Every October, our units turn pink. We wear the ribbons, raise awareness, remind our patients about screenings, and encourage everyone to prioritize their health. But how often do we take our own advice? As nurses, we’re so good at taking care of everyone else, yet somehow our own appointments and preventive care end up at the bottom of the list. And when you’re a travel nurse moving from assignment to assignment, it’s even easier to keep putting things off.
After nearly 25 years as a nurse and more than a decade of travel nursing, I’ve learned that taking care of ourselves deserves just as much attention as taking care of our patients. So, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m sharing some practical ways travel nurses can stay on top of their breast health while on assignment. And because I love a good giveaway, I’m also giving one lucky nurse a pink FIGS bag!
Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month Hits Close to Home for Nurses
The numbers are hard to ignore. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 321,910 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, and approximately 42,140 women will lose their lives to the disease. About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
But for me, these aren’t just statistics. Over the years, I’ve had several friends who are incredibly close to my heart face breast cancer. I’ve watched people I love navigate the fear, uncertainty, treatments, and everything that comes with a diagnosis. And when it’s someone you love going through it, those numbers suddenly feel a whole lot more personal.
As nurses, we see the impact of cancer on our patients and families, but it’s different when it’s someone in your own circle. It reminds me that none of us are immune, and that taking care of our own health is something we can’t keep putting off. Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn’t just about wearing pink or sharing statistics. It’s about the women we love, the ones still fighting, the survivors, and those we’ve lost. And it’s a reminder to make our own health a priority, too.
What the Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Say Right Now
As nurses, we’re constantly reminding our patients about the importance of preventive care, but are we following that same advice ourselves?
In April 2024, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its breast cancer screening recommendations, advising women ages 40 to 74 to receive a screening mammogram every two years.
But here’s something important to remember: screening isn’t necessarily one-size-fits-all. Your personal risk factors, family history, breast density, and previous mammogram results can all play a role in determining what’s right for you. Other medical organizations may also recommend different screening schedules, so have that conversation with your healthcare provider and develop a plan that makes sense for your individual needs.
And please, don’t wait until your next assignment ends or you finally have some time off to prioritize your health. We both know how quickly that next contract, busy schedule, or life in general can get in the way.
Mentor Pro Tip: We keep track of our nursing licenses, BLS, ACLS, and certification renewals like our careers depend on them. Why aren’t we doing the same for our own health? Add your mammogram and other preventive screening reminders to your calendar, just like you would a certification renewal. Your health deserves a spot on that priority list, too!
Why Travel Nurses Fall Behind on Their Own Screenings
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s easy to put your own health on the back burner when you’re constantly taking care of everyone else. Add travel nursing into the mix, and keeping up with routine appointments can become even more challenging. Between moving every 13 weeks, changing insurance plans, and adjusting to new schedules, it’s easy to tell yourself, “I’ll take care of that when I get home.” But we all know how quickly another assignment comes along!
Here are a few common challenges travel nurses face when it comes to preventive care:
- Not having an established healthcare provider. When you’re constantly on the move, it can be difficult to maintain a relationship with a primary care provider or find someone who knows your medical history.
- Changing health insurance. Switching agencies or taking time off between contracts can mean changes in coverage, provider networks, and where you can schedule screenings.
- Medical records in different places. If you’ve had mammograms or other screenings in different states or healthcare systems, keeping your records organized can become a challenge.
- Busy schedules and limited time off. Between working 12-hour shifts, exploring a new city, traveling home, and everything else life throws your way, scheduling an appointment can easily fall to the bottom of your priority list.
I get it. Life on the road can be busy, and sometimes the last thing you want to do on your day off is schedule another appointment. But here’s my reminder to you: your health doesn’t become less important just because you’re on assignment.
A little planning can go a long way. Whether that means scheduling appointments between contracts, finding an in-network provider near your assignment, or setting reminders for upcoming screenings, make your health part of your travel nursing plans.
And if you’re struggling to maintain healthy habits while traveling, check out my article on 5 ways to keep a wellness routine while on assignment. Because taking care of yourself should always be part of the journey, too.
How to Keep Up With Breast Cancer Screenings When You Move Every 13 Weeks
One thing I always encourage travel nurses to do is make their own healthcare appointments just as much of a priority as their next assignment. I know that’s easier said than done when you’re constantly moving, but a little planning can make a big difference.
