The first week of a DFW contract is mostly logistics, and most of it is predictable. Here's the sequence that works.
Before wheels-down
Confirm three things with your recruiter in writing: your start date and orientation location (big systems orient off-campus more often than you'd think), your parking assignment, and whether your first check includes travel reimbursement. Screenshot all three.
Day one and two
Drive your commute at your actual shift time once before your first day — DFW traffic is directional and time-specific, and a pocket that's 12 minutes at 6:30 AM can be 35 at 5 PM. Set up your grocery-and-gym radius the same day; the habit you build in week one is the one you'll keep.
The lease details that bite later
If you signed a 3–6 month flex lease, calendar the notice deadline now — most Texas leases require 60 days' written notice, which on a 13-week contract means your notice date arrives shockingly early, often in week five or six. Missing it is the most expensive common mistake travelers make here.
Week one checklist
- Commute test-driven at shift time
- Parking badge confirmed and used once
- Lease notice deadline on your calendar with two reminders
- Utilities and renter's insurance active (most complexes require proof)
- Nearest urgent care and pharmacy saved — for you, not your patients
Texas doesn't have state income tax, which is part of why DFW packages net well — but it doesn't change your tax-home rules. If stipends are part of your package, read the tax-home basics guide and talk to a professional who works with travelers.
Educational content only — verify rules with the authoritative source and consult licensed professionals for tax, legal, and licensing questions. Updated August 2026.