August 8, 2021

7954 Views

It’s Time to Research Housing: Where do I Start?

Posted on August 8, 2021August 8, 2021 by Furnished Finder

(Including a list of the best housing resources for travel nurses)

Working as a travel nurse can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it does come with a certain amount of stress. Moving to a new city and starting a new position can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. One of the best ways to reduce stress and set yourself up for success is by finding the right housing that fits all your needs and supports your lifestyle.

Follow these tips to find the best housing options for your next travel nurse assignment.

Make a List of Your Priorities

The first step is making sure that you get everything you want in a housing situation is to make a list of your priorities. What factors do you need to take into consideration when choosing? While you will need to consider practical factors like cost, location, transportation, don’t forget about the things that are currently a part of your daily routine as well. Here are some things to think about if you’re a stipend travel nurse looking for housing:

Do you need a private unit, or are you willing to save money by renting a shared space?
Will you be bringing a pet, or can you travel without your furry friend?
Do you have to be in the city, or are you ok with commuting in?
Are you taking a car? If so, what is the parking situation like?
Do you need to be near a gym so that you can continue your workouts?
Are you a day or night-sleeper?
What are your regular hobbies and what do you need to continue to enjoy these?
Do you cook most of your meals after you get home or do weekly food prep?
How often can you afford to eat out?

Also, take a moment to reflect on what you are most looking forward to when it comes to your next travel experience. Foodies use the opportunity to try new cuisine and visit local restaurants. Others are planning on doing some sightseeing or meeting new people. These goals can be taken into account when considering different housing locations.

Once you create a list, go back and decide which of these factors are essential and which you are willing to make adjustments for. It is important to establish your ”must-haves” so that you are setting yourself up for a happy living situation. Creating a list will help you identify and articulate your needs so that you can begin narrowing down your choices and eliminating any properties that won’t support your lifestyle and your travel goals.

Consider Practical Factors

Once you have figured out what you want from your housing, you can begin to make a list of practical considerations that will also factor into your decision.

Will my stipend cover the cost of rent? In some cases, you may actually be able to make money by choosing a more affordable housing option. That money can go towards enjoying restaurants and activities in your new city, or it can go toward your mortgage back home.

What is the cancellation policy? Hospitals can certainly cancel a contract mid-term which can be problematic if you have already put down a deposit on housing. That is why it is always a good idea to partner with landlords who are used to renting to travel nurses. Typically, they offer more attractive terms that limit your exposure should your assignment get canceled early such as lower deposits and monthly leases.
How far are you willing to commute to your assignment? How close do you need to be to the grocery store and other essential destinations? Of course, travelers want to be close to their assignment, especially those that are on-call, but it’s important to find a location that gives you rent that you can afford, that is also within an acceptable radius of the places you’ll be going.
Are utilities, cable and internet included in the rental amount? Before you sign any agreements, make sure that you are clear about any additional costs.

Where Most Travelers Start

Whether you’re comparing jobs side by side and need to know which assignment has more affordable housing options, or you’ve already signed your contract and know where you’re going, Furnished Finder is where most travelers and staffing companies seem to start. They have over 30,000 listings from hosts all over the nation who are looking for travel nurse tenants. It’s actually pretty unique to find a housing platform without the booking fees like vacation rental sites and mark-ups like corporate housing. You can view all of the Furnished Finder properties on their site, or right on The Gypsy Nurse housing resource page.

Stipend Calculator

If you’re researching jobs in different cities and looking to see where your stipend will stretch the furthest, you can use the new Travel Nurse Stipend Calculator tool. There you’ll be able to get average housing costs, find out the top nursing specialties and staffing agencies, and compare key metrics to see which area may be the best for you.

Contribute

One of the best things about being part of a community is that you can receive and share helpful information with one another. Chances are that you’ve already worked in a city or assignment where another traveler is currently considering, so why not help out the next nurse and share your experience? Here, you can rate your previous facility, and give your fellow travelers tips about the best neighborhoods, areas to avoid, favorite restaurants, traffic patterns, and other best practices that you’ve learned while on assignment in a city. To become a contributor and help a fellow traveler, you can do that here.

