work week, but driving to assignments that are often 1-2 hours for the nearest airport.  This being the case, I use my car time to catch up with family and friends.  The USB ports allow me to charge my phone for both talk time and GPS utilization while driving.  Since I am driving alone, having the in car Bluetooth gives me one less device to keep up with and keeps me safe and hands-free!
5.  Health Insurance. Aaargh!  The greatest barrier for me to initially obtaining health insurance was my nomad status.  I now belong to a health share organization that I hope will cover my needs.  I’ll have to write a more detailed post on this issue later, especially as the policies around health insurance coverage are rapidly changing.