7 Packing Tips for Travel Nurses
By Alana Luna, Contributor
Hiring managers are quickly learning that travel nurses can help facilities meet increased demand, and that means more and more healthcare professionals will soon be needing packing tips. Whether your assignment is three months or several seasons long, knowing how to pack smart could be the strategy you need to start your new job on time and with your peace of mind firmly intact.
Check in with your agency before you pack
There are a lot of benefits to travel nursing, but some agencies go the extra mile with perks such as furnished accommodations or houseware packages that include everything from pots and pans to cleaning supplies. These packages differ from company to company, so it's essential you ask for a list of provided items before you move and clarify listing terms like "turnkey housing" so you know exactly what to expect.
Keep location and assignment length in mind
Travel nursing in Georgia is going to look a lot different from 12 weeks or more in Alaska. Knowing where you'll be, how long you'll be there and whether you'll experience a seasonal shift or need special-occasion outfits for holidays or other major events can help guide your packing list.
Embrace minimalism
You can't take everything with you, especially if you'll only be on assignment for a few weeks or months. Scaling down your tangible possessions is a great way to streamline your move. Start by creating a capsule wardrobe, essentially a mini collection of versatile pieces of clothing that suit the season and your aesthetic.
Follow the same process to pare down your books, jewelry and knickknacks, and try trading in CDs for streaming services and your favorite photos onto a digital device.
Create an "immediate open" box
Put everything you'll need in the first 24 hours into one box, and label it appropriately. This way you have easy access to essentials such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, alarm clock, towel, coffeemaker and toaster as soon as you land in your new home away from home.
Keep key paperwork handy. Whether you have a multistate license under the Nurse Licensure Compact or other documentation that proves you can work on the road, it's always a good idea to be able to produce those papers on demand.
Travel-proof your "real" home
You'll have a much better time on the road if you know home base is taken care of.
- Stop the mail and newspaper or have a friend make regular pickups.
- Leave a light on a timer so your house doesn't look abandoned.
- Hire someone to mow the lawn, rake leaves and shovel snow as necessary.
- Unplug anything nonessential such as routers, chargers and unused appliances.
- Clean out the fridge and freezer.
- Double check the windows and doors.
- Save energy (and curb your utility bills) by programming your thermostat — a setback of just 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours daily can cut energy usage by as much as 10 percent annually.
- Leave a key with a trusted friend just in case.
Take a few personal touches
Don't get so into minimalism you forget to bring anything sentimental. An heirloom quilt, handful of silly fridge magnets or college pennant you've had since freshman year doesn't take up that much room in a suitcase or box and could wind up being just what you need to settle in and keep homesick feelings at bay.
Ask experienced traveling nurses for their packing tips
Nobody knows more about moving from assignment to assignment than travel nurses who have been on the go for years. Your agency may already have a liaison on staff whose job it is to help new travel nurses with the transition, but if not, there are lots of resources online. Find a Facebook group or scour LinkedIn for a mentor. The advice and insight you'll get will be invaluable.
Travel nursing is an adventure. You'll meet new people, see new things and create enough memories to last a lifetime — or at least until you're ready for your next contract. Learn more about all the benefits of a travel nursing assignment.