More Resources

Both Furnished Finder and The Gypsy Nurse have Facebook groups dedicated to housing as well. There you can connect with your peers, ask questions, and learn about their experiences. Don’t underestimate groups like these as they can be excellent resources…just realize that with over 120,000 members combined, you may have to sift through a few rants to get to the content that you’re interested in. You can also use the search filter to search by topics, hospitals, staffing companies and cities that interest you.

Recommended Facebook Groups:

Travel Nurse Housing – Furnished Finder

Travel Nurse Housing – The Gypsy Nurse

If you want to dig into housing even more, you can visit these popular blogs and resource pages.

Search for Housing:

Submit a Housing Request:

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/housing-request

Stipend Calculator:

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Travel-Nurse-Stipend-calculator

Blog Pages:

Avoiding Scams:

Landlord Verification Report:

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/travelers

Housing plays an important role in your travel nurse housing experience where the right living situation will allow you to maintain a work/life balance that helps you thrive. Hopefully, these tips and tools will help to ensure your housing supports your lifestyle wherever you go.

Furnished Finder is the largest online housing marketplace for travel nurses who take temporary positions across the US. With over 30,000 monthly furnished rental properties to choose from, they continue to expand their inventory and make housing easier and more affordable for traveling healthcare professionals nationwide.

*If you’re a landlord looking to offer housing on Furnished Finder and The Gypsy Nurse, go here.

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 4, 2021

5914 Views

Tips for Small Space Living

Posted on August 4, 2021July 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

So, you’ve decided you want to take the plunge and decrease the square footage of your home; that’s what we did anyway. We renovated a 1971 Airstream trailer to our liking, got rid of a LARGE amount of our items, made space for the dog and the cat, and hit the road. It has been a life-changing, eye-opening event in our lives. For the most part, it has been extremely rewarding, but there were a lot of sacrifices that this lifestyle requires too. Here are our tips on how to make the most of tiny space living, especially with your furry friends in tow.

Plan Ahead-

This one is BIG. This started as soon as we decided we were going to renovate the Airstream. Our layout was meticulously thought out to maximize space and storage. Our bed flips up so that much of our larger items can be stowed underneath. For you pet owners, especially cat owners, you’ll want to think of where their things will go (i.e., the litter box). In anticipation of living in a tiny space, we actually decided to toilet train our cat. Lucky for us, she loves a good food-driven bribe and was willing to do anything for some tuna. If that’s not your cat’s style, you’ll want to find a good storage area for the litter box to slip into and help keep the smell to a minimum.

We had some friends that kept it behind its own cute curtain, which was genius for keeping it out of sight and the smell contained! We also recommend trying to plan your meals ahead of time. If you go with a trailer, the fridges tend to be tiny. We have found that we can cut down on wasted space and food by planning out our meals a couple of days in advance so that we only have what we really need.

Purging-

If you’ve decided you want to take the leap into the world of small homes, this is another big one. It’s also hard! We had to take a good look at all of our items, Marie Condo style. We went with the system of “If it hasn’t been used or worn in over a year, then it’s out.” I’m a total sucker for “it’ll be back in style eventually” and therefore always love to hold on to clothes longer than necessary. However, for the sake of our tiny space, I got rid of soooooo many garbage bags full of clothing. It was heartbreaking but totally worth it when I saw just how neatly all of my clothing now fits into place.

We also did this for kitchen items too, we were very guilty of having far too many drinking glasses and coffee mugs. We had to be realistic and realize we weren’t going to have 10 people over for breakfast in a tiny space, therefore limiting ourselves to our 4 favorite mugs on the road. To this day, two years in, we’ve only ever needed 4 at a time. So go make some money on eBay, and sell that stuff, baby!

Small Space with Pets-

If you’re like me, your pets are your children. Therefore, the tiny space must incorporate them as well. How much space can a cat actually take up? Your dog doesn’t need too much, right? These were both things I had thought prior to making the move, but boy, was I surprised. For one, now that we are in a smaller space, our cat likes to make her presence known. She’s everywhere I want to sit. In my bed, on the toilet (remember that toilet training thing?), yelling at me to feed her.

