It’s time! You’ve signed your contract, and soon you’ll be off on your travel nursing assignment.
But wait …
Now, you’re wondering what to pack as a travel nurse.
Unlike a week-long vacation, travel nursing requires a multi-week — or even multi-month — commitment. Forgetting to pack certain things can end up being costly.
That’s why the travel nursing experts at Trusted Nurse Staffing have created the ultimate travel nursing packing guide so you can hit the road feeling confident you’ll have everything you need to succeed!
Table of Contents
- What To Cross Off Your Travel Nurse Packing List: Typical Items Included in Company-Provided Housing
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Packing List by Category
- 3 Travel Nurse Packing Tips
- Trusted Nurse Staffing Is Here To Help You Make Sure Your Travel Nurse Packing Checklist Is Complete
What To Cross Off Your Travel Nurse Packing List: Typical Items Included in Company-Provided Housing
The first thing to consider before heading off on your travel nurse adventure is what to expect from your company-provided housing. Basic housing will always include furniture items, such as:
- A bed and mattress
- A dresser
- A nightstand
- Lamps
- A table and chairs
- A sofa
- End tables
- Appliances; and
- A television
It’s important to speak to your recruiter about anything above and beyond basic furnishings. Depending on the agency, your housing could include linens and housewares as well.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, we make it our mission to provide the best possible housing for our nurses. We believe in your comfort, so our company-provided housing is among the most well-equipped in the industry.
Ready to pack your bags and hit the road as a travel nurse? Find available jobs on Pronto today!
The Ultimate Travel Nurse Packing List by Category
Who doesn’t love a good list? Nurses, by nature, are very organized people — we get it! That’s why we want to ensure you have everything you need for your assignment.
As you skim through our travel nurse packing list, highlight the items you know you’ll want to have, but also take a walk around your home. As you go from room to room, imagine what items you don’t want to live without for the length of your assignment.
If you’ve decided to take back-to-back assignments, remember that you’ll be gone for quite some time, and you may want to bring items you wouldn’t otherwise consider.
Housewares
Some household items you will definitely want to remember to bring along include:
- Personal bath towels
- Your pillow (comfort is key after long shifts!)
- Dishtowels; and
- Bedsheets
Before you head out, check with your recruiter to find out if the following housewares are included. If they’re not, you’ll want to plan to pack a box with these items:
- Cooking utensils
- Dishware and glasses
- Pots and pans
- Tea kettle or coffee maker
- Shower curtain and bath mat; and
- A small vacuum
Remember, when traveling alone, you don’t need to bring more than what’s necessary for a single person. For example, you likely won’t need more than 2-3 place settings to account for dirty dishes and occasional guests.
If you plan to stay longer, you can always hit up a local Target or Walmart for some additional items to entertain with.
Personal Electronics
Electronics are a part of daily life, and quite frankly hard to live without! Here’s a list of must-haves for any travel nurse:
- An alarm clock
- Batteries and electronics chargers
- Laptop or tablet
- A good watch
- Wi-Fi router (if one is not included)
- Bluetooth speaker or a small stereo; and
- An eReader
This list will prepare you with the basics, but you may have other digital devices that would make your trip more meaningful, such as an underwater camera or a GoPro.
Appropriate Clothing
If ever there was a time to implement a capsule wardrobe, this could be it! You’ll be engaging in various activities, so you’ll want to be prepared — but you won’t be able to take your entire wardrobe.
First things first. Where are you going? What special outings do you have planned?
Consider your daily life as well as any excursions and exploring you plan to do, and pack accordingly.
Here are some clothing items we recommend:
- Facility uniforms (if not provided)
- Casual clothing
- Exercise clothing and swimwear
- A few dressy outfits
- Sleepwear and slippers
- Sweaters and jackets (seasonally); and
- 3–4 pairs of shoes
Before your assignment, it’s a good idea to find out what local clothing retailers are in your area, just in case something comes up and you need a fresh new outfit.
Medications
If you or your dependents (including pets) require prescription medications, be sure to bring them along — and have refills called in to the local pharmacy in your assigned city.
If you plan to take a longer assignment, it’s a good idea to ensure you have called local MDs to find out who may be accepting new patients. Your at-home doctor may be able to make a referral.
Supplies for Your Pet
Planning on bringing your fur baby? Just like you, your pet will be adjusting to their new surroundings, so bring along some items that will make them feel at home.
Consider packing things like:
- A bed or blanket from home
- Their favorite toys
- Their food dish
- A leash
- The food they usually eat; and
- Some treats for the road
Your pet will be feeling displaced, and possibly stressed from the flight or road trip, so whatever you can do to make them feel at home will benefit both you and your furry friend.
