Travel nursing is a fun and rewarding career.
It allows you to serve others while exploring different places. But a major challenge that travel nurses face is finding temporary housing. Is RVing the solution to it? We find out.
Many people dream of becoming travel nurses. Why not? It’s a very interesting career. You get to work with different people and learn about different hospital policies while exploring new locations. If you a dynamic work environment and the ability to travel on the side, it’s the perfect job for you. What’s more, travel nursing is a lucrative profession too. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), travel nurses earn an average of $70,000 per year.
One major challenge of travel nursing, however, is finding temporary housing.
Most of the time, you will stay in one location for a few months. This means you need temporary housing all the time. Many travel nurses choose to rent an apartment or a house or stay in a hotel room while completing their assignment. Travel nurses are given housing stipend. However, in some states, housing is too expensive that the stipend may not be enough. Constantly relocating can be stressful as well. Packing, moving, and unpacking several times a year is not easy.
For these reasons, many travel nurses choose to invest in an RV rather than finding temporary housing.
RVing as a Travel Nurse: Pros and Cons
One of the major advantages of RVing as a travel nurse is that you get to save on housing costs. There are many options for RV financing, such as dealership financing, personal loans, and bank or credit union loans. Renting a house or apartment can be very costly especially in cities and highly populated areas. Once you have your RV up and running, you won’t have to deal with rents anymore.
Another perk of RVing is that you will have a living space that is always yours. You can enjoy a furnished space that feels like home. There’s no need to pack and unpack. You don’t have to spend a great deal of time and effort looking for a temporary house in advance each time. You can increase your travel memorabilia and stock up on your travel collections without worrying about moving them to and from.
More fun and Convenient
Furthermore, having your own mobile home makes traveling more fun and convenient. Having an RV brings you closer to the great outdoors. You can take a trip to campsites and parks or tour around the city during your rest days. You can even take your whole family and pets with you!
But RVing does have some downsides too. One is finding travel positions and parking areas. You must always consider your travel options depending on where you are assigned. In some places, you may need to live outside the downtown area and take a commute to work.
You should also take note that RVing has its own costs too. Apart from the vehicle itself, other costs would be the fuel, parking fees, and maintenance. Nonetheless, if you compare the cost of RVing with that of temporary housing, you still get to save a significant amount of money on it.
If you decide to travel nursing with an RV, here are some tips for you:
Choose the RV that Suits You Best
Visit as many as RV shows as you can. Take time figuring out what you want from an RV. Consider renting one to have a sense of what you want and need.
Make Sure Your Tow Vehicle Suits Your RV
Choose an RV that you can tow at a 75-percent rate to be safe. That means if your truck can pull 10,000 pounds, the weight of your trailer should be no more than 7,500 pounds.
Know Your RV
You have to be familiar with your vehicle – it’s ups and downs, and the best way to maintain it. Yes, you should know how to fix your vehicle. Before each trip, make it a habit to check your brakes, tires, and everything else.
RVing is a great alternative to temporary housing when you are a travel nurse. While it requires a big investment, it is much more cost-effective in the long run. Just make sure to choose the right RV that suits your lifestyle and keep it well-maintained for a safe and enjoyable journey on the road.
What other temporary housing options have you gone with? Have you tried the RV route? Comment below.
