Maybe A Rant?.... Housing Frustrations

Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 24, 2015

So I am kinda new to this travel nursing thing... I am on my third contract. I can't help but feel like the "Housing Specialist" at travel agencies have the most cushy jobs in the world! Seriously They have not been of help to me once. They either present Extended Stay or some other highly priced option. Sometimes the cost is more than the stipend! And don't get me started on Extended Stay. What a rip off! Every assignment I have come out cheaper finding something on my own. They get paid for this??? I keep saying, I'm in the wrong business...

Have you tried Furnishedfinder.com? They're pretty good at what they do and you won't go broke. You can find your own housing and then have them take over doing all the work from there or you can use their site to find housing as well. It's up to you.

NedRN · Feb 24, 2015

Same agency for all three contracts? There are many others you can try. Your description of their help is not traditional, but may be coming more common. Usually agencies provide housing (not help you find it) or a stipend and you are on your own. I started finding my own housing in 1995 when I started traveling and a major point of it was to bank some of the stipend with savings. I had other reasons to find my own housing, primarily location. Agencies know how important housing is for traveler satisfaction and safety and security is a big part of that. So rather than house you near the hospital in inner cities, they usually pick the safe apartment complexes in the burbs. This didn't suit my style, I like to live where I work and bicycle rather than commute by car. So I'm not a standard traveler.

Now because money seems to be a larger reason to travel than in the past, perhaps most travelers are taking the stipend. Finding your own housing is a hassle and is stressful. It also shifts the risk of an assignment cancellation from the agency to the traveler. Finding your own also saves the agency the money for legwork and hooking up all the utilities and getting furniture. So agencies have to love this trend.

Having someone at the hospital Google a extended stays is a bit of joke. Since you find that insulting, start working with other agencies. The pay may be better and the housing coordinator will be better.

Just like everything else related to the travel business, every service tends to be out sourced. Your pay is handled by a third party, the assignments may be handled by a vendor manager, and housing has largely been taken over by three specialized companies that agencies use. Furnished Finder that Soliliquy mentioned is one, the others are Travelers Haven and Med Temp Housing. They will do just what agencies have always done, supply turnkey housing with furnishings and utilities. Just move in. Agencies use them, and so can individual travelers.

That won't necessarily save you money, because you are paying for someone else to do all the hassle. That leaves taking the stipend and using Craigslist, university housing departments, local property managers and so on. You only have to do it if you want to!

MsConstrued · Feb 24, 2015

I am on my third assignment too. The first one the housing coordinator got in touch with me days before I got to Hawaii and since they did not offer housing she only had a suggestion on who to use. I had no choice at that point and it costs me half of my TOTAL take home pay. My second assignment with another company, I took the provided housing and while the apartment was GREAT "furnished" meant a soda, loveseat, the world's most uncomfortable mattress, a dresser and a dining room table and 2 lamps. When I saw how low the rent was in the apt complex I felt dumb for not taking the stipend.

Now I'm on my third assignment in Seattle and I took the stipend and ran. Since I travel with my fiancee and our 3 cats, we got an empty apt and had our belongings shipped out here. Very much a hassle but I am not into extended stays and sleeping in uncomfortable beds.

And please rant away!! That is how we learn around here from others!

Trjl · Mar 21, 2015

When anyone wants to know what the biggest pain about Travel nursing is, housing comes to mind. I agree that the housing division at any travel company is a joke. They either set you up the the most expensive place (like the extended stay) or they set you up 45 minutes away from work. After my first assignment debacle , I have found my own place every since. It is a pain and a hassle, but worth it. I have found places I would never rent on a year long basis, but doable for 13 weeks. And I have actually found some beautiful furnished places. I am currently in a basement apt (lots of windows though). It is not as beautiful as my last place, but deer pass through my back yard about every day.

Anyway, I have used airbnb a few times. However, with the popularity of airbnb, they have gone up in fees and so have many renters. Not as affordable as before. But sometimes, you can find an option. Also Home away from Home. And my last 2 places I found by typing in the town I was moving to and placed 'rent' directly behind it without a space and came up short term and furnished apartments. I would just google in whatever you think; rentals, furnished apartments, short term housing, etc... and you might stumble upon a web site just for your area and find some great places. I would be cautious on craigs list, although I have used them. I was lucky enough to be in the area and checked them out in person before I moved in. Otherwise, just be careful about giving anyone money ahead of time since there is a lot of fraud on that site. So, when looking, just be aware that not all rentals are monthly. You may find a great site for rentals, but they are looking for 6 month to a years lease. And I often ran into finding a place and the owner had not stated in the ad that the place was already being rented. So prepare that it is going to be frustrating, but it IS doable. And also do not be too picky and have too many things on your list of wants, or you are either going to pay a pretty penny for your place, or you may just not find a short term rental at all. A washer and dryer, as well as full sized frig and oven has been my main want, and I have been lucky enough to not have to go to a Laundromat since I have been traveling. When speaking to your potential landlord, just check and see what your rent is covering: internet, lights, phone, water, etc... or is that separate? Will you have a place to park? Extra fee for that?

I always find something to love about each place I have stayed. So best of luck. A pain for a few days or more to get the housing situation straight, but you can probably do a better job than where your housing department would have put you. Each place is a new adventure!

DM74LA · Mar 22, 2015

Why is the issue of extended stay being expensive an issue if the agency is paying for it? Does this detract from your hourly pay? I'm not a traveler so don't shoot!

Trjl · Mar 22, 2015

Because your housing pay is not 'in addition to' your nursing pay. It comes out of your hourly salary. So long story short, you do not get (say) $30/hr to be a travel nurse, and then get an additional $2000 for housing. Your hourly pay to be a nurse could be $10/hour, but when you add your housing, incidentals, and benefits on to it, NOW you may be paid $30/hr. Period. So if you end up taking home $1200/wk ($4800/mth) and your housing costs is close to $3000/mth, then you only pocket $1800 for the rest of your bills or savings. But if your housing is $1000/mth, then you get to pocket $3800 for the month.

The "free" housing is one falsehoods of Travel companies theses days. It seems unfair, but it is the truth. Someone else may be able to answer the question of exactly how much a Travel company takes of your salary, but if you imagine that a Hospital is willing to pay a Travel nurse $45/hr. The Travel company will take a portion of your hourly pay, and then your 'free insurance' comes out of that pay, as well as bonus's, travel pay, pay for nursing licenses, drug tests, etc...all come out of that pay. So do not fool yourself that a company will give you anything for free. It is money YOU make for the company that in some form, they give you back. I am a day shift, oncology nurse, so I am not making the higher salaries that say, the ICU and nights might be making. Each company may be a tad different in how much they pay their nurses, but I don't think there is that much of a difference. But if $1-2 dollars an hour make a difference, you will just have to call around.

Oops, almost forgot to mention that your housing stipend will all depend on your area. Places that are expensive to live are higher than most. I have gotten between $1200-1600/month. And here is what is up with that. If you get $1600/mth for your housing stipend, and you find your own place for $1000/mth, you get to pocket the remainder of that $600. But if you let your company find your place and they find a place for $1000/mth, THEY pocket that $600 for the honor of paying your rent. And the kicker is, if you really want to stay in a fancy apartment in an expensive part of town and now your monthly rent is $2000, they will take an additional $400 out of your check to pay for that place. I have known Travel nurses who have done just that, and said that they hardly got any pay for the month because of it.

It does seem a bit unfair how it is done, but someone else negotiates a job for you, sets you up with insurance, takes care of any little tests you need to get started, etc... and you do not have to get involved in the Hospital politics and leave after a few months, is worth it to me to stay with a Travel company. The pay isn't too bad, and I have been able to put money in savings every month. But I certainly did not get into Travel nursing so I could get rich.

I will say, I have met a Travel nurse who loved to stay in the Extended Stay places, telling me that it was nice to have someone else clean their apartment, towels and linens, etc... So there are people who will use them. I often assume that they have a partner back home who is paying the bills, and so perhaps bringing home a large paycheck is not a priority. So if you still plan to use them, just keep in mind, not all Extend Stay places are alike. Some are very nice, and some are older and more used looking. And if they allow smokers/pets, your place may smell. So just be cautious. Look for reviews on Trip Advisor, AAA, etc.. to see what others have said about the place before you give a deposit.

Best of luck. Whereever you decide to stay, hope you have a great time and enjoy your 'new ' career.

DM74LA · Mar 22, 2015

Last question, so even a company like Fastaff, who advertises rates in the 40's and higher, incorporates housing into these quoted rates?

Trjl · Mar 22, 2015

Yes. And I would guess they are quoting their highest paid nurses, which may be ICU nights position. And those rates may only apply to cities like NY or similar. Just keep in mind, the ads say 'pay UP TO $40/hr', that doesn't mean that will be what they offer you.

BigT · Mar 22, 2015

Last question, so even a company like Fastaff, who advertises rates in the 40's and higher, incorporates housing into these quoted rates?

Fastaff is one company that does provide housing in addition to there quoted rates. As far as I know they are the only one. They are a quick responce urgent need company-- so they need nurses fast. If you notice all their jobs are ususally less than a week or two out. This does not allow the luxury of a nurse searching for their own housing, so their default is to provide it in the form of an extended stay hotel. Also alot of their job offerings are only 4-8 weeks. They do NOT provide stipends at all and all your pay is per hour and taxed as such. While you can use the tax advantage of traveling at the end of the year to try and get some tax money back- it will be taken out at a higher rate in the meantime.

DM74LA · Mar 22, 2015

BigT, thanks for that info. So there quoted rate on the site IS the actual pay.

im OK with that money being taxed as I've already calculated for it and I want to be able to hit some OT with base rates in the 40's.

i don't think I will mind staying in an Extended Stay provided there are NO bed bugs or other pests.

NedRN · Mar 22, 2015

Last question, so even a company like Fastaff, who advertises rates in the 40's and higher, incorporates housing into these quoted rates?

No, as it happens, housing is on top of the $40 plus pay for Fastaff. MSSI has similar pay, plus housing on top. That is the better way to quote, but as perhaps most travelers find their own housing, you cannot determine what you really make before getting a comprehensive quote that includes what a housing stipend would be. Plug the numbers into PanTravelers calculator and you can now compare different agency offers. The total pay of most offers (the bell curve) ends up being between $40 and $50 an hour including housing.

Of course, after you get these numbers, you still take a look at what local housing is going to cost you to determine your true bankable amount after expenses. Some lower paying assignments may actually do better because of the cost of local housing.

Here is the big picture: Agencies get paid an all inclusive bill rate to cover traveler hourly, per diem, housing, health insurance, Liability Insurance, FICA, recruiter pay, marketing, office costs including rent, and profit. So it is all one big pot to be split umpteen ways. No more money available (but you may be able to play a zero sum game and shift money from say taxable hourly to tax free housing depending on the agency).

The industry average gross profit (the share of pie less direct traveler costs) is 24%. That leaves 78% for the traveler to split up between the various forms of compensation (hourly, housing, et cetera). An average bill rate is around $60. Plug that into the 78% and you get about $47 an hour total, right in the bell curve mentioned above.

The caveat here of course is that agencies are not equal. Some may work on an 18% margin, others may work on a 35% margin. That affects traveler pay significantly. In addition, some agencies have better bill rates - hospitals don't necessarily pay the same bill rate to every hospital. Some hospital have critical needs and raise the bill rate for those assignments temporarily. Some agencies low ball a traveler with the expectation of negotiating. So there are some significant variables beyond my simple rules of thumb.

And since bill rates are proprietary (generally never told to the traveler), it looks hopeless to figure out what agency to use with all these variables, right? Not so, we don't actually need to know. If you talk to enough agencies, and sign up with say five of the ones you initially like the best,and use PanTravelers calculator, you will know who pays the best. And ultimately, you will know who treats you best if you try assignments with different agencies. Frankly, you may find out that it is worth a dollar or two pay cut to work with some agencies. These are personal decisions and homework and due diligence can only be done by individual travelers.