I adore her, but it can be a lot. It definitely helped when we gave her a designated space. We made space by the window, put her food nearby and one of her toys, and now she gravitates toward that area. I still find her everywhere I need to be because, ya know, cats… but she mostly hangs out in “her” space now. Combined, our cat and dog have their own cabinet in the trailer of just items for pet use. Food, brushes, shampoo, flea and tick treatments, a colorful collection of bandanas. It definitely helps to have all of their items in their own location so that they aren’t mixed in with ours.

We also keep their vet records on hand in their own files. If you’re planning on traveling in your tiny space, this will be especially important as many parks require this information to be readily available. If you are like me and have an allurement toward fluffy pets, you’ll want to keep a lint roller on hand. I can never seem to walk out of the house without a fresh layer of fur on my own clothing, no matter how many times a day we brush them. Keeping a lint roller handy has been truly lifesaving.

Go With the Flow-

I know this may seem contradictory to my first tip of “planning ahead,” but what this life has taught me is you truly cannot plan for everything. There are going to be wrenches thrown into your days. The best thing you can do is, take a deep breath, smile, and try something new. We’ve had countless times where things have gone wrong. Most recently, our two-year-old water heater abruptly stopped working. As frustrating as that was, we ended up getting a gym membership so that we could shower and now find ourselves working out at the gym on a daily basis. That was never the intention, but it was a welcomed change in our life. We’ve become true believers that everything happens for a reason. If you’re finding yourself craving living in a tiny space, well, there’s probably a reason for that too, so I say go for it!

We hope you found these tips for small space living helpful. Are you currently living in a small space or RV? Do you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board.

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 Jackson Nurse Professionals

August 2, 2021

4475 Views

3 Quick Strategies for Making Your Rental Your Home

Posted on August 2, 2021July 29, 2021 by Jackson Nurse Professionals

This article was provided by Jackson Nurse Professionals.

As you move from assignment to assignment, not having your things around you can increase occasional feelings of loneliness and even mental fatigue. Adding your own personalized touches to your temporary housing can make you feel more comfortable, and most importantly, at home.
Whether you’re in an Airbnb, renting a room, or renting an entire pad, these are quick, cheap, and easy ways to bring home to wherever you are.

Try removable wall decals!

When it comes to decorating your rental, the idea of doing an accent wall with removable wallpaper sounds great… until you realize how long it takes to do. Instead, use removable wall decals as a quick and easy fix so that you’re not surrounded by plain, gloomy, off-white walls. There are so many options out there now for sticky wall decals; you’re bound to find one that fits your personal style perfectly! Adding a fun accent wall is an excellent way to brighten up your space, add some color, and make it feel more like your space. Not only does it install and remove easily without damaging the walls or leaving them sticky, but you can also reuse the decals in your next rental. Carefully peel the decal from the top corner and pull downwards towards the floor to prevent stretching and misshaping. You can either keep the original paper backing or use wax paper to keep it fresh for your next home!

Add Light Acrylic Frames & a Wall Mosaic to your suitcase

Staying in a rental or an Airbnb, it’s not the best idea to cover the walls in thumbtack or nail holes from hanging up all your favorite photos. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your family photos with you! Utilizing light, portable, floating acrylic frames allows you to display as many photos as you want while not destroying the walls, weighing down your moving boxes, or needing to worry about breaking glass when it’s time to pack up. You can even purchase prints or print larger photos to split between multiple frames, making a creative and edgy large piece of art. Add more color or personal touches to the house using burlap, patterned cardstock, or Con-Tact paper as a background for a smaller photo! You can also use a portable wall mosaic, so you can display 50 photos without needing to put 50 holes in the wall. Keeping photos of your loved ones around will help you feel more relaxed and at home.

Invest in compression storage bags to bring blankets & pillows

We know that you need to pack lightly so you can easily pack up and move to your next assignment location. But, using a vacuum compression storage bag can allow you to bring some of your favorite home comfort items with you. You don’t’ even need a vacuum; many now come with a handheld vacuum sealing pump, perfect for travelers. Utilize these bags to bring your own decorative pillows or some throw blankets for your rental! These small touches will help your space feel more comfortable and homier during your short stay. You can also pack a duvet cover that can easily be slipped over a comforter to add a personal touch to your bedroom without having to sacrifice the space for a huge blanket in your suitcase.

