Checklist for a Traveling Nurse
Each traveling nurse needs to develop a comprehensive checklist of essentials to take with her every time she leaves town. Items, such as medications or shaving cream rather than perfume, reflect personal preferences. General requirements for the traveling nurse checklist, however, come under collective rubrics. According to Karen Owens, a former cruise ship nurse, "A traveling nurse has to be an organized nurse."
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Medical Supplies
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Nurses have to be sure they take the right medical supplies and patient records. For example, nurses who travel to remote villages in Alaska or northern Canada have to make sure they take supplies with them as there aren't any pharmacies in isolated areas. It is important to take the patient records and note any medication that is required for the follow-up visit. Develop a checklist for each trip.
Clothing
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The traveling nurse needs to pack two wardrobes: personal and professional. The personal items can be of your choosing, but you need to pack items such as scrubs and appropriate footwear. Other items on your checklist will include rain gear, shorts and something to wear if you are invited out.
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Toiletries
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Traveling nurses sometimes have to be packed and ready to go on short notice, so keeping a travel bag stocked with trial size bottles -- such as lotion and toothpaste -- is a good idea. When you get home, refill the bottles you used and you are ready to go again. Also put other essentials such as soap, nail file and tissues in the bag. This saves you the hassle of running around looking for your lip balm and wondering where you left your nail clippers. You put the bag in your suitcase knowing you have all the essentials you need.
Gadgets
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This category includes things such as laptops, spare batteries for your flashlight, and a cell phone and charger. Like the toiletries, if you can design a bag that holds all these items -- which you systematically pack using your checklist -- you can be sure you didn't forget the extension cord you need in the garage.
Car Checklists
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If you are traveling, particularly in rural areas, make sure that you carry a survival kit -- blanket, matches, dried food, first aid kit -- in case of an emergency. Also have items such as antifreeze, spare tire, and jumper cables on your checklist. Tape the checklist to the inside of the trunk lid and check it each time you put your suitcase in the car to head out on the road.
Miscellaneous Items
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This checklist is nurse specific. Some nurses, for instance, will want to have motion sickness pills on their checklist if they are going to be at sea. Others will want to remind themselves to take a good book or earplugs. General items such as a sewing kit or your address book are also possible additions to your miscellaneous checklist.
Home Base
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Don't forget to develop a checklist for your home, particularly if you live alone. Things such as "turn off lights," "double check door is locked" and "water plants" are items for this list. Evaluate how secure your apartment is in terms of location. Ask neighbors to collect your mail and keep an eye on your place when you are away.
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References
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