Luxury Items
Luxury is in the eye of the beholder. That being said, luxury items can be anything that makes you feel ultra-comfortable.
Consider taking along:
- Home spa products
- A cozy quilt
- Your favorite bottle of wine
- Specialty food items; or
- Whatever you consider to be luxurious
Treating yourself while on the road can make the travel nursing experience that much richer.
Entertainment
When on the road, travel nurses may find themselves getting lonely. Be sure to add hobby items to your travel nursing packing list to keep yourself entertained. It can make a huge difference in how you enjoy your time off!
Pared down, almost any hobby can be brought along on your assignment, including:
- Camping gear
- Sporting equipment
- Bakeware
- Musical instruments
- Etc.
Other hobbies can be purchased easily on the road, such as:
- Crafting supplies
- Knitting
- Cards or board games
- Painting and art supplies
- And more
Outdoor Essentials
If you’re an outdoorsy type, packing for the elements will come naturally to you. But, if not, it’s important to consider that your new location may require special gear.
For example, if you’re moving to Colorado and have never hiked the mountains before, you will want to research the type of gear needed for the terrain.
If you’re headed to sunny Florida and are dying to try some ocean sports, consider taking wetsuits or rash guards.
If spending time in the great outdoors is what keeps you sane on your days off, outdoor gear is an especially important consideration for you.
Documentation
Your standard identification, such as your driver’s license, will be necessary for travel, but you’ll also want to remember to bring:
- Digital or physical copies of your nursing license
- Any other professional certifications that pertain to your position
- Immunization records; and
- Your emergency contact list
First-Aid Kit
Being a nurse, taking along safety supplies may seem like a no-brainer! But, let’s face it, you already have a lot on your mind, making it easy to forget the obvious things.
A basic first-aid kit can be a huge help when the unexpected happens. Being prepared with bandages, gauze, over-the-counter medicines, etc. can make your life so much easier, especially if you’re living alone.
3 Travel Nurse Packing Tips
#1: Research Your Destination’s Climate
Even the shortest assignments can span two seasons, so preparing for any possible weather is important.
For example, springtime can be cool and wet in Michigan, while summer can get hot and humid. Rubber boots and a raincoat will be necessary, as will planning to dress in layers. And don’t forget the bug spray!
Arizona nights can get chilly, while the days will feel hot and dry. You’ll need to have sunscreen on hand for the scorching desert sun.
Quick research on the type of weather to expect in your travel nursing destination can help ensure you’re prepared for whatever Mother Nature brings your way.
#2: Bring Items That Help You Feel at Home
Whether you’re gone for 8 weeks or a year, bringing along a few personal items that feel like home can help stave off feelings of homesickness.
Pack plenty of comfort items, such as:
- Photos of family and friends
- Scented candles
- Mementos
- Fridge magnets; or
- Anything else that feels “homey” to you
#3: Get Organized
Getting organized before you go — and when you’re wrapping up — will make the trip that much smoother.
If you plan to bring more than a suitcase and carry-on, consider plastic totes that can be labeled and shipped or added as extra cargo to your flight.
Or, you might consider making a checklist of the things you’ll need for a shorter assignment and weighing out the option of hitting up a local Target vs. bringing goods from home.
Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a few household goods that can be donated or packed into your bags when you leave.
Either way, life on the road will be easier and far less stressful when you have a:
- Travel nurse packing list
- To-do list; and
- “What to buy when I get there” list
Trusted Nurse Staffing Is Here To Help You Make Sure Your Travel Nurse Packing Checklist Is Complete
Unless you’re doing back-to-back assignments, packing doesn’t need to be a colossal chore. Remember to pack the essentials, but don’t plan to bring the entire contents of your home.
After your first travel nurse assignment, you’ll have the opportunity to re-evaluate your on-the-road needs, making it easier to pack exactly what you need for your next adventure.
The recruiters at Trusted Nurse Staffing are here to help! We work with our nurses to ensure they feel comfortable and settled in their new surroundings.
In addition to our many benefits, we offer free furnished accommodations, or you can choose a housing stipend and find your own housing. In either case, you can get an inventory list of what is provided in the home before you arrive.
Getting started with Trusted Nurse Staffing is simple when using the Pronto job search to find available travel nurse assignments. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Upload your credentials, set your preferred job filters, and start applying to jobs right away.
- Get assigned a dream team. You’ll get matched with your own dedicated support team that includes clinical support, payroll and compliance experts, and ongoing assignment advocacy.
- You’re part of the TNS family! You’ll have full access to your team and our job board, fully empowered in your career.
We look forward to working with you!