December 19, 2024

439 Views

All You Need to Know About Travel Nurse Housing

Posted on December 19, 2024November 27, 2024 by Medical Solutions

Medical Solutions provided this article.

Travel nursing offers an incredible opportunity to explore new places while advancing your career. However, one of the most significant aspects of travel nursing is securing housing that suits your needs and lifestyle. Finding the right home away from home can greatly impact your experience. Whether you’re new to travel nursing or a seasoned professional, understanding your housing options is essential. Here’s everything you need to know about travel nurse housing!

Understanding Your Housing Stipend

Most travel nursing contracts include a housing stipend—an allotment provided to cover the cost of accommodations. This tax-free stipend makes it an attractive option for many nurses looking for private travel nurse housing. The stipend amount varies depending on factors like the location of your assignment, the cost of living in the area, and the terms of your contract.

High-cost cities, such as San Francisco or New York, will typically offer larger stipends to help offset the expense of housing. However, the stipend might be lower if you’re in a more affordable area. Careful budgeting is key to ensuring your housing costs remain within your stipend, allowing you to pocket any remaining funds.

Company-Provided Housing vs. Finding Your Own

You have two main options: company-provided housing or finding your own accommodation.

1. Company-Provided Housing

Many travel nursing agencies, such as Medical Solutions, offer the option of securing private paid housing for travel nurses. This arrangement eliminates the hassle of searching for a place to live, as the agency handles the logistics. Company-provided housing is often fully furnished and conveniently located near your assignment.

However, this option usually means forfeiting your housing stipend, as the accommodation cost is deducted from it. While it’s a stress-free option, it might not provide the financial flexibility to find your own travel nurse housing.

2. Finding Your Own Housing

If you prefer more control over your living arrangements, you can opt to find your own housing. This allows you to customize your living situation based on your preferences—whether that’s a quiet suburban apartment, a shared rental with fellow travelers, or even a short-term Airbnb.

Finding your own housing can often save money, especially if you choose cost-effective options like extended-stay hotels or rental properties with long-term discounts. It also gives you the freedom to explore neighborhoods that match your lifestyle.

Tips for Securing Travel Nurse Housing

When it comes to how travel nurses find housing, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

1. Start Your Search Early

As soon as you accept an assignment, begin your housing search. Popular cities or seasonal destinations have limited availability, so starting early gives you more options to choose from.

2. Leverage Travel Nurse Communities

Travel nurse forums, Facebook groups, and online communities can be invaluable resources for housing recommendations. Other travel nurses often share listings, advice, and reviews, making finding a trusted place to stay easier.

3. Utilize Housing Websites

Websites, like Furnished Finder, Airbnb, and VRBO, cater to short-term housing needs and are particularly popular among travel nurses. These platforms often feature furnished rentals and flexible lease terms to accommodate your assignment length.

4. Negotiate Lease Terms

When securing housing, don’t hesitate to negotiate lease terms. Many landlords are willing to adjust the duration of a lease or provide discounts for longer stays. Explain your situation as a travel nurse, and you might find more flexibility than expected.

5. Consider Proximity to Work

While affordability is important, consider how close the housing is to your assignment. A short commute can save you valuable time and money on transportation costs, enhancing your overall work-life balance.

Preparing for Your Stay

Once you’ve secured housing, there are a few additional steps to prepare for your stay:

Pack Smart: If your housing is furnished, check what’s included to avoid bringing unnecessary items.
Budget Wisely: Track all housing-related expenses, including utilities, parking, and renter’s insurance.
Research the Area: To make your transition smoother, familiarize yourself with the local amenities, including grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and recreational activities.

Making the Most of Your Housing Stipend

If you’re savvy about housing, your stipend can stretch further. For instance, some travel nurses choose to stay with friends or family in the area to save money. Others opt for RV living, which offers flexibility and eliminates the need to find new housing for each assignment.

The key is to weigh the costs and benefits of different housing options and choose the one that best suits your financial and personal needs.

Finding Your Next Place to Call Home

Securing travel nurse housing is vital to your overall experience, and having the right resources and support makes all the difference. At Medical Solutions, we’re dedicated to helping travel nurses thrive—offering exceptional assignments and expert guidance on housing and other essentials.

