10 Ways for Travel Nurses to Pack Smarter, Stay Organized
By Megan Murdock Krischke, contributor
Travel nursing is a great way to experience new things, including new cultures, climates, locations and people. And when you need to reduce the bulk of your belongings to what will fit in the back of your car for a travel nursing assignment, it is an excellent opportunity to experience a more minimal lifestyle.
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Simple Tips for Travel Nurses: Pack Smarter and Lighter
Rachel Charles, a professional organizer based in Washington D.C., shared her tricks for keeping things simple and organized while on assignment.
1. Stop acquiring. First things first: as soon as you know you will be heading out on a travel nursing assignment, declare a shopping moratorium--aim to use up the food, toiletries, craft supplies, etc. you already have on hand.
2. Evaluate what you think you’ll need. When it comes to packing, Charles says the first step is to lay out everything you think you might want to take and consider whether it will fit in the space you have in which to transport it. A good question to consider: do you really want to pack, unload, pack, and reload that much stuff every three months or so?
Related: The Essential Packing Guide for Travel Nurses
3. Plan to mix, match and layer. When packing your wardrobe, think about basics that can be mixed and matched. Consider, also, clothing items that can be layered. “Capsule wardrobes” are a popular trend and you can find many examples online of how to create one. While many travel nurses tend to overdo it when packing clothes, many experts say not to skimp on undergarments--the recommended amount is 12 pairs of underwear and 3 bras.
4. Leave the “maybes” behind. “If there are items that you are taking simply because you might need them, those are the things to leave behind. If you do end up needing the item, it probably makes more sense to buy it once you have arrived. Items can often be found at greatly reduced prices on Craigslist or Freecycle,” noted Charles.
5. Ask a friend. Need something just this once? Borrowing items can actually be a great way to strike up conversations with co-workers and neighbors.
6. Choose items that transport, store and more. Charles recommends using items for packing that can also be used for storage at your new home, such as plastic filing cabinets or small plastic drawers for toiletries. Suitcase organizer bags can easily be moved from suitcases to drawers and, then, be zipped up and repacked for the next move.
“You might also consider what you pack your things into. Can you pack into reusable grocery totes that can be unpacked and then used for grocery shopping at your new location? You might also pack items into a daypack that you will later use for excursions or transport your folded sheets inside a pillowcase.” she suggested.
7. Don’t trash those boxes. Flattened cardboard boxes stow easily under a bed. Label each box with its contents and pack the same items into that box each move. Set aside a box for items you’ll need in your first 24 hours such as the coffeemaker, coffee mug, sheets, a towel, pajamas, basic kitchen utensils, etc.
8. Save room for special purchases. If you are someone who enjoys collecting souvenirs of the places you visit, Charles says consider using those to fill in gaps in what you pack. For instance, plan to pick up a hoodie, coffee mug, beach cover-up or umbrella on one of your weekend adventures.
“Figuring out what you really need and what you don’t actually end up using will be a learning process,” remarked Charles. “You might consider keeping a couple of boxes in an out-of-the-way place--one to put in things to donate or give away and another for things you want to keep but not travel with.”
9. Digitize what you can. Make the most of the digital world. Think electronic books, magazines, billing and bill pay, copies of important documents, etc. Also, consider apps that can take the place of things, such as a white noise app replacing a fan or white noise machine. If you are someone who loves having photos around, consider a digital photo frame or making a screensaver of your favorite photos.
10. Use a favorite organizer. “I’d also encourage travelers to consider what organization tools are most important to them. During a recent temporary move, I found that having a utensil organizer brought me an exponential amount of peace. Items like that, or perhaps a shoe organizer, might be worth the space and effort to move,” stated Charles.
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Originally published in 2016, updated in June 2018.