I took the housing, now what?

FutureNurse2B · May 5, 2012

Im not sure about negotiations for the housing but I do know that the absolute hassle of looking for your own apartment and your own furnishing company is totally taken away if you just take the housing. This is my first time taking the housing, I'm in southern california and my apartment is absolutely beautiful! I can definitely say I'm living better than alot of the nurses I work with. So worth it!

I always took the stipend before this assignment. Searching for apartments in a town that you don't know is extremely stressful. If you don't know the area, don't do it. You could end up somewhere you will regret for 3months or whatever your contract is.

bagladyrn, RN · May 5, 2012

You can let the housing person at your company know what your absolute requirements are in a place (safe area, etc.) and what your preferences would be. If you are flexible on some, for instance distance from the hospital you are more likely to get others.

For example - I need a first floor apartment as my mother visits during most contracts and an 83 y.o. has trouble doing stairs. Thats a must. I've told them that I will accept a nonsmoking apt. even though I smoke as long as it has an outdoor space - patio or balcony where I can indulge. On this next contract, since it is in an area of extreme summer heat, I'd really like a facility with a pool. That's a preference but not a demand. I've told them I am willing to drive a bit further to work if they can find a place that accomodates all this.

Know that what constitutes good housing in some area may not be what you are accustomed to in other areas of the country. For example a single wide trailer might be good housing on some reservation contracts.

Negotiation is the key - give and take. And by all means keep it friendly and nonadversarial with the housing person - they will remember it the next time and can really do nice things if you have established your rapport with them. (That's how I ended up in a private house with it's own inground pool on one contract!)

Edited to add: You really can try to negotiate almost anything. I have a friend who actually had written into her contract (because the recruiter had a sense of humor) "No baby-poop green couch". It's one of the standard Cort Furniture rental furniture colors that shows up way too often!

MeishaTots · May 5, 2012

I absolutely loved this! So much useful information. Thank you. Im going to try to go for a washer & dryer and a pool. Thats something thats a big deal to me