Your first travel healthcare assignment is exciting and terrifying in equal measure. You’ve done the research, signed with an agency, and maybe even accepted your first contract. But between now and Day 1 at the facility, there are a surprising number of things to handle, and missing even one can delay your start or create unnecessary stress.
We put this checklist together based on what our team at Junxion Med Staffing sees with every new traveler. Consider it your complete guide to getting from signed contract to first shift without any surprises.
Before You Accept the Contract
Before you sign anything, make sure you’ve covered these bases:
Related: credentialing guide for travel healthcare
Review the full pay package breakdown. Not just the weekly number, the taxable rate, stipends, overtime structure, and any bonuses. Understand how stipends work and whether you qualify for tax-free status based on your tax home situation.
Research the facility. Ask your recruiter about the unit culture, patient ratios, and feedback from previous travelers. Google the hospital. Check reviews on travel nurse forums. The more you know upfront, the fewer surprises on orientation day.
Confirm the schedule. Day shift? Night shift? Rotating? Weekend requirements? Don’t assume, ask. And get it in writing before you sign.
Understand cancellation terms. What happens if the facility cancels your contract? What’s the notice period? Is there a guaranteed hours clause? These details matter more than most first-time travelers realize.
Credentialing and Compliance
This is where most of the pre-assignment work happens. Your agency will manage much of this, but you need to be on top of it too:
Licenses. Confirm your license is valid in the assignment state. If you’re an RN with a compact license, verify the state is part of the NLC. Allied health pros like Rad Techs and Echo Techs often need individual state licenses regardless of compact status.
Certifications. BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, whatever your specialty requires. Make sure they’re current and won’t expire during your contract. Renewing mid-assignment is a hassle you don’t need.
Health requirements. TB test, flu shot, COVID vaccination status, drug screening, physical exam. Every facility has its own requirements. Start early because some results take time.
Background check. Most facilities require a background check, and some require state-specific ones. These can take 1-3 weeks, so don’t wait until the last minute.
Skills checklists. Facilities want to know what equipment you’ve used and what procedures you’re competent in. Fill these out thoroughly and honestly, it affects your unit assignment and orientation.
Housing and Logistics
Housing is often the most stressful part of travel healthcare, especially on your first assignment:
Decide: stipend or housing assistance. Taking the stipend gives you more control but more responsibility. Most experienced travelers take the stipend because it gives you more flexibility and usually means more money in your pocket. Your Junxion recruiter will help you find the best options near your facility.
Start housing research early. 3-4 weeks before your start date is ideal. Furnished Finder, Airbnb, and local Facebook groups for travel healthcare housing are good starting points. Some travelers bring campers or RVs.
Budget for the extras. Security deposits, pet fees, utility setup, renters insurance, parking. These costs add up and aren’t covered by your stipend.
Plan your transportation. Will you drive? Ship your car? Fly and rent? Factor in gas, flights, and any tolls on the route. Keep receipts for tax purposes.
Financial Prep
The financial side of travel healthcare has its own learning curve:
Set up (or verify) your tax home. This is critical for qualifying for tax-free stipends. Talk to a travel healthcare CPA, not a general accountant, about your specific situation.
Build an emergency fund. 2-4 weeks of expenses minimum. Contracts can get cancelled, and there may be gaps between assignments. Having a buffer takes the panic out of unexpected changes.
Understand your benefits. Review your agency’s health insurance options. Look into retirement savings (Roth IRA, traditional IRA, solo 401k). Set up direct deposit and make sure you understand your pay schedule.
Track expenses from Day 1. Travel costs, licensure fees, continuing education, work-related supplies. A simple spreadsheet or app will save you headaches at tax time.
Your First Week on Assignment
You made it to the facility. Here’s how to set yourself up for a great contract:
Show up early on Day 1. Orientation days are long and full of paperwork. Arrive with extra time so you’re not starting stressed.
Bring everything. Copies of your license, certifications, ID, and any facility-specific paperwork. Even if your agency submitted everything digitally, having hard copies prevents headaches.
Be a sponge the first week. Learn the charting system, find out where supplies are, introduce yourself to charge nurses and techs. Ask questions. Nobody expects you to know everything on Day 1.
Connect with your recruiter. Let them know how orientation went. Flag any concerns early. A quick check-in text goes a long way.
Give yourself grace. The first contract is a learning experience. You’ll figure out your packing system, your housing preferences, and your contract negotiation style over time. Every seasoned traveler was once where you are right now.
You’ve Got This
Your first travel assignment is a big deal, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by all the moving parts. But thousands of travelers have walked this path before you, and you’ve already done the hardest part, deciding to go for it.
At Junxion, we walk first-time travelers through every step of this process. Our recruiters have done this hundreds of times, and they’ll make sure nothing falls through the cracks. If you’re a new Travel RN, a Sterile Processing Tech making the leap, or a CT Tech heading out on your first contract, we’ve got your back.
Related: How to become a traveling nurse
Related: Compact nursing license guide
Ready to find your next travel assignment? Talk to a Junxion recruiter, we actually answer our phones.
The Week Before You Start
The week before your first assignment, take care of the small things that make a big difference. Confirm your start date, orientation time, and parking instructions with your recruiter. Download your facility’s EMR app if they use one. Pack your scrubs, badge clips, and any specialty tools you prefer. Map your commute so day one is not stressful. And do yourself a favor — explore the neighborhood around your housing before your first shift. Knowing where the grocery store, gas station, and coffee shop are takes the edge off showing up somewhere brand new.
You Are Ready
First assignments are nerve-wracking, but you have done the prep. Your Junxion recruiter is one call away for anything that comes up — before, during, and after your contract.
Stay on top of assignments, documents, and pay details from anywhere with Junxion’s mobile app.
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