Travel nursing can be an amazing opportunity, but the lifestyle can be difficult. Even if you receive housing allowances or benefits, you may feel disconnected from your personal space. It is very important for many location-independent professionals to have a space to call their own. How can you make your temporary housing more like home? Here are some tips you can use to help make each assignment a positive one that you will enjoy.

1. Unpack when you reach your temporary home. With everything in its place, you will likely feel more comfortable and not like you are living out of your travel bag.
2. Set up your space for work and for relaxation. Create an inviting office space for yourself, and add some colorful pillows or curtains to brighten up drab furniture or windows.
3. Get out and stock up on some basics for your kitchen. In addition to filling your fridge and cabinets with your comfort-food favorites, you can grow herbs in small pots for an extra pop of fresh color and to flavor your favorite home-cooked dishes.
4. Choose a candle or potpourri in your favorite scent to make your new home smell more like you. You can even look for aromatherapy scents to help your space feel more calming, relaxing, and inviting.

By setting up your space right away, you can feel more settled and comfortable. You can more easily slip into a new routine and enjoy your new travel nursing assignment with a sense of peace.

Although you may find that you cannot bring a lot of your belongings along, displaying some personal items like a couple of small picture frames or bringing a special blanket can help foster a sense of familiarity throughout your time at a new location. Most housing will include basic furniture and electronics, so you can focus on adding some character, rather than sweating the big purchases. It's easy to make it your own by hitting local thrift shops and craft stores to pick up personal items instead of shipping them.

You can use removable wall decals to display your favorite images or colors to add a touch of your own personality to a temporary home. Again, fill your house with familiar scents or greenery to freshen your new space. Many housing options even allow additional family members and pets, so you don't have to be separated from them when you travel.

Packing for — and moving to — your assignments can be stressful as you sift through your belongings to figure out what you really need to bring. Although you are going to want to pack lightly, make sure to take a few small items to add to your home.