Whether you prefer company-provided housing or need advice on making the most of your stipend, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way. Let us help you focus on what matters most: providing outstanding patient care and enjoying the adventure of travel nursing.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Furnished Finder

September 29, 2024

1732 Views

Pros & Cons of Renting a Room vs. a Whole Place on Your Next Assignment

Posted on September 29, 2024September 26, 2024 by Furnished Finder

When you first start your travel nurse adventure, a good thing to focus on is your why. Why are you traveling? Do you want to save money? Pay off debt? See and experience new places? Your why will be the guide for how you make decisions, especially when it comes to location and housing, especially renting a room vs. a whole house.

Travel nurse housing is super flexible these days, and you can usually find many options to fit your budget and preferences. Thanks to tools like Furnished Finder, you can find the perfect private home or rent a room from someone if you are trying to be more budget-friendly. There are, of course, pros and cons to renting a room or a whole place.

Pros of Renting a Room vs. a Whole Place

Saving Money
- This is the most obvious reason, but still important. If your goal while travel nursing is to maximize profit, sharing a room is a great way to do that.
Making Friends
- Hopefully, you will hit it off with your roommate and can either meet people through them or at least have someone to chat with when you are at home. This can make a big difference when you know absolutely no one in a new place.
The Space May Be Nicer
- If the house is the landlord’s personal home, they will usually furnish and decorate a place they live in in a way that is nicer than a separate rental. Often, rental spaces can feel a little generic or have less homey touches, but if you are living with your roommate, the space might be a little more spruced up.
You Might Score a Semi-Private Space
- If you take the time to look, you can find places that still have things like a private bath or small kitchenettes listed as a “room for rent.” These are often cheaper than an entire space but may be perfect if you don’t cook a lot or don’t mind going to the main part of the house on occasion.

Cons of Renting a Room vs. a Whole Place

Pets are Trickier
- Again, if the housing is the landlord’s personal home, they might be more hesitant to host a pet if they are living with said pet every day. Or, other pets in the household may not be friendly to your furry friend tagging along.
Less Privacy
- If you want to come home and lounge on the couch in your underwear after a day at work, renting a room may not be the best option for you.
Visitor Restrictions
- If you are staying in a room in the landlord’s personal home, they may not allow guests. Just because a landlord is willing to host travelers in their home does not mean they are willing to host friends or relatives who come to visit. If your family, boyfriend, or kids like to come visit regularly, it might get trickier if you have to coordinate visits with your landlord’s comfort.
Night Shift Might Be Harder
- If you are a light sleeper and work nights, you may want to check if potential roommates will be home a lot during the day. Sleep is so important–so make sure you won’t be suffering on empty for 13 weeks.

Thankfully, Furnished Finder’s search option makes it easy to find the space that has the right amenities and living situation for you. For example, if you have a very strict budget, you can do a general search and see what is available in terms of Entire Units and Rooms.

Or, if you prioritize privacy over everything else, you can choose to only look at Entire Units when you are searching for housing for your next assignment.

Better yet–if you are looking to find someplace that might feel impossible, you can use the various filters to narrow down your search even more. For example, you might be moving somewhere typically more expensive, like the Bay Area, and want to bring your pet. You can go in and specifically look for Rooms for Rent that are also pet-friendly. The beauty of Furnished Finder is there are a lot of ways to narrow down your search to find the perfect midterm rental for your next travel assignment.

Every traveler will have different housing needs–and these might even change from assignment to assignment. Some travelers might meet their best friend via a roommate situation, while others would never in a million years share a home with a stranger. The important thing is to choose the housing that is the best for you and your situation!

We hope you found this article on renting a room vs. a whole place helpful. Do you prefer renting a room or a whole house? Do you have any other pros or cons of renting a room or a whole place? Comment below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Medical Solutions

September 16, 2024

1574 Views

How Travel Nurses Find Housing

Posted on September 16, 2024September 5, 2024 by Medical Solutions

Medical Solutions provided this article.

Finding travel nurse housing is one of the most significant challenges when starting a new assignment. With so many options available, from agency-provided housing to stipends for self-selected accommodations, the task can feel overwhelming. With the right resources and planning, securing a comfortable and convenient place to stay doesn’t have to be stressful. Let’s explore how travel nurses find housing and the best strategies for creating a home away from home during assignments.

Agency-Provided Travel Nurse Housing: A Stress-Free Option

One of the most straightforward ways for travel nurses to find housing is through their staffing agency. Many agencies offer housing as part of the compensation package. This option is incredibly convenient because the agency handles everything—from finding the accommodation to setting up utilities. All you need to do is specify your preferences, such as the number of bedrooms and amenities and whether you’re traveling with pets or family members. The simplicity of this makes it a great option for first-time travel nurses!

