21 Travel Nurse Tips For A First Time Traveler

Are you a nurse who is curious about the world of travel nursing?

Or maybe you’re wondering how to become a travel nurse.

Maybe you’ve just signed your first contract and have some questions.

Or maybe you’re on assignment but are struggling.

Either way, I have been a travel nurse for three years now and these tips are some of my best travel nurse advice that I have learned over the years. No matter how much or how little experience you have, I promise these travel nursing tips will help you to lead a successful career.

So if you are looking for help on this incredible career then I want you to take my advice, bookmark this page, and save yourself the mistakes that I have already made.

I will discuss my best tips on:

• Travel nurse contracts
• Travel nurse housing
• What to pack
• Traveling with pets
• Life as a travel nurse
• What the first couple of weeks are like
• What not to say at your new assignment
• And more travel nursing tips

Not only do these tips and tricks make travel nurse life a little bit easier, but they will also save you lots of headaches and unnecessary spending.

What Are The 21 Travel NUrse Tips For A First Time Travel Nurse?

1. Have A Minimum Pay Rate Amount And Stick With It

This first travel nursing tip is extremely important.

I have never once had to go below my “lowest number” for my pay rate.

Ever.

Part of the reason for this is because I have a list of questions to ask every recruiter before signing a contract. I also have a list of questions to ask before deciding to work with an agency.

Recruiters will try to tell you that “those don’t rates don’t exist anymore”, or, “travel rates are going back to pre-covid numbers” but don’t listen to them.

I once had a potential recruiter say that I would “never again” see my lowest number, and then one week later, I signed a contract that paid me well above that number.

Stick to your guns. If you have seen the rates you want in your desired area, they’re out there.

2. Get Everything You Request In Writing

If your recruiter said that your RTO (requested time off) was approved, make sure it’s in your contract.

If you and your recruiter agreed on a total gross weekly pay, make sure it is in the contract, and then do the math to make sure it adds up. 

If the travel nurse agency agrees to reimburse you for scrubs or travel money (travel money for gas, motel, etc.) make sure it’s in the contract. 

Think of it like charting — if it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen. If it’s not in the contract, you’re not guaranteed to get it.

3. Always Negotiate Overtime Pay

I have negotiated my OT pay for all of my travel nurse assignments, and have had my request granted every single time. 

Do not be afraid to negotiate.

Any money that’s not going into your pocket, is going into your recruiter’s pocket. And that is hard-earned money that you are working for, not them. 

Pro-tip: Recruiters set these rates with expectations that you are going to try and negotiate. If you don’t, that’s easy money for them and less for you. Work with my recruiters who get me the best rates every time.

4. Ask If There’s A Penalty For Missed Work

I can’t tell you how many agencies I have considered working with that ended up having this crazy policy in place.

The policy is that if you have to call out sick or miss work for any reason, you then owe them a set amount of money for those missed hours. It is absolutely insane to me.

So be sure to ask, “Is there any kind of penalty if I miss a shift?“. If they say yes, move on.

In no other industry do you have to pay back the company money for being sick and missing work.

5. Ask About Floating and Cancellations

There should be a clause in the contract about whether you will be required to float to another floor or hospital in the contract.

If it’s not in there, then they’re allowed to do it. 

Even if the recruiter says “Oh they never float travelers“, don’t just take their word for it. Kindly ask if they can include it in the contract. 

Also, ask if your hours are guaranteed. The recruiter will most likely say yes, and then you will ask them to make sure it is in the contract.

There is usually some kind of policy in place in case of low-census cancellations.

For example, my current contract states that I am allowed to be sent home for low census and not get paid for the missed hours only up to 36 hours. If I still get canceled past 36 hours, I automatically get paid no matter what.

6. Never Sign A Lease Or Start Moving Before The Contract Is Signed

 It has never happened to me, but I have read plenty of horror stories about people packing up, signing a four-month lease, and starting on their road trip before the contract was signed.

Then they find out they didn’t get the job.

And now they’re out thousands of dollars for the lease and they also suddenly have no income lined up. 

Do not commit to anything before that contract is signed. And yes, technically your contract can be canceled at any time, but it is a rare phenomenon, especially if you have done your due diligence before signing with the agency. 

For more info on where to search for travel nurse housing, see my article on the Top 7 Travel Nurse Housing Sites.

7. Before Signing A Lease On A Place, Ask To Do A Video Walk-Through 

There are plenty of scammers out there who make false advertisements for travel nurse housing.

They hope you will sign a lease and send over a deposit and then they just disappear with your money. 

I always ask for a FaceTime walkthrough to 1) make sure the place exists, and 2) to make sure it looks like the pictures.

Please take my expert travel nurse advice and ask to have this done. If you are afraid to ask for things like this, you will get taken advantage of.

