Thinking about traveling...got advice?

Geeg · Jan 7, 2004

Do you have a particular location in mind? If you do, mention it in the thread's title. People are much more likely to respond to something like "Any housing stories in Whereverville?" than a general inquiry.

rncopper · Jan 7, 2004

I have never felt that I was housed in a "bad" neighborhood on any of my assignments (I have been traveling almost 3 years now). In fact, some of the places, I don't think I could even afford if I had to live and pay for it on my own!!!!

scrubs · Jan 7, 2004

I suppose I would truly like to go somewhere in Florida, where the sun is shining and there is no ice! Here in RI, we are terribly understaffed and have no new ratio system in place (yet). I'm thinking it must be similar everywhere but at least if the weather is nice, it makes it all seem a little easier. Lately, I've had to shiver and scrape my windshield after a 3-11 shift which is brutal. Any further insights would be most welcome:)

bellehill, RN · Jan 10, 2004

I have never had a problem with feeling unsafe in the housing provided. One hospital I worked at was in a downtown location that everyone warned me about but I was fine. Security cameras were on 24/7 and I felt safe. The companies work hard to keep you safe and happy (most of them). Enjoy Florida, I am in NJ now and I can't wait to head south again. Now I remember why I left the northeast to begin with!

purpleyoda · Jan 11, 2004

I have been a traveler for over ten years, and my husband and I have had the best and the worse. Usually, the agency takes very good care of you. They know they are not going to get your best if you aren't happy with where you are living. You have to let your recruiter know the specifics of what you want in a apt. It is really up to you, and if you don't tell them what you need, they can't possibly accomodate you. Remember, you are paying that recruiter's salary, he wants to make you happy. For example, I always tell my recruiter that I don't want a glass dining room table, I like being upstairs because I work at night, and I want close to the hospital unless it is a bad neighborhood. I have learned over the years to be very specific, and it has paid off, but I had to have several bad living situations before I learned. The agency seldom sees where you are living, they are dependant on the places they call telling them the truth. But this is changing. Now, more agencies are sending people out to locations to check out the housing, esp. if they have alot of nurses coming there. I occ. stay at a extended stay hotel, which is nice, because if I am working 60 hours a week, which I often do, I am not going to be cooking alot anyway, and taking a few items like a crockpot does it all. Most of them have small fully furnished kitchens.

live4today, RN · Jan 11, 2004

When I was a traveling nurse, the housing provided was always great! I hope it is still good today as I'm seriously considering travel nursing again. :)

crazynurse123 · Jan 16, 2004

i've been travelling for the past 3 1/2 years and have never had any problems with housing. my first assignment in downtown chicago i was housed in a hi rise building, but i only had a studio apartment. fortunately my housing has just been getting better and better. most of my assignments have had me housed in gated communities with pools, spas, workout rooms. i've also always been in nice areas and once the police station was just down the block from my complex. if your company ever does trry to house you in a place that you find unacceptable, refuse to move in until you are able to speak with your recruiter or housing liason. happy travels!

GYPSY1349 · Jan 16, 2004

After almost 8 yrs. of travel nursing I can tell you with certainty that you'll get what you insist on!

Decide what you want in terms of housing (within you housing budget, of course) and settle for no less.

Some agencies will provide "corporate housing" if that's what you want, complete with linens, pots & pans, microwave, etc. and it will be similar to a hotel room. But, if you prefer an apartment complex with all the ammenities (pool, gym, etc.) there are only a few places in the country where that is not available, usually only in very small towns.

There are some great sites on the web that allow you to look at the pictures of the complexes ahead of time, floor plans, ammenities, etc.

Once you start traveling, the first rule, wheather it concerns pay rate, location or housing, is KNOW WHAT YOU WANT AND ASK FOR IT...Most reputable agencies will work hard to guarantee your happiness and a successful assignment. Good luck!

rollingstone · Jan 17, 2004

Me and wife are in Tucson for six months. No snow or ice here and we're not missing it. When we signed the deal for this contract we decided to take the stipend and find our own place to live. Once we arrived in town we rented a hotel for a couple of nights, grabbed an apartment guide in a drugstore and checked out a few places. We found a great apartment in the foothills of the Santa Catalina mountains with a breathtaking view of the mountains from every window in the apartment, not to mention the very private patio. We furnished the place by visiting garage sales and discount/second-hand furniture stores. This was less expensive than renting the furniture. When the contract ends we'll sell the stuff cheap or give it away before hitting the road again.