With agency-provided housing, nurses can focus on their work and enjoy their new surroundings without dealing with rent, utilities, or lease agreements. This route is ideal for those who want to avoid the complexities of coordinating living arrangements, offering peace of mind from day one.

Travel Nurse Housing Stipends: Flexibility for Independent Arrangements

On the other hand, many travel nurses prefer to find their own housing. You can opt for a housing stipend, which is a sum of money provided by the agency to cover the cost of rent and utilities, allowing nurses to choose where they want to stay. This option provides flexibility, enabling nurses to select accommodations that suit their personal needs, whether staying in a short-term rental, an Airbnb, or even with family or friends.

However, one crucial aspect of using a housing stipend is budgeting. The amount of the stipend can vary significantly based on location. For example, a stipend for an assignment in California will typically be higher than one for Nebraska due to the cost of living differences. If you choose this route, you’ll want to carefully evaluate housing costs and factor in expenses such as utilities, parking, and additional fees to ensure their stipend covers all their needs.

Best Travel Nurse Housing Sites

Online platforms have made the process much easier for those who choose to find their own housing. Several websites cater specifically to travel nurses, offering short-term, furnished rentals in convenient locations near medical facilities. Here are some of the top platforms that travel nurses frequently use:

Furnished Finder: A top choice for travel nurses, offering short-term, fully furnished accommodations across the U.S. with flexible lease terms.
Travel Nurse Housing: Designed for healthcare professionals, this platform offers verified apartments, condos, and houses with personalized booking support.
Airbnb: Airbnb is popular for its flexible rental options, from private rooms to entire homes, though additional fees should be factored into the budget.
Vrbo: Ideal for those traveling with family or pets, Vrbo focuses on whole-home rentals, offering space and privacy for longer stays.
Extended Stay America: Offers fully furnished rooms with amenities like free Wi-Fi, laundry, and breakfast. Discounts are available for travel nurses through agencies.

Alternative Housing Options

Travel nurses who enjoy thinking outside the box can explore creative housing solutions. Some opt to travel in an RV or live a van life, offering flexibility and significant cost savings. Platforms like Campendium help nurses find RV parks and campgrounds, allowing them to enjoy nature while working in new locations.

For those with friends or family near their assignment location, staying with a loved one can be an affordable and comfortable alternative. While this requires coordination, it often leads to significant savings and a built-in support network during assignments.

Tips for Securing Housing

Regardless of the housing option chosen, travel nurses should plan. Securing housing in competitive markets can be challenging, so starting the search early gives nurses time to evaluate options, negotiate terms, and address potential issues. Proactive planning ensures that nurses find the right accommodation that fits their needs without the stress of last-minute scrambling.

Finding housing as a travel nurse is vital to ensuring a successful assignment. Whether you choose agency-provided housing for convenience or opt for a stipend to select your own accommodation, numerous options are available. With online platforms, extended-stay hotels, and alternative living arrangements like RVs, travel nurses can create a home wherever their assignment takes them. By leveraging the right resources and planning, securing the perfect temporary home can be a seamless and enjoyable process.

Make a Difference While Earning More! Travel with the Best Nursing Agency

Use your skills where they’re most needed, explore travel nursing opportunities nationwide, and join the effort to provide premium patient care. Apply with Medical Solutions now—Medical Solutions makes company-paid and private housing easy for nurses! Start your journey toward making a meaningful impact.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Geraldine Mills

May 19, 2024

2212 Views

How Busy Travel Nurses Can Keep Their Temporary Housing Clean

Posted on May 19, 2024May 13, 2024 by Geraldine Mills

Given the nursing shortages that rose after the pandemic, there is a rising need for travel nurses. Plenty of opportunities are available if you’re a travel nurse. That said, part of being a travel nurse is constantly moving from one accommodation to the next.

While you might be too busy with work to keep up with the maintenance, it’s not a good idea to keep your travel nurse temporary housing messy because it can affect your physical and mental health. With that in mind, here are tips on keeping your temporary housing clean, even as a busy travel nurse.

Tips on keeping your temporary housing clean as a busy travel nurse:

1. Consider Professional Cleaning Services

According to Maid Sailors, a maid service NYC, working with a professional cleaning service is an excellent way to keep travel nurse’s temporary housing clean. Instead of dealing with more chores just as you finish a brutal shift in the hospital, you can have a professional cleaning service clean your house for you and use your free time to rest.

