First Week on Assignment: Travel Nurse Checklist
Starting a new travel nurse assignment can feel both thrilling and nerve-racking. The first week is crucial; it sets the tone for your experience, both in and out of the facility. A way to ease some of this tension is by following a first week on assignment checklist to help you stay organized, energized, and prepared.
Tips to succeed in your first week
The first week is all about settling in and making strong first impressions.
Arrive early: Give yourself time to get familiar with your commute.
Introduce yourself: Build connections with colleagues and your manager.
Ask questions: Each facility operates a little differently; don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions. See the frequently asked questions at the bottom of this article.
Stay organized: Use a planner or digital calendar to track shifts and deadlines. When you receive your schedule, plug it in with alerts/reminders into your cellphone calendar.
Prioritize rest: New environments can be draining, and sleep is critical to your well-being. Stick to a consistent rest schedule, whatever that looks like for you.
Lean on support: From other travel clinicians to our Nomad Navigators, you need someone who’s been in your situation. Nomad navigators can help you troubleshoot paperwork, benefits, or answer facility questions.
Practice mindfulness. This is important to preventing errors. Headspace is a great app for meditation and activities to process your busy day.
Review state-specific scope of practice. This may vary from state to state for some disciplines, so be sure to review this ahead of time and ask any related questions during orientation.
Related reading: ‘The Mindful Path to Nursing Accuracy.’
💡Pro Tip: Arrange for someone to pick up your mail at your home residence and set up automatic bill payments.
What to pack as a travel nurse
Packing smart means less stress and more time to focus on your new environment and your role in the facility.
Work essentials: scrubs, comfortable shoes, stethoscope, badge reel, penlight, compression socks, and a lock for your locker.
Personal items: toiletries, medications, a small first-aid kit, reusable water bottle, laundry supplies, phone charger(s).
Home comforts: bedding (sheets, blanket, pillows), kitchen basics (pan, utensils, storage containers), coffee maker, pictures.
Lifestyle extras: workout gear, books, a journal, favorite snacks, or anything that makes a new space feel like home.
💡 Pro tip: Use apps like PackPoint to create repeatable packing lists and avoid last-minute stress.
Don’t forget necessary paperwork and documents
Having the right documents ready prevents first-day headaches. Keep both digital and hard copies of:
Driver’s license and nursing license
Facility orientation checklist(s) and unit/department competency documents
Immunization and vaccination records
Health insurance details
Direct deposit information
Emergency contacts
💡 Pro tip: Store everything in a waterproof folder and a secure digital app like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Essentials for traveling with pets
Bringing your furry companion along? Their transition matters just as much as yours. Make sure to pack:
Updated vet records and ID tags
Travel crate and leashes
Food and water bowls
Medications and comfort toys
A blanket or bed that smells like home
Related reading: ‘Tips for Traveling with Pets on Assignment.’
💡 Pro tip: Check ahead for pet-friendly housing and nearby dog parks or walking trails. It’s also a good idea to keep digital copies of your pet's records.
Road tripping to your assignment
Many travel nurses drive to assignments. Before you hit the road, make sure you have:
A car maintenance check (oil, tires, brakes)
Roadside emergency kit (jumper cables, flashlight, spare tire, flares, portable air compressor, and electric car charger - if applicable)
GPS apps (Waze, Google Maps)
Playlist, podcasts, or audiobooks to make the drive enjoyable
EZ Pass, SunPass, FasTrack, I-Pass, etc., depending on your facility location.
💡 Pro tip: Consider obtaining free roadside assistance through AAA.
Make your first week on assignment a good one
Your first week on assignment sets the stage for your entire contract. With the right start, you’ll feel confident, prepared, and ready to thrive as a travel nurse. Pack thoughtfully, stay organized, and give yourself grace as you adjust to your new surroundings. Nomad recommends proactively asking for feedback during your orientation. This will help you determine if you are on track. Remember, stay open-minded.
Nomad is here to support you at every step, so you can focus on what truly matters most: caring for patients and making the most of your travel nurse journey.
Related Reading
Frequently asked questions
- Ideally, 1–2 days before orientation. This gives you time to unpack, explore, and settle in.
- Yes, facilities rarely provide them. Pack multiple sets.
- Always have a backup plan, such as a short-term hotel or Airbnb.
- Most travel nurse housing is furnished. Stick to essentials and portable comfort items.
- Building a routine. Get comfortable with your commute, shift schedule, and support network.
- Ask questions that are specific to the facility's policies, procedures, emergency protocols, QI initiatives, etc. Remember, you will be held accountable for these, so be sure you understand the expectations. Where are the lockers, cafeteria, and vending machine (when you need a pick-me-up during long shifts)? What is my supervisor's office/contact info? What is the chain of command? Can you provide me with a provider contact list (e.g., hospitalist, etc.) that includes key department contact numbers?
- Familiarize yourself with equipment you haven't used before or might need a refresher (e.g., defibrillator, safe patient handling equipment, IV pumps, etc.). Ask any specific questions geared toward the equipment you will be asked to use. Be sure to ask any questions on the incident reporting system, fire safety, visitor policy, parking, and timekeeping details, too. E.g., number of minutes allowed to clock in before your shift, how to address missed punches, etc.
I am with Nomad and LOVE them...they really love feedback and are open to hearing what nurses need and want.