Theres no question about
it: as a career choice, travel nursing is hot. The field is growing and theres
a growing need for new travel nurses. There are many advantages to travel
nursing: its a great way to meet new people, help others and of course, its a
great way to see the country.
However, the excessive
amount of trekking involved in most travel nursing jobs raises some important
issues about housing and lodging. There are several aspects to the housing
issue that anyone considering a career in travel nursing should consider. Where
do people with travel nursing jobs stay? Do they rent? Do they stay in sublet
housing? Will the hospital or facility that fills travel nurse job positions
supply housing? Housing questions are important to anyone who wants to take on these
nursing jobs.
Many companies that act as a
source for travel nursing jobs will be able to provide housing. Although that
may make things easy for those with travel nursing jobs, those companies will
also include the option for the health professional to choose his or her own
dwelling. Many companies that connect nurses to travel nursing jobs will also
offer a stipend, or an allowance, which can be used towards paying for housing.
The amount of these stipends will usually depend on certain IRS guidelines,
which are used to determine the cost of living in a particular area. Nursing
jobs in a city where rent is higher, like Miami, will have a higher stipend
than jobs in Bismarck, North Dakota. Oftentimes, those with shorter-term travel
nursing jobs may prefer a stipend if their assignment is less than 13 weeks since
the shortest lease available for most conventional housing rental or subletting
options is three months.
The other most common
option, as mentioned above, is to stay in housing provided by a company that provides
recruiting for travel nursing jobs. This significantly reduces the hassle
associated with finding living quarters. In many larger cities, the travel
nursing recruiting firm may have several options to choose. In
sparsely-populated rural areas, there may be only one or two living area
locations. Most of the time, the living space provided by the companies
offering travel nursing jobs are in apartment complexes; however, those taking
travel nursing jobs may find themselves in single family homes, mobile homes,
extended stay facilities, or even in living quarters provided by the hospital
where they are assigned.
One great perk with travel
nursing jobs is the ability for nurses to select their own destinations to
work. Moreover, many persons who are assigned a living space that is not to
their liking, can render an assignment most unenjoyable. Therefore, it is
important for those accepting travel nursing jobs to talk with the company connecting
them to the job about the housing situation. When you let the staffing agency know
the types of places you would prefer to stay, you'll make the assignment
process easier for both parties.
When choosing places to stay
during travel nursing jobs assignments, also be sure to consider things like
distance. Most like jobs that are close to the hospital or facility where they
are assigned. However, if the assignment is in an unsafe neighborhood or a
noisy neighborhood, then securing a space that is a little farther away might
be worth the peace of mind it will offer. Remember, many travel nursing jobs
are for nighttime shifts, and those who have worked several nurse jobs know
that getting a full nights (or days) rest is crucial.
Finding a place to stay may
not be the end of the process for finding living quarters during travel
assignments. Many apartments or houses may not be furnished. Some staffing companies
will be able to connect you to a trusted furniture rental company. Many can
also provide professional interior decorators and buyers who can ensure your furniture
is attractive and of decent quality. These people can be incredibly helpful, as
many people on travel nursing jobs assignments won't want to tolerate mismatched
furniture, but they will probably be too preoccupied with getting acclimated to
the new assignment to go furniture shopping too.
Along with furniture, those
taking on travel nursing assignments won't want to forget about housewares
either. Although not all temporary living spaces will come with the bowls, cups
and silverware needed to make living and cooking at home possible, your living
quarters should have all the necessities that will allow you to live
comfortably. Ask the staffing agency about travel nursing jobs and locations
that have fully furnished living quarters; they should make it easy for you. Most
companies that offer travel nursing jobs will be able to have everything in
order by the time you arrive. However, sometimes there are bumps in the process.
Arriving to an unfurnished apartment can be a very unpleasant surprise; you
deserve to be informed by the company if there are any changes.
The task of locating good
living conditions isn't necessarily a simple one, but experienced travel nurses
who have taken travel nursing assignments in a range of locations with the most
reputable companies will tell you more often than not, their living arrangements
are handled without a hitch. After all, as a person on a travel nursing job
assignment, you will be working hard to help othersyou deserve to stay in
housing that is as satisfying as possible.
[ Lauri Petrolia is a Senior
Travel Specialist at Advantage Medical Staffing, Inc. where travel nursing jobs
are available throughout the U.S. for short and long term assignments, per diem
and permanent placement nurses.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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