All travel nurses must face the same daunting question when it comes to planning their housing for an assignment; Should you rent private housing or a shared home? It’s a question that comes with many pros and cons, so let’s break it down.
Private Room, Shared Spaces
When the idea of shared housing is brought up, we know that many people immediately think of college dorms or rentals. But this is a different situation and a completely different lifestyle than college days! Many homes are available for rent (check out Furnished Finder!) with individual private rooms and shared living and kitchen spaces.
Pros of a private room- shared spaces:
The cost savings is the first and arguably largest advantage of renting a room within a shared home. Prices for private rooms are typically much lower than renting the entire home as the expenses are shared and split up between tenants. We know travelers and travel nurses have budgets to keep in mind, which is a great way to save some money on rent!
Another great perk about renting a private room within a shared home is the chance to meet other travelers or perhaps residents of the local area. Some homes are rented to all travelers, and other homes may have long-term tenants or even the owner residing in other parts of the home. What better way to meet new friends and get the scoop on the local areas than to live with someone?!
Cons of a private room- shared spaces:
Sometimes there can be a conflict with roommates or those sharing a living space. However, this is much less common with professional roommates. Be sure to set clear expectations and have an open and respectful line of communication; many conflicts can be avoided before they even happen.
Entire Homes- private housing
Just like it sounds, renting an entire home means that it’s you, you, and only you (or perhaps you and a spouse or family member!) in the home. No sharing of common spaces – everything is yours!
Pros of entire homes:
Total privacy! Although it may seem obvious, this perk is a big perk for those who may have varying hours, work nights, or just tend to be more private travelers. You won’t need to worry about potentially waking someone else up if you’re headed in to work late (or early!), and vice versa if you are trying to sleep.
Additionally, with an entire home rental, you can live according to your own habits without worrying about others who you live with. Keep the thermostat how you like, clean it on your own accord, etc. As long as you are within your lease limits, you get to determine how you keep things!
Cons of an entire home
When you’re the only tenant, you’re also the only one to assume all housekeeping responsibilities. Any terms agreed to in your lease are on your shoulders. This may not be a big deal for some, but for others, it may be difficult with schedules and workloads. Remember that different types of homes require different types of maintenance (and per your lease). An apartment may have minimal outdoor upkeep, for example, but an entire single-family home may require you to do yard upkeep if agreed upon.
Whichever you prefer – a private room within a shared space or an entire unit (private housing) – find a home that excites you! On Furnished Finder, you’ll find everything from apartments and townhouses to single-family homes, cottages, back houses, and guest suites! You may even find an RV or a tiny home!
Congrats! You’ve signed the dotted line on your travel nurse contract, and you’re ready to secure housing for your gig. Travel nurse housing may seem daunting, but I’m here to help. I’ve been successful with housing as a travel nurse, even as I travel with my two furry companions, making logistics a bit more complicated.
I’m proud to say I have many tricks up my sleeve and have been able to point many nurses in the right direction. I am here to give you tips to help you understand your traveler housing options so you have a safe, comfortable place to lay your head after a long shift.
Finding Your Own Housing
If you want to take housing into your own hands for your assignment, let’s get you set up with the right resources for success.
Make and Stick to a Housing Budget
First and foremost, you need to research the area and write out a budget that includes your travel nurse housing. Ideally, we all want to find reasonable housing with all of the amenities, but you want to be realistic with what you need, what you want, and your budget. Make a list of must-haves, and try to stick to the basics. A safe, clean, furnished place within a reasonable distance of the hospital is a great start.
I recommend doing your due diligence and researching areas you want to stay in and places you want to avoid. You will want to make sure your accommodations are as comfortable as possible. Some travelers like the perks that hotels provide, like breakfast, housekeeping services, and fitness centers. Plus, many hotels offer a corporate, long-term rate – just make sure to ask. I need to have a private place to take my dogs out to the restroom, and for walks, so I try to avoid hotels. However, it is a good option for many other travelers.
Mentor tip: When finding your own housing, get a list of included amenities to know what to pack. I try to find furnished places with a kitchen with pots and pans. I always bring my bed linens and towels. Also, a lesson I learned the hard way was getting to housing that did not have an air conditioner. Being a Texas native, I assumed everyone had air conditioning, but it is relatively common for many mountain townhomes not to have AC. In that case, you might want to bring a fan! Also, be sure you understand what utilities are included in your rent payment and whether or not you have parking or a garage.