A professional cleaner will also be able to do a more thorough job than you, so they’ll be able to finish a lot more cleaning tasks than you might be able to do within the period of their service. While it might be an additional cost, occasionally hiring a professional cleaner, especially after consecutive days of hard shifts, can lighten your load.

2. Develop a Cleaning Schedule

Just as you have a schedule for your shifts, one way to better stick to the cleanliness of your home is by scheduling your cleaning.

Having a cleaning schedule that adapts to your work rather than being forced to follow your cleaning schedule is the key to consistency. There’s no point in having a schedule if you constantly can’t stick to it in the first place.

Aside from having a realistic schedule, it would help if you were realistic about the cleaning tasks you can accomplish. It’s more achievable to create small cleaning tasks that you do here and there but in a regular way to ensure that you can finish them.

3. Prioritize High-Traffic Areas

Instead of focusing on cleaning parts of the house you barely use, you should prioritize the high-traffic areas. These are the parts of your home that you’re always in, so they’re likely to get messy quickly. Therefore, if you have the time to clean your house, focus on the parts you use most often.

For example, your bedroom and bathroom are most likely the parts of your house you use often. If you cook a lot, remember to clean your kitchen area.

This cleaning method involves performing the cleaning tasks with the most significant impact. Thus, the energy you spend cleaning the house will reap the most results.

4. Invest in Time-Saving Cleaning Tools and Supplies

Before you head to your temporary accommodations, it’s a good idea to ask them what cleaning tools and supplies are available. That way, you know what cleaning tools to add to your arsenal to keep a clean home.

If you plan on getting your cleaning supplies, look at efficient products. That means they provide the most impact for as little effort as possible.

One way to do that is by getting effective cleaning solutions that aren’t too watered down to clean the mess quickly.

Using time-saving tools like wireless vacuums and microfiber towels, which are better at doing their jobs, is also a worthwhile addition to shortening your cleaning time.

5. Embrace Quick Cleaning Hacks

Aside from time-saving cleaning tools and supplies, it would be best to embrace quick cleaning habits that keep your home clean without giving more work for you in the future.

One quick cleaning hack is to pick a task you can do for five minutes each day. That way, you’ll constantly finish a cleaning task each day, and it won’t feel like it took you the entire day to do that. Plus, in some cases, starting is more challenging than continuing, so you might find yourself cleaning other things after that five-minute cleaning task.

Another cleaning hack you can do is leave cleaning supplies in the area where you use them. That way, you can quickly grab them whenever you need a quick clean.

6. Create a Cleaning Routine That Fits Your Schedule

If your shifts aren’t inconsistent, ensure your cleaning schedule accommodates that. There will be days when you have consecutive shifts, and on other days, you’ll have more free time. In that case, adjust your cleaning schedule based on your work.

Also, sometimes, you’re too tired to clean, so you can always move your cleaning schedule. Balancing your housekeeping responsibilities, relaxation, and working together is critical to making your temporary housing cozy and clean.

7. Utilize Storage Solutions to Minimize Clutter

Cleaning goes hand in hand with organizing, so how you manage the clutter in your home affects its cleanliness.

The proper storage solution can reduce the appearance of clutter in your house. For example, getting a dedicated storage solution for your bathroom items can reduce the items you put on the bathroom counter, making it look messier.

Reducing the items you bring on each assignment can also reduce the clutter.

8. Delegate Cleaning Tasks When Possible

If you share the temporary accommodations with roommates, colleagues, or your family that you brought, then a clean home is a group responsibility. You shouldn’t feel like the only one working on maintaining your cleanliness.

It would help if you told the people living with you that everyone should pitch in with the house cleaning. Setting these clear expectations reduces resentment in the future.

9. Stay Proactive to Prevent Messes Before They Happen

One way to reduce the cleaning you need is by being proactive. It would be best if you prevented messes from happening in the first place.

Put things back where you got them from so things aren’t all over the place. Don’t leave dishes that you need to wash overnight. Also, clean the kitchen as you’re cooking.

These habits will reduce how fast your home becomes cluttered and dirty. At the same time, if it’s cleaning day, you’ll have less work to do.

10. Maintain a Positive Attitude Towards Cleaning

While cleaning isn’t exactly the first thing you want to do as a way to relax, having a negative attitude toward it will make it much harder for you to start cleaning in the first place.

