Traveling is a huge part of the appeal of allied healthcare, travel physical therapists, and travel nursing. But always being on the go can present challenges, including frequently packing up and moving out. Making a seamless transition that’s organized and stress-free is both an art and a science. We’ve curated a list of our top tips for a smooth switch when moving between assignments.

Get Clarity on Your Housing Arrangements

Your packing list will differ for hotel accommodations in comparison to staying with a new coworker.  Understanding what items you can bring that are already owned versus things you potentially need to purchase. Try discerning what housing arrangements look like at least 4-6 weeks before your assignment. This helps you picture your day-to-day routine and what essential items you need to make it work, as you don’t want to waste valuable packing space on redundant products. 

When you travel for work, finding the perfect housing solution for you can be tough. But before you book that pricey hotel room, check out our top 5 suggestions here: Best Ways To Find Housing As A Travel Clinician.

Check The Climate

What you pack for Palm Beach, Florida will vastly differ from what you pack for Seattle, Washington. And you don’t want to be burdened with more luggage and laundry than is necessary. Check the climate conditions and weather patterns, and come prepared to match your new surroundings. 

Stay Organized

Use spreadsheets, packing lists, or apps to ensure nothing is left behind, and find new, creative ways to maximize your space. PackPoint will generate a list of things you need based on your custom travel parameters and even suggest things to do in your destination city. Packing cubes, compression bags, and labels also help you keep everything in its place when you leave and make it much easier to pack up when you return. And for the packing overachievers, we have this must-see resource: 4 Packing Hacks for Travel Nurses.

Don’t Forget To Take Care of Your Home Base

Leave a spare key behind just in case repairs are needed or you need a friend to ship something you left behind. If you don’t have a home security system, consider setting up something like Ring or Wyze so you can check in anytime for peace of mind. 

If you’re looking for your first or next travel nursing or allied healthcare assignment, we can help! Our signature and curated process will walk you through every step of securing travel contracts, from resumes and contract negotiations to housing stipends and post-placement support; IDR Healthcare is here for you. Check out more about our resources for travelers here.