Housing Referrals
I have had the best luck finding housing through referrals. Use your network of co-workers, friends, and peers to your advantage. I go to the travel nurse housing groups on Facebook and see who others have used for traveler housing. (If you would like me to add you to these groups, please send me a direct message on Facebook.) I will search and make a post in these groups. Within that post, I communicate my needs, dates, and budget. I will also request to join local Facebook groups, such as buy, sell, trade, or rental groups specific to that town.
I’ll also search through Airbnb, VRBO, Furnished Finders, and Craigslist for housing. Pay very close attention to offers that seem too good to be true because, unfortunately, they usually are. You want to avoid being scammed, so never send money until you do all your homework. Ask the landlord for references and ask them to do a FaceTime call to show you the property. If that is not an option, consider finding a friend or fellow traveler in the area to scope out the housing for you. Many travel nurses will even stay in a hotel for a couple of weeks once they get to their assignment to look at housing options in person and get a better feel for the area.
When you find a place you want to stay, ask for a short-term contract lease that includes your rental dates, deposit info, whether or not it is refundable, monthly rental rates, and what utilities and amenities are included. You can even ask for a month-to-month lease. A condition form should be included so that if there is any previous damage, you can point it out on this form and not be blamed for it later. Securing this contract protects both parties, but please know that you will likely still be responsible for paying the rent owed within the lease term if your contract is canceled early. If necessary, seek legal advice before signing the contract. I am a nurse, not a lawyer, and I never want to steer you wrong. You can always ask for a month-to-month lease.
Housing as a travel nurse is often one of the most significant pain points of the career. You have many options for your accommodations during each assignment, and each comes with benefits and risks. Be upfront about your housing concerns with your company and recruiter so they can assist you. Do your due diligence in the planning stages, read property reviews, research your new city, and ask questions. Happy travels!
Travel Agency Offered Housing Support
The best advice I can give you is to find an agency with a housing team with the skills and market knowledge to supply you with the best housing options. As a new traveler, this is something I initially overlooked when picking agencies. I quickly learned the hard way (once again) how beneficial it is to have this support and benefit.
Look over all the housing options your agency offers. They may offer a payment assistance program, a unique option designed to assist you with those costly initial move-in expenses. They might have additional benefits that ease the financial burden of moving, such as help paying deposits and fees and prorated rent. There may also not have to abide by certain restrictions and be able to give you a more comprehensive range of housing options, such as a room for rent, RV park, campground, cabin, and short-term hotel. If you use Travelers Haven, your company may be able to put the housing in their name, which means you can avoid credit checks.
Here’s another perk of having your company secure your housing – if the hospital cancels your contract due to low census, your travel nurse agency will likely help you find a solution to leaving your lodging early. However, be aware that if you leave your travel assignment early on your terms, you could have to repay the housing fees that your company encountered on your behalf.
Mentor tip: You will likely need to be cleared to start your assignment before your travel nursing company makes any payments or arrangements for housing on your behalf. Do your due diligence and get through the QA process quickly so your agency can assist you with accommodations and set you up for success.
As a first-time traveler, I cannot recommend having your company help you navigate this process enough. It takes a lot of added stress right off of your plate!
We hope you found this article on housing tips for travel nurses helpful.
Do you have travel nurse housing tips or recommendations? Please share them in the comments below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our travel nurse housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Travel nursing can take sightseeing to a whole new level, considering the different states you get to work in. While it has some great pros, it also comes with a set of cons. That said, you have to weigh them to see what works for you before choosing.
If you love to travel and see new places, travel nursing can be the choice of work for you, but if being outdoors and on the move is not your cup of tea, you should stick to a permanent residence as you tend to your nursing duties.
Pros
Travel nursing has its share of benefits, especially on your finances and enabling enjoying different cultures while on the job.
Flexibility
While a travel nurse does not get to apply for paid-off days, you can arrange your calendar so that you can be on vacation during the summer. The flexibility ensures that you control the time you are available to work. If you want to work six months or ten months, that’s entirely up to you.
Great Pay
Traveling nurses enjoy impressive compensation packages wherever they go to work. Chances are, when an institution is looking for more staff, you will receive a higher salary package. With travel nursing, you can earn a six-figure salary.
Avoid Work Politics
Given that you will be working on a contract basis, you will not be staying at one place for a long time. By the time you get used to people, your time will be up in that institution and on your way to vacation or a different institution.
