- The time leading up to leaving for your next assignment you want to make sure you ready yourself and your body. Packing and all those things that go along with a move can be stressing, so make sure you are getting plenty of rest and sticking to your normal sleep schedule.
- It would be best to try and maintain all the things you would normally do like exercising, but don’t go overboard, it could only lead to more stress on your body.
- This ones a no-brainer. Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizers.
- Bring your prescriptions along and any extras if need be.
- Health insurance is usually handled by your staffing agency, so just have your recruiter contact information available so that you can notify them and in turn they can deal with the facility where you are to work.
- Always, always, always have a list of your emergency contacts handy, just in case.

I’m not exactly sure what the protocol is for travel nurses who become sick, if they are able to seek treatment at the facilities they are working for or if they must seek out their own care elsewhere. I suppose if it were I dire need it’s not like they’re going to turn you away… But if you are in need of medical attention and don’t know where to go or can’t get there by yourself you can use these in-home doctor services like InnHouseDoctor or Physician Finders at WebMD and one more, Find A Doc. Hopefully it never comes to that, but if it does there is help just a phone call away. I wish you all the best of health and good luck on all your travels.

When you accept an assignment, it is usually in a place where you want to see the sites and experience what the area has to offer. This will often lead a person to study up on the location and map out the attractions they want to see. However, you must also remember to map out the places that will be a necessity on your assignment, like the grocery store. If you plan ahead, you’ll know right where to find one. Looking up directions to grocery stores, gas stations, hair or tanning salons, and electronic or houseware stores before you arrive can help you familiarize yourself with the city of your new assignment.

Remember to include not only the places that you think you will need, but also the places that you hopefully will not need such as auto repair shops, local insurance agents, doctors, or emergent care centers.

To find detailed directions to just about anything, the Internet will probably be your biggest asset. In addition to mapping out routes to the places you will need, use a site like Google Maps to take a peak at an overview of the city. This will help you to see how the city is laid out and if there are areas that may be tricky to navigate.

Most of these functions can also be done on a GPS unit. You can now find GPS units for under $100 and for the frequent traveler, they are invaluable. Just be sure to update the maps in your unit about every six months or at least every year. If you do not have GPS, you can always purchase a street guide to the city once you arrive (usually available at any gas station convenience store).

Whether you use today’s modern technology (Internet and GPS), or still prefer to “kick it ol’ school” (maps and city guides), a little pre-assignment planning can certainly remove one of the stressors of starting a new travel nursing assignment.