Packing Tips for Nurses Traveling to the USA
While the thought of packing your bags for your new life in America may be a daunting one, we have created some packing tips specially designed for nurses traveling to the USA—these will help you decide what you need to bring, what to leave behind and what to buy once you arrive at your destination.
Essential Documents to Bring:
For important documents, bring both your original and a photocopy and keep the copies separate from the originals. That way, if you lose a document or it is stolen, you’ll have an additional copy to use in the meantime and replacing the original will be easier.
- Passport(s)
- Application for immigrant visa and alien registration. One copy for each applicant must be fully completed.
- Birth certificate(s) (long version with parent’s names) for yourself, spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age.
- Adoption certificate (if applicable).
- Deed poll (if you have changed your name).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Divorce decree (if applicable).
- Military service record (for any service in any country).
- Police certificate(s) (required for each applicant over the age of 16—one for each country where applicant lived for at least one year after 16 years of age). Bring one original and one photocopy.
What to Pack
While it’s exciting to think about your new career as a nurse in the USA, it’s important to carefully plan what you’ll pack. These tips can help get you started and O’Grady Peyton professionals can help you with any additional questions.
In most cases, you are allowed to check two bags free of charge as long as they are under the airline’s specified weight limit. You will be charged extra for additional bags or for exceeding the airline’s weight limit. The baggage policies will vary by airline, so check directly with the airline you’ll be traveling with for their baggage restrictions and charges. To avoid additional charges, pack only what you really need and purchase the rest when you arrive in America.
Essential Items:
Money
- $5,000 U.S. in cash or traveler’s cheques if you are traveling alone.
- $1,000 U.S. for each additional person traveling with you.
- Carry your traveler’s cheques with you in a money bag or secure area, and be sure to make photocopies of them in case they are lost or stolen.
- Check with your bank to find out whether your ATM card will work overseas.
- Keep in mind that if bank drafts or money orders are deposited in a U.S. bank, the funds may not be available for up to 28 days.
Documentation
- All documents (passports, birth certificates, etc.) should be with you at all times while traveling. Keep them with you or in your hand-held luggage and keep copies of them elsewhere.
Credit Cards
- If you have one or more, bring them with you. Credit cards are useful and may be necessary for getting items you need.
- If you don’t have a credit card, you should get one. To get one in the United States, you will need to establish credit in the U.S. (which will take about six to 12 months). Your O’Grady Peyton representative can help you with questions about credit cards.
Clothing
- Plan to purchase most of your clothes in the United States. Clothing is often less expensive in America than in many other countries.
- Find out what the weather is like in the area where you’ll be living and pack for that weather.
Linen
- You will need sheets for your bed(s). (Bring extra sheets if you are traveling with your family.)
- Bring one or two bath towels. You can buy additional sheets and towels once you arrive at your new home. Your O’Grady Peyton representative can help you find stores in your area.
Uniforms
- Because hospitals have different nursing uniform requirements, you may want to wait until you arrive before making any uniform purchases. There are numerous uniform outlets in every major U.S. city and a variety of Web sites where you can purchase them online.
Personal Items
- Current résumé
- Skills checklist
- Copies of certifications
- Copies of diplomas
- Copy of your degree
- General reference books
- Pictures of friends and family, and other small items that will make you feel at home
Non-Essential Items:
Pack non-essential items sparingly. Remember, you can purchase most of what you need in America.
Purchase new small appliances once you arrive in the United States since it’s likely that your appliances will not conform to the U.S. standard voltage. Here is an example of what some household appliances cost:
- Hairdryer $10 - $25
- Curling iron $10 - $15
- Stereo/CD/Radio/ $50 - $300
- 19-inch television $160 - $200
- DVD player $100 - $300
- VCR $80 - $200
Note: Videotapes in the U.S. are not in PAL format; thus if you bring videos, they will not work in an American VCR. Likewise, if you choose to rent a video at a local store, the video will not play in your PAL-formatted VCR. Most CDs are compatible with stereos in the United States; however, DVDs may not be.Shipping Extra Items
You will have a forwarding address 7 to 14 days prior to your departure to the United States. Your O’Grady Peyton International representative will help you coordinate any items you need to ship to your new home prior to your arrival in America.