Travel with Your Belongings
One of the major advantages of travel nursing is the provision of traveling with your belongings. Think of it as having your home, whichever state you work in. The principles of packing or unpacking your belongings, similar to when you say in a motel or apartment, do not apply to travel nursing.
Job Security
Travel nurses are always in demand. Whether a certain place faces shortages of nurses, chances are, with the right experience, you will get the job. The security reduces the uncertainty of you being out of a job.
You Get to Travel
Traveling and enjoying your new location is a plus for travel nursing. You can choose an activity that will take your mind off of work and help you relax on your off days. If you love to ride bikes, remember to bring one along. In case you don’t have one, think of buying it.
While scouring the internet, we realized that many people don’t know how to select a bike that fits their needs and financial standing. From tire sizes to disc brakes, you can choose the perfect bike for yourself. Fortunately, we found a great list of rugged gravel bikes under $1000. Other useful links include:
Even though travel nursing has some awesome pros, it also has cons that you should bear in mind when you contemplate joining other traveling nurses.
Varying Pay Rates
Since you will be working in different states, your pay will vary greatly and lead to differences when filing your taxes. Such a situation can be daunting, and you might need to hire a professional to file your confusing taxes.
Unfamiliar Environments
With the movement from one state to another, no place will be familiar like home. The constant change of locations will always expose you to new areas where you have never been. If you love adventure, this might not be so bad, but you will need some time to familiarize yourself.
License Issues
Licensing can be tricky to deal with when working in multiple states. The application and approval can be quite a process when submitting verification documents. The process can be quite daunting in instances where you cannot use a compact license but have to apply for a new one.
Final Thoughts
If you are an outdoorsy person, travel nursing can be a suitable job. Considering the job’s flexibility, you can choose which activities to engage in. Whether you want to go camping or to the beach, you choose your location when applying for the job.
If you get rough terrain, get yourself a gravel bike that will help you navigate as you go sightseeing and enjoy yourself.
We hope you enjoyed this article on the pros and cons of RV travel nursing. Do you currently use your RV for your travel nursing assignments? Comment some pros and cons of RV travel nursing you have found, below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Throughout the process of building www.furnishedfinder.com, I’ve made it my mission to stop scammers in their tracks. They are the nemesis of our industry, and I thoroughly enjoy pulling the rug out from underneath them. Knowing that online housing scammers prey on traveling nurses, this two-minute read could be the difference between keeping or losing big money.
What you learn in this article could save you thousands!!
One of the ways that travelers connect with each other, and landlords looking to host them, is through Facebook (Meta) groups. If you’re a member of Furnished Finder’s Travel Nurse Housing Facebook group, you know how helpful our group is when it comes to learning from other travelers and being part of our community. However, when it comes to finding housing, there’s a vulnerability within ALL Facebook groups that travel nurses absolutely must be aware of. Please keep in mind that this view may not necessarily be the view of The Gypsy Nurse.
Scammers are Targeting Nurses Via Messenger.
Be careful using Facebook Messenger to connect with potential landlords! This might be my Jerry Maguire mission moment, but I can’t sit back and let overseas scammers take advantage of hard-working healthcare professionals. Calling for a boycott of Facebook Messenger may not be popular, but it will hopefully provide enough exposure to the problem that prevents you from losing a couple of grand!
Facebook Messenger is Worse than Craigslist.
While scammers historically preferred setting up shop on free listing sites like Zillow and Craigslist, they are now focusing their efforts on travel nurse housing-related FB groups! Before I expose the ruse, I should mention that Facebook does not provide group admins with adequate member-screening tools, so while we try our best to identify and remove fake accounts, it is an impossible battle.
That said, here’s the racket:
Scammers view your ‘housing-wanted’ group post through one of their fake accounts that got approved.
Then they’ll reach out to you (using a different profile) via FB Messenger, asking if you still need a place in the city that you just mentioned in your post.
Once you engage them, the ruse begins. Here comes 20+ beautiful images, a rent price that is surprisingly affordable, and they have immediate availability! Oh, and of course you can bring your pet.
They try to convince you to send a deposit immediately to hold the place and they are actually quite convincing.
What just happened is that they used the information you provided against you. The hard part is that legitimate landlords use Messenger as well!
Here are the best ways to protect yourself.
Request a phone call – Scammers prefer to do everything via text/messenger. If they won’t talk to you over the phone, it is a huge red flag.
