As a travel nurse, did you know that your staffing agency can help you find the perfect housing AND handle almost every step of the process on your behalf?
There are two basic travel nursing housing options:
- Housing coordinated through your staffing agency supported by a stipend
- Housing you coordinate on your own
In this article, we’ll outline the easiest way to find the right option for your housing needs.
Housing for Travel Nurses: How It Works
When you are on the move every 13 weeks or so, finding new housing that frequently is often cumbersome.
As we outlined above, one of the many services your staffing agency can offer is a dedicated housing department focused on making sure you get everything you need and want out of your next home away from home.
From finding a place that suits your needs to coordinating and negotiating pricing, to easing nerves about moving to a new location, every aspect is handled. Your only job is to choose your ideal location!
Let’s take a closer look at exactly how everything works.
Step 1: Meeting with a housing department representative
After obtaining a placement assignment, you’ll be introduced to a housing department staff member who will fully understand your housing needs.
You may be asked the following questions:
- Are you traveling with anyone?
- Do you have any pets? If yes, how many and what kind?
- When do you plan to move?
- What type of housing do you want to live in?
- Do you have any special requests such as no stairs or quiet neighborhoods only, for example?
Step 2: Choosing the ideal location and housing option
Once there is a thorough picture of your housing needs and wants, your representative will search their database for openings and send details about each potential residence.
Once you’ve narrowed your selection down, the Housing Department then works with the landlord to find the best possible agreement.
Step 3: Finalizing the paperwork and managing payment
Your ideal accommodations are finalized when you sign your tenant agreement. Upon your move, you will assume the monthly or weekly payments unless you’re placed in agency housing.
Avoiding the Hassle of Housing for Travel Nursing
One major way recruitment agencies reduce the hassle is by providing personalized care to fit the needs of each specific traveler to ensure you like the place you chose to call home during your assignment.
Another huge hassle-free perk is the peace of mind you get when working with the housing department. Their many relationships with owners and landlords across the country ensure you don’t have to worry about being overcharged, scammed, or stuck in a place that doesn’t suit your needs.
Travel Nurse Housing: Your Questions Answered
Now that we’ve covered everything, let’s review a few lingering questions you may have:
Is there ever an option of agency provided housing that is 100% covered or do you always pay some kind of rent?
There may be instances when an agency has housing in a specific location, however, there aren’t options like that for every situation. Most of the time you will be in a rent-paying situation but remember that housing is always worked out on a person-to-person basis to ensure your needs are met.
Are utilities covered and will there be cable and internet?
When looking for housing, a housing department will attempt to find a place that has utilities included. This varies in every location and when utilities are not covered the traveler can set it up.
Can I choose housing that is fully furnished?
Your agency should aim to find housing that is fully furnished to simplify things for the traveler. When this isn’t the case (and sometimes when this is the case) travelers may have things they want to bring themselves.
How do I get a stipend?
Every time the housing department helps a traveler find housing, it is based on their needs, location, and the stipend. A travel nursing housing stipend for housing is always based on the deal made between the traveler and recruiter. That means every situation is worked on an assignment basis and will be unique every time a new contract is agreed upon.
There Is An Option Out There For You
Finding travel nurse housing may seem stressful, but it’s actually a perk! Thanks to the concierge-style services provided by your staffing agency’s housing department, travel nurses hand much of the process over to them.
Are you interested in working with a travel nursing agency to embark on your career? Contact our MAS Medical Staffing for more information.
