By Lark Medical Staffing

November 29, 2024

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2025 Black Friday Travel Must-Haves for Healthcare Pros

Lark Medical Staffing provided this article.

Black Friday is the ultimate time for healthcare travelers to stock up on everything they need for a successful year ahead. At Lark Medical Staffing, we’ve curated a list of 2025 travel must-haves that are practical, fun, and sure to make your next adventure unforgettable. Spoiler alert: #9 is our absolute favorite!

2025 Black Friday Travel Must-Haves for Healthcare Professionals

black friday

1. High-Quality Scrubs 

Why: Comfort and durability are key when you’re working long shifts. 

Deals to Look For: Brands like Figs, Cherokee, and Jaanuu often have Black Friday discounts. Stock up! 

2. The Perfect Travel Luggage 

Why: Durable luggage is a lifesaver when you’re bouncing between assignments. 

– Top Pick: A lightweight, hard-shell suitcase with spinner wheels and a TSA-approved lock. Don’t forget packing cubes for extra organization! 

3. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Why: Essential for flights, busy coffee shops, or decompressing after a long day. 

Brand Shoutout: Keep an eye on Bose or Sony—big discounts are common during Black Friday. 

4. Portable Healthcare Tools

Why: Stay ready with your own travel-friendly stethoscope, pulse oximeter, or penlight. 

black friday

Hot Tip: Look for deals on Littmann stethoscopes or handy diagnostic kits. 

5. Tech for Staying Organized 

Why: Manage shifts, paperwork, and downtime efficiently. 

Must-Haves: A sleek tablet, reliable laptop, or smartwatch. Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit often offer discounts on tech gear. 

6. Travel Comfort Essentials

Why: Make those long travel days or overnight shifts more bearable. 

Add to Cart: Memory foam neck pillows, heated blankets, and compression socks—trust us, your body will thank you. 

7. Meal Prep and Healthy Snacks 

Why: Eating well on the go is crucial. 

Pro Picks: Look for deals on compact meal prep containers, mini coolers, and healthy snack subscription boxes. 

8. Self-Care Splurges

Why: Your mental and physical health matter. 

Ideas: Noise machines, aromatherapy diffusers, or gift cards for massages. Black Friday is the perfect time to treat yourself. 

9. Travel with Lark Medical Staffing 

Why (and Why It’s Our Fave): Your next adventure isn’t complete without a staffing partner who truly supports you. With Lark Medical Staffing, you’ll not only find exciting assignments but also receive personalized support to ensure your travel experience is seamless and rewarding. 

Our Gift to You: To make your 2025 journey even better, we’re offering a **$1,000 Adventure Bonus** when you travel with us. (Because nothing says “Black Friday deal” like getting paid to do what you love!) 

10. Adventure Gear for Your Days Off 

Why: Make the most of your downtime. 

Shop For Hiking boots, portable cameras, or collapsible water bottles for your weekend excursions. 

Plan Ahead & Save Big

Black Friday isn’t just about shopping—it’s about preparing for a successful and fulfilling year ahead. Take advantage of these deals (and our $1,000 Adventure Bonus!) to set yourself up for an unforgettable 2025. 

What’s your #1 travel must-have? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to contact Lark Medical Staffing to start planning your next assignment today!

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Geraldine Mills

November 25, 2022

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10 Gift Ideas For Your Travel Nurse BFF In The Holidays

Looking for good gift ideas for travel nurses? Well, it can be challenging to find a gift to get for the holidays for the special nurse in your life.

Travel nurses usually live a different lifestyle than floor nurses; giving them job-specific gifts can go a long way! It will also score you major bonus points on their book!

In this post, we’ll walk you through some of the best travel nurse ideas that you can get:

1. Experiences

Usually, travel nursing doesn’t attract the usual homebody types. Most travel nurses always seek out excitement and adventure.

They consider every new assignment as a chance to explore another city, culture, and experiences! With adventure running through the course of their veins, a lot of travel nurses long for exciting new experiences.

So, why not let them scratch the itch and give them a chance to experience a new city?

Here are excellent examples of gifts that you can give them:

  • Tickets to a local museum, opera, concert, or theatrical performance
  • Gift certificate to a local restaurant
  • A staycation at a resort or condo
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2. Compression socks

Your nurse BFF may spend much time standing or running around during their shift. Eventually, their legs will start to feel it, and their ankles and feet will become all puffy.

In fact, this is one of the most common problems older nurses complain about- their varicose veins! (If you don’t know what they are, Google it.) One of the best ways to prevent this is through compression socks.

