Preparing for an upcoming travel physical therapy assignment is always exciting. However, it can also be a little nerve racking simply due to the fact that you’re about to go to a new place. You have tons of questions and a few concerns. For instance, you’ve likely heard all about the facility and your housing unit from your travel physical therapy agency, but you’re probably wondering about all of the things even the best recruiter can’t answer. What kinds of fun activities will I get to do while in a new location? Will I get homesick?
However, a few packing tips and tricks you can utilize while preparing for your assignment can help answer some of these questions. This might sound strange at first – after all, how could packing certain items help ease your nerves?
The key is to pack your belongings with these questions and concerns in mind. If you’re wondering what activities you’ll be doing while you’re in this new city, be sure to pack a variety of wardrobe options to wear outside of the work day. Pack some dress clothes, business casual ensembles, athletic shorts and running shoes as well. This way, you’ll be ready to for any situation you might come across during your assignment.
You can also pack so you can reduce the risk of getting homesick and feel more comfortable in your home away from home. Do this by considering the items that help you feel at ease, such as the blanket from your bedroom or the picture of your family from your nightstand. These are the little things that can make a big difference when you’re living in an unfamiliar place.
In order to bring along your clothes and items efficiently, try rolling pants and shirts from the bottom up. Fold the sleeves in first and see how much more you can fit into a suitcase with this tidy method. Folding clothes together, two shirts side by side for example, can also give you more space and reduce the risk of wrinkles.
Finally, you should always pack certain documents for each assignment, including certification documents/cards, two forms of US-issued identification, immunization records, proof of education, documentation related to background checks and documentation related to health restrictions. Be sure to talk to your travel physical therapy agency about any other items you might need for your upcoming assignment.
Knowing how and what to pack is the first step of having a successful and stress-free travel physical therapy experience, so consider these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding assignment.