Step # 20 Settling In (unpacking and finding the necessities)

This entry is part 20 of 28 in the series Treatment Plan: Hypertravelosis

wp-content/uploads/2012/06/cartoon-multitasking-nurse.jpg

You now have the keys to your new ‘home’ for the next 13 weeks. I’m going to give you some tips on Settling in.

If this is your ‘luxury’ high-rise apartment…there might be an issue.

Hopefully, you didn’t end up with the apartment pictured. You should have completed the necessary checklist and confirmed that the housing is satisfactory.

Most likely, you have a short weekend in order to get settled in before you report to the job location on Monday. If you have taken my previous advice on packing, you wont have a lot of unpacking to do. Everyone has their own process for settling in to a new place. I can’t rest and relax until everything is put away and groceries are in the cabinets. I will normally unpack and put everything away immediately, grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant and then do my grocery shopping (never shop hungry). This leaves me one full day to rest and relax before heading to work on Monday. I’ll let you decide how you want to proceed with the unpacking.

A few things to keep in mind as you are unpacking and settling in:

Take note of anything that might need maintenance, is broken, or damaged. Although you have (hopefully) already completed a checklist inspection, some things are found during the unpacking process.
If any of the furniture is in disrepair, note it and notify the appropriate person. Sometimes this is the leasing company and other times, furniture is arranged separately though your company.
Make certain that all locks and keys work. Check your mailbox, community areas as well as the apartment door(s) and window(s).

A few more items to complete:

Organize a grocery list and don’t forget the following:
- Condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc)
- Staples (flour, sugar, spices, salt/pepper etc)
- Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc)
- Bath products (soap, shampoo, etc)

Make you’re apartment a ‘home’. I generally make a stop to the local goodwill, or dollar store to pick up a few items to make the new apartment feel a little more like home Some items you may want on this list include:
- Candles or a few decorative items
- Seasonal Items
  - Outdoor furniture/chairs (especially nice if you have a patio)
  - Holiday Decorations (if you are spending the holidays on contract)
- Large items that you may not carry with you
  - Broom and Dustpan
  - Trash Containers
  - Large bowls/storage containers
  - Snow Shovel (depending on the location)

If you didn’t find out the following, make sure to drop by the leasing office and ask the following:

Location of mailboxes (does your key work).
Location of Trash.
Pet Policies (if applicable)
Ask about maintenance after hours contact information.
Location of Parking, visitor parking, (covered or not, important in areas such as AZ).
Hours of use for any community areas, laundry, pool, etc.

Is there something that you as an experienced travel nurse have on your ‘settling in’ list? Is there an item that you always forget? Mine is salt and pepper! I always need it, yet it’s the one thing that I consistently forget to pick up on my initial shopping trip. (or I did until I developed a Move-In shopping list!

Bio
Latest Posts

TheGypsyNurse

Owner at The Gypsy Nurse

As a travel nursing educator, Candy aka Gypsy Nurse, RN has worked in healthcare for nearly 20 years, working up the ranks from CNA to LPN to RN. For the past eight years, she’s worked as a travel nurse, allowing her to practice and live in 14 states throughout the U.S. She regularly shares advice for those interested in travel nurse jobs on her website at: www.thegypsynurse.com.

Latest posts by TheGypsyNurse (see all)

Travel Nurse Daily: May 17, 2013 - May 17, 2013
Travel Nurse Daily: May 16, 2013 - May 16, 2013
Meet Your Gypsy Nurse Ambassador’s! - May 15, 2013
Travel Nurse Daily: May 15, 2013 - May 15, 2013
Travel Nurse Daily: May 14, 2013 - May 14, 2013

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Series Navigation<< Step # 19 Arrival on LocationStep # 21 The countdown Begins: Your Travel Nurse Assignment Day One >>

Step # 20 Settling In (unpacking and finding the necessities)