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In case of a medical emergency, we are
taught to dial 911, but who do you call when you are hundreds of miles away
from home? Be prepared! Be very prepared!
The first line of defense in case of an
emergency is to have an emergency planned for. Not that we really want one
to happen, but we don’t want one to happen and get caught, as they say,
“with our pants down.” WE certainly don’t want to panic.
The first order of business is to have
someone to call like AAA, Good Sam’s Emergency Road Service, or OnStarTM.
Keep these numbers, usually found on your membership card, in your wallet,
above the sun visor, or in your purse.
Important phone numbers to have with you
include your nursing recruiter, you bank’s number, you car insurance agents’
number, and a network of friend along the way.
A network of friends is not only handy to
have as a safety feature, but could also be a convenience feature. I have
several friends around the country that I have worked with before that I
keep track of, and have even had a few invites for supper and a place to
stay.
I wouldn’t recommend staying with someone
whom you have only met online, but I would definitely stay with someone that
I had worked with before.
Of course, meeting other travel nurses
along the way for supper is great fun. I have even met other travel nurses
after work for breakfast!
If you have not invested in a good
nationwide cell phone, then now is the time. For years I refused to get one
because I had a C.B. and it was free. Although very handy at times, some
people just aren’t comfortable with a C.B. When I was driving forty miles
everyday to work, the C.B. is all that I had. The few times that I had
problems, I would holler at the trucks to send a policeman or highway
patrol.
Have a friend or relative lined up to call
every time that you stop for gas. I always call my parents along the way so
that if something does happen to me, they have some idea where to start a
search. Of course, you would also want to let that person know what route
that you are taking.
Although taking some cash is a good idea,
taking too much is not a good idea. Keeping a national ATM card with access
via a pin number is a must. I carry no more than a hundred dollars cash, and
attempt to pay for everything of my debit card, which comes out of my bank
account. This also gives me documentation for the tax man.
Before embarking on that next adventure,
it is also a necessity to visit your local mechanic to get the oil changed
and the fluids checked along with tire pressure.
In the trunk of your vehicle, you should
keep extra food, blankets, and water in the event that you have a roadside
emergency.
Make sure that you have a good map. The
best maps with nationwide truck stops can be found at the major “chain”
truck stops, and some even provide a list of rest areas. Another great
resource is the tourist information centers as you go into a state. They
not only provide you with free maps, but they also have interesting facts
about the territory that you are about to travel through!
When on a long trip and you haven’t ever
been that direction, you should always start looking for a gas station when
you reach one-half of a tank. By doing this, you don’t risk getting too low
before finding a place to stop. This is especially essential if you are
pulling a travel trailer, or traveling in a big motorhome. It is also
important to remember that your gas mileage is a lot different when pulling
a trailer.
When getting out of your vehicle to fill
up with gas or go to use the restroom, always be aware of your
surroundings. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, then stay in your
vehicle and travel to the next rest area if possible.
If you are a female traveling alone, it is
not advisable to drive at night. Although, I do know some women who aren’t
afraid of traveling alone because their safety is insured by Smith and
Wesson.
That brings up the point that if you do
have a concealed weapon, be sure that you know the concealed weapon laws in
the states that you travel through. Other personal safety items to keep in
the vehicle would consist of a large flashlight, which not only provides
light, but can be used as a weapon. They also make a small light that goes
on your key chain with an ultraviolet light that will blind someone, giving
you time to get out of the dangerous situation.
Another great tip is to carry a device in
your glove compartment that will allow you to break the glass or cut your
seatbelt in the case of a traffic accident.
And last but not least for on the road,
always make sure that your spare tire actually has air in it! You wont be
too happy if you find this out along the Interstate.
Once you have arrived at your assignment,
a phone book with the yellow pages is a must. Look in it to find the
nearest urgent care center, the grocery stores, the laundromat, and if you
have a pet, an emergency vet.
Once you are making good money as a travel nurse, get some of your bills
paid off and save up at least enough money to float you for a few months.
In my case, it sure was nice when my Dad
became sick last year, that I had enough saved up to take off for two
months. In the event of a family emergency, quick airline tickets can be
found at www.hotwire.com, priceline.com, and bereavementair.com.
By using these tips and others, you can
travel from state to state with peace of mind. By preparing for an
emergency, you will know that if something does come up, then you won’t be
the first to hit the panic button because you will have everything under
control. |
Highway Hypodermics
