Travel nurse housing wishlist

[MC44]

What are the important things a traveling nurse look for in housing?

I am building a new 1 bedroom house behind an existing rental I have owned for 30 years. I recently was told about the need for housing in your industry and have decided to furnish it and look at this type of rental. I'm retired law enforcement and the front line nurses and other medical folks have been very good to me over the years so when I heard about this need, it really got my interest. 

Having said all that, common sense tells me that clean, quiet and safe would be the core things, but what else can I do at this stage to design or equip it with a traveling nurse in mind?

Here's what I assumed needed to be included:

All utilities, high speed internet, clean comfortable furniture, washer/dryer

Here are some questions:

What about pets? Is that common? Does it need a small backyard?

Black-out blinds in the bedroom? (IV'e worked a lot of graves over the years too)

Smart TV's (or does everyone carry their Firestick with them)?

Tub/shower or walk in shower? Was going to do a nice large shower but didn't know if anyone really uses a standard tub anymore.

House cleaning service? Laundry service?

Do you normally book your own rentals or does the company/service you go through (if that's how it works) do it for you?

I also see some comments about cancellations of contracts by the hospital and the need to not get stuck in a lease. How often does this happen and what would be a realistic structure that gives you a way out without completely burning that mean landlord (Me!) haha.

Would really appreciate any input. This is all new to me and if I'm trying not to miss anything.

Stay safe

 

[NedRN]

Fully furnished ideally would include cookware and utensils. Some sort of coffee maker for most. I bring my own, but I think only a small number of travelers do. Some travelers prefer long term hotels where everything is furnished.

Historically, about 1 in 10 assignments fail to complete, however that includes some number that never started. Best is a month to month contract to minimize traveler financial difficulties.

Pets are a big problem for those that have them, as well as landlords. Going to guess no more than 20% of travelers have them. Those that have them (and don't travel by RV - the easy way out), are used to large non-refundable pet deposits.

In the beginning, an agency recruiter did everything. Now most agencies outsource many services, including housing. It would be far more difficult to let some 400 travel nurse agencies know about your property (not to mention allied health and advanced practice/physician agencies, and students/residents) versus just listing your property on a service. The big names I know of are Furnished Finders, Travelers Haven, and Med Temp Housing - used both by agencies and directly by travelers.

[amoLucia]

My sister used to bring her coffee pot, a wok and a small microwave. She brought some small amt bedding items - never knew what size bed would be there. And her own few towels.

Also safe parking is critical for those with vehicles. And a lighted area for the trash cans. My sister fell at 1 place.

I figure if you've got the opp'ty NOW ...

She also located some of her housing going through commercial rental services - like headhunters. YOU list with them and when a prospective seeker signs up, the agency would connect y'all.

[DeDe245]

I like the idea of a yard for dog. Never had that. Maybe with a pet door
Most important I need quiet, close to parks, bike paths and facilities
Don't need a lot of space. Stackable Washer/dryer
Hard wood floors for pets is a plus or even without pets
AC /Heat that works good
Wifi , Kingsize bed
Smart TV for some travelers
I don't watch TV but my dog does Animal Planet LOL ?

[Swellz]

This sounds unnecessary to say, but don't design it so the only entry to the bathroom is via the bedroom. I stayed in an apartment with my husband for one contract that was set up like this. I worked nights, he worked days. It was not ideal.

If it's an area that gets snow, please provide a shovel and salt, or set up for someone to shovel/salt the relevant areas for your renters.

[amedictorn]

I'm a nurse looking to provide housing to travel RNs in my area (San Bernardino, CA). I have some questions regarding travel housing, if you could please give me an insight, it'd be greatly appreciated! 

1. How far are you willing to travel from the condo to your assigned hospital (minutes/miles)?
2. What is your experience in sharing the travel housing with other professions/nurses?
3. What is a MUST versus WISHLIST items in a travel housing?
4. In your past experiences with other travel housing, how many rooms were vacant or filled?
5. Do you prefer staying in a travel housing where a host lives with you or just housing mates?
6. Do you prefer higher month-to-month rent vs. slightly lower 3-month contract rent with the landlord?
7. Is sharing a bathroom an absolute “no”?
8. And lastly, what is the most important element/feature that you look for when choosing a travel housing? 

Thank you in advance! 

[RNAvatar]

Just another input...would love to have a desk/workspace area...especially if a significant other works from home while traveling with RN.  I'm actually really surprised that not many units furnish desks and office chairs.  And given today's world, it could come in handy.

Blackout curtains for night shifters are a plus.

Travelers who take the stipend, which is the majority of travelers, normally will book their own rental and sign a lease with the landowner.

If you want to be pet-friendly, yes a backyard would be nice.

Personally, I don't use a tub anymore...but I guess if you have a pet, that would be nice?

No housekeeping..but would be nice if you supply renter with all cleaning supplies so that they can keep the unit clean without having to go out and buy everything.

[Idaho_nurse]

I travel with my German Shepherd and my MUSTS for housing revolves around having room or a close place to take my girl out to play and QUIET. While I would enjoy a fenced yard, its not required as my girl is NEVER outside without me and well trained.  I'm a private and quiet person and there is nothing worse than having to listen to loud neighbors, dealing with roaming neighborhood pets off leashes, or feeling like you have to keep the doors and windows locked up tight due to safety factors.  But then, I ONLY travel to rural places.  Also, I DO NOT SHARE, LOL... so I will only look for a place where I rent the whole place.  I am not sure about other travelers, but unless I extend my contract, I normally do 13 week contracts, so a short term 3 month lease is ideal.  

Personally, I have no problems with large studio type places, or single bedrooms but nothing smaller than a queen bed.  Currently I'm dealing with a seriously hard mattress, so I'm having to buy foam pads and pillow top cushioning.  As for wifi, I have my own hotspots that I use, but a TV that has an HDMI port is important.  Other stuff such as the usual appliances (I also bring my own coffee pot) available, a FULL sized fridge and freezer, definitely a washer/dryer, and while I don't do baths, its always good to have.  Heat and A/C depending upon climate

When it comes to finding travel nurses to rent too, I've usually found my rentals either through furnished finder, the occasional airbnb listing, or if a larger hospital organization, I call the foundation and ask if they have a list of landlords who prefer to rent to the traveling staff.  I've also had good luck just by asking around the hospital, which is where I found my current housing... co-worker in another dept had a basement apartment.  

And please, for the love of god, do not price your rentals at 3 times the usual per month.  I get pricing things a few hundred over the norm, due to electricity, water, etc, but in the city of my current assignment, some people were asking for upwards of 2-3K MORE per month, than the average for the same size house.