Don’t just store your things, display them!

It’s the little details in your space that make it feel like a home! Utilize the space that you have to display some of your personal items rather than store them away. Command hooks are a cheap and easy way to hang necklaces and bracelets without destroying the walls. Get creative with your jewelry displays by using simple mesh bookends to easily organize your earrings and add some color and personal touches to the room! You can also use a modern but easy to breakdown and transport clothing rack to display some of your favorite clothing items while also freeing up space in the closet.

When you’re not at work or exploring your new city, these decorative touches will help you feel comfortable in your temporary home. Create your own sanctuary that feels like home to you, leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed after a long day at work.

By Annie Rueb

July 19, 2021

9171 Views

RV Living as a Family and How it Relates to Travel Nursing

Posted on July 19, 2021January 16, 2023 by Annie Rueb

There are a lot of housing choices when it comes to travel nursing. Do you take housing from your company? Do you find your housing? Is it an entire house or a room in a shared home? Do you travel in an RV? Do you have pets? Kids? Or are you like us and have both? As a traveling family, we feel like RV living is the best choice. We love having a consistent home, not having to pack/unpack our things every 3 months, and financially it saves us a ton of money. However, it does come with its challenges, and we’ve had to learn ways to navigate those as it comes.

It is always a really exciting time when we are ready to sign our next contract. Because we travel as a family in an RV, we have to take some extra steps before we can do that. As soon as we apply for a position, our search for an RV resort begins. Most of our research is preliminary, so we know if we can accept a position if we get an offer.

When we contact an RV resort, this is how it goes (and yes, they want all of this information):

“Dear, excellent RV resort of our choice,

We are a traveling nurse family in a 39ft Class A Motorhome that I have photos of attached to this email. We tow a 16ft flatbed trailer with one vehicle on it. We travel with our 2 kids (ages 7 and 9) and our 2 dogs (very friendly Vizslas). We are looking to take a nursing contract at (hospital name) from (date to date). We are writing to inquire about your availability and monthly rates.

Thank you so much for your time….”

This can get exhausting, especially if you are trying to go to a destination city anywhere near their peak season. For example, when traveling to Maine for the summer, almost every single RV resort was fully booked for the entire summer. Luckily the management team at the hospital had a place they highly recommended, and everything worked out well. Likely, you are not the first travel nurse to come to the area in an RV, and the hospital will most often have great ideas for you. But if there isn’t an available place, you have to let those offers go.

Not all RV parks are created equally.

Some parks are full of incredibly kind people that are very welcoming to travel nurses, and some are not. Most parks understand that nurses are thoroughly vetted and love having you there; some make you pay for and complete very lengthy background checks. Some parks fully welcome children and dogs, and some do not and might even have extra fees associated with them. Some parks have incredible amenities like big, working laundry facilities, recreational facilities like game rooms, gyms, playgrounds, pools, lakes, dog parks, nice open spaces, high-speed internet, security, and needed utilities included in your rate. Some parks don’t have any or many of these types of amenities. We have learned to ask a lot of questions, read reviews, and get a feel for the park before committing to it.

Aside from one, every RV park we have chosen has been very safe, fun, and welcoming. But this is an extremely important factor that plays a role in whether or not we can even accept a travel contract. We have to have a safe home for the family.

Living in the RV itself is not for everyone.

We have adapted well to our tiny living space. We gave our children the back bedroom. This may feel like a big sacrifice, but it is so nice to give them their own space for their own things and have a place where they can go to bed at night that isn’t in the middle of the living room. When anyone gets up early to work, the kids aren’t disturbed. When it’s bedtime, they can go to bed, and we don’t feel like we have to as well. We transform the living room every night into our bedroom suite, and it works for us. But that is the point; if you chose to live in an RV, you have to be open to tiny living and open to adapting it to what works best for you and your travel companions.

Let’s quickly talk about finances.

We bought a used motorhome (20 years used to be exact). We did this so we could have a modest car payment instead of a small mortgage. As travel nurses, we were able to pay this off quickly. Since we purchased an already depreciated vehicle, we will not lose much money on its value annually. So, we have a paid-off vehicle that will be worth something when we are finished. We have paid anywhere from $600-$1000 a month, including utilities, for a spot at an RV resort. This is a fraction of what we would pay for a furnished home/apartment that is large enough for the family and accepts pets. We’ve looked into this from time to time and are always blown away by the monthly rates. So overall, this makes sense for us on a financial level as well.