Request a Facetime/What’sAppVIDEO walk-through. If they won’t provide a live video walk-through, it is another huge red flag.
Stick to websites that verify landlords like www.furnishedfinder.com. On Furnished Finder, travelers feel comfortable booking housing because you know that landlords are vetted and legitimate. They are who they say they are.
Furnished Finder wants you to stay safe at all costs, and we hope this information is helpful. There are inherent risks in everything we do, but traveling healthcare professionals are in the crosshairs of scammers and must always be hyper-vigilant.
We hope you found this article on how Facebook Messenger is hurting travel nurses helpful. Are there any other tips you would like to share with fellow travel nurses when it comes to Facebook Messenger and scams? Comment below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
There is so much to consider when you’re looking for your next travel nurse job on The Gypsy Nurse. However, have you ever considered making extra money by renting out your place back home when you’re away on your next assignment?
Can you see yourself earning an extra thousand or two every month while you’re traveling?
Knowing that everybody’s living situation is different and that it may not be right for everyone, think about this: your place can be earning you money while you’re on assignment.
If you have a space that will be vacant while you go to another city to work, why not let it start working for you?
I like that I can get help with my mortgage while also giving fellow travelers a safe and clean place to stay. – Trudy R.
I’m a travel nurse and have listed and rented out my condo while I am on the road. Love the platform. So easy to screen potential renters. Judith L.
I’m very familiar with the traveling lifestyle (I’m also a travel nurse), and I love being able to help other travelers while I’m away working. It just makes sense, and I didn’t like that my place just sat there for 3 months while I was gone anyway. Win/Win. Angie M
Travel Nurses make the best landlords.
Travelers make the best landlords because they know what they’re looking for. You pretty much just need to set up the space for yourself since you’ll be renting to others with the same housing requirements you need when you’re on the road. Plus, you don’t even have to own the actual property as sublets are fine, too… as long as your lease doesn’t prohibit subletting.
No booking fees.
On Furnished Finder, there are no booking fees, and you keep 100% of the rent. Here’s a free guide to becoming a landlord which answers most of the basic questions you might be asking yourself (How much can I get for rent? Can I screen the tenants beforehand? Where do I get a copy of a lease? What happens if their contract is canceled? Should I have homeowners insurance?…)
There’s a lot to think about, but if you think that you might want to start hosting travelers yourself, feel free to have a conversation with someone at Furnished Finder to see if it is right for you. And for a limited time, Furnished Finder is giving Gypsy Nurse travelers a code for 10% off the listing fee. Use FFTRAVEL at check out.
We hope you found this article on how travel nurses are making extra money while on assignment helpful. Do you rent out your home while you are on assignment to make extra money? If you would like to share your story, comment below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
Good luck & safe travels!
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Authors: Megan Patek & Brett Seeburger, Host Healthcare Housing Specialist
You’ve secured your next travel nurse assignment, but have you determined your place of residency? If housing is still a pending item on your checklist, don’t fret! With so much change in such little time, the thought of finding somewhere to stay for the duration of your assignment can be a little overwhelming. Between contributing factors from cost to commute, four-legged friends to roommates, how do you begin your search for somewhere to stay that will fit your requirements?
The fact of the matter is that furnished short-term housing can be difficult to come by. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a place that not only fits your needs but can feel like a home away from home while on assignment. Host Healthcare has you covered with all the best resources to help you find your next residential setup. In addition to a dedicated housing department to assist healthcare travelers with finding a place to stay, Host Healthcare takes note of which housing option sites and resources are most reliable so that you, the traveling nurse, feel ready to take on a new city.
In no particular order, here are our top 10 recommended travel nurse housing sites for you to explore:
For those looking for short-term, furnished housing, Furnished Finder is one of the best options. Not only do they offer competitive prices, but they also provide property verification to eliminate the worry of scammers. Using Furnished Finder, you can perform a background check on any residential property you are interested in and gain access to property owner ratings. You can even check out what other listings property owners have rented out. There are no hidden fees with Furnished Finder as they provide you with the direct contact of the property you wish to rent, so you may book directly through the homeowner. Furnished Finder is geared towards helping travel nurses discover furnished homes, apartments, and even single rooms that fit their every need. They even go the extra mile by providing city guides to help both new and well-seasoned travel nurses get familiarized with their new location.