3. Personalized travel notebook

If your special nurse is the type who loves to write and journal their experience, then a travel notebook is a good gift for them.

You can even have these personalized so that you can place their favorite quote or add their initials so they can quickly get started with their journaling adventure.

4. A customized photo book

If you have access to your nurse BFF’s digital files or recently went on an exciting trip together, personalized books for adults can make a good gift.

You can even print multiple copies and give them to everyone who went on your trip. It is a compact way to store photos, and its design interface is also relatively easy to use!

5. Personalized work accessories

Aside from compression socks, there are also plenty of ways that nurses personalize their work uniform. Depending on the rules of their workplace, you can easily personalize anything from ID badges to stethoscopes!

6. Cold remedy kit

Nurses are more susceptible to colds and flu during winter. Not to mention, they deal with sick people regularly, which places them on a higher exposure than the rest of us. So, it isn’t a surprise that they might find themselves sick every once in a while.

Ensure the cold remedy kit includes cough drops, tissues, soup, and other essentials. This can be a fantastic emergency kit when they’re hit with those winter sniffles!

7. New Luggage

Aside from a tote bag, new luggage can be a handy gift for travel nurses. This is because they’re always traveling to a new assignment or location every couple of weeks.

Thus, having a sturdy and easy-to-use suitcase is absolutely essential. While it isn’t a common gift to give, getting them a piece of brand-new luggage that’s both mobile and compact ensures that it will last for a long time.

8. Fleece Jacket

A jacket will always look great if paired with any scrub color your nurse friend might be wearing. Most nurses know that a great fleece jacket is king, especially for those working the night shift when temperatures seem to drop on the unit.

Fleece jackets can also make them look stylish and professional at the same time.

9. Tumbler

Whether your nurse friend is a coffee, tea, or water drinker, they’ll always need a handy tumbler. Gifting them a tumbler is a great way to help them keep hydrated, especially during long shifts.

Get an excellent tumbler with a double-walled insulated cup. It keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.

10. Space Savers

Some travel either live together or take advantage of a nomadic lifestyle in an RV. Getting them space-saving essentials can be a fantastic gift option.

If you have a space-conscious travel nurse in your life, then here are some of the things that you can get them:

  • A toiletry bag with a hanger so that they can hang it on a bathroom doorknob.
  • Closet organizers
  • Compact hangers
  • Under-the-bed storage solutions
  • A high-quality insulated mug that keeps their morning coffee hot.

Over to You

Most travel nurses often live a life of adventure, constantly traveling from one assignment or city to another. We can guarantee the nurse in your life will appreciate these perfect holiday gift ideas! Do you have any other good gift ideas that we should include in our next holiday gift list? Comment below.

By Gifted Healthcare

December 10, 2021

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Holiday Gifts for Travel Nurses in 2021

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

For the past two years (and beyond), travel nurses everywhere have been working extremely hard to help communities and patients in need. The holiday season is a great time to show them the love and care they deserve.

Are you holiday shopping for an RN friend or loved one? We’ve created a list of gifts that travel nurses will love, whether they are brand new or seasoned veterans.

Read on for a list of great holiday gifts for travel nurses in 2021!

Premium Scrubs

Nurse scrubs are important. They should be comfortable and functional but can also be used to display a little personality. Companies like FIGS, Blue Sky, Jaanuu, and more make premium scrubs for nurses that are extra cozy and highly customizable.

Portable Charger

Travel nurses are always on the go, and sometimes they work long shifts. A high-quality portable charger will help your RN friend make it through a 12-hour shift without worrying that their phone or device will die.

Check out this list of top portable chargers and power banks in 2021 for a selection of convenient, sleek options that are sure to impress.

Air Purifier

Air purifiers help clean the air of allergens, dust, odors, and more. Help your RN friend come back to a clean, fresh home after a long day with this great holiday gift.

Check out a list of top air purifiers here.

Tumbler

No matter what they drink, nurses need a simple way to bring their drinks with them. The YETI Rambler is a top choice for an insulated tumbler, but Amazon offers a large variety of great options. Hot or cold, caffeinated or decaf – a great tumbler will preserve your RN friend’s favorite drink and let them take it anywhere.

PhoneSoap Phone Sanitizer

Unfortunately, most of our mobile phones are crawling with bacteria. We may wash our hands many times a day, but most people rarely wash their phones.

With sanitation guidelines around the COVID-19 pandemic, make sure your favorite RN covers all their bases with PhoneSoap, a phone-sanitizing device that uses UV light to kill bacteria while keeping electronic components unharmed.

According to PhoneSoap, its device can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria in 10 minutes! Not to mention it features a simple design that can function as a cool, understated accessory.