Signing a lease and sending a deposit for a property sight unseen is super nerve-wracking. Make sure you do everything you can to ensure the listing is legit before making anything official. 

8. Pack What You Need, But Also Things You Want

When it comes to travel nurse packing, putting your whole life into your car can be a chore in itself.

As someone who only owns what fits in her car, I have come to be a master packer.

In terms of what to bring, everyone says to only bring the essentials (of course you don’t need to pack your entire house) but I say pack as much as you can fit in your car.

Along with the basics, I also have art stuff because it makes me happy, my air fryer and Keurig because they’re essential, and other items that make my new place feel homey. 

Pro tip: Check out my post on my top Travel Nurse Essentials to see how to pack as a travel nurse.

9. Get Your Car Serviced Before Hitting The Road

The last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with your whole life (and maybe pets) in your car.

Make sure your oil change is up to date, brakes are good, tires are rotated, etc.

I recommend going to your local mechanic or dealership, tell them you’re about to head out on a road trip and you just want to make sure your car is ready for the trip.

Traveling with cats can be, and usually is, very stressful.

If you are planning on bringing pets (I have two cats who go everywhere with me), remember that this is going to be a very stressful time for them, more so than it will be for you. 

Before our first big trip (a 30-hour drive from Oregon to Wisconsin), we practiced being on a harness at home and also a couple of small, down-the-street and back, car trips.

I also made sure that both of them had a comfortable place to stay while in the car. I purchased a larger kennel for Luna for the backseat, and Charlie stayed in her carrier that I already had in the front seat.

The important part of this is leaving the carrier/kennel out for at least a week in the house so they can get used to it. 

More Helpful Tips On Car Travel With Cats

• Be sure to let them keep their favorite toys and blankets while on the road.
• Stop to offer water or a snack every time you stop for gas.
• Drive no more than 8 hours a day. Any longer than that is pushing it for pets.
  • I also do not allow them to come out of their carriers while in the car. It’s just too dangerous for them to be exploring and also possibly trying to get under the seat or go under the gas or brake pedals. 
• Try giving CBD oil about an hour before the drive. This helps A TON.
  • You can usually find this at a local or mom-and-pop type pet store or online. Be sure to get pet CBD oil so the potency isn’t too high. The CBD oil chills out my cats…most of the time. It doesn’t always work and sometimes they still meow like crazy but it’s worth a shot.
• Making your pets relaxed for the drive isn’t just about them not meowing or barking through the drive but mostly so they can relax.
  • It is not good for animals to be stressed. Meowing can be ok but if they start hyperventilating (breathing with their mouth open for cats) please pull over and give them a break. 

Pro Tip: Speak to your pet’s veterinarian about safe medication options to help them relax.

11. If There Are Stairs At The New Place, Hire Some Help

One of the best decisions I have ever made was putting a Facebook ad out a couple of days before I left asking if someone would take $50 bucks to move all of my belongings up three flights of stairs.

The guy who responded was a nice engineer who was in between jobs and looking for extra cash. Best $50 I have ever spent.

Moving every few months is hard enough. If you can make it easier on yourself, go for it.

12. Unpack As Soon As Possible

Leaving everything and everyone you know is tough.

So making your new place comfortable and also a place that you enjoy being home at is important.

I try to be completely unpacked within the first three days after I arrive and this really helps calm any feelings of anxiety I may be having.

It also helps to get back into your normal routine as soon as possible. Have your coffee maker out and ready, go grocery shopping with the normal food you eat, go for a walk, go workout, etc.

When in a new environment, a little sense of normalcy goes a long way.

13. Make Your Short-Term Furnished Rental Your Own

Especially if you are a first time travel nurse, being away and on your own that first contract is super exciting — but it can also be a little bit scary and lonely.

Take my expert travel nurse advice and make the place your own.

Just remember to not go too crazy as you can’t leave any things behind, and you also probably can’t take them with you.

• Having my own comforter and pillows really helps me sleep easier in my new digs.
• Bring or buy a comfy blanket for the couch
• Get a couple of cute plants (just nothing big or spendy as you likely won’t be able to bring them with you)
• Put out pictures of family
• If you have a hobby, get it all set up like you would at home

Finding cute, cheap decorative items at a thrift store or estate sale is one of my favorite things to do in my new city. It helps to have home items that are your style around the house.

Just keep in mind that anything you buy you will either have to leave or sell/donate so I don’t suggest going crazy and making any big and expensive purchases.

14. Purchase a Roku Streaming Stick

15. Take A Test-Drive Of Your New Commute

Something I try to do is drive to my new facility a few days before I start just to see how much time I’ll have to budget for my new commute.

It will also help when you are inevitably running late for your first day but you already know about that road that is closed for construction so you can plan ahead. 

