Homeless Nursing: How to save money on the road.

"The trick to travel nursing is how to save your budget while maintaining maximum comfort. I have figured my perfect option, I'm sure some others will think I'm crazy." Nurses Announcements Archive

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My name is Chris. I am a husband, father, and a registered nurse; originally from Florida but now out of Louisville. I want to talk to you today about a term I have come to homeless nursing. The trick to travel nursing is how to save your budget while maintaining maximum comfort. I have figured my perfect option, I'm sure some others will think I'm crazy for this.

When searching for your desired location the first step is finding the right hospital. I always look at the city I'm going to first. I review the hospital, determine if it is the right fit for my practice and experience. In my experience, Yelp reviews seem the perfect perfect determination over HCAHPS. If there are a lot of negative reviews about their ER, you can be sure that the docs and nurses don't pander. Angry people who bog down an ER with useless complaints are more likely to write their negative review over a toothache, than someones parent dying due to CHF or STEMI. I have never seen a nurse in any ER that was a jerk to someone with a "real" emergency.

Once you have found that location, start looking at crime maps. Research the surrounding area and look for activities that sound interesting to you (i.e. festivals, concerts, plays/Broadway) and compare the areas to your crime map. Unless you are going with someone that knows the area, stay away from the red zones (bad areas).

The next part of the plan is where I save money, and where others begin to think I'm insane. I don't bother looking for AirBnB or Craigslist room for rent ads. I live out of my car. I know, it sounds crazy. Before I became a RN, I worked doing finish carpentry as a side hobby. I have a 2013 Ford Explorer that functions as my home away from home. I started off by getting the internal measurements between the interior walls and between the driver seat (in my driving position) and the rear gate.

After measuring, I needed to decide how i wanted to build it. I chose to have a 12 inch space above the folded down seats for storage. This allows me to have access to everything I need during my extended time away from home. I use 1/2in plywood sheets and 2x4s with pocket hole screws to hold everything together in a platform style bed. EVA foam pads go under a memory foam mattress topper, put my sheets and blankets on and voila....instant hotel. I can drive as far as I want. I don't worry about hotels (sleeping in security available rest stops). It's lockable, secure with an alarm, has air conditioning when needed. The daytime AC gets a little cool, especially on my current assignment in Texas.

The stinky situation...How does one get clean without house or hotel? There are two options. Typically, hospitals have showers available for use by staff, either for mid shift grossness (abscess popped goo is in hair) or during a natural disaster that requires staff to stay for extended periods of time. I have found that most ER managers are pretty cool with me using the shower as long as i clean up. I typically choose another method. I use a nationally available gym chain locker room. I can go anywhere in the country that has this gym chain (I also do this in step one) and just wear shower shoes. I end up working out twice a day. I get into phenomenal shape while I'm away from home, have boundless energy for a 12 hour overnight, and take up some free time with cost efficient time spending.

I spend about 18-24 days away from home at a time, being able to spend some of the saved cash for flights. Laundromats equate to free charging station, people watching, and free wifi to download movies on Netflix. This is what I call balling on a budget! Now for monetary breakdown. AirBnB in nice location for 30 days at 25/night- $750. My method. Gym membership $20/mo + $30/mo laundry. Flights to and from here are about 270 in advance. I get to see my family every month, save the majority of my stipend, sleep in absolute comfort, all for $320 dollars per month! I hope you guys enjoyed my insight to cheap living on the road!

amoLucia

7,736 Posts

Specializes in retired LTC.

While this style lifestyle might be an option for a guy, I don't really know how safe it would be for a single gal.

Am I just being paranoid? Or is this an antiquated view for today's society?

Argo

1,221 Posts

Specializes in Peri-Op.

I have met a couple women that do it like this. In converted vans. I have thought about it but go with the rv with park membership that costs $300 yearly with free stays all year. I have to commute though. I hop between parks each month and oick locations with the membership parks within 45 miles.

NedRN

1 Article; 5,773 Posts

I do a good bit of sleeping in my car, but never an entire 13 assignment! Sometimes a couple weeks beginning and end. I will point out that you have to prove housing expenses if you are audited. Argo's RV membership is probably sufficient proof. I always have some rent receipts during an assignment.

When on the road, a random gym is always a good place for a shower. One day free trial to see if you like the gym. I work out and take a shower. National chains, even the Y are interesting. But in the places I go, never is a national gym at two assignments. I used to sign up for a gym for three months at every assignment and was always able to negotiate $30 a month. But my workouts are getting shorter and more intense and using my body weight and playground equipment works well. Speaking of saving money!

danikyo

6 Posts

I agree, Guys have the advantage here, statistically.

I would totally cut corners like this, but my husband will be traveling with me and is pickier along with back issues....so we cannot go as cheap.

lovetoos

5 Posts

Thank you for the article. It was quite timely for me. I am an EMT-P about to head off to nursing school and have been considering the van life to get through school and cut costs. I'm just wondering how you survive in the heat as where I will be attending school will be pretty damn hot.

NedRN

1 Article; 5,773 Posts

Basement parking garage.

KDubMSDir

4 Posts

Carbon monoxide poisoning comes to mind.

Have Nurse, ADN, RN

3 Articles; 719 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
While this style lifestyle might be an option for a guy, I don't really know how safe it would be for a single gal.

Am I just being paranoid? Or is this an antiquated view for today's society?

