Where do most traveling nurses stay? And how do you fit all the things you'll need?

[Inlocd454]

So one of my recruiters recently told me that of about 200 nurses traveling for his agency, only 2 use the agency housing, and this was mostly because they had bad credit he said. Since this will be my first assignment I was initially planning on using company housing and just bringing clothing/basics. Now, I'm not so sure.

My question is do most travel nurses choose company or craigslist/padmapper housing? If using craigslist/padmapper, how do you bring all the things you'll need IE mattress? I must be missing something, because ideally I'd like to live alone in a place that has at least a mattress! Even rented rooms off Craigslist don't come with them, right? At this point all I can envision is an extended stay, and that doesnt entice me too much.

Any help?

[ASHRN828]

I bought a Serta Never Flat Raised Sleeper Twin that I LOVE. It ran me about $150 at target. I also added a foam topper I got from Wal-Mart that was $50. I have not slept this good in YEARS. I go to sleep and I don't wake up all night. I made this investment because I know I won't ever want to take housing, even if I eventually go with another company.

I am doing my first assignment with Supplemental and have had a GREAT experience with them so far. They don't offer housing, but I knew from the beginning that I didn't care about that. They offer more $ in exchange for them not offering housing. I spoke with a larger company, in the beginning (American Traveler) and they offered me $600 LESS a month than Supplemental. I laughed out loud and told them I would never be signing with them.

[jodyangel, RN]

Ummm so where do you Put this mattress?? You still have to pay for Some sort of housing right?

[ASHRN828]

Umm... I put it in an apartment.

[jodyangel, RN]

So how much did your apt run. If I'm making $1100/week and have to pay $200/week for an apt then my usable wages becomes $900. Before eating or gas...

[jodyangel, RN]

What I'm saying is after it's all said and done it's not more than being staff that's all.

[ASHRN828]

Jodyangel, my apartment is running me $615 a month.

What I'm hearing you say is that you are not convinced that you will make more as a travel nurse, and that might be true. I guess you have to ask yourself if having the travel experiences are something you are interested in and not just the money.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very interested in the money and I don't think there is a bit of shame in that, unlike some people on here. But, I come from a very low paying area in N.C. where salaries are insultingly low. If I had a high paying staff position, that would be something I would have to take into consideration, before I decided to travel:)

[jodyangel, RN]

Yeah I'm traveling until I can find a staff job. One with benefits! Lol

[BD-RN, BSN, RN]

How to find housing: It's pretty much the same as finding housing if you were moving somewhere; the difference is it's for a shorter period of time. I have great luck with Craigslist, even when I'm permanently moving somewhere (I zigzagged across the country before and after I became a nurse which is is travel nursing is for me). This contract, I looked only at rooms and shares. I saw four different apartments with roommates; ALL of them were well aware of my temporary housing situation and NONE of them were put off by it; they seemed to enjoy the idea of having a young, happy, spirited nurse in their home for three months :) I am coming from further south in California so I was able to bring some bedroom furniture, if I'm missing something again I've used craigslist (check it for hitchhikers!)or ikea. Going across the country? Look for temporary housing/sublets or furnished rooms! There are plenty out there! I sublet a place a couple years ago when I was in between apartments and it was great! ALL i brought were clothes, linens, my shower curtain, and my coffee pot; the place was furnished and already had cooking supplies, etc. You basically have to ask what they have, make a list of things you need in a house and bring whatever's not there. The key to being a travel nurse is being somewhat adventure-some!

If you're feeling a bit less adventuresome and take the paid housing, out here in California I've seen some great places from fellow travelers. There should be a housing department in your company that will tell you what it comes with/what you need to bring (they usually don't include a tv is my understanding) As far as the pay being less with the paid housing, well, yeah...because your housing is PAID FOR; and they'll usually throw basic utilities in there.

Go for the stipend and find a room for rent is my first suggestion; you'll meet new people and make new friends!

[Hlemon]

The housing options are good, you just loose a TON of money. I get 2K$ a month for rent a studio is less than that. So i pocket the rest. It is not glamorous, but we travel to make the most money and see cool stuff right. I recommend you just take clothes or very little. Then find the nearest Good Will for 4 cups, plates, silverware, and non porous stuff. also locate a TJ Maxx, Ross, and any other such places. those are gonna be your best friend for 2$ shower curtains and what not you can just throw away. Craislist can be great I got an awesome leather couch from a Dr office that was getting remodeled. I told them i was a travel nurse and they gave me a 500$ couch for 50$. This is how I travel to make the most of the $. also find a couple work moms or husbands\wives they are the best for little nicknacks. Most places appreciate travelers and are very helpful. With letting you borrow Vacuums etc.

[gradRN2007, BSN, RN]

I am considering travel and I have a travel trailer that I can use although I/m thinking of a class b road trek and letting them find me housing the first time. I will be limited to florida where my license is at first..

when travelling, how far do I have to be from home to take an assignment? I figure I could work 3 days and then go home for 4 days sometimes. Still watching my grandkids weekly so until they start kindergarten full time....then I (we) are off to see the country

thanks

[spankssnowbunny]

Most hospitals require a 50 mile radius.

[NedRN]

Some hospitals require a 200 mile radius, but I wouldn't characterize any mileage requirements as required by most hospitals, only those with issues in their local market.

To gradRN2007, there is no requirement to be a certain distance away to take a travel contract. It could be a mile away. Eligibility for tax benefits may be where your concern is coming from, and that is not directly distance related either. If you commute from home, you are not eligible for tax benefits. Many agencies use a 50 mile radius internally to determine eligibility, but that has no bearing on your tax audit with the IRS, if you commute and accept tax free benefits, you will owe back taxes, interest and penalties. TravelTax says that if you spend 4 days at home like you are considering, you only get tax free benefits on your work days. You can make the proper adjustments on your return, but using a professional like TravelTax is probably best in such relatively complex situations. Your mileage going back and forth is not business related so you can't claim that, but you would still be able to take the agency travel reimbursement for the one roundtrip.