Travel Healthcare Packing Guide

Pack your bags! Here’s everything you’ll need for your travel assignment.

Your contract is locked in, flights are booked, and your playlist is queued. Now all that’s left is fitting your life into a suitcase (or two). Packing isn’t just prep—it’s how you set yourself up for success on day one.

Luckily for you, we’ve put together the ultimate travel clinician packing plan and packing list, built from years of working with thousands of travel clinicians—we know what actually gets used, what gets forgotten, and what makes a difference on the road.

Steps in Packing for Travel Assignments

Before you start stuffing suitcases, let’s map out a smart strategy that saves space—and sanity.

Step 1 – Write Your Master List

Open a note on your phone or grab a notebook. Create four columns:
- Work Gear
- Daily Life
- Tech & Docs
- Home Touches
Check the weather at your destination, the hospital’s dress code, and any recreation you plan to pursue.
Consider what items might already be supplied at your housing selection. Many furnished apartments include basics like plates, cookware, and linens, but towels, an iron, or extra kitchen gadgets may be on you.

Step 2 – Sort Into Piles Before Packing

Lay everything out on the bed or floor. Make one pile for essentials and another for nice‑to‑haves.
Audit duplicates and skip items you can buy for cheap on location.
Keep an “add later” sticky note for toiletries or chargers you’ll still use tonight.
Leave a little space for souvenirs and local finds.

Step 3 – Pack in Reverse

Start with non‑essentials at the bottom of your suitcase.
Follow with mid‑tier items.
Finish with true essentials, so they sit on top and are easy to grab if luggage is delayed.
Save space by rolling clothes, sliding shoes along the edges, wrapping fragile gear in towels, and stashing socks inside shoes.

Step 4 – Final Check Before You Zip

Verify licenses, contract, and ID are in your carry‑on.
Count scrub sets and socks.
Weigh bags to dodge airline fees.
Snap a quick pic of each packed bag for insurance.

Ready to pack your bags?

Check out travel healthcare assignments in top destinations nationwide.

Browse Travel Assignments

Work Essentials

5–7 scrub sets in required colors
2 pairs comfy, slip‑resistant shoes
Compression socks
Quality stethoscope, penlight, trauma shears
Badge reels, pens, highlighters
Clipboard or foldable clipboard‑organizer
Watch with second hand or smartwatch

Tech & Documents

Phone, laptop or tablet, chargers, portable power bank
Extension cord or small surge protector
Noise‑canceling headphones
External hard drive or encrypted USB for backups
Hard and digital copies of licenses, BLS/ACLS, contract, insurance cards, emergency contacts

Clothing and Comfort

Off‑duty outfits for at least a week (mix and match)
Layers for varying climates (light jacket, fleece, rain shell)
Sleepwear and loungewear
Workout gear and swimsuit
Seasonal footwear (sandals, boots, slippers)
Sunglasses, sun hat, reusable water bottle

Kitchen & Household

Chef’s knife with guard, small frying pan, spatula
Reusable storage containers or silicon bags
Travel coffee maker or French press
Favorite spices and snacks
Dish cloth, sponge, and small bottle of dish soap
Zip bags and trash bags (double as laundry or wet item holders)

Bed & Bath (if not provided)

Sheet set that matches the bed size
Plush towels and washcloths
Laundry bag and detergent pods
Shower caddy and curtain hooks
Iron or handheld steamer
Compact toolkit and flashlight

Health & Personal Care

Prescription meds and copies of scripts
Mini first‑aid kit (bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers)
Skincare and haircare essentials
Period products
Sunscreen and insect repellent

Easy to Forget Heroes

Portable door lock for extra security
White noise machine or phone app
Small desk fan
Lint roller
Extra phone charging cable and wall adapter
Reusable grocery bags
Key tracker (Tile or AirTag)

Region-Specific Extras

Colorado & Utah – Hiking boots, packable daypack, hydration bladder
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon) – Rain jacket, compact umbrella, waterproof shoes
South & Gulf States – Breathable scrubs, mosquito repellant, cooling towel
Northeast Winters – Heavy coat, snow boots, ice scraper for car
Coastal California – Layers for cool evenings, sun hat, reef‑safe sunscreen
Alaska – Thermal base layers, microspikes, headlamp (winter)

Checklist ready, suitcase zipped

Now it’s time to plan your next move. Let FlexCare help you line up your next assignment.

Plan Your Next Assignment