The best part about it though is that it is home.

Decorated and designed to our liking. When it’s time to go, we throw a few things in some cabinets, and we hit the road. When we get there, we pick up right where we left off. It keeps us warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and plenty comfortable on a day-to-day basis. We love the time we get to spend outdoors and immerse ourselves in the nature around us. We meet wonderful people in RV parks. Quite often, there are other traveling families moving their way through the country for a variety of reasons, and the kids get to socialize a lot. One time, we even got lucky enough to meet another traveling nurse family, and we were all instant friends.

Overall, RV living was the best choice for us. We couldn’t recommend it more, especially to any of you out there traveling as a family. Safe travels!

To follow Annie and her family’s travel nurse adventures click here to check out our travel nursing with family articles.

Are you looking for your next great adventure as a travel nurse? Click here to view our job board.

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 Megan Hutcherson

June 23, 2021

11284 Views

RV Living as a Travel Nurse

Posted on June 23, 2021May 20, 2021 by Megan Hutcherson

Imagine not having to worry about packing up your entire life and finding a furnished apartment every three months. This is just one of the many reasons why vans and RVs are growing in popularity with the travel nurse community. Having a home on wheels helps to remove much of the stress associated with traveling so you can enjoy your time off. So what do you need to know if you are considering RV Living?

RV Living: Housing Tips for Travel Nurse

Choosing your rig:

Based on your needs, there are several options for nomadic homes, including busses, vans, RVs, and travel trailers. A great way to determine which is best for you is by trying it out for yourself temporarily. Some companies allow you to rent a van or RV for a few days. This can give you a feel of which option would work for your lifestyle and how much room you may need. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your home on wheels: how many people are in your household? Do you have pets? What are the necessities you can’t live without?

Downsizing:

If you’ve been travel nursing for a while, you’re probably already used to traveling with a lighter load but travel nursing while living in a condensed space requires the belongings you travel with to become even lighter. When deciding what you will fill your home on wheels with, it is important to determine your wants versus needs. Look at your items and ask yourself if it is something you will use frequently or if it will sit in a corner and take up precious space.

Parking accommodations:

When starting a new assignment, you will need to ensure that the location will fit your parking needs. Parking may vary based on the size and type of your home. For example, if you have an RV that requires electrical and water hookups, you will need to make sure there is an RV park near your hospital. If you have a van that runs off solar power, you may choose to seek out free parking in your area. Some free parking options include the hospital you are working at (it is always best to check in with security and ask where to park. Most hospitals are happy to have you stay there), national forests, BLM land, truck stops, street parking in local neighborhoods, chain stores like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Cabelas (it is always good to call ahead to ask permission first).

Temperature and Climate:

When choosing an assignment location, consider the season that you will be in for the duration of the contract. Research the average high and low temperatures in that area and be compatible with the climate control that you have inside your rig. With extreme temperatures, whether it be 120 degrees in the desert or single digits in the mountains, living conditions can become very uncomfortable without proper planning. One of the perks of travel nursing is having a say when you take your assignments, so be sure to think about this when deciding on your location.

Security:

One downside to living in your vehicle is having all of your valuables in your rig. This can be stressful when working twelve-hour shifts and being away from your vehicle for that long period of time. Taking extra measures to secure your home on wheels can alleviate some of that stress and give you peace of mind when you are away. Some ways to add extra security measures include installing extra locks on the inside of your vehicle, security cameras, keeping valuables out of sight, having a lockbox hidden to store important documents or valuables. One of the most important steps you can take is being aware of your surroundings and if something feels off, listen to your gut. Making the jump into living in a home on wheels while travel nursing can be a beneficial decision in so many different ways. Although this way of life isn’t always for everyone, those who decide to adopt nomadic living usually don’t regret it. If this is something, you find yourself considering but still have some reservations about it, again, seek out one of the vans or RV rental companies and give it a try for a weekend. It’s always best to be confident before pulling the trigger rather than diving in and then realizing maybe this lifestyle isn’t exactly what you had in mind.

