Housing Expenses/ Cost of Living

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Hi, I am recently looking into travel nursing, and I have been quoted on $1,000/week for housing. Is this correct? I am a 2 year grad with a lot of student loans to pay off, and I can't afford to make less than my current income. What is your monthly take home earnings (monthly pay minus living expenses)? In my town I make $27/hr, and have a 40 hour work week. Would I be making a more profitable decision to switch to a 36 hour work weeks at $35/hr? Right now my rent is $600/month, which seems like a bargain compared to a $3,000/month CA extended stay. What are your experiences? I'm looking at West Coast and Midwest options. Thanks!!

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Yes, you have to take the cost of housing into the total compensation. In 20 years of traveling, I've never been in an extended stay - too expensive. It may well be affordable if your pay is enough, but it is still money never to be seen again. A house share will be well under $1,000 a month in California (much less in many other locations) and is a better standard of living (at least to me) than an extended stay/hotel room. Lots of options on Craigslist. I feel like you travel to see the country, not shack up in a hotel room. So sightseeing et cetera, and work. Some travelers do like really nice places and turnkey corporate housing does save a lot of leg work. On PanTravelers links page, there are several medical housing companies that should still beat the pants off of extended stays.

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NedRN,

You seem to know alot about traveling- when I read your response. By being a seasoned vet in traveling, can you recommend any prestigious agencies to work with. Im looking into CA, and/or AZ in the next few weeks. I have nursing friends, but none that has done any major traveling - which Im looking to get into. Any help with CA or Phoenix, AZ areas would be greatly appreciated.

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Prestigious hospitals yes. Prestigious agencies? I don't put agencies on my resume and I can't imagine who would care about an agency. Neither should you in fact. The best predictor for successful assignments as a traveler is not the agency brand, but the quality of your interpersonal communication with your recruiters. Anyone might recommend an agency or recruiter they liked but there is no telling how that might work for you. Until you talk to them. So pick up the phone and call 20 agencies, or however many it takes to find 5 recruiters you can talk to and trust. Sign up and work with those. (Unless you really prefer arranged marriages too)!

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With travel nursing its alot of "word of mouth" advertisement- whether with a prestigous hospital or agency. If you have been in the business of travel nursing for 20yrs, that should be a no brainer. Alot of times- not all recruiters can pull strings. Also, if one is referred to an agency, you have a reference on the pay, accommodations, etc. One does not go to any job-knowingly, if they have heard bad reviews. Would you? And no one has time to go thru 20 different agencies, lets be for real here-maybe, 5-10...anything else would be word of mouth. So, if you cant answer my questions without talking down, please dont answer at all. Thank you

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

So Ned, how do you then put traveler experiences on your resume without making it look like you job hopped every 3-6 months? Do you have a separate category for it or lumped into nursing experience?

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So, if you cant answer my questions without talking down, please dont answer at all. Thank you

You are welcome.

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So Ned, how do you then put traveler experiences on your resume without making it look like you job hopped every 3-6 months? Do you have a separate category for it or lumped into nursing experience?

I separate travel assignments from staff jobs and label them.

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