It’s no secret that life on the road as a travel nurse can be incredibly rewarding — and exhausting. Between jumping into new assignments, working long shifts, and navigating life away from your usual routines, it’s easy to let your own needs slide to the bottom of the list. But here’s the thing: travel nurse self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Taking care of yourself helps you stay balanced, energized, and ready to show up fully for every assignment. That’s why we created this travel nurse self-care checklist with simple, doable ways to put yourself back on your own priority list.
The Ultimate Travel Nurse Self-Care Checklist
Why self-care is important for nurses
As a nurse, you pour so much of yourself into caring for others, but self-care is just as important. The long hours, physical demands, and emotional weight of the job can take a toll if your own needs are repeatedly pushed aside.
By prioritizing self-care, you protect your health, prevent burnout, and keep hold of the energy and compassion that drew you to nursing in the first place. The TL;DR is that when you take care of yourself, you’re better able to take care of your patients.
Top factors that can affect mental health
Travel nursing opens the door to amazing opportunities to grow, explore, and make an impact, but it also comes with challenges that can weigh on your mental health. Adjusting to new facilities, teams, and communities is exciting and can be stressful at times. Constant relocation means tackling housing logistics and finding your rhythm in new places, all while being away from loved ones. It’s not unusual to feel lonely or a little overwhelmed, and when you add in the emotional weight of caring for patients, stress and anxiety can creep in.
The good news? Recognizing these challenges is the first step in handling them. With the right support systems and self-care strategies, you can stay grounded, resilient, and ready to thrive no matter where your journey takes you.
Self-care checklist for nurses
Nursing is all about giving — your time, energy, compassion. But to keep showing up fully for your patients, you’ve got to make space for yourself, too. Here’s a simple checklist to help you stay grounded, energized, and supported.
Physical health
Taking care of your body is the foundation for everything else. When you’re rested, nourished, and moving regularly, you’ll feel stronger and prepared for whatever your shift throws at you.
- Stay hydrated
- Pack snacks and meals that fuel you
- Prioritize quality sleep
- Stretch or move to shake off tension
- Schedule regular health check-ups
Emotional health
Your job is emotionally heavy at times, so it’s important to process feelings and celebrate the wins (big or small) that remind you why you chose travel nursing.
- Practice deep breathing exercises
- Journal or jot down thoughts to clear your mind
- Lean on coworkers, friends, and family for support
- Pause to recognize your impact
- Practice gratitude
Mental well-being
A healthy mindset keeps you resilient through challenges and change. Protecting your mental well-being means giving yourself permission to step away, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
- Set clear work-life boundaries
- Listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or music on your commute to de-stress
- Try mindfulness, meditation, or prayer — whatever grounds you
- Make time for hobbies that light you up
- Seek counseling or mental health resources when needed
Social and connection self-care
Connection is fuel, too. Relationships give you belonging, laughter, and the reminder that you’re not alone in the hard stuff.
- Stay connected with loved ones
- Plan time off or mini breaks to recharge
- Connect with other nurses
- Give yourself permission for guilt-free fun and relaxation
At the end of the day, self-care practices are all about giving yourself the same compassion you show to your patients every day. Whether it’s staying hydrated, taking time to connect with loved ones, or simply allowing yourself a moment to breathe, small steps can make a big difference in how you feel. By practicing self-care, you’re not only protecting your own well-being — you’re also making sure you can continue to bring your best, most compassionate self to the people who need you most.
