Travel nursing can open your world up to a variety of new experiences. But, if there’s one potential drawback, it’s that it can be quite lonely. You might have to leave your family and friends for weeks or months at a time, and missing that sense of community can be detrimental to your mental well-being.
One of the best ways to combat isolation, reduce housing costs, and foster a sense of community as a travel nurse is to consider co-housing.
It’s a unique way to share your living expenses while you’re away from home and find a built-in support network that can help you get through your travels and experiences.
So, whether you want to save money on your travel nursing assignments or you’re interested in fostering a sense of community with others sharing the experience, understanding the benefits of co-housing can help you determine if it’s the right move for you.
The Cost-Saving Benefits of Co-Housing for Travel Nurses
Depending on your assignments and how often you travel, it’s very possible to make a good living as a travel nurse, with some in the profession bringing in over $100,000 each year. However, if you’re a part-time travel nurse or you’re taking on smaller assignments, you might find yourself looking for ways to save money more often than not.
Co-housing provides multiple cost-saving benefits. Not only will you save on rent wherever you’re staying, but you’ll be able to share in utility costs with your roommates. When you pair that with different strategies to lower your utility costs, like adjusting your thermostat and unplugging devices that aren’t in use, you’ll quickly see how affordable your monthly bills can become.
If you get along with your roommates, you might also be able to cut down on food costs by having everyone chip in on groceries for the week and then enjoy meals together. Not only is it a great way to save money, but you’ll strengthen your bond with the people you live with and enjoy a more comfortable experience.
Finally, before you decide on a place to live for your next assignments, do your research. You can find plenty of fully furnished housing options for travel nurses, but booking fees can wreak havoc on your wallet! Make sure you work with trusted travel and housing websites and read the fine print before you agree to rent anything.
Building a Community
Again, loneliness can be a big problem for travel nurses. It’s become a sort of epidemic, in general, since the COVID-19 pandemic. But, travel nurses who have to spend weeks away from the people they love are even more susceptible. Unfortunately, isolation can create a variety of mental and physical health issues, including:
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Earlier death
Creating a sense of community as a travel nurse is one of the best ways to fight back against loneliness.
Chances are you won’t get to know your roommates before you actually meet them unless you connect online prior to moving in. So, make sure you all know how to create a positive living environment from the start. Set ground rules, respect each other’s privacy, have a shared space within the home to get to know each other and hang out, and don’t be afraid to have multiple discussions about how you all want to handle finances. Getting those things out in the open will help you avoid problems later.
There are so many benefits to being a travel nurse, certainly not limited to the unique experiences you’ll have every day on assignment. If you’re worried about being lonely while you’re away or you’ve had problems with isolation in the past, co-housing isn’t just a great way to save money during your travels — it’s also a fantastic opportunity to build life-long connections and surround yourself with a community that understands you and your work.
We hope you found this article on co-housing for travel nurses helpful. Have you ever had a roommate while on assignment? Do you have tips to share? Comment them below.
Interested in a travel nursing job? Our job board is a great place to search for assignments, and if housing is an issue, our housing page can help. It’s time to make a difference!
