Packing tips for a travel nurse or travel therapist

Creating an organized system can cut down on chaos for a travel nurse or travel therapist. You shouldn't have to sit on top of a suitcase to close it or toss belongings about in order to find something you need. Strategic packing can reduce stress, optimize time and increase travel enjoyment.

According to The Telegraph, 37 percent of travelers admit to being disorganized packers, and this is especially true for women. A travel nurse or travel therapist may try new packing strategies to avoid stress before setting out to his or her next contracted destination.

Here are a few packing tips and tricks:

1. Determine the weather. A travel nurse or therapist can research the climate of the region to determine her clothing needs. While one assignment may be in the snow belt, the next might be in Florida. Shipping excess clothing home (such as winter coats or shorts) that does not fit the needs of the next location may be beneficial.

2. Create a list. Develop a comprehensive list of items, including the number of those items that may be needed. For example, how many pairs of scrubs, pants and undergarments will you need? Contracts are typically 13 weeks long, however they vary in length, so a travel nurse or travel therapist will need an entire wardrobe to span that time. However, more than two or three pairs of may jeans not be needed if scrubs are worn at work every day.

3. Tightly roll clothing. Rolling, instead of folding, can maximize space efficiency in a suitcase. It decreases wasted room and will allow a travel nurse or therapist to increase the amount of clothing in the bag. 

4. Use plastic or reusable bags. Separating toiletries such as makeup, shampoo and toothpaste in plastic bags can decrease the chance of spills ruining clothing or other items. It can also create an easy method of identifying the location of small items that may quickly go missing if left to knock around a suitcase.

5. Wrap electronics. Using either a Velcro or rubber band, wrap electronic cords to a hair drier or hair straightener. It can create more organization, decrease the chance of delicate clothing items becoming entangled and simplify the packing process.