No, you aren't paranoid. A woman alone sleeping in a vehicle is a target. I agree with you.

wondern, ASN

694 Posts

So you aren't actually homeless. You have a home and a family.

Are your kids older? Just thinking about your wife and a need for a break.

She must be a strong independent woman.

That's one way if it works for y'all. More power to you.

Thanks for the tips just in case I actually ever do become homeless or a travel nurse. Sure sounds interesting Broadway and all. :cat:

vetnrse

119 Posts

Specializes in Schoolnurse,homehealth,specialneeds,IHS.
My name is Chris. I am a husband, father, and a registered nurse; originally from Florida but now out of Louisville. I want to talk to you today about a term I have come to homeless nursing. The trick to travel nursing is how to save your budget while maintaining maximum comfort. I have figured my perfect option, I'm sure some others will think I'm crazy for this.

When searching for your desired location the first step is finding the right hospital. I always look at the city I'm going to first. I review the hospital, determine if it is the right fit for my practice and experience. In my experience, Yelp reviews seem the perfect perfect determination over HCAHPS. If there are a lot of negative reviews about their ER, you can be sure that the docs and nurses don't pander. Angry people who bog down an ER with useless complaints are more likely to write their negative review over a toothache, than someones parent dying due to CHF or STEMI. I have never seen a nurse in any ER that was a jerk to someone with a "real" emergency.

Once you have found that location, start looking at crime maps. Research the surrounding area and look for activities that sound interesting to you (i.e. festivals, concerts, plays/Broadway) and compare the areas to your crime map. Unless you are going with someone that knows the area, stay away from the red zones (bad areas).

The next part of the plan is where I save money, and where others begin to think I'm insane. I don't bother looking for AirBnB or Craigslist room for rent ads. I live out of my car. I know, it sounds crazy. Before I became a RN, I worked doing finish carpentry as a side hobby. I have a 2013 Ford Explorer that functions as my home away from home. I started off by getting the internal measurements between the interior walls and between the driver seat (in my driving position) and the rear gate.

After measuring, I needed to decide how i wanted to build it. I chose to have a 12 inch space above the folded down seats for storage. This allows me to have access to everything I need during my extended time away from home. I use 1/2in plywood sheets and 2x4s with pocket hole screws to hold everything together in a platform style bed. EVA foam pads go under a memory foam mattress topper, put my sheets and blankets on and voila....instant hotel. I can drive as far as I want. I don't worry about hotels (sleeping in security available rest stops). It's lockable, secure with an alarm, has air conditioning when needed. The daytime AC gets a little cool, especially on my current assignment in Texas.

The stinky situation...How does one get clean without house or hotel? There are two options. Typically, hospitals have showers available for use by staff, either for mid shift grossness (abscess popped goo is in hair) or during a natural disaster that requires staff to stay for extended periods of time. I have found that most ER managers are pretty cool with me using the shower as long as i clean up. I typically choose another method. I use a nationally available gym chain locker room. I can go anywhere in the country that has this gym chain (I also do this in step one) and just wear shower shoes. I end up working out twice a day. I get into phenomenal shape while I'm away from home, have boundless energy for a 12 hour overnight, and take up some free time with cost efficient time spending.

I spend about 18-24 days away from home at a time, being able to spend some of the saved cash for flights. Laundromats equate to free charging station, people watching, and free wifi to download movies on Netflix. This is what I call balling on a budget! Now for monetary breakdown. AirBnB in nice location for 30 days at 25/night- $750. My method. Gym membership $20/mo + $30/mo laundry. Flights to and from here are about 270 in advance. I get to see my family every month, save the majority of my stipend, sleep in absolute comfort, all for $320 dollars per month! I hope you guys enjoyed my insight to cheap living on the road!

If you're crazy then I'm crazier. I've been living out of my van for 8 mo. The first 4 mo entailed job search when I moved out of state. Packed up my house and got rid of stuff and out the rest in storage with the idea to get a place and job. Unfortunately the state I moved to had neither for me that was affordable and the home care and school nursing that I've done for yrs had different requirements than here. So it was financial assistance and food bank for a few months until I finally landed or job. Enough to get me by and pay bills. No rent though and so by that time even though by now I could probably afford a room rental for $500, I got so used to van squatting and hey saving rent $ that I just continue van living. I have my parking spots , wake up in. Different places. Its comfortable and my dog is w me . Gas and van maintenance is my rent which comes to $400 mo. My other bills like car insurance pet insurance vet bills and dental, credit cards cell phone and storage is another $800 . so without paying rent I have to make sure I generate at least $1200/mo for bills. Planet fitness for shower at $10/mo totally worth it. Don't need laundry. Hand washing a few items at a time in sinks at gym or work works just fine. So to live comfortably $2000/mo is my income.. So I can stuff a little at a time in savings account. I have 0 retirement or assets. I will be living on SSI for retirement next yr which means I get to work less. Like just needing $1000 /mo. I may splurge this summer though and pull my camper out of storage to campground for $350/mo. So who can afford rent after that? Not me. Especially after working my butt off for yrs to pay $2000/mo rent and end up being so penniless , still having go to food bank

vetnrse

119 Posts

Specializes in Schoolnurse,homehealth,specialneeds,IHS.

So to Sum it up, I'm in no hurry to ever pay rent again with landlord s down my back and sifting hard earned $ out of me. Yes you give up the luxery of having a home to move about in and get all essential functions done in one place ... But ya gotta give something up to get something back. I choose this life. Thankyou. And good luck to you Chris as well.

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