Travel Nurse Moving Checklist

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Moving for a travel nurse assignment gets much easier when you stop relying on memory.

There are too many moving parts:

• Housing
• Work documents
• Scrubs
• Transportation
• Vehicle prep
• Medication
• Electronics
• Food
• Cleaning
• Packing

A checklist turns the move into a sequence instead of a panic.

2–3 Weeks Before the Move

Assignment and work

• [ ] Confirm contract dates
• [ ] Confirm hospital address
• [ ] Confirm orientation date and time
• [ ] Verify required scrub color
• [ ] Confirm parking instructions
• [ ] Confirm badge or credential requirements
• [ ] Save recruiter contact information

Housing

• [ ] Confirm move-in date
• [ ] Confirm exact address
• [ ] Confirm key pickup or entry instructions
• [ ] Verify utilities
• [ ] Verify Wi-Fi
• [ ] Confirm parking
• [ ] Ask what furniture is included
• [ ] Ask what kitchen supplies are included
• [ ] Ask whether linens are included
• [ ] Confirm package-delivery rules
• [ ] Confirm pet policy if applicable

Transportation

• [ ] Decide whether to drive or fly
• [ ] Book flights if flying
• [ ] Reserve rental car if needed
• [ ] Plan driving route
• [ ] Identify overnight stops
• [ ] Check toll requirements

1–2 Weeks Before the Move

Clothing

• [ ] Wash scrubs
• [ ] Set aside 5–7 scrub sets
• [ ] Pack work shoes
• [ ] Pack casual clothes
• [ ] Pack sleepwear
• [ ] Pack workout clothes
• [ ] Pack weather-appropriate outerwear
• [ ] Limit shoes

Work gear

• [ ] Stethoscope
• [ ] Penlight
• [ ] Nursing scissors
• [ ] Pens
• [ ] Notebook
• [ ] Badge accessories
• [ ] Clipboard if used
• [ ] Work bag
• [ ] Chargers

Documents

• [ ] Driver’s license
• [ ] Passport if needed
• [ ] Vehicle registration
• [ ] Proof of insurance
• [ ] Nursing license information
• [ ] Assignment confirmation
• [ ] Housing confirmation
• [ ] Rental-car confirmation
• [ ] Flight information
• [ ] Roadside-assistance information

If You Are Driving

Vehicle maintenance

• [ ] Check oil
• [ ] Check coolant
• [ ] Check brake fluid
• [ ] Check windshield washer fluid
• [ ] Inspect tires
• [ ] Set tire pressure
• [ ] Check spare tire or repair kit
• [ ] Test battery
• [ ] Inspect wiper blades
• [ ] Check headlights
• [ ] Check brake lights
• [ ] Check turn signals
• [ ] Test A/C and heat
• [ ] Fill fuel tank or charge EV

Roadside gear

• [ ] Portable jump starter
• [ ] Tire inflator
• [ ] Tire-pressure gauge
• [ ] Flashlight
• [ ] Reflective triangles
• [ ] Work gloves
• [ ] First-aid kit
• [ ] Rain poncho
• [ ] Paper towels
• [ ] Bottled water

Driving tech

• [ ] Car charger
• [ ] Backup cable
• [ ] Phone mount
• [ ] Portable power bank
• [ ] Download offline maps
• [ ] Save destination addresses

If You Are Flying

Luggage

• [ ] Check airline baggage rules
• [ ] Weigh checked bags
• [ ] Pack luggage straps if used
• [ ] Label each bag
• [ ] Photograph checked luggage
• [ ] Add contact card inside each bag

Carry-on

• [ ] One complete scrub set
• [ ] Work shoes if possible
• [ ] Medication
• [ ] Important documents
• [ ] Laptop or tablet
• [ ] Chargers
• [ ] Power bank
• [ ] Change of clothes
• [ ] Basic toiletries
• [ ] Snacks
• [ ] Empty water bottle

Personal item

• [ ] Wallet
• [ ] Phone
• [ ] ID
• [ ] Medication
• [ ] Electronics
• [ ] Earbuds
• [ ] Documents
• [ ] Snacks

Household Packing

Bedroom

• [ ] Pillow if bringing your own
• [ ] Sheet set if needed
• [ ] Blanket
• [ ] Sleep mask
• [ ] Blackout solution
• [ ] White noise machine if used

Bathroom

• [ ] Toothbrush
• [ ] Toothpaste
• [ ] Deodorant
• [ ] Hairbrush
• [ ] Skin care
• [ ] Toiletries
• [ ] Medication
• [ ] Shower items

