Taking on your first travel nursing position is exciting, but there are also many things to prepare for. You will be diving into an entirely new environment, whether a local clinic or a large hospital. Naturally, you want your packing and expectations to be in sync, as this will help you make the best first impression and succeed in any travel nursing role.
Fortunately, you don’t have to start your preparations from scratch. With more than 1,733,502 traveling nurses currently working in the US, you’re not alone. We can share a few expert tips on how to ace your first travel nursing assignment.
What to Pack for Different Assignments
The details of each position will influence your packing list. You should be prepared for the weather, your job duties, and your off-duty plans in each location. Having a packing strategy can help you be prepared and able to adapt.
Introduction to Packing for Travel Nurses
Packing efficiently for various assignments is an important first step. Your goal is to be ready and comfortable at all times. Consider personal items, professional items, and things you might need for your lodgings.
Essential Items to Pack
What are the most essential items to pack? It can be tough to fit absolutely everything into a few large suitcases, so prioritizing is key. You will need:
- Medical Equipment and Uniforms: What you will wear and any supplies you will need for work.
- Leisure Clothes: What you will wear and things you need during personal time.
- Personal Care Items: Toiletries, medication, and other essential self-care supplies.
- Electronics and Communication Tools: Your laptop, phone, devices, and chargers that will help you stay connected.
Adapting to Different Locations
Each location has its own unique climate and cultural balance. Be sure to pack the right clothes and gear based on the location and the months you will be working there. You may also need a few items to help you connect with the cultural populations in the new area.
Packing Tips
You’ll learn your own efficient tricks along the way, but until then here are our suggestions.
- Pack Light Yet Efficiently
- Roll your clothes
- Bag your toiletries and devices separately
- Use packing cubes
- Know what you don’t need (based on your housing)
- Using Packing Lists and Apps
- Make a list of what is furnished/not furnished
- Use apps like PackPoint or Packr to help plan your prep
Setting Realistic Expectations and Goals
Preparing yourself mentally is almost as important as preparing your luggage.
Understanding the Travel Nursing Lifestyle
Travel nursing benefits from a mindset of flexibility and adaptability. Even with the best briefing, you never really know what your days are going to be like until your assignment begins. Be prepared to flex with the situation and to become a part of the team, whatever that means for each specific role.
It is also important to maintain your work-life balance. Make plans for rest and relaxation between your nursing shifts. Take good care of yourself and make time for activities that revitalize your energy on your days off.
Consider looking for jobs in locations with recreational opportunities you love, like exploring the music scene in Nashville, TN, hiking the mountains in Denver, CO, or horseback riding in San Antonio, TX.
Choosing Assignments Wisely
Think carefully about each assignment you select. Research the facilities and locations to learn more about the environments you could be stepping into. You will also benefit from aligning your assignments with your career goals, building your desired experience with each new role.
Consider your desired career track, such as labor & delivery, emergency department, or med surg nursing.
Financial Considerations
Travel nursing pays very well but still requires thoughtful financial management. Carefully build a budget for your travel expenses, including lodging, food, and transportation to and from work. You will also get more from each assignment if you are confident negotiating contracts and benefits.
Maintaining Professional Development
Consider how your travel nursing schedule fits into your professional development plans. Look for opportunities to continue your education. Some positions may be perfectly placed for courses or on-the-job learning, or you can alternate between assignments and educational breaks. Don’t forget to take advantage of your travels to build your own network of peers and mentors.
Avoiding Common Mistakes and Pitfalls for New Travel Nurses
While there will be many challenges ahead, we can help you anticipate them and avoid the common mistakes that might set you back. Be prepared for things like interstate licensing and updates, housing issues, new cultural environments, and the risks of high-stress situations before you head into your first assignments. Don’t worry; you’ll get more skilled in handling all of these things as you gain experience.
Licensing and Credentialing
Research the state nursing license and credentialing requirements for each destination state. Don’t worry if that sounds intimidating. Your recruiter should be able to help you with this too. Many states are part of the nursing licensure compact for multistate licenses, but it’s best to be certain that your license will travel safely with you. You will also want to set a calendar to ensure you renew your license on time. Don’t let the unusual pace of assignments throw off your renewal schedule.
Navigating Housing Challenges
Housing issues remain one of the biggest challenges for travel nurses. Do the research and carefully secure temporary housing. Evaluate all the housing options based on the duration of each assignment. Look into long-term vacation rentals, corporate housing, extended-stay hotels, and short-term rentals and determine the best option for your needs. Ask your agency what resources they have to help you with this also.
Compare prices, amenities, and distance from your workplace, and watch out for housing scams or bad terms that might catch you off-guard.
Cultural Integration
Other cities may have a different balance of cultures than what you expect. The 2020 census revealed more diversity than expected, with 4/10 Americans identifying with a minority race or ethnic group. Be prepared for patients who speak new languages and have different cultural norms. Prepare yourself to respect new and surprising local practices, adapt to local norms, and bond with your new patient population. It can also help if you are ready to overcome language barriers that you may encounter.
Self-Care Strategies
Lastly, watch out for stress and burnout. New positions can be more intense than anticipated, and getting caught up in doing your best can be overwhelming. 64% of nurses report feeling stressed. Keep an eye on your stress levels and take steps to help maintain your mental wellness.
Use techniques to manage your stress and avoid burnout. Remember to take time to rest and decompress. Find activities outside of work to help your mind detach for a while and recover from work-related stress.
We Can Help
Becoming a travel nurse is a rewarding career choice, but naturally, there are challenges ahead. We hope these tips have helped to prepare you for a successful travel nursing career. Choose a Travel Nurse Staffing agency like AB Staffing Solutions. to help you find the perfect travel nurse job today.