Here are a few ways to stay on top of your breast health while traveling:
- Schedule appointments between assignments. If you typically take a week or two off between contracts, use that time to catch up on preventive care. Just make sure you schedule your appointments ahead of time instead of trying to squeeze everything in at the last minute.
- Know your insurance coverage. Before scheduling a mammogram, check with your insurance company to find an in-network imaging center. If you’re changing agencies or taking time off between contracts, double-check when your coverage begins and ends. You don’t want any unexpected bills!
- Keep your previous mammograms accessible. If you’ve had mammograms at different facilities, ask how to transfer your previous images and reports. Having those available for comparison can help radiologists identify changes over time.
- Keep your medical records organized. We keep copies of our nursing licenses, certifications, immunizations, and employment documents, so why not do the same for our personal health records? Consider keeping a secure digital folder with your screening dates, reports, and important medical information. My guide on documents you’ll need for a travel nursing job is a great starting point for getting organized.
- Make appointments work around your schedule. If you’re working three 12s, try scheduling your appointment early on a day off. And don’t feel like you have to wait until you’re back home. You can often schedule routine screenings near your assignment as long as your insurance coverage allows it.
- Don’t forget to follow up on your results. This is a big one! Make sure you know how and when you’ll receive your results, especially if you’re getting ready to move to another assignment. If additional imaging or follow-up is recommended, don’t put it off until your next contract ends.
Mentor Pro Tip: Between contracts and temporarily without health insurance? Don’t automatically assume you have to skip your screening. The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screening services to eligible women who are uninsured or under insured. Breast screening eligibility generally includes women ages 40 to 64 with household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, although some women outside that age range may also qualify. Check the program in your state to learn more.
And here’s your reminder from one nurse to another: You deserve the same care and attention you give your patients every single shift. Don’t keep putting your own health on hold because you’re busy taking care of everyone else.
Be the Travel Nurse Who Reminds Her Coworkers
One of my favorite things about travel nursing is how many incredible nurses we get to meet along the way. Every new assignment brings new coworkers, new friendships, and opportunities to make a difference beyond just the patients we care for.
And sometimes, making a difference is as simple as checking in on each other. We spend so much time reminding our patients to schedule their screenings, but when was the last time you asked your work bestie if she’s scheduled hers?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity to start those conversations. Wear the pink scrubs, share the reminders, and encourage the nurses around you to prioritize their own health. You never know who might need that little nudge to finally make an appointment they’ve been putting off.
I’ve always believed that being a great travel nurse is about more than showing up, doing your job, and collecting a paycheck. It’s about building relationships, supporting your coworkers, and leaving every unit a little better than you found it. I talk more about that in my article on having a positive attitude and building relationships on assignment.
So here’s my challenge to you this October: Check in on your nurse besties. Encourage each other to make those appointments, and don’t forget to take your own advice. Because taking care of each other is part of what makes nursing so special.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Giveaway: Win a Pink FIGS Bag!
Now for the fun part! In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m giving away a brand-new pink FIGS bag to one lucky nurse!
This month is all about raising awareness, supporting one another, and reminding the nurses in our lives to prioritize their own health. And what better way to spread a little love than with a giveaway?
Want to enter? Head over to my Instagram, @travelnurse101, and find my Breast Cancer Awareness Month giveaway post. You’ll find everything you need to know about how to enter, eligibility, and the official giveaway rules.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
The winner will be announced on October 30, 2026, so be sure to check the Instagram post for the entry deadline and all the details!
This giveaway is personally funded by me and is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or affiliated with FIGS or Instagram. No purchase necessary to enter or win.
And whether you enter or not, I hope this month serves as a reminder to schedule those screenings, check in on your nurse besties, and take care of yourself, too. Because you deserve it!
Your Breast Health Checklist for Life on the Road
Staying on top of your health while travel nursing doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take a little planning! I’ve put together a simple breast health checklist to help you stay organized, keep track of important screenings, and make your health a priority no matter where your next assignment takes you.
Because we spend so much time taking care of everyone else, sometimes we need a little reminder to take care of ourselves, too!
Take Care of the Nurse, Too
As nurses, we’re pretty good at taking care of everyone else, but sometimes we need a little reminder to take care of ourselves, too.
Whether you’re planning your next travel assignment, figuring out what to do between contracts, or thinking about your long-term career goals, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Book a mentor session with me, and let’s talk about what’s next for you.
One traveler to another, schedule the appointment, prioritize your health, and give yourself the same care and attention you give your patients. Happy Travels!