If you start developing a mindset around cleaning that shows you respect yourself and your environment, it will be easier to feel like you’re doing something that matters.

Conclusion

By having more realistic cleaning expectations and setting yourself up to make cleaning more accessible, you can maintain a clean house, no matter how busy you are. If you’re about to get to your next assignment, apply these cleaning tips to maintain the cleanliness of your temporary housing as a travel nurse.

We hope you found this article with tips for keeping your temporary housing clean as a busy travel nurse helpful. How do you maintain your temporary housing as a travel nurse? Comment your tips and tricks for keeping your temporary housing clean while on assignment.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Medical Edge Recruitment

May 6, 2024

2214 Views

Thriving in Temporary Housing: Making Your Travel Nurse Accommodations Feel Like Home

Posted on May 6, 2024May 6, 2024 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Taylor Dupont, Inbound Marketing Specialist, Medical Edge Recruitment

As a travel nurse, life on the road can be exhilarating yet challenging. Moving from one assignment to another means adapting quickly to new environments, including temporary housing. But who says temporary has to mean uncomfortable? With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can turn your travel nurse accommodations into a cozy haven that feels like home sweet home.

Tips to make your temporary housing feel more like home:

Start with personalizing your space.

While you may not be able to paint the walls or overhaul the furniture, there are plenty of ways to add your personal touch. Bring along some framed photos of loved ones, your favorite throw blanket, or even a scented candle to create a familiar and comforting atmosphere.

Once the personalization is complete, tackle the kitchen.

Eating out every night can quickly drain your wallet and your health. Instead, embrace your inner chef and whip up some home-cooked meals. Stock up on essentials like spices, cooking oils, and your go-to ingredients so you can easily recreate your favorite dishes. And don’t forget to invest in a few pieces of quality storage containers for those delicious leftovers!

After cooking, you’ll want to enjoy some relaxation.

After a long day of caring for patients, you deserve some time to rest. Create a designated zone where you can unwind and recharge. Whether it’s a cozy reading nook with a plush armchair or a Netflix binge-worthy sofa setup, make sure it’s a space where you can truly let go of the day’s stresses.

Of course, no home is complete without a little entertainment.

Bring along your favorite books (for reading or coloring), electronic games, or streaming devices to keep boredom at bay during your downtime. And don’t forget to explore your new surroundings! Whether it’s hiking trails, local museums, or hidden gems in the city, take advantage of your temporary home’s unique offerings.

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to connect with your fellow travel nurses.

Building a sense of community can make all the difference when you’re far from home. Organize potluck dinners, movie nights, or even weekend getaways to explore nearby attractions together. Who knows, you might just make lifelong friends and travel buddies along the way!

With a little creativity and a whole lot of heart, you can turn your travel nurse accommodations into a home away from home. Embrace the adventure, savor the moments, and remember that home is wherever you make it. Happy travels!

We hope you found this article on tips to make your temporary housing feel more like home helpful. Have you found ways to make your temporary housing feel more like home? Comment below with your best advice or tips for turning your temporary housing into a more personalized space.

Interested in working with an agency who can provide travel contracts and assist with your housing accommodations?

Medical Edge Recruitment is a premier travel nursing recruitment agency specializing in providing top talent to clients in the healthcare industry. We connect clinical and allied providers to their ideal opportunities, focusing on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. In travel nursing, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making a personalized provider experience a priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits. Let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel healthcare gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities. We have opportunities for all travel healthcare professionals.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel healthcare assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Ashly Doran

April 6, 2024

3050 Views

Top Five Travel Nurse Housing Tips To Avoid A Housing Nightmare

Posted on April 6, 2024March 20, 2024 by Ashly Doran

Are you trying to find travel nurse housing but are worried about falling into a scam or signing a lease for something that should be condemned?

To help you avoid this, we have compiled a list of the best travel nurse housing tips obtained from career travel nurses.

From requesting a video walkthrough to having a list of must-have amenities, we have you covered.

Follow these travel nurse housing tips not only to make sure you get the place you want but stay safe in the process.

The Top Travel Nurse Housing Tips

1. Request A Facetime Walkthrough

Requesting a Facetime walkthrough and knowing that the property exists will help put your mind at ease.

I request this for every place that I am seriously considering and have yet to be told “no”.

Not only does this allow you to see the property as is and make sure that it matches the photos in the listing, but also lets you get a feel for the property owner.

