Gifted Healthcare provided this article.
Some products are a must-pack for every assignment if you’re a travel nurse. Whether heading out on your first travel assignment or your hundredth, check out these products to add to your “must-pack” list.
Self-Cleaning Water bottle
The title really sells it all. Being on the go, traveling to assignments, and working long shifts doesn’t always give you access to consistent hydration, let alone cleaning your water bottle. Order this self-cleaning water bottle that nurses are raving about so you are always hydrated and can keep it sanitary wherever you go. You even have six color choices to find the one that really fits your style or maybe one that matches your scrubs.
Supergoop Sunscreen
Keeping SPF in your daily skin routine, whether you are traveling somewhere hot or cold, is super important year-round. Supergoop developed its products based on this and now offers 40+ formulas so you can find the one that is perfect for your skin – there are even travel sizes for flying.
One nurse raved about the “Unseen Sunscreen” product, claiming it is perfect for a day of adventure outside. She wrote, “This is my favorite sunscreen ever! It’s nongreasy, has no white streaks, it has a nice subtle glow.”
Alarm Clock
When you are moving into your temporary housing, you might not know where every outlet will be, what it can reach, or how many outlets you will have. This alarm clock comes in handy because it has two USB ports, so no matter where the outlets are, you can charge your phone or smartwatch right from your clock. Plus, the mirror design is sleek and matches any room.
Nespresso Machine
If you love kicking off the night shift with the perfect coffee, this will change your assignment. Think about bringing your Nespresso along with you, so you have access to caffeine 24/7. It might not fit in your suitcase, but if you are driving, make sure to pack it in the car!
One nurse said, “I also always bring my Nespresso machine for assignments, so I can start my shift with a perfect cup of coffee instead of purchasing one every day!”
Home Scented Candle
Homesick creates candles for specific cities and states, so find your hometown candle and order it to pack in your suitcase. It will help you relax post-shift and bring you back to your cozy home feeling. One nurse said, “Bring a candle for your bedroom that reminds you of home. I really needed it when I extended my stay. ♥️♥️♥️”
Blackout curtains
There is nothing more crucial than your sleep. If you are traveling for your assignment, you might not be sure if your temporary bedroom gets too much light, so investing in some blackout curtains to take with you from place to place will be worth it. They can also muffle some of the outside noise, making them even more important when traveling to a large city.
These blackout curtains from Amazon were rated as the “Best Affordable Curtains in 2022”.
Compression Socks
Compression socks are often overlooked as a way to prevent some of the chronic issues that come from working in a profession where you are on your feet for such long hours. Wearing compression socks helps to prevent varicose veins, improve venous blood flow, decrease the risk of blood clots, and decrease swelling of the ankles and feet. One nurse wrote, “I have found that compression socks with 20-30mmHg are the right compression strength for me as a nurse.”
Apolla, a female-founded company that was on Shark Tank, creates compression socks that provide targeted compression in key insertion points in the arch and ankle with a patented knitting technique your feet will thank you for after a long shift. This is an American Podiatric medical association approved product.
Silicone Rings
Are you paranoid about losing your wedding ring at work or while traveling? Silicone wedding bands are the perfect solution to keep you from accidentally losing your real band while taking gloves off. They also prevent your jewelry from getting dirty while working your shift. There are so many color and texture style options for you to choose from.
One brand, Qalo, specializes in silicone rings for nurses. The product is made from medical-grade silicone to keep you and your patients safe at all times.
Audible Subscription
There is nothing better than a physical book, but they might weigh you down, literally. If you are flying to your next assignment, the weight of your suitcase is important, so ditch the hardback while on duty and get an Audible subscription through Amazon.
Audible offers a variety of products you can utilize, from audiobooks, sleep tracks, meditation programs, podcasts, and more. The best part is that you will have access to all this content from an app on your phone, so you can take your book with you everywhere.
We hope that you found this list of 9 products travel nurses swear by helpful when packing for your next travel nursing assignment. Don’t forget to include them on your packing list. Do you have any products on your packing list that we forgot? Comment them below.
Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.