We hope you found these tips for RV living helpful. Are you currently or have you used a van or RV for housing during a travel nurse assignment? Do you have any tips for RV living to share? Comment them below.

By Furnished Finder

June 21, 2021

13229 Views

In-Depth Tenant Background Checks: Screening and Comprehensive Reports

Posted on June 21, 2021December 18, 2023 by Furnished Finder

Once you land a travel nurse job, your attention then shifts to finding a monthly furnished rental. The Gypsy Nurse recommends our partner Furnished Finder for housing, but of course, many travelers look on vacation rental sites as well.

While vacation rental sites may allow you to skip a tenant screening report sometimes, they can be much more expensive because they are catering to vacation-goers. Furnished Finder, on the other hand, doesn’t charge booking fees for their monthly rentals saving travelers hundreds of dollars, but landlords will most likely require a tenant screening report.

What’s the difference between a background check and a tenant screening report?

An employment background check gives the employer criminal, educational, and identity data on the applicant. At the same time, a tenant screening report provides more detailed information relating to your credit, payments, and eviction history.

Hospital-mandated background checks are more of a formality that ultimately protects the hospital. Still, some travel nurses think that since they passed an employment background check when they got hired, they don’t have to complete a tenant screening report from their new landlord. This is false, as they are entirely different.

Can I refuse to complete a tenant screening requested by my landlord?

Yes, of course. However, you will most likely have to find alternative housing, like a vacation rental or a hotel which can be much more expensive.

Simply put, landlords need more information on their tenants than a background check can provide. If a travel nurse were to refuse to complete a tenant screening report, then they may be automatically eliminating themselves from the majority of monthly furnished rentals forcing them to stay in higher-priced short-term accommodations like hotels or vacation rentals.

Do tenant screening reports hurt my credit?

Only hard inquiries harm your credit (such as when you’re buying a car or applying for a mortgage). “Soft-Pull” reports have absolutely no effect on your credit score and do not even show up as an inquiry on your credit report.

Tenant screening reports, such as the ones provided through KeyCheck and other online screening sites, do not harm your credit because they use the popular “Soft-Pull” technique.

Soft pulls are viewed by the credit bureaus as you pulling your own credit report and then essentially sharing it with your landlord. Since a person can view their own credit report without penalty, soft-pull reports bypass the harmful effects of a conventional credit check.

Just like travelers want to be safe and protected when they travel for work, landlords also want to protect themselves as well. When a landlord asks for a tenant screening report, that just means you are one step closer to securing your housing! Plan to pay around $39 for those reports. However, sometimes the cost is absorbed by the landlord.

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 TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

May 24, 2021

7659 Views

Taking the Guesswork out of Travel Nurse Housing Options

Posted on May 24, 2021March 23, 2023 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by TNAA.

Housing can be one of the more stressful to-dos on a travel nurse’s checklist. As many traveling healthcare professionals will tell you, the housing you choose can make or break an assignment. But, by choosing the right agency, travel nurse housing doesn’t have to be a pain point for you.

Ideally, you want to work with an agency that has plenty of travel nurse housing options so you can find what works best for you from one assignment to the next.

Keep reading for helpful tips on what to go over with your agency to avoid any housing disasters.

Taking Travel Nurse Agency Housing or a Housing Stipend

Whether you decide to stay at agency-provided housing (if it is available) or take a housing stipend, you want to choose an agency that will assist you every step of the way.

The goal of your agency’s housing department should be to find you a safe and clean location that is in close proximity to your hospital and that meets your individual needs, like living in a place that is already furnished or staying within a certain budget. The bright side of choosing agency-provided housing is that your options are vetted for you based on these requirements. You also might be able to skip out on a lot of paperwork as some agencies will set up utilities, housing contracts, and more for you.

If there aren’t agency-provided options that fit your requirements, you can choose to take a housing stipend instead. This gives you the ability to find a more unique stay and perhaps pocket some of the leftover stipends. Connect with your agency to see what resources they can provide to steer you toward traveler-friendly options when choosing your own housing. Some might have access to discount codes to popular lodging sites like Airbnb, leads for traveler-friendly private homes, a list of RV parks, and other perks.

