Tips and tricks of the trade?

Personal necessities such as hair dryer, etc. Take the things that you would normally take if you were going on a trip. If you have specific kitchen gadgets that you love, take those. They are going to give you the basics and there may be other things that you want.

Where are you going to?

You should have a Target in the neighborhood, so if you forget anything...
Which agency are you going thru?

I have found that its easiest to travel with your basic pantry items (flour, sugar, spices etc.) that I have in plastic boxes that load up easily into the back of my car. I included enough canned items to make it a week or two before I need to do much shopping (besides the fact I hate allways throwing away perfectly good canned goods, flour.oil etc.). You also need an alarm clock, camera and your computer if you have one. I also pack 2 extra sets of sheets, towels, and my own pillows. (Am usually not into sleeping on other peoples sheets or pillows) Then next most important thing I take along is my cell phone a long distance phone card, and a water purifier that attaches to the kitchen sink as water from anywhere but home never seems to taste good. With those extras I'm set almost anywhere I go.

Going to Nashville? where are you coming from? Nashville is about 80 miles from my house. Hello! and welcome to tn.

My mom is a travel nurse and she is in barrow alaska right now. While she was in Wisconsin she picked up a pair (can't remember the name, lol) of metal cleats you strap to your shoes to walk in the ice for next to nothing. They are very expensive in alaska so she saved alot.
At target she bought an airbed so when different family members visit she has an extra bed. It folds up nicely.
sams phone cards are inexpensive. She can't use her cell phone in alaska. Loves her laptop.

melissa

I remember a friend telling me how he set up an 800 # for family to call him so it was free.

I do short term traveling and it help emmensely to have a "necessity bag" always available with toiletries. It helps having my PDA available with #'s and such; even nicer when I can get wireless (like this afternoon) service for my laptop.

So I do not worry about my bills being paid, I have set up payments online. I also check my banking online. I have a copy of bill commitments on a copy on my laptop (and I can convert to a Word document on my PDA) so I can check in and make sure I am not behind or "almost due" so I keep my credit standing up.

When I work 12's, I like having my "stuff" well organized so all I have to concentrate on is eat, sleep, and nurture me.

Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing.