Issues with housing...

NedRN · Mar 26, 2014

I learned very quickly when I started traveling that I wanted more control over where I was housed. I wanted to be within around 5 miles of the hospital so I could bicycle to work conveniently, I didn't need an cookie cutter apartment in a super safe complex, and I wanted to save money by taking the housing stipend. Everyone has different needs and taking turn-key agency housing is very luxurious and low stress. But finding housing on the ground that you like is much easier than an agency trying to do it remotely with housing that most travelers will like before you even get there.

So you have to make choices. Some agencies will learn your preferences and be accommodating, and others not so much. You can ask for a heads up on the proposed assignment housing before they lock it in and explore it online, both the actual apartment and the neighborhood, and map the commute. Agencies try to place travelers nearby, but they go with safe neighborhoods first which are sometimes in a different town altogether. If they have housed travelers there before, at least they have some experience and feedback already. If that is the case for your housing, then perhaps it is as good as it gets.

I don't think there is much you can do now. It would be too expensive for the agency to give up this apartment and find another one now. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask what the options might be. If they have rented this apartment year round, perhaps the expense of moving may not be too much. Or if they have another traveler starting there soon, they might be able to find you another place and house the newcomer where you are. Your agency does want you to be happy, and the housing is a key component of being happy on an assignment and they would like you to work more assignments with them. At the same time, finding, furnishing, getting utilities turned on and coordinating the whole shebang is really a lot of work and risk should you leave the assignment. So be gentle with them!

If you are only working three shifts a week, forget about it for this assignment! A couple of housing tips for your next assignment: if you ever arrive and find that the housing is unacceptable, perhaps dirty or bad neighborhood, do not move in. Moving in implies suitability and will make it more difficult for the agency to get deposits back and pay heed to your complaints. Sometimes you do move in and it is found to be unsuitable even a week or two later. For example, after orientation is over, you discover it is too noisy to sleep during the day to be fresh for your night shift. That kind of issue does make it worth pushing to change your housing.

Every agency will love you if you take the housing stipend instead and you will generally be able to save some of the stipend, sometimes a lot. But it is a lot of stress and work to look for housing. It does also shift some risk from the agency to you if your assignment doesn't finish for any reason (part of the reason agencies will love you to take the stipend).

ASHRN828 · Mar 27, 2014

I would absolutely ask to be reimbursed for the tolls. That's bs.

NedRN · Mar 27, 2014

Just the tolls? Why not the mileage too?

If you are working away from your tax home, keep track of the mileage to and from your assignment hospital and your local housing. Both mileage and tolls are deductible as is your RT to your assignment (less any travel reimbursement your agency gives you).