Whether you plan on taking the stipend or utilizing company-provided options, don’t be afraid to use your agency’s housing resources if they are offered.

Traveling with Family and Pets

Being on the road is exciting, but we know it can also get lonely. Find out what your travel nurse housing options are when you want to travel with your family and pets. You want to choose a travel nurse agency that will work with you to secure housing for your particular situation.

Some agencies will offer more than a one-bedroom housing option, but others might have limits on what they can provide. This information can come in handy when deciding if you want to bring someone on your assignment.

It is also important to keep in mind that several housing providers typically have restrictions on the number of animals you can bring, animal type, and breed. Many times, these regulations are set by the housing provider and not the agency itself. However, some agencies provide the added perk of finding nearby housing for your pet if they can’t camp out at your place (we’ve worked to find stables for horses many times). Ask your housing department if any animal restrictions apply and if you have other options before picking a place that isn’t pet-friendly.

Using a Payment Assistance Program

Finding a place to stay can come with many initial fees, like a security deposit, pet fees, the first month’s rent, and more. That can be a large sum of money to take out of your account at one time.

See if your agency offers a Payment Assistance Program because you might be able to get assistance with these costs. A Payment Assistance Program can help pay for some of the initial moving costs and then automatically deduct a portion of the cost from a period of paychecks once your assignment has started. Your housing department would show you what this would look like coming out of your paycheck, and you wouldn’t have to pay all the moving fees in one lump.

No matter your circumstances or if you choose to pick a housing option on your own, you want your agency to still be a useful resource for you from assignment beginning to assignment end. Ask them what your options are for housing and how they can help get you in a comfortable stay.

By Furnished Finder

April 25, 2021

6197 Views

Travel Nurse Housing: What Happens if My Rental Doesn’t Work Out?

Posted on April 25, 2021October 4, 2023 by Furnished Finder

There are a ton of how-to guides on travel nurse housing. This travel nurse housing guide is one example of how you can find a place to live for your thirteen-week assignment that is affordable and safe.

However, even the best-laid plans can end up not working out. While your main concern may be that your travel contract itself gets canceled, there is always a chance that something may fall through with your rental.

This could result from a multitude of things. Perhaps a family emergency arises, and the property owner decides to sell their rental. Or, something important breaks within the home, and repairs push back a move-in date. Regardless, most of the time, these sorts of situations will be well outside your control, so there is not much you can do but take a deep breath and reassess your options.

Start back at square one.

If you hear your current housing plan is not going to work out, perhaps the platform where you found your rental originally will have more options. Rentals that were previously unavailable may have had a tenant cancel, or new landlords may have listed properties.

Post a housing request.

The Furnished Finder Travel Nurse Housing group is a great place to post a specific request for housing on short notice. This group has tens of thousands of travelers and landlords, so putting yourself out there gets you seen by tons of people who may have leads for wherever you are going.

Reach out to your rental manager.

On occasion, nurse managers may have some leads on staff nurses who rent to travel nurses in the area. Many staff nurses have realized that renting to travelers on their unit can be a lucrative side hustle, so it’s worth asking your manager if they have any ideas of places to live.

Consider adjusting your expectations.

If you aren’t having luck finding the private, furnished space you were dreaming of. You might consider branching out to other housing options. Many travel nurses have a great experience renting furnished rooms or renting an unfurnished space and leasing furniture separately. When housing falls through at the last minute, sometimes you have to get a little creative.

Look for a short(er) term option.

Sometimes you will have much more success house hunting in person. If you are super short on time when it comes to finding new housing, it might be worth it to book a hotel for the first couple of weeks of your assignment and then take some time to look around the area for something more permanent. Or, you can find a property that is available a few weeks into your contract and make plans to stay in a hotel temporarily. Regardless, the Hotel Search Page on Furnished Finder’s website is a great place to look for reasonably priced hotels and score exclusive discounts offered only to Furnished Finder customers.

Bottom Line: Don’t panic.

If I can promise you one thing, it is this: hundreds of travelers have gone through last-minute housing hiccups, and it always, always works out. Sometimes better than you planned in the beginning. No matter how small or how big the town you are traveling to may be, there will be something available that fits your needs!