Speaking with them face-to-face can eliminate any doubts you may have about whether the place and its owner are legit.

It also lets the landlord meet their potential new tenant and put their mind at ease about you.

It’s a win-win situation.

But, if the property owner refuses to do this, the listing is likely a scam and you should immediately walk away and cross that property off your list.

2. Have A Maximum Rent Amount Already Decided

The general rule for how much a travel nurse should pay for rent is one week’s paycheck.

Stipends plus hourly pay rates. Everything you net (take-home).

Going a little bit under or over is fine — this is meant to give you a guide on what your maximum rent limit should be.

Having a number in mind will not only help narrow down your housing search but will also give you a rough idea of your financial budget for this travel nurse assignment.

3. Have A List Of Deal-Breaking Amenities

It’s a good idea to know exactly what you can and cannot live without in your short-term rental.

Think about what you have at your permanent home that makes you happy and would want in your new place.

Some common must-have amenities are:

A dishwasher
In-unit laundry
A designated parking spot
Wifi
A television
A comfy couch
A full kitchen
Utilities included
Access to the entire home
Complete privacy

Along with knowing how much you can spend on rent, having this list of amenities will help narrow down your choices even more.

Be careful, though. If the housing market is tight, you might have to compromise on some of your amenities to avoid living in a motel.

4. Only Use Reputable Travel Nurse Housing Sites

Using Craigslist to find housing is a bad idea — just don’t do it.

When it comes to finding the right travel nurse housing, there are plenty of options.

The best travel nurse housing sites are ones like Furnished Finder, Zillow, AirBnB, and Corporate Housing By Owner.

Also, if a listing seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Trusting your gut and your intuition is something that nurses do every day at work. I urge you to exercise that muscle in your personal life if you don’t already.

5. Trust Your Gut

Watch out for red flags and listen to your gut.

If you have a bad feeling about a property or the owner, first ask yourself why and then decide if it’s credible or not.

If the landlord seems off or is pushing you to sign a lease or send the deposit money, walk away.

Finding housing for a travel assignment isn’t just about finding a place to live. It’s also about your safety and feeling comfortable going home.

Besides being scammed out of thousands of dollars, one of the worst things that could happen is that you dread going home after a long shift.

Stay safe, stay smart, and don’t worry about hurting the landlord’s feelings if you don’t want to sign their lease.

Do what you have to do to protect yourself.

Conclusion

The key to securing great travel nurse housing is to trust your gut and go in knowing what you want.

By requesting a video walkthrough, having a rent amount already decided, knowing your deal-breakers, using reputable housing sites, and trusting your gut, you should be able to land the perfect spot.

To help you get started in your search, click here to use Gypsy Nurse’s Housing Finder.

We hope you found this article on travel nurse housing tips helpful. Do you have any travel nurse housing tips to share with your fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Miles Oliver

January 2, 2024

3969 Views

Co-Housing for Travel Nurses: A Guide to Community Living

Posted on January 2, 2024January 3, 2024 by Miles Oliver

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!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Fusion Medical Staffing

November 6, 2023

3574 Views

3 Benefits of Agency-Provided Housing for Travel Nurses

Posted on November 6, 2023October 26, 2023 by Fusion Medical Staffing

Fusion Medical Staffing provided this article.

When it comes to finding where you’ll rest your head while on an assignment, you have two options: you can take a housing stipend or opt for agency-provided housing. If you accept a travel nursing housing stipend, it’s up to you to research, find, and reserve your temporary lodging. Alternatively, many agencies have a supportive housing department that can find your lodging for you. Here, we break down the top perks of agency-provided housing.

3 Benefits of Agency-Provided Housing for Travel Nurses

Stress-free house hunting

While accepting a travel nurse housing stipend and choosing your own housing may offer more control, it can also be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially when you’re frequently relocating. Agency-provided housing significantly reduces the stress of house hunting and eases your transition into a new assignment.

With agency-provided housing, all the hard work is done for you, so you just show up on move-in day. From sorting out the lease agreement to supplying furniture, agency-provided housing takes care of the heavy lifting for you.

Not only does this save time, but it also provides a sense of stability. By allowing your travel nursing agency to set you up with lodging, you’ll be provided with a comfortable, fully furnished, and secure home close to your workplace.

Financial convenience

Another major perk of agency-provided housing is the financial convenience. As an in-demand healthcare professional, you likely work long hours, and the last thing you want to do is worry about utility bills, maintenance, or housing deposits.

