Things to bring list

[redladybird]

I have seen many "Essentials" listed here and there that should be taken with you when you take a travel assignment. I have a small list going.... can others add to it. I eventually want to add it to a blog I would like to start on the travel experience.

This is just a start.... please help me fill in the blanks

2 bowls

4 plates

2 coffee cups

4 regular cups

*note plastic is more portable and less breakable

can opener

2 sets of sheets (most housing has queen beds right?)

1 blanket

Shower curtain (do most places come with this?)

4 sets of silverware or plasticware

TV (do most places come with a tv)

Hangers (do most places come with this)

Pillows (do most places come with this?)

Corkscrew

Electronic:

phone charger

cords for cameras

laptop charger

laptop ethernet

laptop wireless if needed

First aid:

Band-aids

peroxide

alchol swabs

neosporin

Pets:

medical records

rabies tags

food

bowls

toys

Clothes:

coat

jacket

sandles

work shoes

hiking shoes

scrubs

1 nice dress at least

socks socks socks

undies undies undies

How do you fit this all in your car?

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

It's really not that much - I have a Camry and have always been able to make it fit.

I would also add

Laptop

Checks and extras(darn, you NEVER know when you are going to need one)

[redladybird]

Thanks! I will add the all important CHECKS!!

Travel books for the area you will be in

Atlas (does anyone even use them anymore)

GPS system (best money you will spend)

copies of:

Your vaccinations

Of course BLS, ACLS, PALS, Rn License Etc.

But what things for the house/apartment am I missing that I will have to buy again if I do not bring it?

oh here come more....

Skillet

Pan

cookie sheet

[bagladyrn, RN]

Just a note - you can carry all this with you or can pick up any/all of the household stuff very cheaply at the local Goodwill or at dollar stores. Some places do come "turnkey" - with everything - my current house even had all the cleaning supplies - and a resident cat (!) as well as the usual household items. Other places come with only the basics of furniture.

The other things I carry: family pictures, some good candles and a few decorative baskets (I pack things in them on the way) just to make it feel more like "home" to me. I also have two of the nylon folding chairs (the kind that fit in a bag with a shoulder strap and a little folding table. These take up minimal room and are for out on whatever porch, patio or balcony I have or (the chairs) to take to the beach, parks or outdoor concerts wherever I am. They are also ggod for those times I arrive earlier in the day than the furniture does - I don't have to sit on the floor.

[travelinjones]

I've decided I love the new grocery bags for packing and unpacking (especially any household items you decide to bring). They make loading and unloading much easier, and once unpacked, you have your grocery bags for while you're on assignment.

I always google the goodwills in my new area and make a day of "goodwill hunting"...then I re-donate my treasures before leaving for the next adventure.

I highly recommend a garmin/tom tom type navigator. Priceless! I have had far fewer 'looser loops' since getting one!

[bagladyrn, RN]

Oh - and don't forget to pack a "things I need immediately"bag or box: things like a roll of toilet paper, a roll of paper towels, light bulbs, soap (bar or small liquid soap), a few nonperishable snacks, 1 can of food for any pet with you, a single cup or mug and 1 set of plastic knife, fork spoon.

Put this box where you can grab it immediately to carry in to your new place and you don't have to stress about getting everything unpacked from your vehicle if you arrive exhausted and/or your "housekeeping package" from the rental place isn't there yet.

[debrnglass]

I like my coffee pot and toaster but I usely forget one or the other so buy cheap, and when your back room gets full of toasters and coffee pots donate donate allthrough they look at you funny for six toasters.

[caliotter3]

I met a traveling nurse at the hotel where I was staying and boy you should have seen the inside of her vehicle! She even had an office chair in there. She told me that she carried that with her because she never found a place where there was a chair that she could use. I couldn't believe that she was able to get all that junk in and out of her van. Looked like too much work to me.

[bagladyrn, RN]

I met a traveling nurse at the hotel where I was staying and boy you should have seen the inside of her vehicle! She even had an office chair in there. She told me that she carried that with her because she never found a place where there was a chair that she could use. I couldn't believe that she was able to get all that junk in and out of her van. Looked like too much work to me.

Have you been peeking in the back of my vehicle? Where do you think my online name came from? One of my friends saw my van all loaded for the next assignment and told me that I was actually a baglady and the van my "high tech" version of the baglady's shopping cart!:chuckle