Traveler Checklist: Preparing For Your Next Assignment

Woohoo! You’ve scored your travel contract and you’re ready to start organizing everything you
need on your adventure. Instantly, you think of creating a checklist, but you realize you’re not sure what
to take. Look no further, Christine over at NurseRX has created a healthcare traveler checklist to help
you cutout the hassle of figuring it out yourself.

As you begin the packing process, maintaining organization is key. Organization is important
because you may be living a nomadic lifestyle. Your living situation may change as you dive deeper into
the travel healthcare world. I usually have the under the bed plastic bins to store and transport all my
items. These are a great way to easily pack into a car and store under the bed or in a closet when you
arrive at your place of living. A pro tip for packing is take only the essentials. Now, you may be thinking “
what are the essentials”? My recommendations may differ slightly from yours however, this is a
customizable list to help you begin. I typically will take a set of dishes (cup,bowl, plate, coffee cup,
utensils, a knife and cutting board). I bring these items because more times than not you’ll end up in a
place that doesn’t have these items or they may be scary due to lack of TLC. If the landlord or host has
these items they typically are from the local thrift shop or grandmas attic. Personally, there’s nothing
more annoying than a dull knife. Included in this list of utensils is a wine key and/or a beer bottle opener
if this is something you’ll indulge in, these are notoriously overlooked. I will bring my Hydro Flask or camel
pack depending on the location I’m headed for my hikes and to stay hydrated at work. I was severely
limited when I went to Hawaii, but I knew I would be doing a lot of hiking there so I brought a small water
bladder that could stuff into my pack.

Moving onto clothing...every time I would leave for a new contract, my wardrobe shrank. Take it
from me...you DON’T need as much as you think! Think about what type of activities you most likely will
be engaging in (hiking/wine tasting/skydiving just to name a few) and decide what you may need and
what articles of clothing are versatile for leisure and adventuring. Keep the space in your suitcase for
acquiring cool souvenirs along your journey. Make sure to research the location you’re going, to see
about the weather for the time of year. Travel blogs are a creative way to check out seasonal weather in
a location. When I began travel nursing, I used to take a set of sheets with me, I mention this because
it’s something people are unsure about. Just keep in mind you may not know the size of the bed. If
having your own sheets is important, wait until you arrive at your place of living and determine what’s
available.

If outdoor activities are a must for you, I would limit the equipment you would bring with you. REI
actually has gear rentals such as tents, climbing gear, etc and its typically the newer equipment. Save
the space in your car and the headache of packing up when your contract is over. Making friends with
people who have this equipment is another way to keep your items to a minimum.

Now, you may be asking, do I need to keep my licenses, certifications, documents etc. on
hand? Kamana or CamScanner is a great way to organize all your documents in an easily accessible
location on your phone. Kamana is encrypted and secure and I highly recommend this to anyone on the
go. Don’t forget your passport! As a travel healthcare professional, you’ll have more free time to explore
the globe, so keep this in a safe place. Lastly, don’t forget your sense of adventure and your fun attitude.
The best part of being a travel healthcare professional is the ability to explore the world and the freedom
of your schedule.

This list could go on for days but the key take away is to keep organized, keep to the essentials
and have fun on your journey. I get asked a lot about the type of suitcase I use.I recommend the
Cotopaxi collection of packs for any kind of travel. The ability to pack so much into such a small space
keeps your car from filling up. I also recommend getting a car clothing rod for any of your hangable
items. You can utilize this gadget not just for clothing, but for a variety of ideas to organize your car.
Keeping your car organized and free from being packed to the brim will make your trek more enjoyable
and safer. I hope this checklist helps you organize and make packing less of a nightmare and more
exciting to explore what’s ahead. Head on over to www.nurserxusa.com to connect with me (Christine)
and for more travel tips.

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