Instead, let your travel nursing agency free you from managing those details. Your agency will pay for these bills and deposits directly to the landlord or rental company. That way, you can avoid the hassle of setting up and dismantling your living space every time you take a new travel nursing job. Even better, you can focus your finances on other aspects of your life, like boosting your savings or paying off debt.

Additionally, when you factor in the time and effort it takes to secure housing, plus the cost of furniture, household items, and the potential for unexpected charges, you may find agency-provided housing to be more cost-effective.

Extra housing support

The best part about agency-provided housing is that you have a built-in support network in the agency’s housing department, serving as a reliable lifeline during your assignments.

Beyond just securing accommodations, the agency’s housing department acts as a resource for any housing-related issues that may arise. Whether it’s a maintenance dilemma, a need for clarification on utilities, or a desire to learn about your new area, the housing department is there to assist. With immediate and constant support available when you need it, opting for agency-provided housing ensures you can focus on what you do best: positively improve the lives of others.

Frequently asked questions

Can I opt for agency-provided housing if I travel with others?

Although every agency’s policy may differ, many are accommodating and understand the need for travel nurses to have companions. So, whether you travel with your family, in a group with fellow healthcare professionals, or pets, your agency can find you housing that fits your needs — just make sure to effectively communicate what that looks like to your travel nurse recruiter.

Are there pet-friendly, agency-provided housing options?

From dogs and cats to reptiles and birds, many travel nurses want to bring their pets on their travel adventures. And the good news is, you can!

If you’re in need of pet-friendly housing options and would prefer agency-provided lodging, talk with your agency’s housing department or your recruiter to make sure they understand what you’re looking for. From apartments to rental homes to extended-stay hotels, pet-friendly housing often comes with amenities like secure outdoor spaces, pet waste stations, and nearby parks to keep you and your pet feeling right at home.

Can I request specific features or accommodation in my housing?

Yes! It’s important that you feel comfortable and safe where you’re living on assignment, so if you have any specific requests or must-have features, let your travel nurse agency know. Some common requests include a non-smoking environment or access to a fitness center or pool. Many staffing agencies are more than happy and willing to work with you to find suitable housing that meets your requirements.

While choosing your lodging on assignment is ultimately a personal decision, there are many pros to agency-provided housing. It eliminates the stress of finding accommodation in a new city, provides financial convenience, and gives you the support to focus more time and energy on your essential work. Next time you’re preparing for your next travel nursing job, consider opting for agency-provided housing.

If you would like to read more articles on travel healthcare housing, click here.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Host Healthcare

June 22, 2023

3996 Views

How To Furnish Your Temporary Home While Travel Nursing

Posted on June 22, 2023June 22, 2023 by Host Healthcare

Host Healthcare provided this article.

Figuring out how to furnish a temporary apartment without emptying your pockets can be challenging. How do you come up with the furniture and decor you need to be comfortable and feel at home without wasting the average housing stipend for travel nurses you receive on things you’ll inevitably leave behind?

If you’re planning to take a temporary position in a new city, you’re not alone. More than 25,000 nurses in the US work as travel nurses, taking assignments that generally last from 8 to 26 weeks unless you’ve availed of travel nursing extensions.

When there’s a market need, there’s bound to be someone to fill it, and furnishing temporary housing has an established business model through furniture leasing. But you can also look at a limited-time home as an opportunity to be playful, try out minimalism, or hone your bargain-shopping skills.

Let’s dive into all things apartment furnishing.

How Do You Furnish a Temporary Apartment?

The short answer, hopefully, is cheaply.

The truth is apartment furnishing can be incredibly expensive—especially if you’re trying to buy everything new. By considering used items, you can quickly furnish a temporary apartment and never even have to check the bank account.

To help you find tried-and-true bargain sources, consider:

Garage sales – Garage and yard sales are a great way to find deals and uncover new interior design choices you’d never imagined. Plus, while you’re there, you can get to know the neighborhoods around you.
Free furniture (if you can pick it up) – One step beyond the garage sale are the items that people will happily give away in return for you carting them off their property. Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Freecycle, OfferUp, and the Barter and Recycle sections of Reddit.²

How Do You Furnish an Apartment Long Distance?

Furniture leasing is a great model for either covering your furniture needs in an unfurnished apartment or starting out with critical pieces. At the same time, you fill the temporary space with bargains as you settle in. You can have furniture with a short-term lease of at least one month or indefinitely.