Clove Shoes

Clove shoes are specifically designed for healthcare professionals. They’re easy to clean, fluid-resistant, and super comfortable. They also offer a great selection of colors and designs.

Click here to check out which pair suits the RN you’re shopping for!

Smartwatch

A smartwatch is an excellent gift for a travel nurse – they can bring them everywhere, monitor their health and stress levels, and many of them look great.

A nurse’s smartwatch should be durable, waterproof, and have a long battery life. Check out this list of the top 10 best smartwatches for nurses.

Mask Headbands

Facemasks have become a staple of our lives, and nurses often have to wear their masks all day. Mask headbands have become very popular because they allow you to pull your hair back while making your mask more comfortable, preventing unwanted pain from wearing mask straps behind your ears.

Check out this mask headband on Amazon.

Scented Candles

Self-care is essential in 2021, especially for RNs. That’s why scented candles are an excellent gift this holiday season. Helping your RN friend return home to a relaxing atmosphere is a simple but beautiful way to show them you care.

Check out this list of 32 great scented candles in 2021.

Gift Box

Every nurse is unique. Thankfully there are many companies that offer customized gift packages with a wide variety of themes and options so that you can personalize every facet of your nurse gift.

Check out companies like Something Splendid, Knack, Fox Blossom, and Happy Box for a nearly infinite number of ways to create your own special holiday gift box.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse adventure? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

By HealthTrust Workforce Solutions

November 22, 2021

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2021 Gift Guide for Travel Nurses

This article is sponsored by Healthtrust Workforce Solutions.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and now is the time to show the travel nurse in your life just how much you appreciate them, especially after all of the heroic contributions they have made during the pandemic. So what exactly do you get for someone who travels and moves to a new destination every 13 weeks or so? Many travel nurses travel with as little as possible, so the best gift ideas are those that don’t take up space. Below you will find our top 5 hand-picked gift ideas for travel nurses for the 2021 holiday season.

Gift Cards

Gift cards are an excellent option for travel nurses. They don’t take up space, and many can be used anywhere. Many stores and restaurants sell their gift cards at Walmart, CVS, Sam’s Club, and Costco, to name a few places. According to wallethub.com, the top gift card for 2021 was Starbucks, which is a great option for travel nurses as many are coffee drinkers and rely on caffeine to help fuel their day. Another great option would be an Amazon gift card if they forgot something or need something while on assignment, especially when they first arrive in their new location and aren’t familiar with the area. Let’s face it, who doesn’t love Amazon?

Compression Socks

While this may seem like a strange item, many travel nurses and healthcare workers swear by them. There are many benefits of compression socks, including fewer leg pains, better circulation, less swelling in the legs and feet, and they can help with joint pain. 

They are also a great option because they don’t take up a lot of room, and they are something nurses can and do use for work. There are many options and styles. Travel nurses were polled, and some of their top choices are listed here.

Money

Money is another great option. While it may not feel very personal, it doesn’t take up a lot of space and can help them purchase items while on assignment. It can also help them build up their emergency fund or build up savings. An emergency fund is a very important thing to travel nurses and healthcare workers. They keep one just in case their contract is canceled and they have a gap in assignments. It also allows them to buy whatever they want or need.

Tote/Bag

Travel nurses tend to take a bag to work with them to hold the items they need for their shift. Another great gift item would be a tote bag or bag. Personalization would be a great option for the tote or bag as well. Respiratory Therapy Zone put together a great article on the Top 10 Bags for Nurses and Healthcare Workers.  There is truly something for any nurse, travel nurse, or healthcare worker on the list.

The top 10 are:

1. Nurse Mates Ultimate Bag

 2. KOI Medical Unisex Nurse Bag

 3. ADC Nurse/Physician Medical Bag

 4. NGIL 18″ Large Utility Tote Bag

 5. ESVAN Floral Water-Resistant Bag

 6. Vera Bradley Crossbody Purse

 7. Lekesky Laptop Backpack Work Travel Bag

 8. Everest Luggage Deluxe Shopping Tote

 9. Himawari Travel School Work Backpack

 10. MOSISO Sling Crossbody Backpack

A gift with thought behind it

When asked, many travel nurses will tell you that any gift would be great; it is the thought that counts. You know your friend or loved one, you are sure to know something that fits their need and personality. Keep in mind that they are often moving, so smaller items are better or easy to move. You could purchase an item that is collapsible or can be folded. They will appreciate that you thought of them.

Happy Holidays to all of the hard-working, patient-focused travel nurses across the nation!

