Your First Travel Nursing Assignment: The Complete 2026 Checklist

Starting your first travel nursing assignment is exciting—and overwhelming. There’s licensing, credentialing, housing, packing, and a hundred other details. This checklist guides you through every step so you arrive prepared and confident.

Before You Start Looking: Prerequisites

Minimum Experience Required

Most agencies require:

• 1-2 years recent bedside experience in your specialty
• Current certifications (BLS, ACLS, specialty certs)
• Clean license with no restrictions

Documents You’ll Need

Gather these before applying:

Professional Documents

• Nursing license(s)
• BLS certification
• ACLS certification (if applicable)
• Specialty certifications (CCRN, CEN, etc.)
• Nursing school transcripts
• Resume (travel nurse format)

Personal Documents

• Driver’s license
• Social Security card
• Two forms of ID
• Passport (for border facilities)

Medical Records

• Immunization records (MMR, Hep B, Varicella, etc.)
• TB test (within 12 months)
• COVID vaccination records
• Flu shot records
• Physical exam (some facilities require)
• Drug screen (usually done at hiring)

8-12 Weeks Before: Getting Started

Week 8-12: Choose Your Agencies

Apply to multiple agencies (3-5 is ideal):

Top Agencies to Consider:

• Aya Healthcare
• Medical Solutions
• Host Healthcare
• TNAA
• Fusion Medical Staffing

Compare agencies →

Questions to Ask Recruiters:

• What’s your fee structure?
• How do you calculate stipends?
• What benefits are included?
• How quickly can you submit me?
• What happens if my contract is cancelled?

Week 8-12: Get Your Compact License (If Applicable)

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows you to work in 40+ states with one license. If your primary residence is in a compact state:

1. Apply for compact status through your state board
2. Processing takes 4-8 weeks
3. Once approved, you can work in any compact state

Check compact license requirements →

Week 8-12: Establish Your Tax Home

This is crucial for tax-free stipends:

1. Ensure you have documented housing expenses
2. Get mail coming to your tax home address
3. Update your driver’s license
4. Establish bank accounts at your address

Tax home requirements guide →

4-6 Weeks Before: Finding Your Assignment

Week 6: Submit to Jobs

Your recruiter will submit your profile to facilities. Help them by:

• Being clear about your preferences (location, shift, facility type)
• Responding quickly to interview requests
• Having availability ready to discuss

Week 5-6: Interview

Facility interviews are usually brief (15-30 minutes):

• Describe your experience
• Discuss your specialty skills
• Ask about orientation length
• Confirm shift and schedule

Questions to Ask the Facility:

• What’s the nurse-to-patient ratio?
• How long is orientation?
• Is charge experience expected?
• What’s the float policy?
• Who do I contact for issues?

Week 4-5: Accept Your Offer

Before accepting:

Verify the Contract Includes:

• Taxable hourly rate
• Weekly housing stipend
• Weekly meal/incidental stipend
• Guaranteed hours
• Overtime rate
• Holiday pay (if applicable)
• Start date
• Contract length
• Cancellation policy

Calculate your true take-home pay →

2-4 Weeks Before: Logistics

Week 4: Secure Housing

Option 1: Agency Housing

• Convenient but less flexible
• May limit stipend optimization
• Good for first assignment

Option 2: Find Your Own

• Use Furnished Finder, Airbnb, or local listings
• Keep the stipend difference
• More work but more money

Furnished Finder guide →

Housing Checklist:

• Month-to-month or short-term lease
• Furnished (you don’t want to move furniture)
• Within reasonable commute to facility
• Utilities included or budgeted
• Pet-friendly (if applicable)
• Parking available

Week 3-4: Credentialing

Complete all credentialing requirements:

• Background check
• Drug screen
• Skills checklists
• Reference checks
• License verification
• Certification uploads

Pro Tip: Be proactive. Call your credentialing specialist regularly to ensure nothing is missing.