The most well-known company in short-term rentals, Airbnb, goes beyond short-term vacation rentals. The platform also serves as one of the best resources for travel nurses to find housing when on assignment. With extensive options to filter your search, you can find the exact needs you are looking for in a short-term home. Airbnb also offers the most accurate availability listings when looking for specific dates to book. Because Airbnb properties are typically owned and managed by independent homeowners who can dictate their own pricing, there are certain fees to be aware of when searching for homes on the platform. For example, cleaning and service fees may come attached to your booking reservation. There are, however, in most Airbnb bookings discounted rates for monthly stays. Airbnb is a must-start website when looking for your short-term home.
A very useful alternative to Airbnb, VRBO offers many of the same searching features, along with clarity in when your future home is available and whom you are renting from. Like we noted for Airbnb, VRBO allows property owners to determine pricing for their rental property, which includes fees for cleaning and service. All fees will be communicated prior to booking your reservation. However, it is important to note that there are far fewer monthly discounts offered on VRBO than there are offered on Airbnb.
You may associate Zillow with purchasing a home, but did you know that Zillow actually has its fair share of short-term leases? Like other platforms, with Zillow, you can filter your search by price, location, house amenities, and even the style of home you are looking for to fit your preferred aesthetic. Before you start your search, we must tell you that the only way to find short-term or furnished housing is through the keyword bar. Once you’ve found a property that looks promising, you will want to read the description on the rental to help determine if it is the right fit for you.
A Facebook page created for traveling nurses by traveling nurses. Could it make more sense for travel nurses? The Gypsy Nurse community is filled with travel nurses who are open to sharing their experiences traveling and working in different facilities across the country. Created to equip travel nurses with useful insights and tools they need to navigate the experience, this Facebook page built by Gypsy Nurse provides a caring community of both nurses who are renting out their homes and nurses who are searching for housing. For those who would rather avoid communicating with landlords who may not completely understand the nature of this unique travel profession, the Gypsy Nurse Facebook Group lets you do just that. By joining this Facebook page, you are instantly connected to a host of travel nurses who may even be looking for somewhere to stay in your area.
A smaller subset of Zillow, Hotpads primarily offers rental opportunities rather than homes and apartments available for purchase. This housing platform allows you to edit all the same filters as Zillow, making it a simplified process for traveling nurses searching for their next place to stay. Hotpads gives users the ability to search for a variety of furnished options, whether that be a specific style of townhouse, condo, apartment, or even house. Although Hotpads is connected to Zillow, Hotpads provides unique listings different from what’s available on Zillow. To start searching for properties, create a profile, add your favorite listings to your account, and begin reaching out to landlords to make easy, seamless connections.
Kopa has built a great platform to find flexible short-term housing, whether you are looking to sign a month-to-month contract or plant seeds and book a year-long stay. With rental opportunities in over 100 different cities across the United States and the platform continuously adding move-in ready homes, apartments, and rooms for rent daily, Kopa is a perfect avenue for travel nurses to explore. The platform allows you to control your entire rental experience electronically. You can speak with hosts, book your stay, and pay for your rental all through Kopa’s website. Whether you are taking an assignment in San Francisco or New York, Denver or Dallas, Nashville or Seattle, Kopa has move-in ready spots awaiting your arrival. Get a head start and begin exploring the hidden gems found on Kopa.
As a travel nurse, you already have a lot on your plate. If you want to skip communicating with flighty landlords, avoid possible scams, or prevent getting locked into a lease that’s not fit for your situation, Landing may be a great option for you. To get access to Landing properties, a membership is required. A year-long membership costs $199, however, when you partner with Host Healthcare, you can score quite the deal. When you become a travel nurse with Host Healthcare, the team of trusted housing specialists will help you apply a $250 discount code to your reservation.
Once you’ve completed your new member sign-up with Landing, you will get access to more than 35,000 fully furnished, WIFI-ready, pet-friendly apartments. You will be able to book and pay for your furnished apartment conveniently through your profile online or through their app. A 24/7 hotline that you can call or text gives you a sense of ease while checking in, living, and checking out of your Landing home.