HealthTrust Workforce Solutions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest health system. We help travelers find high-pay, rewarding assignments across the country. We offer both traditional travel contracts and full-benefited, full-time travel positions, as well as local contracts. Click here to learn more.

Are you looking for your next assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need to find housing for the next adventure? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By AB Staffing Solutions

December 4, 2020

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Travel Nurse Gift Ideas

This article was provided by AB Staffing Solutions.

Travel nurses always put their hearts into their work this year, especially. It’s time to thank them with gifts they can use while on the road, whether they’re in a house, apartment, or tiny home. Many travelers love exploring the outdoors when they’re not working, so we’ve got outdoorsy gifts as well as travel nurse gift ideas for home to keep them cozy through the holiday season.

Adventure Awaits!

No, really, the Adventure Awaits artwork from artisans on Etsy includes a map where your traveler can mark all the places they’ve visited and worked. If they’re near national parks, and there’s a good chance they are, you can also purchase National Parks books and journals available from Amazon.

Other book ideas include 50 States or other state-specific books for where your traveler is spending their Winter Travel Assignment like the Arizona Bucket List Adventure

If your traveler also loves journaling their adventures, we suggest the Scratch Travel Journal from Uncommon Goods or the Travel junkie journal. Even if they’re more of a homebody, they can write about their experience while on the road. The beauty of taking a journal is that it doesn’t take up too much space, and it can go anywhere.

For the seasoned traveler who may need a luggage upgrade or replacement, we recommend hard case suitcases from Away Travel. High quality, versatility, and a variety of styles and colors make this a perfect gift that won’t be lost at the airport in a sea of black rolling bags! Another option is the eBags laptop bags and backpacks, which are small enough to be a carry-on for flights. Extra pockets make it easy to organize travel essentials and use them when they arrive at their destination.

Let’s not forget the four-in-One adapter pack from Amazon, which includes four plugs in one adapter! You can never have too many charging stations whether your traveler is living alone or with roommates.

Another recommendation, especially for your adventurer is Kauai Waterproof bags which can be used for hiking, camping, boating, and RV-ing.

And finally, so your traveler doesn’t get lost even when out of a service area, we recommend the Gaia app. This app will not only provide GPS and maps while online but also while offline! Download hiking, backpacking, or camping maps, so they know where they’re going, even when the internet and cell service are not available.

Travel Nurse Gift Ideas for Home

Many travelers will find themselves away from home for the holidays. These ideas bring home to them including:

Ask your travel nurse what they miss most about home. Maybe they’d like photos of their nieces and nephews or a video chat with friends.

Our travel nurses are busy so when they come home, they like to rest and relax, whatever the size of the space they call home.

Tiny house living – RVs, shared housing, studio apartments

We know there are lots of travelers in RVs, shared housing, and studio apartments. Why not make the best of the small space with these gifts:

  • Personal home theatre smartphone projector. Leave the television at home and give your traveler this mini projector so they can download and watch movies from anywhere.
  • Limited space? No problem! This toiletry bag uses minimal space, whether you’re on the road to your destination and/or have limited space at home.
  • This travel Coffee Maker and a YETI tumbler can be used for hot or cold drinks at home or work.
  • Living in a small space doesn’t mean you can’t have your favorite meals. Experience easier meal prep with an Instapot and cookbook for it.
  • Essential oil-infused natural wipes from Enfresh to relax you after a long shift or revive you before a long one!

No matter what size space you traveler is living in, they can always use a portable phone charger! Choose from a variety of options from Amazon and other retailers.

We hope we’ve inspired you with our travel nurse gift ideas! Cheers and happy holidays!

For all the travel nurses and medical professionals, we want to THANK YOU for going above and beyond this year. You’ve taken COVID-19 contracts in red zones, work harder than you ever have before, and have handled yourselves with grace. We appreciate you! Treat yourself to an item or experience that has been on your wish list for a long time. You deserve it!

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Gifted Healthcare

December 1, 2020

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5 Holiday Gifts Travel Nurses Will Love in 2020

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

The holiday season is almost here, and it’s fair to say that 2020 was a year that travel nurses, the healthcare community, and the world will never forget. The healthcare industry has also changed quite a bit since January.

As we all prepare to gift shop for the RNs in our lives, some of this year’s top gifts for travel nurses will reflect the unprecedented changes that occurred during the Year of the Nurse. But there are also a number of items for nurses that will always be helpful, no matter what. 

We’ve created a list of holiday gifts that travel nurses will love this year to help you choose the perfect gift for your RN friend or family member. Read on to learn how to make a healthcare hero smile this holiday season!