Week 2-3: Prepare Your Tax Home

Before leaving:

• Mail forwarding set up
• Bills on autopay
• Someone checking on your place (if applicable)
• Tax home documentation in order

1-2 Weeks Before: Final Prep

Packing Checklist

Documents (Carry-On Only)

• Nursing license copies
• Certifications
• Contract copies
• Insurance cards
• Facility contact info
• Housing confirmation
• ID documents

Work Essentials

• Stethoscope
• Comfortable scrubs (2 weeks’ worth)
• Compression socks
• Badge reel
• Penlight
• Nursing reference cards/apps

Living Essentials

• Bedding (fitted sheet, blanket, pillow)
• Towels
• Basic toiletries
• Medications
• Laptop/tablet
• Phone chargers

Kitchen Basics

• Instant Pot or basic cookware
• Utensils and plates
• Coffee maker
• Water bottle
• Cooler (for meal prep)

Pro Tip: Many experienced travelers ship a box of essentials ahead or keep a car loaded with basics.

Week 1: Final Confirmations

• Confirm housing is ready
• Verify start date with recruiter
• Get facility parking info
• Download facility apps (if any)
• Map route to facility
• Confirm orientation schedule

Day 1-7: Your First Week

Day 1: Orientation

Bring:

• All original documents (licenses, certifications, ID)
• Copies of everything
• Badge photo clothes
• Comfortable shoes

Expect:

• Facility tour
• HR paperwork
• Badge and access setup
• EMR system training
• Policy overview

First Shifts

• Arrive early (30 minutes first day)
• Introduce yourself to charge nurse
• Ask questions freely
• Take notes
• Get unit-specific info
• Find your resources (policies, phone numbers)

First Week Goals:

• Learn the unit geography
• Understand documentation expectations
• Know emergency procedures
• Build rapport with staff
• Identify go-to people for questions

First Month: Settling In

Professional Goals

• Complete all orientation requirements
• Become comfortable with EMR
• Learn facility protocols
• Build relationships with charge nurses
• Document any issues or concerns

Personal Goals

• Explore your new city
• Find grocery stores and essentials
• Establish a workout routine
• Connect with other travelers
• Create a comfortable space in your housing

Financial Goals

• Verify first paycheck is accurate
• Confirm stipends are correct
• Track expenses for taxes
• Set up local banking if needed
• Start saving for next move

Common First-Assignment Mistakes

Mistake 1: Accepting Without Comparing

Fix: Always get 2-3 offers before accepting.

Mistake 2: Poor Housing Choice

Fix: Research the area, read reviews, get a short-term option first.

Mistake 3: Not Documenting Tax Home

Fix: Keep records from day one.

Mistake 4: Burning Bridges

Fix: Even if the assignment is tough, stay professional. You need references.

Mistake 5: Not Negotiating

Fix: Your first contract sets a baseline. Negotiate every contract.

Resources for New Travel Nurses

Essential Calculators

• Pay Calculator — Compare contract offers
• Tax Calculator — Estimate your taxes
• Stipend Calculator — Verify stipend rates

Guides

• Contract Negotiation Guide
• Tax Home Requirements
• Housing Guide

State-Specific Info

• State Pay Guides
• State Comparisons
• GSA Rates by Location

Your First-Assignment Checklist (Summary)

8-12 Weeks Out

• Apply to 3-5 agencies
• Apply for compact license
• Establish tax home

4-6 Weeks Out

• Submit to positions
• Interview with facilities
• Accept and sign contract

2-4 Weeks Out

• Secure housing
• Complete credentialing
• Prepare tax home for absence

1-2 Weeks Out

• Pack essentials
• Confirm all details
• Travel to assignment

First Week

• Complete orientation
• Learn the unit
• Build relationships

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Your first assignment sets the foundation for your travel nursing career. Take time to prepare properly, ask questions, and learn from every experience. Welcome to the travel nursing community!