Are you about to head out on your first travel nurse assignment and are wondering exactly how you are going to fit everything into your car?
This checklist is here to teach you exactly HOW to pack for your next travel nursing job — especially if you are driving to your next assignment.
These packing tips will be sure to make your next move so much smoother.
(If you’re still stuck on finding your travel nurse housing, read my article on the Ultimate Travel Nurse Housing Guide.)
I am going to show you everything you’ll need to pack your car for moving cross country. Or wherever your next assignment is.
The travel nurse essentials that tells what to pack is a different list, but what about fitting everything into your car or suitcase?
Use this travel nurse packing checklist as a guide of potential items to purchase to help make the packing process a breeze.
What Are The Top 11 Essential Travel Nurse Packing List Items For?
The top 11 essential travel nurse packing list items are what I use to help pack when moving from each assignment.
These aren’t just ordinary items; they are specifically designed to simplify your packing process.
Think of them as your packing allies, ensuring that you’re traveling with everything neatly organized and easily accessible, and this as your ultimate travel nurse packing guide.
Everything on this list, I own and use and swear by.
From space-saving gadgets to organizational must-haves, I’ve made a list that guarantees you’ll maximize every inch of your car space.
Remember, it’s not just about what you pack, but how you pack.
The Best Travel Nurse Packing Items To Streamline Your Move
- Bailene Hanging Toiletry Bag
- Bagsmart Electronics Organizer Traveling Case
- Bagsmart Travel Jewelry Organizer
- Tomtoc 360 Protective Laptop Carrying Bag
- BANG&CARSEN Extra Large Beach Tote Bag
- Fit & Fresh, All the Things Women’s Weekender Bag
- Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag
- MeeFar Car Roof Bag XBEEK Rooftop Top Cargo Carrier Bag
- Vacuum Storage Bags with Electric Air Pump, 20-pack
- HOMZ 64-Quart Clear Plastic Stackable Storage Bin with Lid
- WONHOX Large Travel Backpack
Bailene Hanging Toiletry Bag
- This is the best toiletry bag I have ever owned.
- It fits all of my bathroom items (shampoos, conditioners, dry shampoo, body wash, razors, hair products, etc) and I do not need a second bag.
- It’s sturdy, has a lot of pockets, and can even hang on the back of a door if you lack counter space.
Over 1100 4.5+ stars and three color options and sizes.
Pros and Cons
Bagsmart Electronics Organizer Traveling Case
- If there is one thing I have learned, you will want to keep your important items (like chargers and cords for everything) all in one spot.
- This cord organizer has been a lifesaver.
- If I can’t find the cord for my Furbo or the cat’s peek-a-boo toy, I always know to check this first.
Over 5000 4+ stars and many color options.
Pros and Cons
Bagsmart Travel Jewelry Organizer
- My one and only jewelry organizer.
- This thing has a specific spot for rings, necklaces, an earrings panel, 2 clear pouches for bracelets, and two other zipper pouches for miscellaneous items and watches.
- There are two sizes, small and medium. I go with the medium — about the size of an iPad, and it fits all of my jewelry plus room to spare.
Over 12,000 4.5+ star ratings with many color/pattern options.
Pros and Cons
Tomtoc 360 Protective Laptop Carrying Bag
- This travel laptop case is sleek, compact, offers cushioned protection, and looks higher-end.
- The case has one padded main compartment for the laptop (mine is a MacBook Pro 13″) and two wide pockets on each side.
- I could easily slip my iPad in along with the laptop if I needed it. I also usually pack this in the trunk of my SUV by slipping it in between two tote boxes.
A 4.6-star rating and 6 colors to choose from.
Pros and Cons
BANG & CARSEN Extra Large Beach Tote Bag
- This is my go-to tote for all things leftover that don’t exactly have a place for but that I definitely want to bring. I.E., heated blanket, journals, extra vacuum suction bags, Christmas stockings.
- It’s large, but not too large, and has an excellent pocket situation.
- The bag also has a good, structured shape but is flexible enough to be smooshed in the trunk.
A 4.6-star rating and 5 prints to choose from.
Pros and Cons
All the Things Women’s Weekender Bag
- This bag is ginormous. I mainly use it to put bags of vacuum-sealed clothes in (I have so many clothes).