A great feature of this model is being able to shop online and have your items selected and your delivery day scheduled before you cross the country.

CORT furniture rental has been around for decades, but there are more options to choose from depending on where you’re headed, such as Feather, Brook Furniture Rental, Oliver Space, and Aaron’s.

Search for furniture rental by zip code or city to see which providers service the area, and choose one that suits your style the best.

Turning a New Apartment Into a Home

Creating a home is more than just unpacking your boxes and finding the perfect loveseat for Sunday evenings in front of the TV. You need room to give you that cozy, sigh-at-the-end-of-a-long-day feeling where you can fully relax and have a sense of space.

So, what makes it feel like home? Think about:

Scent – Every realtor knows the trick of baking chocolate cookies before an open house to trigger a happy home feeling. What scents evoke feelings of safety and care for you? A high-quality vanilla candle might be something to add to your just-landed shopping list.
Color and pattern – You may have some flexibility in furniture lease selections, but you’re likely not going to be adding temporary wallpaper to this apartment or installing custom drapery. Consider a large, lightweight throw that you can drape over a couch to provide a punch of red-orange, paisley, or whatever your favorite color or pattern is.
Texture – If you’re in a semi-furnished apartment or unfurnished apartment with painted white walls and neutral flooring, you can introduce welcoming textures that feel velvety, soft, plush, or furry to generate warmth. Particularly if you’re in a new place on your own, you want your home to feel like a warm hug. This can be done through texture.

What Do I Bring With Me to a Temporary Apartment?

Of course, your new apartment will feel like a home if you transport every framed photo and decorative item in your possession. But aside from the hassle and cost, you’d be missing out on the opportunity to move lightly, start fresh, and try out new environments.

Essential items that you can fit in a suitcase to help decorate the new digs may include:

Custom-printed textiles – Order a throw with a funny family photo or occasional pillow covers with your favorite vacation snapshots from a vendor like Shutterfly or Canvas Champ.
Photos – Grab some copies of friends and family photos printed on full-size pages and some removable poster putty to hang them. They’ll cover more wall space and cause no worries if they’re damaged or lost.
Practical items with sentimental value – If you’re headed to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, you’ll be bringing winter duds anyway, so why not pack the scarf your cousin knit for you inside a tote bag from your favorite hometown market? When you only have enough room for the necessities, look for the items that remind you of the people and places you love.

Ready to Plan Your Move?

If you are going to live in temporary quarters and change travel nursing jobs every few months, it helps to have a dedicated resource by your side every step of the way. At Host Healthcare, we partner with travelers to ensure their travel nursing experience is flawless.

We’ll work with you to find opportunities that will delight you professionally and support you in the process of becoming an active traveler.

Reach out today to talk to one of our friendly recruiters.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

Sources:

Beaker, Full. “Travel Nursing Jobs for Registered Nurses.” Travel Nursing, 25 Aug. 2021, https://www.travelnursing.org/nursing-jobs/.
Smith, Jen. “The Best Places to Find Free Furniture.” Modern Frugality, 3 Feb. 2021, https://www.modernfrugality.com/find-free-furniture/.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Understanding Your Housing Stipend

Company-Provided Housing vs. Finding Your Own

1. Company-Provided Housing

2. Finding Your Own Housing

Tips for Securing Travel Nurse Housing

1. Start Your Search Early

2. Leverage Travel Nurse Communities

3. Utilize Housing Websites

4. Negotiate Lease Terms

5. Consider Proximity to Work

Preparing for Your Stay

Making the Most of Your Housing Stipend

Finding Your Next Place to Call Home

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Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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Tips on keeping your temporary housing clean as a busy travel nurse:

1. Consider Professional Cleaning Services

2. Develop a Cleaning Schedule

3. Prioritize High-Traffic Areas

4. Invest in Time-Saving Cleaning Tools and Supplies

5. Embrace Quick Cleaning Hacks

6. Create a Cleaning Routine That Fits Your Schedule

7. Utilize Storage Solutions to Minimize Clutter

8. Delegate Cleaning Tasks When Possible

9. Stay Proactive to Prevent Messes Before They Happen

10. Maintain a Positive Attitude Towards Cleaning

Conclusion

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

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Tips to make your temporary housing feel more like home:

Start with personalizing your space.

Once the personalization is complete, tackle the kitchen.

After cooking, you’ll want to enjoy some relaxation.

Of course, no home is complete without a little entertainment.

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to connect with your fellow travel nurses.

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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