Any job that requires you to travel also requires you to be able to pack adequately for that type of travel. People traveling for business typically have bags ready to go with the essentials, including suits, work devices, and documentation, for example. However, packing as a travel nurse requires a bit more. Here are five great tips to help travel nurses live minimally.
1. Simplify Your Wardrobe
One of the easiest ways to live minimally is by prioritizing the clothes you need for your job, including women’s scrub sets, appropriate shoes, and layers necessary for your assignment location’s climate and the time of year you’re working there. However, that doesn’t mean you need to omit all other clothes. Instead, think of ways to make the most out of your clothes. Athleisure garments are good multi-use garments and can be worn whether you’re exercising or not. Pieces that layer, such as tank tops and cardigans, can make your wardrobe more versatile. If you can, pack clothes that complement each other so you can mix and match more easily.
2. Learn about Your Housing in Advance
There are two main housing options: finding it yourself and having it assigned by your agency. If you’re finding lodging yourself, you have more freedom to find a place that fits your needs best, but your agency will have more experience and may be better suited to ensure you get what you need. Before you go, you should familiarize yourself with your housing. Check average utility costs, whether the place is pre-furnished, what stores and services are nearby, and what transportation options you’ll have.
3. Differentiate Needs And Wants
Another great way to live minimally is to differentiate your needs and wants. It’s important for people who travel for work to prioritize their packing needs over their packing wants. Clothes, toiletries, documents, linens, certain electronic devices, and medications are all necessary. Depending on your role, you may also need to bring a printer, kitchen supplies, cleaning tools, and a television. While entertainment and exercise are also important, these are activities you’re more likely to be able to find when you arrive at places such as gyms and libraries, so you may classify them as wants.
4. Create Packing Lists
If you plan to participate in travel nursing for an extended period of time, it will be helpful for you to create a packing list template that you can populate for each assignment. Typical lists written by hand or in a word processor will work just as well. Lists can help you stay organized and ensure you pack everything you need. You can even divide your list to account for your needs and wants. That way, you can pack your needs first and then fill in your wants with the room you left in your luggage.
5. Keep Your Method of Travel in Mind
Travel nurses may end up working almost anywhere. Their options may be limited to within their home country, or they may have the option to work internationally, depending on their degrees and licensing. You should pack according to what method of travel you’ll take to get to your destination. Driving yourself will give you the most space for packing, while taking ground transportation such as buses and trains means you’ll have minimal space to store your bags. Airlines typically require you to pay additional fees for checked luggage over their size, weight, or number limits. You should focus on how long you’ll spend at each location and whether you’ll be going home between assignments or spending long stretches away from home. You should also consider your transportation options. These will heavily inform how you pack and how.
Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. You can search for what you are looking for.
