Travel Nurse Essentials

Your first travel assignment is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. You're packing your life into a suitcase, moving to a city you might've never visited, and starting a new job where nobody knows your name. The right gear and preparation make the difference between surviving your contract and actually enjoying it. Here's everything you need.

The packing list that actually matters

Experienced travel nurses learn to pack light and pack smart. You're not moving -- you're deploying for 13 weeks. Everything should fit in one large suitcase, one carry-on, and a work bag.

Work essentials

• 7 sets of scrubs (check facility color requirements with your recruiter BEFORE buying)
• 2 pairs of nursing shoes (rotation strategy -- see our shoe guide)
• Stethoscope -- bring your own, always
• Badge reel, penlight, hemostats, trauma shears
• Small notebook and pens -- you'll be learning a new EMR, new policies, new workflows
• Copies of all credentials -- nursing license, BLS/ACLS/PALS cards, TB test, immunization records, both digital and physical

Housing essentials

Most travel nurse housing comes partially furnished, but "furnished" can mean anything from fully stocked to a bed and nothing else. Bring these regardless.

• Your own pillow -- non-negotiable for sleep quality
• A good set of sheets -- furnished housing sheets are questionable at best
• Basic kitchen kit -- a good knife, cutting board, one pot, one pan, spatula, can opener
• Shower curtain and bath towels -- frequently missing from furnished housing
• Power strip and extension cord -- old apartments never have enough outlets

Quality of life gear

• Instant Pot or slow cooker -- meal prep is the key to not spending your entire stipend eating out
• Insulated water bottle -- for 12-hour shifts with unpredictable break schedules
• Portable Bluetooth speaker -- makes any temporary apartment feel more like home
• Laptop and streaming device (Fire Stick or Roku) -- your entertainment system travels with you

Housing tips nobody tells you

Agency housing vs. finding your own

Most agencies offer a housing stipend or agency-provided housing. Take the stipend. Agency housing is almost always more expensive than what you can find yourself, and you lose control over location, quality, and roommate situations.

Use Furnished Finder (the Airbnb of travel nursing) to find month-to-month furnished rentals near your facility. Many landlords on the platform are experienced with travel nurses and offer flexible lease terms that match 13-week contracts.

Always see photos of the actual unit, not just the listing. Video tours are even better. If the landlord won't provide either, that's a red flag. Ask about parking, laundry, internet speed, and proximity to your facility.

The housing checklist

Before you sign anything, confirm: Is the lease month-to-month or contract-length? Is internet included? Is there in-unit or on-site laundry? What's the deposit and is it refundable? Are utilities included? What's the cancellation policy if your contract gets cancelled?

Luggage that survives the travel nurse life

You'll be moving every 13 weeks. Your luggage needs to handle that pace. Invest in one high-quality hard-shell suitcase rather than replacing cheap bags every few contracts.

The Away Large suitcase is a travel nurse favorite -- the hard shell protects your stethoscope and electronics, the built-in compression system maximizes space, and the 360-degree spinner wheels handle airport terminals smoothly. The interior organization keeps scrubs separate from personal items.

For your carry-on, pack everything you'd need for your first shift in case your checked bag gets lost: one set of scrubs, your stethoscope, credentials, medications, and toiletries. This has saved more than one travel nurse from a first-day disaster.

First assignment checklist

Before you leave

• Confirm start date, orientation schedule, and facility address with your recruiter
• Verify your nursing license is active in the assignment state (or that your compact license covers it)
• Complete all onboarding paperwork -- drug screens, background checks, health screenings
• Set up your housing and confirm check-in details
• Research the area -- grocery stores, gyms, urgent care, and your commute route
• Download the facility's EMR training materials if available

First week

• Arrive 2-3 days early to settle in and explore the area
• Locate the nearest grocery store and do a basic stock-up
• Drive your commute route during shift-change hours to time it accurately
• Introduce yourself to charge nurses and unit secretaries -- they run the floor
• Ask where experienced staff keep their "cheat sheets" for unit-specific protocols
• Don't be afraid to say "this is how we did it at my last facility, how do you do it here?"

What agencies don't tell you

Your recruiter works for the agency, not for you. They want to fill positions. A good recruiter is invaluable, but always verify pay packages independently. Use sites like Gypsy Nurse and Travel Nurse Source to compare rates across agencies for the same facility.

Bill rates vary wildly. Two agencies can have contracts at the same hospital with $500/week differences in your take-home pay. Always get quotes from 2-3 agencies before accepting a contract.

Extensions aren't guaranteed. Don't assume you'll extend. Start looking for your next contract 4-6 weeks before your current one ends. The best assignments fill up fast, and a gap between contracts means no paycheck and no housing stipend.

Tax homes matter. Maintaining a tax home (a permanent residence you pay for and return to between assignments) is what makes your housing stipend tax-free. If you give up your permanent residence, your stipend becomes taxable income. This is the single most important financial concept for travel nurses. Talk to a travel nurse tax specialist -- not a regular CPA.

You will feel lonely sometimes. It's normal. You're the new person every 13 weeks. Building a routine helps -- find a gym, a coffee shop, a running trail. Join local Facebook groups for travel nurses in your area. And remember, the staff nurses at your facility were new once too. Most are welcoming if you show up ready to work hard.