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Finding Housing for Your Travel Nursing Assignment
Blog/Finding Housing for Your Travel Nursing Assignment
Finding Housing for Your Travel Nursing Assignment
From exploring new places to meeting and helping new people, travel nursing is a fun and rewarding experience. But to make the most of your experience, you need a safe and comfortable place to serve as a home away from home.
Whether it's your first time on the road or you're an experienced travel nurse, our guide will help you with tips for finding housing for your travel nursing assignment.
Why the Right Housing Matters for Travel Nurses
Housing is a top priority during travel nursing assignments. Where you stay can impact your work and the right housing can help your experience go as smoothly as possible.
Reduced burnout and stress:
Returning to a comfortable home with all the amenities you need after a long shift promotes relaxation and helps you recharge, preventing stress and burnout.
Better safety and security:
Choosing housing in
gives you peace of mind. You can focus on your nursing assignment without worrying about your personal safety.
Convenient commute:
Selecting a home close to your workplace results in a shorter, less stressful and more affordable commute.
Successful assignment:
Planning your housing arrangements early avoids last-minute complications and creates a more seamless transition to set you up for success.
Understanding Your Housing Options
Generally, you'll find two main options for travel nurse housing: agency-provided housing, where an agency will find accommodations for you, and housing stipends, which you can use to find your own place. Both options have unique advantages depending on your situation.
Agency-Provided Housing
If you choose agency-provided housing, your agency will do all the heavy lifting to find you a place. Typically, agencies have a team dedicated to finding, renting and furnishing housing for short-term leases. Based on location and demand, your agency may have limited options available. Some standard options include studio or one-bedroom apartments. For shorter assignments, extended stay hotels may be an option.
This housing option is best suited for nurses who are doing an assignment for the first time or prefer a hands-off approach to housing. On the flip side, some agency-provided accommodations may not be large enough for families and may not allow guests or pets.
Housing Stipends
When you opt to take a housing stipend, your agency pays you a weekly or monthly stipend specifically for housing. Then, it's your responsibility to find a place to stay for your travel nursing assignment. The good news is you have plenty of options for finding a comfortable spot, from housing websites to social media. And, if you budget wisely, any additional funds you some spend go right into your pocket.
Some benefits of taking a housing stipend include:
More flexibility and control:
Unlike agency-provided housing, which offers very limited choices, using a stipend gives you more flexibility and control over your housing and location options. With some research, you can find your perfect place in your preferred neighborhood.
More chances to meet your needs:
While many agency recruiters will work hard to help you find the best option, using your stipend means total freedom. Whether you want to rent an entire house for total privacy or stay at an extended stay hotel for loyalty points, the choice is yours.
More opportunity:
There are many outside-the-box options, like travel nurses who travel in an RV, stay at campgrounds, travel with multiple pets or rent a room from a colleague. When you take the housing stipend, you're in complete control of your options and how your money is spent.
Top Resources and Platforms for Travel Nurse Housing
If you're choosing housing yourself, here are some top resources and platforms where you can search for housing:
Specialized housing sites:
Explore specialized housing sites like Furnished Finder (Travel Nurse Housing), Extended Stay America and Airbnb.
Social media:
Use social media platforms like Facebook to find housing for your travel nursing assignment. Browse groups for travel nurses to find house listings and network with fellow travel nurses. Just make sure you choose an option you can trust.
Extended stay hotels:
If you prefer a hotel, try an extended stay option. These hotels are specifically designed for longer stays, so you can enjoy all the amenities of a hotel with a manageable rate.
Short-term leases:
Depending on the area, you may find listings for short-term leases. It can also be a good idea to look into subletting from someone.
Best Practices for Securing the Right Housing
Getting the best accommodations is simple when you take the right steps. Explore the following best practices and tips to help you secure the right housing for your assignment:
Start early:
Get ahead so you can find the best place to stay early. When you start the process right after you get your assignment, you have access to more options.
Set your priorities:
Make a list of your must-have amenities so you can use them in your search. If you're working with an agency recruiter, let them know about your preferences upfront. For example, you might only be interested in pet-friendly housing with an in-unit washer and dryer.
Research locations:
Be sure to research different neighborhoods you might want to stay in. If you can, speak with local residents or someone who's traveled to the same place before to get a sense of what it's like. This information will help you find safe, comfortable and fun places to stay near your assignment.
Do an inspection:
Don't sign any paperwork until you've done a thorough in-person or virtual inspection of the rental. Pay attention to details like safety features and signs of pests. Make sure the space matches what you've seen in pictures.
Looking for Your Next Travel Position?
The best part of travel nursing is that it allows you to do what you love while exploring new places. Finding the right housing for your travel nursing assignment makes the experience even more worthwhile.
At Trustaff, we connect nurses with high-paying travel nurse position, and we understand the importance of having a haven to call home when you're on an assignment. That's why we offer housing and travel expenses assistance. With one of our experienced recruiters on your side, we'll connect you with housing that fits your needs.
Start exploring available jobs today.
