FirstTimeTraveler Starting something new can feel intimidating — that’s a fact. If you’re a new travel nurse or travel allied professional, you may not know exactly what to expect from your first assignment. That’s why we’re here to walk you through how you can prepare as a first-time travel nurse, therapist, or allied health professional, so you can feel confident and prepared.

How To Prepare as a First-Time Travel Nurse or Allied Professional

Pre-assignment prep

Get your home ready

Before heading out on your travel nursing or travel allied health assignment, take a little time to prep your home — future-you will thank you. A few simple tasks can make your return much smoother:

Tidy up a smidge
Clean out your refrigerator
Take out the trash (especially if you clean out the fridge)
Set your thermostat to a neutral or energy-saving temperature
Arrange for mail collection or pause delivery with the post office

It might feel like extra work before you leave, but it’s worth it. A quick cleanup now means you’ll come home to a fresh, stress-free space after you’ve completed your travel assignment.

Complete compliance and onboarding

After you sign your travel nurse or travel allied contract and before your official start date, you’ll be required to complete compliance and onboarding with your staffing agency (like us!).

ComplianceMadeClear An important process that ensures you’re qualified to work, compliance and onboarding typically include background checks, health screenings, certifications, and other professional paperwork. It can feel like a lot upfront, but when you travel with us, you’ll have an entire team on your side to help you succeed.

Learn more about what to expect from the Fusion compliance process.

Secure temporary housing

Securing temporary housing is one of the most important steps before starting your travel assignment. Good news? There are loads of lodging options for travel nurses and allied health professionals — from short-term apartment leases and furnished rentals to extended-stay hotels or RV living, you're sure to find the perfect place for you.

HousingTips-min Check out Fusion’s housing resource page!

The key is deciding what works best for you. Start by making a list of your must-haves. Do you need pet-friendly housing? A private bathroom? On-site laundry? Maybe you prefer the convenience of a hotel with daily housekeeping or the comfort of a furnished apartment with a full kitchen. Once you know what matters most, prioritize your list to make your housing search easier and smoother.

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Get your state license(s)

Before you can start your travel nurse or allied health career, you’ll need to first be licensed in the state(s) where you plan to work. While there are some exceptions depending on your specialty, most healthcare travelers must have an active license to practice.

Since licensing timelines vary by state, discipline, and specialty, it’s helpful to talk with your recruiter well in advance to avoid last-minute stress and ensure you’re ready to hit the ground running. Pro tip: keep two or three active state licenses at a time for even more flexibility and access to more job opportunities across different states.

Compact licenses can make things even easier. If you’re a nurse licensed in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, you can practice in all participating states without needing to apply for multiple licenses. Similarly, the Occupational Therapy Compact (OT Compact) and Physical Therapy Compact (PT Compact) licenses allow travel therapy professionals to practice across the country with fewer barriers.

Decide on transportation

Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out how you’ll get to your travel assignment — make a transportation plan early and stick to it. From flying, driving, taking the train, or traveling by RV, each option has its own perks.

Choosing a road trip in your personal car, van, or RV gives you the freedom to explore on your days off, easily run errands, and carry more belongings than you could on a plane. Traveling in an RV, camper, or mobile home offers even more benefits because your home is always with you, making packing and unpacking a breeze.

Of course, every transportation method has pros and cons, and what works for you may not work for someone else. Luckily, you’re not locked in and can switch up how you get to where you’re going. Flexibility is part of what makes travel nursing and travel allied jobs so exciting.

First week on assignment

Facility orientation and training

Your first week on assignment can feel a lot like the first week at any new job — fast-paced and information-heavy. Some things to expect are receiving login credentials, learning the facility’s charting system, reviewing policies and safety procedures, and touring the unit to learn where supplies, equipment, and key areas are located. Orientation is designed to get you up to speed quickly, so be ready to absorb a lot in a short time.

Meet your team

Also during your first week, you’ll start to get to know your new team — a mix of permanent staff, and in many cases, fellow travelers. Building these connections early helps you settle in, get accustomed to the unit’s workflow, and feel supported in a new space. Permanent staff can guide you through facility routines, while other travelers often share tips and insights from their own experiences, making your transition smoother.

Manage job jitters

It’s totally normal for you to feel some nerves during your first week, and a great way to manage those jitters is to come prepared: arrive early, ask questions, and take notes to help you remember new information. Most importantly, give yourself grace — it can take time to settle in.

Settle into your role

Your first week at your first travel job can feel like a whirlwind, but each shift builds your confidence. As you get into the rhythm of patient care and connect with your team, the new environment will begin to feel more familiar, and you’ll find yourself adapting faster than you expect.

Travel with Fusion Medical Staffing

Wondering why Fusion’s the best partner for you? It’s simple — we put you first. From the start, you’ll have a recruiter who knows your goals, a compliance team to keep you assignment-ready, and benefits designed to support your life on and off the job.

GreenFlags With competitive pay, 401(k) retirement match, paid time-off, and cost reimbursements — not to mention access to FuseClub Rewards, where you can collect points for hours worked that turn into cash bonuses — you’re joining a community that celebrates your hard work and invests in your personal and professional growth. And with the Fusion Medical Staffing app, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips: easily search jobs, build your traveler profile, and complete skills checklists at your own pace.

With all these tools and support by your side every step of the way, you can focus on what matters the most: delivering excellent patient care while enjoying the adventure.

Frequently asked questions

What are some tips for adjusting to a new work environment?

Adjusting to a new work environment can feel overwhelming at first, but a few strategies can make it easy, breezy, beautiful.

✨Arrive early and give yourself extra time during the first week to get settled

✨Establish a routine and create a well-structured schedule

✨Introduce yourself to your new team and colleagues

✨Stay connected to your loved ones, friends, and family back home

✨Practice self-care and self-compassion

What if I really like my assignment? Can I stay longer?

If you love your destination, travel job, and the facility still has a need, there’s often an option to extend your contract. Extensions can be a great way to stay in a city you enjoy, keep working with a team you like, and avoid the hassle of moving right away.

A good rule of thumb is to start thinking about this around six weeks before your contract end date. That gives you time to talk to your recruiter, check in with the facility, and decide whether extending or moving on to a new adventure is the best fit for you.

Who should I reach out to if I have questions or need extra support?

FMS_IntroCX-02-1 When you travel with Fusion, you’re never on your own. Your recruiter will be your go-to for questions and guidance, but you also have access to our traveler experience team for extra support and resources. And if anything clinical comes up on assignment, our clinical team is just a call away to help you navigate work-related challenges. With multiple layers of support, you can feel confident in your travel nursing and allied health jobs knowing we’ve always got your back.

Firsts can be tough, but you’re even tougher. Now that you know what to expect from your first travel nurse or travel allied job, you can step into this experience feeling calm, cool, and prepared to make a positive difference. Embrace the journey, trust your skills, and remember your Fusion team is by your side the whole way.