Kitchen

• [ ] Travel mug
• [ ] Food-storage containers
• [ ] Favorite knife if needed
• [ ] Compact utensils
• [ ] Small appliance only if truly useful
• [ ] Reusable water bottle

Electronics

• [ ] Laptop
• [ ] Tablet
• [ ] Phone
• [ ] Headphones
• [ ] Charging cables
• [ ] Multi-port charger
• [ ] Power strip
• [ ] Portable hotspot if used

What Not to Pack

Before loading, remove unnecessary:

• [ ] Duplicate kitchen tools
• [ ] Extra shoes
• [ ] Full-size cleaning supplies
• [ ] Paper towels
• [ ] Laundry detergent
• [ ] Large pantry items
• [ ] Bulky decor
• [ ] Books you can read digitally
• [ ] Rarely used gadgets

Buy cheap bulky consumables after arrival.

Final Week

Home or temporary housing

• [ ] Use up refrigerated food
• [ ] Stop buying bulky groceries
• [ ] Donate unwanted items
• [ ] Wash bedding
• [ ] Finish laundry
• [ ] Pack nonessential clothes
• [ ] Return borrowed items
• [ ] Clean storage areas
• [ ] Empty freezer as needed

Admin

• [ ] Confirm next address
• [ ] Confirm travel reimbursement rules
• [ ] Keep eligible receipts
• [ ] Update emergency contacts if needed
• [ ] Set mail forwarding if applicable

48 Hours Before Departure

• [ ] Check weather along entire route
• [ ] Confirm hotel reservations
• [ ] Confirm flight
• [ ] Confirm rental car
• [ ] Charge phone
• [ ] Charge power bank
• [ ] Charge jump starter
• [ ] Charge tablet/laptop
• [ ] Download entertainment
• [ ] Download maps
• [ ] Pack first-night bag
• [ ] Pack cooler if driving
• [ ] Set aside travel clothes

Loading the Car

• [ ] Put heavy items low
• [ ] Secure dense items
• [ ] Keep driver’s footwell clear
• [ ] Keep emergency gear accessible
• [ ] Keep overnight bag accessible
• [ ] Keep work bag accessible
• [ ] Do not block mirrors
• [ ] Do not stack unsafe loose cargo
• [ ] Check vehicle payload if heavily loaded
• [ ] Take photos of packing arrangement

Travel Day

• [ ] Eat before leaving
• [ ] Fill water bottle
• [ ] Check phone battery
• [ ] Check wallet
• [ ] Check medication
• [ ] Check ID
• [ ] Check documents
• [ ] Check keys
• [ ] Check housing address
• [ ] Lock previous housing
• [ ] Photograph housing condition if appropriate

If Driving

• [ ] Start rested
• [ ] Check tire warning lights
• [ ] Set navigation before moving
• [ ] Plan regular breaks
• [ ] Refuel before critically low
• [ ] Stop if fatigued
• [ ] Avoid severe weather

If Flying

• [ ] Arrive early
• [ ] Keep essential items with you
• [ ] Keep medication accessible
• [ ] Keep boarding information downloaded
• [ ] Confirm ground transportation before landing

Arrival Checklist

Housing

• [ ] Check locks
• [ ] Photograph any existing damage
• [ ] Locate circuit breaker
• [ ] Locate smoke detectors
• [ ] Check Wi-Fi
• [ ] Check thermostat
• [ ] Test hot water
• [ ] Check refrigerator
• [ ] Unpack medication
• [ ] Unpack work clothes first

Work

• [ ] Drive or walk route to hospital
• [ ] Locate parking
• [ ] Identify employee entrance
• [ ] Confirm orientation location
• [ ] Set alarms
• [ ] Prepare first shift bag

Basics

• [ ] Grocery run
• [ ] Buy cleaning supplies
• [ ] Buy paper products
• [ ] Buy laundry detergent
• [ ] Fill fuel tank if needed
• [ ] Learn nearest pharmacy
• [ ] Learn nearest urgent care or emergency facility

First 24 Hours

Do not try to make the apartment perfect.

Prioritize:

1. Sleep
2. Work clothes
3. Medication
4. Food
5. Hospital route
6. Basic unpacking

Decor can wait.

Final Take

The easiest travel nurse move is the one you have already turned into a repeatable system.

Save this checklist.

Use it at the end of every assignment.

The more often you reuse the same process, the less mental energy every move requires.