Weighing Your Travel Nursing Housing Options
By Katelynne Shepard, Contributor
Travel nursing is a great way to gain new skills and get more experience working in a variety of settings, but it does present the unique challenge of having to find new housing for every assignment. Whether you're a seasoned travel nurse looking to branch out from traditional apartment rentals or you're just starting and aren't sure where to begin, this list can give you an idea of your housing options and help you narrow down your choices.
If you're ready to discover new locations and network with a different crowd while expanding your skills and experience as a nurse, look for travel nursing jobs on TravelNursing.com.
Traditional rental options for travel nurses
The most obvious choice when it comes to housing options for travel nurses is an apartment. While private landlords may be reluctant to sign less than a year-long lease, commercial property companies often have short-term lease options available. These can be as short as three or six months, but some companies will also let you go month-to-month right from the start — especially if you explain why you can't commit to a longer period. Be aware that you may have to pay a bit more in monthly rent if you're signing a short lease.
The rental pool can be large, and if you need some help trimming the field, there are social media groups devoted to helping travel nurses find temporary housing. These groups are filled with posts on tips for finding convenient, safe housing and leads on good places to stay in popular travel nursing cities across the country.
Long-term stay hotels
These hotels, such as the Residence Inn and Extended Stay America, are great options for travel nurses who want to take the housing stipend but don't want the hassle of trying to find an apartment or signing a lease. They also offer a lot of amenities, such as complimentary breakfasts, fitness centers, pools and laundry and dry cleaning services, and most rooms will have sizable kitchenettes which can help you save money on eating out costs while also maintaining a healthier diet.
Many nurses also love that they get to come home every night to a clean space without ever having to scrub the bathroom themselves. This makes it easier to come home and actually relax and practice some self-care after working a long shift.
The downside here can be that these hotels are usually more expensive than regular apartments — although travel nurses can sometimes get discount rates — and the high traffic volume can make it harder for nurses working nights or swing shifts to get sleep during the day.
Vacation rentals
Vacation rental sites like VRBO and Airbnb can make it easy to locate furnished rentals in convenient areas. These sites are especially helpful for travel nurses who get assignments last-minute and don't have time to scout housing options. You'll be able to see pictures of a potential rental, check out reviews on the space and the owner and book right from your computer or smartphone. If your assignment is during an off-peak season for your destination, you may be able to get an entire house to yourself or even just a larger apartment at a deep discount.
If you're considering this option, make sure you look at the total costs, as some cities are combating the rise in popularity of these rentals by requiring extra fees be tacked on to the final total. You may find that what appeared to be a great price actually ends up out of your budget once the fees, which can be as high as 13 percent or more, are tacked on.
Friends and family
While this may not be possible for most assignments, if you happen to land a travel nursing job where you have a friend or family member, it might be worth investigating this as an option. As long as you're able to get along with the person and come to an agreement on money paid for rent/utilities, how long you'll stay and who gets to use the bathroom when, it can work. This is a great option for those who want to be able to use the stipend money for other expenses such as paying down debt or saving toward a special vacation.
If you go this route, you probably want to have backup options just in case you find out that you really can't handle sharing a fridge with someone or your hosts can't be quiet enough to let you sleep during the day.
Agency-provided housing options for travel nurses
While taking the stipend money is tempting, there is always the option to let the travel nursing agency set up your housing for you. If you're new to travel nursing, this lets you get a feel for your assignment and how everything works without having to worry about finding a rental or hotel room. It also means you don't have to worry about coming up with deposits or fees, and there's no problem if your assignment gets cancelled last minute.
No matter which option you choose, having a plan for housing before you get to your next travel nursing assignment can help you stay focused on learning the ins and outs of your new facility and providing high-quality care to all your patients.