Taking your first travel assignment can be stressful. Not only are you starting a new job, but you also travel to a new location many times. From packing to finding the perfect short-term housing, follow these six steps to smoothly transition to your first travel nurse assignment without stress.
First Travel Nurse Assignment Tips:
What to pack?
Of course, on your first travel nurse assignment, you will need to pack your work clothes, regular clothes, your stethoscope, and anything else you need for work, but beyond that, it is difficult to figure out what to take. This trip is longer than a vacation but not a permanent move, so what else should you take? That really depends on where you will be living. Are you staying in a furnished apartment? Will there be utensils? What about a coffee maker? If they have furniture with a bed, will there be bedding, or do you need to bring your own?
For my very first travel nurse assignment I had an apartment that was not furnished, so I needed to pack all the staples of home for just a short time. It made my travel experience a little difficult because my car was packed from front to back. My next assignment was furnished, which made packing easier and less expensive. If you do find a furnished apartment, it will cut down your packing list dramatically.
Even if your new living space has furniture and all the essentials, don’t just bring your clothes. You will be away from home for three months or more, so bring items that will make your living space home-like and comfortable. I always traveled with a few knickknacks and picture frames that would help me feel at home.
Get a compact license or state license early.
One of the biggest stresses for me when I first started travel nursing was ensuring I was licensed in the state I was going to. I spent too many nights worrying if my license would come through before I had to start my next assignment. A compact license can really help reduce this stress. Not all states are part of a compact agreement, so as soon as you know where you might be heading, check if the state is covered under your current license. If not, apply immediately if you have to.
Maintenance of your car.
To prevent any accidents or mishaps on the way to your new assignment, make sure your car is in good working order. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road. Also, know the terrain you will be driving through and be prepared. I drove through the hot desert of Nevada once and almost ended up on the side of the road due to my car overheating. I didn’t even have water with me. That situation could have easily turned bad. I have also driven through the mountains of Colorado.
With all the twists and turns, I had to make sure I did not cross a mountain pass in the dark. In the winter, the mountains can be dangerous if there is any snow and many times, you need tire chains to make it through certain areas. Have all this information before you hit the road.
Learn about your new city.
The exciting part of being a travel nurse is the ability to explore new cities. Before you go, look up the best places to explore. You can learn about the best local places from your new coworkers who already live there, but you will be surprised how fast your assignment will go. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to see something amazing. To ensure you experience all your new city has to offer, make a list of the top ten things you want to do before you get there.
This will also help you figure out what to do on your days off. It can be overwhelming to explore a new city on your own, but if you already have a list of activities you want to do, it will be easier to get yourself out of the house.
Develop good self-care strategies.
Traveling alone can be intimidating and lonely at times, and working in a new environment can be stressful at first. Developing good self-care strategies will help you manage your feelings when you are feeling lonely or overwhelmed. These strategies could include journaling, reading, exercising, and, most importantly, staying in touch with friends and family.
I always travel with a journal not only to write about my experiences but to help get through the tough days. Also, my first two stops in my new city were the local library and a gym. You can get a library card with your new address at the library in your area. There are many gyms that require a year membership, but I was always able to negotiate that down once I explained my travel situation.
Not only did the library and gym help me with my self-care strategies of reading and exercising but it also helped me get out and meet new people. Libraries often advertise local events or have book clubs or other local clubs where you can meet new people. The gym offers group exercise classes with other people.
If reading and exercising are not ways you like to unwind, take the time to figure out what you enjoy and make sure you find those activities in your new city. For example, find an art class, a cooking class, or find a local park to hang out in. See if there are local running or biking clubs. Whatever you do, don’t make your travel assignment just about work. Otherwise, you may burn yourself out before you are able to get the hang of the travel nurse lifestyle.
Find great housing.
Last but not least, figure out your housing as soon as you know where you are going. Knowing where you are going to live as early as possible will be a huge weight off your shoulders. There are times when you only have two weeks to figure everything out. Finding good housing can be extremely stressful, especially when you are going to a new area you know nothing about.
To make this process easier and to ensure you have great housing, companies like Furnished Finder can help you navigate this process and make it seamless. They understand the unique situation travel nurses have and are experts in finding the right short-term housing you need. They can also ensure your place is furnished to make packing decisions easier.
Before you pack your bags and head out on your first travel nurse assignment, check if you have the right nursing license, make sure your car is in good condition, learn about where you are going, make a plan full of self-care strategies, and have Furnished Finder help you find your next great place.
We hope you found these 6 first travel nurse assignment tips helpful. Do you have any first travel nurse assignment tips you would like to share? Comment them below.
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