Even if this is your first job as a travel nurse, you probably already know that this job comes with many great benefits. Maybe it’s being able to travel around the country and explore new things that excite you the most, or maybe it’s the pay that typically comes with the job that makes you excited. While this excitement is great, it is vital to know the “must-haves” to pack for your assignments to ensure that you are prepared. This article will go over:
- How to pack according to the location of your assignment
- Figuring out what necessities you need to bring
- How to pack depending on the length of your travel assignment
- And, how to make sure you are prepared
How to pack according to the location of your assignment:
The first thing that you should do is figure out where you will be traveling with your new assignment. Once you know where you are going, you can begin to pack around the type of weather you will be dealing with. You will need to know if the area you are working in is usually wet, cold, warm, or dry and how that will impact your day-to-day activities. For example, if you are traveling somewhere known for its summer rains, it would be a good idea to pack an umbrella or if it is typically cold and windy, it would be smart to bring a windbreaker.
Figuring out what necessities you need to bring:
Try and think about what you use in your everyday life to take note of the things you need to bring with you. Examples of necessities may include:
- Hair products: including shampoo, conditioner, brushes, and styling products
- Face products: cleanser and moisturizer
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss
- Nail kits and tweezers
- Body wash and deodorant
Something else that you should be thinking about while packing for your assignment is anything that will make your life and the process of getting there easier. This can include bringing laundry detergent so that you can start washing your uniform and other clothes whenever you need to. It can also be helpful to bring multiple uniforms with you in case you get very busy with work. It is better to be prepared and have everything you need than be wishing you packed something in the future.
How to pack depending on the length of your travel assignment:
Deciding whether to pack travel or regular-sized items can be challenging. People will typically lean towards packing travel-sized items because they are easy to get and do not take up a lot of space in your bag. Travel-sized items can be great for when you are working on a short-term assignment, but when you have a more long-term assignment it might be better to bring the bigger sizes. Doing this can ensure that you will not run out of your products so quickly and can help you avoid going shopping to get more products on your day off.
How to make sure you are prepared:
When packing, make sure you bring enough backups of your essential items, so you never have to be rushing at the last minute. This is an important step to take no matter how long an assignment is, it is always good to be prepared. Some important things to pack extras for are socks, under scrubs, underwear, and any other items that are essential for you to have. Being a travel nurse can be difficult, from a lack of sleep and not having the time to do fundamental chores or run errands, making sure you have extras of all your daily essentials can help you avoid being late or stressing out.
Being a travel nurse can help you expand your professional experience and opportunities while being able to explore new environments. This can be a very exciting and fun job, but it is vital to be prepared and pack well. Ensure you know how long you will be gone and research what the weather is like in your new destination so you can pack accordingly. It can be very convenient to bring extras of your daily essential items, so you will have a backup whenever you need it. All these tips just help make sure you can excel when starting your new assignment. We hope you found these suggestions helpful and that you now know what you need to pack for your next travel assignment. If you are interested in starting your travel med career, reach out to one of our recruiters or visit our jobs board today!