Nursing has remained a very popular career choice for many people in today’s society.  With the world in constant need of quality health professionals, it is important to have qualified and committed individuals filling all positions within the world of healthcare.  Some people may even prefer to take this a step further by combining their passion for helping others with their love of traveling and experiencing different parts of the world.  Many times, this brings with it a fast-paced lifestyle and the possibility of never staying in one area for an extended period of time.  A traveling nurse has to be able to adjust and adapt to their current environment rather quickly.  At SMARTBOX, we have a desire to help people of all professions take care of their traveling needs and adjustment to a new area so that they may better focus on the task before them.  Below, you will find tips that every traveling nurse should know before taking an assignment. 

Take Care of Everything at Home- Before you leave or agree to take an assignment, make sure that any issues you may have at home are squared away.  If you have childcare or pet needs, who is handling them for you?  You’ve got mail! Be sure you have a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor checking your mailbox on a daily basis and, if you are able to do so, be sure to leave an address and a contact number for the area in which you will be working.  This will grant you some comfort in knowing that everything back home is in good hands, which will ultimately allow you to have a sharper focus on the tasks before you. 

Communicate Effectively and Understand Your Work Obligations- Many traveling nurses have agencies or representatives that assist them with the process of finding assignments.  Make sure to always keep the lines of communication open with the people who are helping you, whether it is through phone, email, or face-to-face contact.  If at any point you do not feel comfortable with the assignment or have any questions, seek some guidance or answers and be sure you read through and understand your obligations before agreeing to anything in writing. 

Pack Light- When traveling so frequently from place to place, packing light and efficiently should always be on your mind.  Only take what you know you will need in order to both live and complete your assigned work.  Sleeping bags and cots that can be easily transported, climate-appropriate clothing, and travel necessities (toiletries and the like) are a general requirement for constant work on-the-go. Depending on where you will be living and working, electronics and technology may certainly be worth considering.  Much of this will depend on you doing your research, finding out about the area in which you will be working, and acting accordingly.  In this situation, less could mean more at times in order to get your work done effectively and minimize the amount of items you will need to keep up with. 

Remember to Enjoy the Experience- Although there can be many moving parts and uncertainties when it comes to life as a traveling nurse, accompanied by some stressful times, it is crucial to remember to enjoy the journey that you are on.  Many people, regardless of their line of work or particular responsibilities, often become caught up in the daily grind and expectations associated with their occupation.  At the end of the day, remember why you are in such a fulfilling position and try to enjoy as many moments and experiences as possible. 

A storage unit could also be a valuable asset for any traveling nurse that might need long-term storage for their belongings while working abroad.  We hope that the above information will assist traveling nurses as they go about meeting the needs of others in many different places.  If you would like to learn more about SMARTBOX and the services we offer, please call us at 1-877-627-8269. Our customer service representatives would be happy to help!