We hope you found this article what to do if your rental doesn’t work out. If you would like to read more articles on housing click here.

By AMN Healthcare

March 30, 2021

6331 Views

5 Things to Keep in Mind During Your Travel Nurse Housing Search

Posted on March 30, 2021January 16, 2023 by AMN Healthcare

This article was provided by AMN Healthcare.

Although most agencies can arrange housing for travel nurses on assignment, some RNs prefer to accept a stipend and find their own places to stay. If you’re searching for short-term travel nurse housing, here are five things to keep in mind.

1. How your stipend works and what that means for acquiring housing

Chances are, rental costs will be a primary consideration when it comes to housing, so before you begin your search, find out how much your stipend will be and when you’ll receive it. Most agencies add a percentage of the stipend to your weekly paycheck rather than paying it upfront, and amounts can vary substantially by location, so what you received on your last assignment may be different than what you’ll receive on your next assignment.

How your stipend is disbursed can impact your ability to pay for housing. Talk with your recruiter about any financial deposits needed before you secure your place. Other initial expenses include fees or deposits for utility hookups, such as electricity, water, and the internet. Your recruiter will be able to assist you with all of this, so don’t be hesitant to ask.

2. The availability of short-term housing

Many nurses who opt for a stipend are shocked to learn how scarce short-term housing is in some regions. Travel nurse assignments average only 13 weeks, but rentals may require tenants to sign leases for longer than that. If there are short-term housing options in the area, travel nurses may find themselves on long waiting lists.

Realtors who specialize in rental units can be great resources for travel nurses, particularly in urban areas where businesses regularly host temporary staff, contractors, and visiting employees. Websites such as Furnished Finder can also help you find furnished, short-term housing.

3. The importance of location

If you’re traveling to an unfamiliar town or city, location should be a major consideration in your housing search, and you should never commit to a rental without knowing exactly where it’s located. Most importantly, make sure your temporary home is situated in a safe neighborhood and has convenient routes to work.

Websites such as AreaVibes let you see neighborhood crime statistics so you can choose your housing wisely, and a mapping app can show you all the available routes to your workplace. Many apps do account for traffic, so plot your route at the times of day you’ll likely be commuting for an accurate idea of commute times.

Because most travel nurses secure their housing before arrival, make sure you see current pictures of any property you’re considering. Reading reviews from current and former tenants before signing a lease is another great way to discover any housing complex highlights and lowlights.

4. Your personal housing needs

Consider your personal housing needs when searching for a place to stay. Most travel nurses require furnished housing, but you may have other needs that are unique to your situation. If you’re traveling with pets, for example, you’ll need a pet-friendly rental. If you’re traveling with school-aged children, the local school district can be a big consideration.

Personal preferences may also factor into your decision. Some RNs want a ground-floor unit for convenience, and others prefer the security and privacy of an upper-level apartment, especially if they’ll be living alone.

5. Alternatives to apartment rentals

When searching for housing, remember that there are alternatives to apartments. Some great prospects for temporary housing include:

Friends and relatives. By rooming with loved ones, you can enjoy an extended visit while saving money.
Extended-stay hotels. Some hotels offer extended stays for reasonable prices, and you can benefit from housekeeping services.
Vacation rentals. If your assignment takes you to a prime vacation destination such as the seashore, take advantage of vacation rentals, especially in the off-season when prices drop. You may find inexpensive housing with a relaxing vacation vibe.
Airbnb. Airbnb lets you find short-term housing that offers local flavor and hospitality.
RVs. In regions that have camping facilities, renting an RV can be a unique approach to short-term housing.

Talk to your recruiter.

If you’re feeling unsure about travel nurse housing, don’t hesitate to reach out to your agency. Staffing specialists often have experience with and knowledge about short-term housing options available near your assignment. They can also talk to you about the benefits and convenience of opting for company-arranged housing.

Make a List of Your Priorities

Consider Practical Factors

Where Most Travelers Start

Stipend Calculator

Contribute

More Resources

Recommended Facebook Groups:

Search for Housing:

Submit a Housing Request:

Stipend Calculator:

Blog Pages:

Avoiding Scams:

Landlord Verification Report:

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