Say goodbye to third-party servicing fees and hello to countless apartments across the nation right at your fingertips. Apartments.com is a very reliable website whether you are searching for a townhouse, condo, or any other type of apartment-style of housing. Aside from the never-ending listings on tap, a major advantage of using Apartments.com is that you will be working with the apartment complexes or real estate agency directly. However, one disadvantage of using Apartments.com is the lack of short-term housing options. Many of the options available on the platform are listed as 12-month leases, so before you start your search, be sure to apply the appropriate “short-term” filter in the lifestyle tab. Once you have the proper setting selected, start exploring a variety of suitable apartments for your upcoming travel nurse assignment.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go
Travel nursing is an exciting career path filled with opportunities, challenges, and adventures not everyone will experience. Whether you are about to start a 3-month or 12-month assignment, it’s important that you feel at home in your new city. Leave it up to the short-term housing experts at Transplant Housing, Landing x Host Healthcare, Airbnb, and so many others to help you settle into your new home away from home. It’s the least we can do. After all, you are out there saving lives.
We hope this article on the top 10 housing sites for travel nurses was helpful in your housing search. Do you have any housing sites you use that we didn’t mention here? Comment those housing sites below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page powered by one of the housing sites: Furnished Finder.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
For the last several months, the travel nurse job market has been less than predictable. Some specialties are seeing tons of crisis contracts and great rates, while other areas of nursing have seen an overall decline in the number of jobs. This uncertainty has made even seasoned travelers more heightened in their awareness of the job market, which means jobs are moving fast. Many travelers are taking jobs with start dates two weeks or less in advance, making coordinating everything a lot more stressful.
To-Dos
Even if you are on top of your organization with all of your paperwork and credentials, to start a new assignment at the bare minimum, you will have to get a current urine drug screen and very likely a TB test. Plus, there might be some computer work that needs to be done before your arrival. Between these to-do list items, packing up your possessions, and the drive time to get to your new location, you may have very little time to work out other details of your contract. Next thing you know, you are headed to your new job and frantically trying to secure housing at rest stops on the side of the highway.
Take a deep breath
The first thing to do is to take a deep breath. I promise you are not the first travel nurse to hit the road without having housing secured, and it will work out. In fact, some people prefer to look for housing once they get to an assignment because they can explore the area where they will be living and working and see where they would feel most comfortable. In the meantime, work on having a short-term solution to get a roof over your head.
This is where websites like Furnished Finder can be a great tool to have on hand. Because there are listings for hotels and private homes, you can easily compare prices between your different options if you are in a hurry. You can even book a hotel in a pinch for the first part of your stay while you look around for a better option if hotel living is not your style.
Reach out directly
It is also handy to be able to reach out to landlords directly. If you are pressed for time and worried about being homeless when you first get to your assignment, don’t be afraid to reach out to owners who have listings that look appealing to you but are not “quite” right. For example, if they are listed as booked, they might have a last-minute cancellation and haven’t updated their calendar. Or perhaps they are not listed as “pet friendly” but would make an exception if you kennel your dog when you aren’t home and schedule a dog walker for long shifts. When time is not in your favor, it never hurts to explore options that might not seem viable otherwise.
Not ideal, but doable
Although setting out for a new travel nurse assignment without housing secured is not ideal, it can be doable. As long as you are prepared to pay a little extra upfront. At the same time, you find a more permanent housing situation, and you go in with great resources and an open mind, you will be able to navigate this stressful situation and perhaps even end up with better housing options than if you had had to search for a place long distance!
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
Travel nursing can be an exciting opportunity to experience new places and acquire professional skills, but even the most seasoned traveler isn’t immune to homesickness. No matter how warm and cozy your short-term rental property may be, it can’t replace home. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to personalize your short-term rental and make it feel more like home so that you enjoy a better travel nurse experience.
Unpack and Get Organized
Settle into your temporary home by fully unpacking and organizing your things. No one likes the feeling of living out of a suitcase, and a 12-week contract gives you plenty of time to get used to your new surroundings. Don’t hesitate to fill up the dresser drawers, place your toiletries in the bathroom and even reorganize the kitchen items according to your liking. This will help make it feel less like you live in someone else’s home and help you establish a new routine.
Also, don’t fall into the habit of throwing dirty clothes just anywhere and letting dirty dishes pile up. Many of us become a little laxer when it comes to cleaning when we are on the road, but remember that this property will be your home for several months. The last thing you want to see after a long shift at the hospital is a dirty room. Treat your temporary housing like your home, and it will begin to feel that way.
Bring Your Own Linens
One of the main benefits of short-term, fully-furnished rentals is that you can travel lightly. You don’t have to worry about bringing furniture, kitchen essentials, or shower curtains. However, if you have the room to pack some linens, bringing your own bedding from home can help you make your space more comforting, especially as you rest and recuperate after work. Whether it is a pillow, a favorite set of sheets, or a snuggly blanket that you can curl up in while lounging on the couch, these familiar items can evoke a peaceful sense of home.
