What should a travel nurse always pack for a new assignment?

Travel nurses should always pack their own stethoscope, compression socks, comfortable scrubs, a portable phone charger, and copies of all licenses and certifications.

How many scrubs should a travel nurse bring on assignment?

Bring at least 5-7 sets of scrubs for a 13-week assignment — enough to cover a full work week without daily laundry.

Do travel nurses need to bring their own medical equipment?

Most hospitals provide basic equipment, but experienced travel nurses bring their own stethoscope, pen light, bandage scissors, and a reliable watch with a second hand.

What tech gear do travel nurses need for housing?

A portable WiFi hotspot, laptop, streaming device, and a smart plug are essential for furnished travel nurse housing that may lack reliable internet.

How do travel nurses pack efficiently for 13-week assignments?

Use packing cubes to compress clothing, ship heavy items ahead via USPS flat rate boxes, and use vacuum storage bags for extra scrubs and bedding.

How much do travel nurses make per week?

Travel nurse weekly pay typically ranges from $1,800 to $3,500+, depending on specialty, location, and agency. The package includes a taxable hourly base wage plus tax-free stipends for housing and meals. Crisis contracts in understaffed markets can exceed $5,000/week.

Are travel nurse housing and meal stipends tax-free?

Yes — housing and meal stipends are tax-free only if you maintain a legitimate tax home (a permanent residence you return to and pay duplicate living expenses on). If you abandon your tax home, all stipends become taxable income retroactively.

How long is a typical travel nurse assignment?

The standard travel nurse contract is 13 weeks (approximately 3 months). Some assignments run 8 or 26 weeks. Crisis/rapid-response contracts can be as short as 4 weeks. Most nurses complete 2–4 assignments per year.

Do travel nurses need a separate license for every state?

Only for non-compact states. The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) allows one multistate license to cover 40+ participating states. Non-compact states — including California, New York, Illinois, and Michigan — each require a separate endorsement, which can take 4–12 weeks.

Should a travel nurse take agency-provided housing or the stipend?

Most experienced travel nurses take the stipend. You keep whatever you don't spend, you control your housing quality and location, and you can negotiate a higher base package. Agency housing makes sense for first-timers who aren't yet comfortable finding furnished apartments independently.

What is a travel nurse tax home and why does it matter?

A tax home is your permanent place of business — typically the area where you live and pay ongoing housing costs when not on assignment. Maintaining a valid tax home is required to receive tax-free stipends legally. The IRS requires you to: (1) pay duplicate living expenses, (2) return home during time off, and (3) have not abandoned the area.

What clinical gear should every travel nurse own?

Every travel nurse should own their own stethoscope (Littmann Classic III is the standard), compression socks, trauma shears, a penlight, a watch with a second hand, a retractable badge reel, and black pens. Facilities provide most other equipment, but your personal tools travel with you to every assignment.

Travel Nurse Packing List 2026 — Clinical Gear, Housing & Tech Essentials

The complete packing list for every travel nurse assignment. This covers what experienced travel nurses bring to every 13-week contract: clinical tools, housing supplies to make a furnished unit actually livable, and tech gear for shift work and remote living.

The key packing principle: ship ahead what you can, carry what you need immediately, and buy locally what is cheaper to replace than to move. Most veteran travel nurses have a standing box of housing basics they ship to every assignment.

Clinical Packing List

Stethoscope — your own, engraved, in a protective case
5–7 sets of scrubs in facility color
Compression socks — 5+ pairs
Nursing shoes or clogs
Trauma shears, penlight, badge reel, nurse watch
Nursing backpack or fanny pack for shift essentials

Housing Packing List

Bedding set or bed-in-a-bag (furnished units often lack quality bedding)
Blackout curtains (critical for night-shift sleep)
White noise machine
Single-serve coffee maker
Shower caddy, dish rack, basic kitchen tools
Meal prep containers for shift prep

Frequently Asked Questions

How many scrubs should a travel nurse bring on assignment?: Bring 5–7 sets for a 13-week assignment. This covers a full work week without daily laundry. Always confirm facility color requirements before purchasing.
How do travel nurses pack efficiently for 13-week assignments?: Use packing cubes to compress clothing, ship heavy items ahead via USPS flat rate boxes, and use vacuum storage bags for extra scrubs and bedding. Most experienced travel nurses pack two carry-ons maximum.