It is also good to check the average commute time to and from work during the hours that you will be commuting. On Google Maps I can select a “depart by” or “arrive by” time to see if I will be hitting traffic or not.

Pro tip: Program or save your new work and new home address in your maps app so you don’t have to fumble, trying to remember the address when it comes time to drive.

16. Know That You Are Going To Suck Your First Week

When I start a new contract, I go in knowing that I am going to suck for the first week or two.

If you are a first time travel nurse, I really want you to hear this one.

Of course, I know how to do the nurse things, but finding where everything is, the new charting system, and their new policies and procedures, well, those take some time to learn. 

Don’t be too hard on yourself when you are getting slammed and you are so frustrated because you don’t know where anything is or the glucometer won’t work. You are going to feel like this is your first day as an RN and that everyone is judging you — they’re not.

Just stop, take a deep breath, and ask questions.

I utilize my charge nurse and rely heavily on my CNAs for help. And if it’s a nursing question, either find another traveler who gets what you’re going through or a staff member who seems friendly and open to help.

Remember, people’s lives are in our hands — we can’t afford to not ask questions because we’re too shy or embarrassed. It’s better than killing a patient.

17. Don’t Talk About How You Did Things At Your Other Job

One of the most annoying and frustrating things to hear another travel nurse say is how they did this or that at their other job. Not only does no one care, but you are going to come off as arrogant and that you think you’re better than everyone else.

You have to keep an open mind as a traveler in a new work environment.

You are a guest at someone else’s hospital. You are there to help. This doesn’t mean you’re there to take the shitty assignments, but you are in someone else’s house so be respectful. 

Pro tip: If your method of doing something is maybe a better way of it (like giving a baby medicine or priming a bag of fluids), then you can say that you know a “helpful trick” so that it looks more like a nurse hack and not that your old facility did things better.

18. Keep An Open Mind

As I said before, I can almost guarantee that the first week or two of your new assignment isn’t going to be great.

You may start to miss your old hospital and probably home.

Remember why you’re doing this. Every time I have a shitty shift, I pull out my phone, look at my bank account, and I feel a little bit better. 

Things will get easier. You’ll get used to the charting and the new way of doing things and hopefully, you’ll also make friends.

I always make it a point to try and gather the travelers together to have a night out. You’re not the only one there who doesn’t know anyone!

19. Stay Organized

I have a folder on my phone called “Travel Nursing” and then I have one folder for all of my compliance stuff (certifications, licenses, immunizations), and then a folder for each assignment.

Any time I need to take a look at my contract, all I have to do is find the “Sacramento” folder and there it is. 

Pro Tip: Be sure to keep the compliance folder updated with your new certifications when you renew them. Having everything organized like this has saved me a ton of time and frustration. 

20. Explore Your New Town!

Hopefully, this is a given, but be sure to get out and explore!

Part of the allure of being a travel nurse is the traveling part. I am guilty of sometimes getting into a rut of getting to my new town and then just staying home — don’t do that.

Force yourself to get out if you have to. And don’t forget to take pictures! 

Pro Tip: Look up where your nearest grocery store and gas station are when you arrive. Having to Google the closest gas station when you are 2 miles away until empty is stressful and avoidable. 

21. Think About Whether You Would Want To Extend Or Not

Usually, about 6 or 7 weeks in is when your recruiter will start asking if you would like to extend or not. If yes, then they will send a message to the facility saying that you’re interested in an extension and submit an offer. 

Beware of the rate they offer on the extension — often your original rate will be reduced (depending on what the landscape of travel nurse pay rates is looking like) and the job may not be worth it for less money. If it’s not, politely decline and start looking for new contracts.

On the other hand, if you’re 100% sure that you will not want to extend, that is totally ok!

There is zero obligation to stay at a hospital that you are not happy at. That’s the beauty of travel nursing! 

Conclusion

The world of travel nursing is its own beast. You are in a new hospital in a new town and a new house away from everything and everyone you know.

Follow these travel nurse tips and I promise that life will be a little easier (especially if you are a first time travel nurse) and you will have much more success adapting to your new life as a nomad.

And honestly, these travel nurse tips are freaking gold. I am constantly handing these babies out to other travelers I work with and I just love doing so. I love giving advice — it’s one of the reasons why I started this blog in the first place.

So stick to your guns, listen to your gut, read your contract carefully, make your travel nurse housing as homey as you can, and get out and have fun!

The point is to make the most out of being able to travel for a living and being paid handsomely to explore the country and meet new people. 

As long as you have an open mind and are open to being flexible and adaptable, you will thrive as the travel nurse badass that you are.

Disclaimer: I may earn commissions from purchases made through the links in this post at no extra cost to you.