20 Things Every Travel Nurse Needs To Own

Brittany Hamstra BSN, RN

This article contains affiliate links. 

1. Packing Cubes ($22.99)

Whether you are loading your car for a road trip or packing for a flight to your next assignment, these packing cubes are super helpful for organization and making the most of whatever luggage space you have. Living out of a suitcase doesn’t have to be chaotic with the help of these handy cubes. 

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2. Multi-use Kitchen Tool ($24.99)

When you change residence every few months, it’s hard to justify packing your entire kitchen for each assignment. So most of us bring the bare essentials and end up buying what we need at each location. A more resourceful way to pack is to utilize multi-functional products such as this kitchen gadget. This compact tool acts as a knife, corer, peeler, and zester, just to name a few. 

3. Mini Portable Oven ($39.93)

Moving around often and rebuilding meal routines can be somewhat of a challenge. This product acts as a miniature slow-cooking oven that heats your food gradually and efficiently from home or work. The appliance is portable and super easy to use – just plug it in. It will save you time and money on meal prep, which we all know is a win-win!

4. Q&A a Day: 5 Year Journal ($15.26)

In the haste of our business as travel nurses, we often forget to reflect on the day at hand. This beautiful and easy to pack journal is a simple and creative way to prompt our daily thoughts with a question each day. Throughout the years, it will be a keepsake to treasure and a fun book to read again and again.  

5. Pull-out Sofa Inflatable Bed ($43.00)

This is a great alternative to traveling with an air mattress because it doubles as a couch. If you decide to crash at a friend’s house, or someone visits you on assignment and needs a comfortable place to sleep, this inflatable bed will come in handy time and time again. 

6. Door-hanging Laundry Hamper ($15.95)

Sometimes space (or lack of it) is a constant struggling when securing short-term housing. When square footage is at a premium, you don’t want to waste any of it with a stand-up laundry bin. This easy-to-pack and easy-to-conceal laundry hamper conveniently hangs on the back of any door. 

7. Travel Cosmetic Bag ($17.99)

A simple on-the-go bag for toiletries like makeup, hair products, and brushes. It has a flat bottom and stands up on any counter surface, so it’s not only an easy packing tool but also doubles as a vanity organizer. 

8. Dual USB Phone Charger ($13.99)

If you can only find one outlet, this wall charger is a life-saver. It has two USB ports which can charge simultaneously, so you’ll never be without juice on your iPhone, Android, laptop, or tablet. 

9. Dodow Sleep Aid Device ($59.00)

For those travel nurses who can’t slow their minds after a busy shift, this product can really help you fall asleep faster and easier. The basic concept is to match your breath to the pace of the fluctuating light projected on your ceiling. This metronome effect helps redirect your focus, reduce anxiety, and promote truly restful nights of sleep.

10. Portable Light Therapy Energy Lamp ($29.95)

Looking for a natural way to boost your mood and energy? Give light therapy a try. This portable lamp works by emitting a specific quality and intensity of light that simulates the positive effects of sun exposure. If you’re working through harsh winter months or living under cloudy skies, this device helps trigger receptors in the brain to regain focus, alertness, and energy. 

11. Espro Travel Coffee Press ($34.95)

Calling all coffee lovers…leave the Keurig at home and try traveling with this amazing product. The Espro travel coffee mug is a 2-in-1 product to brew and drink your coffee on the go. Just add ground coffee and hot water to the mug, let it brew, and push the micro filter all the way down.  Voilà! Fresh coffee without having to pack the clunky coffee maker. 

12. Mini Movie Projector ($99.99)

If you’re a hardcore Netflix binger, you can’t always rely on having a TV on location unless you pack it yourself. If this sounds like a familiar dilemma, check out this mini movie projector. Use any wall or flat surface as your own personal movie theatre screen.  It syncs with your laptop, smartphone, or Amazon Fire Stick to deliver a high-quality cinema experience. 

13. No-Pressure Eye Mask ($7.60)

Calling all night-shifters! Don’t lose a minute of shut-eye over suboptimal sleeping conditions. Simulate a dark environment with this eye mask built with comfort in mind. The unique contoured design cups perfectly around your eyes to shut out any light and provide pressure-free eye comfort. 

14. Home Workout Resistance Bands ($10.95)

Not crazy about paying high sign-on and cancellation fees to join a new gym every few months? Try this variety pack of resistance bands for easy and convenient home workouts. The set comes with printed instructions and a video tutorial to help guide your workouts. 

15. Portable Mini Clothing Steamer ($19.99)

When your clothes have been squished in a suitcase for days, you don’t even want to think about the daunting task of ironing them. Not to mention the inconvenience of packing an iron. A great alternative to ironing is this mini clothing steamer. Heats up in minutes and easily rids unattractive wrinkles on your scrubs. 

16. Pillowtop Mattress Topper ($59.90)

Nothing beats your own bed. But second-best has to be this Pillowtop mattress topper. No matter what mattress you find yourself using for a few months, this plush topper is an easy guarantee that your nights of sleep with being equally as comfortable no matter where you go. 

17. Bluetooth Shower Speaker ($14.99)

After a long shift, what’s better than belting your favorite tunes in the shower? This Bluetooth speaker easily syncs to your favorite Spotify playlist. The sound quality is great and it’s capable of playing at a high volume, so feel free to use it for home workouts, cooking to some tunes, or parties with friends. 

18. Vacuum Storage Bags ($11.99)

If you tend to pack an embarrassing number of suitcases for traveling, look into these vacuum storage bags to fool the onlookers. By sucking the air from the bags, your clothes will shrink to half the size. That means double the packing!

19. Digital Photo Frame ($49.99)

Missing family? Friends? Your dog? Pack this small digital photo frame and make any place feel like home. It can cycle through hundreds of hand-selected photos on its high-resolution screen. 

20. “50 States, 5,000 Ideas” Travel Book ($16.96)

And lastly, make the most of every assignment by exploring the beautiful sites around you. This book by National Geographic illustrates must-see parks, beaches, museums, and other unique landmarks in all 50 states. 

 

Happy shopping, travelers! 

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