First Day Travel Nurse Checklist

Travel nursing comes with a lot of planning and attempting to think ahead, so this quick little list is a way to make the planning process just a little easier.

This list includes a general idea of the things to know before your first day of work (often orientation) to make sure you are ready to go:

• Where you're going: Hospital name, address, phone number, directions, Unit location, etc.
• Manager/Supervisor Name
• Dress code (Scrub color?)
• Testing - your orientation (depending on the hospital) may ask you to take a knowledge-based, skills-based exam during orientation.
• Parking information

This list includes the general things to bring with you on your first day:

• Driver's License
• BLS, and any other specialty-specific certifications
• A notebook and pen
• Any medications you take that could show up on a drug test.

Remember to leave your house with plenty of time to reach the hospital, because traffic in a new city will be a new experience for you, there's no way to know how well (or poorly) it will go.  Avoid the stresses of running late, and just leave early!

Congratulations on a new assignment and I wish you safe travels!