Engage in Some Home Cooking
The kitchen of your rental home should be fully stocked with all the essentials you need to prepare and eat a homemade meal. Instead of dining out every night, which can be tough on your wallet and your waistline, take advantage of the kitchen to prepare some of your favorite meals. The simple ritual of cooking and enjoying your favorite smells and flavors can be a comforting act that reminds you of home. Sharing a meal is also a good way to get to know your fellow travel nurses and colleagues, so don’t hesitate to invite some company.
Bring Your Cat or Dog
Nothing brings joy to your heart and a smile to your face like your cat or pup. One sure way to have built-in purpose and companionship while you travel is by bringing along a pet. About ⅓ of travelers bring a pet on contract with them, so it is mostly accepted and quite common. Of course, there may be some extra fees like a separate pet deposit, but traveling with your pet can really improve your spirits while you’re away from home. If you’re wondering how to search for pet-friendly properties, visit Furnished Finder and use the filters to view pet-friendly travel nurse housing.
Add a Houseplant
Not only have houseplants been scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve your mood, the act of caring for something, even a simple plant, has a grounding effect that further supports mental health. Plants will also improve the air quality, help the property feel more personal and add a touch of color to a space that might otherwise seem rather plain. If you don’t have a green thumb, consider a small herb garden or a potted arrangement of succulents. These are low maintenance options that won’t die if you neglect them for a few days.
Do Some Decorating
While completely redecorating your temporary housing isn’t really an option, you can add favorite items, such as books, movies, and personal photos, to shelves and tabletop surfaces. These small additions will add character and personalize the space while still allowing you to travel light. Another great decorating tip is to add mirrors to certain rooms (found very inexpensively at Walmart). These will make any space appear larger, and they can be placed on the floor and leaned up against the wall, so you don’t have to put holes in the walls. And let’s face it, even if we’re in scrubs, we still want to see how we’re looking before we dash out the door.
You may also want to consider investing in one or two small accent lamps. Most temporary housing will include plenty of lighting, but if you find your rental lacking in this department, a couple of lamps can make all the difference. Overhead lighting tends to be harsh and makes the space feel cold and sterile. Adding accent lamps will instantly provide soft light for a warmer, more inviting environment that feels more personal.
Incorporate Your Favorite Smells
Smell is a powerful sense that is strongly connected to certain places, memories, and even moods. Bringing your favorite smells into your rental property can trigger parts of the brain linked to home and happy times. Bring along some candles, your usual laundry detergent and shampoo, and any other familiar fragrances that will make your space smell and feel like home.
Get to Know Your New City
It might sound counterintuitive to say that getting out of the house will make your rental feel like home, but the more familiar you are with the neighborhood, the more you will feel like a part of the community. Say hi to your neighbors. Ask locals for recommendations when it comes to restaurants, coffee shops, and other hangouts. Set out on foot and walk the neighborhood. Not only will this help you feel at home and make your travel experience more enriching, but it will also help alleviate the stress of being in a new place. Exploring by yourself can be intimidating for some people, but you may also find that taking that first step is the hardest part. Once you have your feet wet, you will want to do and see more.
Temporary housing doesn’t have to feel cold and unfamiliar.
With a little planning, you can make any space feel more like home so that you enjoy a better, less stressful travel nurse experience. Don’t be afraid to bring some of your favorite items along to personalize your space. Even small details, like candles and a favorite blanket, can make a big difference.
For help finding the perfect short-term, fully furnished rental, be sure to visit Furnished Finder and search their map, which features over 25,000 properties from across the country. Once you find the right short-term rental property in your next travel nurse assignment city, you can set to work using the tips mentioned above to personal it and experience a home away from home during your travels.
Furnished Finder is the largest online housing marketplace for travel nurses who take temporary positions across the US. With over 25,000 monthly furnished rental properties to choose from, they continue to expand their inventory and make housing easier and more affordable for traveling nurses nationwide. Download the app. Furnished Finder also owns travelnursehousing.com. www.furnishedfinder.com
We hope that you found these tips for making your short-term rental or housing helpful. For information on avoiding housing, scams read our article: How Travel Nurses Can Avoid Housing Scams.
If you are a travel nurse looking for housing for your next assignment, check out our Housing Page!