- The fabric is thick and the zipper is super sturdy.
- There are also long and short handles and 3 side pockets inside. It is just an overall great nurse tote bag.
Over 2400 4.8 star ratings and seven prints to choose from.
Pros and Cons
Thule Chasm Sport Duffel Bag (size L)
- This is a must-have for your travel nurse packing list.
- I would trust my life with this bag. It literally feels indestructible.
- My main use for this bag is (again) stuffing it full with vacuum-sealed bags of clothes. I cram this thing with as much as possible, and then I don’t have to worry about the weight as I wear it as a backpack afterward.
- Durable and waterproof with internal pockets.
Over 1500 4.8 star ratings and 4 colors to choose from.
Pros and Cons
MeeFar Car Roof Bag XBEEK Rooftop Top Cargo Carrier Bag
- If you are like me (over-packer) and have run out of room inside your vehicle, do yourself a favor and purchase this roof bag.
- I drive a Toyota SUV, but the reviews also show this thing on top of Honda Civics and the like.
- After extensive research, I chose this roof bag and I am SO glad I did. It’s large, sturdy, waterproof, and doesn’t budge.
- Save yourself hours of research and buy this roof bag.
Over 6000 4.8-star ratings
Pros and Cons
Vacuum Storage Bags with Electric Air Pump, 20-pack
- If you buy anything on this travel nurse packing list, buy these vacuum seal bags.
- This is the item that is my secret sauce, my golden nugget, the thing that makes all of my packing possible.
- Roll, don’t fold
- By rolling my clothes, fill a bag up, close it, and then suck all of the air out. And just like that, the bag is half the size it used to be.
- These allow me to bring all of my clothing with me.
Over 4000 4.4-star ratings
Pros and Cons
HOMZ 64-Quart Clear Plastic Stackable Storage Bin with Lid
- I own two of these tote boxes. My main use for them is for kitchen items and food items (tea, coffee, spices, popcorn, oils).
- I don’t recommend buying anything bigger than this size as these can become heavy very quickly. They are also bulky and can take up room.
- I recommend getting them in clear so you can easily see what’s inside.
Over 12,000 4.5-star ratings
Pros and Cons
WONHOX Large Travel Backpack
- This backpack is what I use as my “suitcase” when I’m on a 2-3 day road trip to my destination. This thing fits almost as much as a normal carry-on and it is wonderful.
- There are tons of pockets, a laptop compartment, a shoe compartment, a wet pocket (for wet items), padded straps, a USB port to charge your phone, and a strap to slide over a carry-on suitcase.
Over 85,000 4.6-star ratings
Pros and Cons
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Travel Nurse Packing List Tips
- Pack these items if you want to make your life easier. Remember, you will be moving every 13 weeks so organization and efficiency are key.
- Don’t forget the important things: phone chargers, prescriptions, scrubs, wine opener, etc
- See what your new housing includes in terms of kitchen items, linens, etc to make sure you don’t bring something that you don’t need to.
- UTILIZE NEGATIVE SPACE. What I mean by this is to fill open spaces with smaller items. For example, I pack my little salad dressing containers inside bigger Tupperware. I store extra K-cups in the water holder of my Keurig. I put my measuring cups inside the mixing container for my immersion blender.
- Vacuum seal your pillows and comforter then pack them in your car very last. I usually just find a hole and jam them in.
- Keep your overnight bag and toiletry bag, and anything else you want to bring up to your hotel room, (during the road trip) in the front seat. The last thing you want to be doing is unpacking your car to get your toiletry bag out for your one-night stay in the middle of nowhere.
- If you haven’t worn or used something for the last two years, you don’t need to bring it. Trust me, you won’t use it and it will just be taking up precious cargo space.
- On a similar note, if you’re on the fence about bringing something that you “might” use, don’t bring it.
- I always bring my pillows and comforter with me (vacuum sealed of course). It’s tough enough sleeping in someone else’s bed — having my own pillow and comforter makes the place feel more “homey”.
- If you’re bringing something like an air-fryer or Keurig, (I highly suggest the ones I linked) don’t pack it in a tote. Just let it be unboxed and cram it in somewhere. (Depending on what travel nurse housing website you use, they will have different amenities. Check out my 7 Best Travel Nurse Housing Sites article).
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