What’s that?! Travel Nurses Day is coming!

If you ever thought that travel nurses should have their own holiday, you are in luck! This upcoming Friday, October 11, 2013, will be the first annual Travel Nurses Day.

Visit TravelNursesDay.com where you can play games for the chance to win one of 15 $50 gift card prizes from Zappos, Starbucks, and Spa Finder. The contests are going on now through Travel Nurses Day and games include Pictograms, Anagram Puzzles, and Photo Observations. There is also a $250 grand prize gift card to Scrubadoo for winning the raffle.

Medical Solutions decided to launch the holiday in order to celebrate the uniqueness of the field and honor travel nurses. According to their blog, “Travel nurses are the pinch hitters of the healthcare field. And when you arrive on a job we know that you always swing for the fences. You are always there to make sure that patient care never suffers in the face of personnel shortages or permanent staff burnout. You exude positivity and manage to continuously remain flexible in all kinds of new facilities and unfamiliar terrain, ready to jump in and help at a moment’s notice. For these reasons and so many more, we are so thankful for you.”

Sounds pretty much like the travel nurses I know. So, Happy (almost) Travel Nurses Day — enjoy!

There’s an old saying that goes something to the effect of: There are two types of travelers, those who travel light and those who wish they had. Travel nurses are usually going somewhere for 13 weeks, so it’s a bit different than a vacationer, but the principle is still the same. Here are some travel nurse tips: 5 ways to travel light:

1.   Research your destination.

Rather than throwing in an outfit for every possible weather pattern, research your destination’s general weather and also search the weather predictions for the time you’ll be there. Most travel contracts are 13 weeks, so it’s likely you can’t get an iron-clad forecast. But, you should be able to look at some trends and get a general idea of what to expect. Similarly, consider usage for everything you pack. Will you be walking a lot? Bring comfortable shoes and leave the heels behind, or, if you must, bring one small pair.

2.   Use a smaller bag.

The larger the bag, the more stuff you can put in it. It’s the same philosophy used by diet gurus who recommend smaller plates: The larger the space, the more likely we are to fill it. But we make do just fine with smaller spaces when that’s what we have. The smaller the bag, the less you will pack — and you won’t miss the extra stuff.

3.   Pack strategically.

This can actually be a really fun challenge. See how efficiently you can pack your belongings. You’ll be surprised the space you can save when you really try. Make like Tetris and have some fun with it!

4.   Pack clothing that can all be paired together.

Pack clothing items that can be easily repurposed into several outfits. In other words, items that can all go together in different combinations. This doesn’t mean you have to be destined to a suitcase full of beiges and blacks. You will want to bring mainly solid colored items, but definitely throw in a few fun accents that you can pair with the neutrals. Maybe a plaid skirt, paisley shoes, or a funky yellow bracelet. The idea is to maintain something that can really show off your personality while also bringing mainly versatile items. Just don’t bring, for example, a skirt that only goes with one specific shirt.

5.   Wear you bulkiest items.

This suggestion helps in two ways. One, wearing your bulky boots or coat will save space in your bag. One coat could legitimately take up your entire carry-on! Two, when you have to actually put these items on your back it’s easier to determine if you really need to take them along or if they could be left behind.

And remember, most everything can be purchased and/or replaced if you leave it behind and then turn out to need it at some point. Don’t sweat these easily replaced items. Make sure you have the essentials: ID, wallet with debit/credit cards, medications — and you’ll be golden!