Personal N95 Respirator Mask

COVID-19 has changed the travel nursing landscape, making personal protective equipment (PPE) a must. The CDC recommends that nurses wear N95 respirators, and disposable N95 masks are available at hospitals across the country. However, disposable N95 masks can be uncomfortable, causing bruising, irritation, and foggy glasses. 

Make sure the RN in your life is safe and comfortable while they’re doing their heroic work!

Underscrubs

Most travel nurses wear scrubs, a sanitary outfit worn by healthcare professionals involved in patient care. Underscrubs are the items of clothing RNs wear underneath, providing them with extra comfort and relief from excessive perspiration or cold weather.

Many companies are now creating lines of underscrubs made of high-performance fabrics, meant to provide male and female nurses with supreme comfort and an extra element of fashion while still maintaining their full range of motion and physicality.

For premium underscrubs, check out FIGS, Jaanuu, MEDICLO, or Amazon.

Insulated Tumbler

Whether they drink coffee, tea, juice, or water, travel RNs need a simple way to bring their drinks with them. 

The YETI Rambler is a top choice for an insulated tumbler, but Amazon offers a large variety of great options. Hot or cold, caffeinated or decaf — no matter what your favorite travel RN likes to drink, an insulated tumbler will preserve it and let them take it anywhere.

PhoneSoap Phone Sanitizer

It’s easy to forget that most of our mobile phones are crawling with bacteria. We may wash our hands many times a day, but most people rarely wash their phones.

With new sanitation guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, make sure the travel nurse in your life covering all their bases with PhoneSoap, a phone-sanitizing device that uses UV light to kill bacteria while keeping electronic components unharmed.

According to PhoneSoap, its device can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria in 10 minutes! Not to mention it features a simple design that can function like a sleek, understated accessory.

Luxury Backpack

By definition, travel nurses are on the go. Why not get them a gift that will let them travel in style?

Backpacks are extremely versatile pieces of luggage. They’re perfect for daily trips to and from work, with enough space to pack scrubs, lunch, a laptop, and more.

Companies like Dagne Dover, Vessel, Everlane, Bellroy, and many others offer luxury backpacks that are modern, functional and luxurious but not flashy, making them perfect for everyday use.

We hope this list of gifts for travel nurses help you shop for the heroic RN in your life this holiday season!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Gifted Healthcare

December 2, 2019

6054 Views

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Great Holiday Gift Ideas for Travel Nurses

This article provided by: Gifted Healthcare

After spending the entire year caring for others, travel nurses deserve to be recognized. The holiday season is the perfect time to show love and appreciation for the travel nurse in your life.

Gift shopping for a Travel RN this holiday season? Read on for 5 great ideas for gifts for nurses!

1. Monogrammed Stethoscope

A monogrammed stethoscope is a fantastic gift for the registered nurse in your life. Companies like allheart offer head or tube engraving and some of the best stethoscope brands on the market. 

Engrave your nurse’s name or include a special message, turning a common medical tool into a one-of-a-kind memento.

2. An Awesome Book on Nursing

Whether they’re used while settling into a new home or en route to a new assignment, books are great gifts for travel nurses. There are many fantastic reads on nursing that are both fun and educational.

Nurses of all kinds are sure to love Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not by Florence Nightingale, one of the most important nurses in history.

How to Survive and Maybe Even Love Your Life as a Nurse by Kelli S. Dunham is a great resource for new nurses.

Inspired Nurse by Rich Bluni is a beautiful tribute to nurses that explores the great joys and sorrows of the nursing experience.

3. High-Quality Drinkware

Travel nurses are always on the go, and having a portable water or coffee container is a must. They will love and appreciate high-quality drinkware that preserves the temperature of their favorite beverages.

YETI is always a great choice for bottles, tumblers, and mugs. Their containers provide fantastic insulation and are made of stainless steel.

4. Nurse’s Gift Box from Nightingale Express

Nightingale Express was founded by travel RN Aishleen O’Brien. They offer custom gift boxes and accessories specifically for nurses.

Let your favorite travel nurse know you’re thinking of them by mailing a gift box. Packages like The Florence, The DayShifter, and The NightShifter provide premium-quality nursing essentials that are perfect for your favorite nurse.

5. Compression Socks

Compression socks might not seem exciting, but they are an extremely useful gift for travel nurses.

Nurses are on their feet all day, which can cause aches and pains. High-quality compression socks improve circulation and prevent blisters, allowing your favorite nurse to remain comfortable through their entire shift. That’s quite a gift.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! There are plenty of fun styles to choose from.

The holidays are right around the corner. Give the travel nurse in your life a gift that makes their long days and nights a little brighter!