7 Essential Travel Tips for Your Next Assignment

Today's mobile RN's may find themselves travel nursing across America in the course of a year. With a little advance planning, every trip can be a breeze!

As a healthcare professional, you know how important preparation is for your work. Travel is no different; when you’ve done some planning and have the right tools in place, everything goes more smoothly. Here are seven small but helpful hints to make the journey to your next assignment a pleasure.

1. Map Your Route Ahead of Time

If you’re driving long distances, you’ll feel more confident when you know how far it is to the next stop. Check the location of rest stops, gas stations and well-reviewed local eateries, and make plans for stopping at specific ones. Long hours of travel feel easier when they’re broken up with chances to stretch and have a snack.

2. Make an Everyday Travel Pack

If you drive to your new assignment, your vehicle will undoubtedly be filled with bags and suitcases. Make sure you don’t have to open half a dozen of them just to get things you’ll need while underway. A good daily travel pack that you keep close at hand might contain:

Ear plugs (in case of noisy lodgings en route)
Sunscreen
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Wet wipes
Napkins and tissues
Phone charger
Healthy snacks
Water
Hand sanitizer
Sunglasses

3. Choose a Roadside Assistance Option

While auto clubs like AAA offer traditional roadside assistance, you have other options available as well. Your auto insurance company probably includes an emergency assistance option, and this coverage is often very inexpensive. If you have a newer car, the manufacturer may provide a remotely-accessed assistance program for a number of months.

4. Make Life Easier for Your Pet

If you use a crate in your vehicle, it should be well-secured and have enough room for your pet to stand and turn around. In addition to the pet’s supplies for food and drink and dealing with waste products, you should also have their veterinary information with you in case of emergency.

5. Slim Down Your Luggage

If you’re flying, you’ll want to minimize excess baggage charges by packing your luggage as efficiently as possible. Here are a handful of tried-and-true packing techniques:

Roll clothes instead of folding them
Use vacuum bags for fluffy items
Sort things into zippered “packing cubes” to stay well organized
Bundle larger items around smaller ones to decrease wrinkles
Use the space inside shoes for socks and small toiletries

6. Streamline Airport Security

Wear shoes that slip on and off, and don't forget to put on socks so you don’t have to walk around barefoot. Keep your laptop in a separate pocket of your carry-on so you can get it out easily in the security line. Store small containers of liquids and lotions into a clear ziplock bag. A passport or ID folder that also holds your boarding pass helps prevent last-minute paper shuffling. If you plan to do a lot of flying, consider registering for the TSA Pre-check program.

7. Bring Comfort to Your Flight

Air travel has become less gracious in recent years, but you can still assure yourself of a small measure of comfort while flying. An eye mask can shut out the world and help you sleep. Bottled water, purchased after the security line, helps ward off dehydration. Noise-cancelling headphones can help you create a personal zone of peacefulness.

Notes from the Road: How to Become a Travel Nurse Assignment Packing Ninja

From Surgical Tech Jackie M.:

"Oh my goodness! That picture of my car speaks volumes! It was the first time I packed ... In the next two days I unpacked, repacked, and played "Tetris" five more times! I had no idea how to pack for this traveler job, to be honest. So I began by cleaning out anything I didn't want or need any longer. Sold and donated most of it. Next I began sorting through my clothes to figure out what I really needed from what I just thought I needed. Bring less. Bring less. Bring less. That's my advice. I have more clothes than I need and will be packing about half the amount next time. Hopefully you will be out exploring on your off days and won't need much depending on the weather and activities. Basics that you can mix and match.

I have done well with the rest... The kitchen has just the basics: one pot, one skillet, one baking sheet, coffee mugs and my Keurig... Obviously! I use paper plates. I brought a few big plastic cups to drink. Don't bring things you don't want to get broken. They will get broken. Simple bedding, simple bath items. A few towels and a rug. That's about it. Pack light!

The most important was my pictures. I have to keep my loved ones with me no matter where I go. So I made a little more room for those.

And lastly, my cats, Allie and Tucker. It has been a learning experience traveling with cats. I recommend doing some research! They did make the trip well though and are loving their new home."