The anticipation surrounding a new assignment can be overwhelming, especially when trying to pack efficiently and tie up loose ends before leaving home. Due to the duration of most assignments and the constant excitement of adapting to new home and work environments, a travel nurse’s schedule is too enjoyable to be hindered by worries of forgotten personal items or household chores left incomplete. Follow these simple suggestions to make your transition as worry-free as possible:
Develop a packing method that is conducive to your home layout. Designate a specific room or area of your residence for packed boxes and/or suitcases. Begin with supplemental items and gradually gather daily essentials as moving day approaches. Download the travel packing checklist we created to ensure you have all the items you will need.
Before leaving for an assignment, be sure to consider the time of year and raise or lower thermostats to save money on air conditioning or heat. Other ways to cut down on unnecessary electrical bills are to unplug all appliances except phones and lamps on timers. Also, get in touch with your internet and television providers to discuss the possibility of holding or transferring service.
Transfer your mail delivery and phone line directly to your new location to ensure that you are staying informed on important personal finance and home-related issues while away on assignment. But regardless of how you receive your messages, be sure to ask a neighbor or friend to periodically check the exterior of your home for anything that may not get forwarded through regular mail.
Consider the typical weather and prepare your house accordingly for common area-specific problems (i.e. hurricanes, rain/flooding, snow storms, extreme heat). Additionally, it is advisable to turn off water valves in bathrooms and kitchens to prevent potential leaks.
Bring your digital camera along for your last walk-through of the house. Documenting common spaces and the insides of closets and drawers with photographs is a great way to see exactly how you left your belongings, and exactly what you have in case shopping is on your list of possible activities while away.
Depending on personality and background, some travel nurses find the idea of being away from home more taxing than the process of leaving. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to dive head first into your new assignment with the peace of mind that nothing was left unaccounted for at home.
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