Going into travel nursing first time....

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2013

I'll probably get my first assignment in a week or so and I'm wondering (pardon if this has already been posted on) what to bring. All companies don't offer the same benefits as far as housing, etc, but some furnish everything as far as dishes AND furniture along with utilities, but others just utilities and furniture.
Any suggestions? This assignment would only be 4 hours from my current home so I could easily come back and bring back a few items if I needed them, but I'm just wondering what you experienced travelers use/bring with you.

I asked my recruiter what will be supplied and he found out! It's a good thing I did because they only supplied bare minimum. I had to bring dishes, pots, pans, cups, bedding, towels, pillows, scissors, wine opener, shower curtain, hangers, silverware, etc. a lot of things you can buy when you get there, If you want. But just ask your agency and they should forward your questions to housing and housing should let you know. I now find my own housing, which seems to be working out much better, aside from stressing out while searching.

Traveldee · Jun 16, 2013

Ask the housing department of your company that you end up signing with. Mine sent me a list of what WAS included and what wasn't. I'm traveling by myself and took the advice of another traveler to pack light as far as kitchen utensils, and I'm happy I did. I brought 2 plates, 2 bowls, 4 cups, 2 coffee cups, etc. and that has been plenty. If I end up having company over I can always buy at the dollar store or just buy plastic utensils at the dollar store. But you're right, it varies, so ask your company what's included.

Traveldee · Jun 16, 2013

I asked my recruiter what will be supplied and he found out! It's a good thing I did because they only supplied bare minimum. I had to bring dishes, pots, pans, cups, bedding, towels, pillows, scissors, wine opener, shower curtain, hangers, silverware, etc. a lot of things you can buy when you get there, If you want. But just ask your agency and they should forward your questions to housing and housing should let you know. I now find my own housing, which seems to be working out much better, aside from stressing out while searching.

NurseRies what have you found to be the best way to secure your own housing? Craigslist? I am happy with the housing my agency found for my first assignment but am considering taking the stipend in the future. Although I have to admit it was nice to not have to deal with the headache of finding my own housing. :)

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2013

NurseRies what have you found to be the best way to secure your own housing? Craigslist? I am happy with the housing my agency found for my first assignment but am considering taking the stipend in the future. Although I have to admit it was nice to not have to deal with the headache of finding my own housing. :)

I use Craigslist, I search with key word furnished or all inclusive. You can often find a place with all utilities included, even high speed Internet and cable. You can find places with washer and dryer in unit. My old agency gave me chump change for stipend, I don't think I could have found housing on my own with them. Which didn't make sense to me because they probably spent more renting furniture and finding me an apartment! But now that my agency gives me a decent stipend, I have found that it is more ten enough with some to spare. I use a generic email that I send to people on Craigslist that sound appealing. Def playing up the fact that I'm a travel nurse, very clean, with no smoking, no pets, great credit, etc. usually homeowners or condo owners feel very comfortable renting to a nurse. I have found there is more interest then I know what to do with! And what's even better, instead of being 25 minute drive to the hospital like I was with supplied housing, I am now 3 miles and under at each place I've found! This next place will be only half a mile! I'm gonna walk to work. So it's just better to control your own destiny! And with fully furnished condos from owners, often get some nice decor and more "turn key" style living.

NedRN · Jun 16, 2013

Instead of just looking on Craigslist, proactively putting up your own housing wanted ad can get some amazing results that can not otherwise be found. Some landlords never list their property, and only respond to housing wanted ads with the same "appealing" text that NurseReis probably has in her email replies.

A memorable example: While I was in Las Vegas for a couple of weeks for two conferences I posted such an ad on Craigslist and ended up in Frank Sinatra's former house, almost a mansion with a swimming pool in the living room. It was far less than the least expensive hotel. I had a private wing to myself.

Another one was right off Mulberry St in the neighborhood where Dr Seuss grew up in Springfield MA on a travel assignment, and the inspiration for his drawings was readily apparent. That was a large house with me alone, with 7 bathrooms. One bit of memorabilia in that house was an original still working toilet that had "The John" embossed in the bowl, its model name. I had not known where that euphemism came from.

Maevish, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2013

Thanks a lot for the info! If I had a place to stay in Bakersfield (where I'm going early next month) I'd take the housing stipend over provided housing in a second! I have to take this first job and since they did this for me within about a week and a half from square one, I just have to take what's coming the quickest and can be more picky (cause the hourly sucks). Now I'm just trying to clear my apt which is SO annoying.

My dad had suggested some sort if a deal with an extended stay etc cause you don't have to pay if you're not there, but that seems to be a difficult thing to accomplish. I'll check Craigslist for sure though, cause I'd rather pocket as much money as I can to get some bills taken care of.

luelue60 · Jun 25, 2013

Check out airbnb.com

CARCAM75 · Sep 13, 2013

Thanks a lot for the info! If I had a place to stay in Bakersfield (where I'm going early next month) I'd take the housing stipend over provided housing in a second! I have to take this first job and since they did this for me within about a week and a half from square one, I just have to take what's coming the quickest and can be more picky (cause the hourly sucks). Now I'm just trying to clear my apt which is SO annoying.
My dad had suggested some sort if a deal with an extended stay etc cause you don't have to pay if you're not there, but that seems to be a difficult thing to accomplish. I'll check Craigslist for sure though, cause I'd rather pocket as much money as I can to get some bills taken care of.

Did you end up going to Bakersfield? I'm considering a travel assignment there for LD. How was the area/ hospital, etc? Bakersfield memorial is where I'm considering.

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annacat · Sep 14, 2013

Did you put your housing wanted add on craigslist?

If not where did you put it?

Traveldee · Jun 18, 2014

NurseRies, NedRN, and anyone else who has put the housing wanted ads on craigslist, did you see the apartment or unit before you agreed to stay there? What is the best way to go about that process of securing housing from craigslist without getting scammed? (Money transaction, lease, etc.) I put a housing wanted post in the Craigslist NYC and within hours already have interest, but I'm clear out on the west coast at the moment and not in the city. Should I wait to secure something until I can fly into the city even if it's last minute? Contract wouldn't start until next month.

NedRN · Jun 18, 2014

I think 100% of the time I have seen housing/roommates prior to committing. The only time that hasn't happened is taking agency housing, and that is one reason I don't take agency housing.