Finding housing is one of the most important considerations for travel nurses preparing for an assignment. Whether you’re doing research because you’re thinking of becoming a travel nurse, or you’re a current traveler interested in how housing works, this guide will walk you through the basics of travel nurse housing.
Travel nurse housing refers to temporary housing that traveling healthcare professionals rent for the duration of their travel assignments. These accommodations typically include (but are not limited to) apartments, hotels, and rooms for rent.
In most cases, a traveling nurse will work with their travel nursing agency to arrange lodging for their upcoming travel job, as the agency will have insights into the local rental market or existing relationships with local properties in the area. There are some situations where nurses may choose to or need to coordinate travel housing on their own.
Nevertheless, having somewhere safe and affordable to stay while on a travel healthcare assignment is essential for a travel nursing career—especially since many travel jobs will take nurses far away from their home base.
There are several types of housing available for travel nurses, such as apartments, extended stay hotels, vacation homes, and more. Here are some of the best housing options for travel nurses.
Apartments are excellent short-term and long-term housing solutions for travel nurses. While most apartments offer the standard six-month lease or one-year lease, many have month-to-month leasing available that can provide convenient, no-commitment options for travelers. In addition, apartment rentals typically have studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, so it’s easier for traveling nurses to find the space they need for their lifestyle and housing needs.
For travel nurses on assignments that only last a few weeks, a hotel is a common choice. Hotels can be a convenient option for travel housing because rooms are furnished, and there may be amenities like free breakfast, Wi-Fi, fitness centers, and business centers available for guests. Not to mention, compared to private rental homes, it’s often easier to find a wider range of hotels at different price points when traveling. While this is likely not an affordable option for the long-term, you may find better pricing if you’re willing to travel a little further from the facility where you’ll work.
Unlike a regular hotel, extended stay hotels are designed with traveling professionals in mind. Commonly used for corporate housing, extended stays are typically located off of major interstates and freeways, close to convenience stores and restaurants, and include essential furnishings—including kitchens or kitchenettes—to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Keep in mind that smaller, more rural areas may not have extended stay hotels available. Additionally, this housing isn’t always the low-cost option. For instance, if you prefer to go out to restaurants for every meal, it’s probably not worth spending extra on an extended stay hotel room with a kitchen.
Vacation rental services like Airbnb and VRBO are popular among vacation-goers, but these rentals can also be a good solution for traveling nurses. Like extended stay hotels and corporate housing, vacation rentals are fully furnished and offer all the comforts of home. However, not all vacation rentals are available for long-term stays, so it’s a good idea to check if there are rental length restrictions before opting for a vacation home. Additionally, some travel agencies (like TRS) will only collaborate with vacation rental owners if they work directly with the agency, since rental policies through Airbnb and other rental websites typically serve property owners over tenants.
If you travel with other healthcare professionals, have friends or family near your assigned facility, or are willing to rent a portion of a home from someone, house-sharing options like rooms for rent, sublets, or accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—often referred to as “granny flats”—may be a viable solution for you. This housing option can be cost-effective for travelers on a budget, as the price of the space is only for a single room or split among multiple people. However, it doesn’t offer the same level of privacy as other solutions.
Living in a converted van or RV is a unique but exciting way to experience life on the road while working a travel nursing assignment. Some travel nurses prefer this housing option because it allows them to take assignments in more remote areas where housing is scarce. It can even be a great option for exploring on their days off. However, van life requires a lot of work and maintenance to get started. If you own a recreational vehicle already, this travel housing option can potentially save you more money since you won’t need to pay for an additional living space. Otherwise, you would need to rent an RV, which can be a costlier option, depending on the length of your assignment. Also, keep in mind that RV parks in northern states may be closed certain months out of the year—typically from mid-October to late April, although dates vary by location. In such cases, it may be better to seek alternate accommodations or consider southern states, where weather is more favorable for RV travel.
Beyond the type of housing available, there are other factors you’ll need to consider when deciding on housing for travel nursing. As you do your research and make your selection, keep the following considerations in mind so that you get the housing solution that’s best for your needs.
Whether you plan to cover your housing entirely with a stipend, or you expect to pay for some or all of your lodging expenses out of pocket, knowing how much money is available is a good first step toward determining what housing you need for your travel nurse assignment.
Many travel nurses have permanent residences that still require rent or mortgage payments while they’re away. If you’re still paying for a residence back home, those expenditures should be factored into what you’re willing to pay for travel housing.
As far as stipends go, remember the amount you receive will vary based on factors such as the length and location of your assignment, so it may not cover certain types of housing.
If you’re paying out of pocket for your housing while on assignment, take-home pay is a key variable. You don’t want to spend your extra earnings from travel nursing on housing costs, so be sure to adjust your budget accordingly. Also, be aware that the cost of living varies throughout the country, so you may be paying less or more for housing, depending on where your assignment is. You can compare typical expenses in your home city to those in the city you’re traveling to with an online cost-of-living calculator.
Housing stipends for travel nurses are tax-free monthly allowances that cover housing expenses while you’re on assignment. These stipends are used in scenarios where nurses prefer to book their own lodging, rather than delegating lodging to their travel healthcare agency.
However, even if you have the option to receive a stipend from your travel nursing agency, that doesn’t mean you need to go this route. While finding your own housing with a stipend gives you greater control over where you’ll be staying, there’s a certain level of convenience to company-provided housing.
The life you lead at home is definitely something to consider as you prepare for life as a travel nurse. If you have pets, children, a spouse, or another nurse who will be traveling with you, it’s important to account for these factors.
With pets specifically, bringing them along can limit your housing options and incur additional fees if you plan to rent a home or stay in a hotel, as these properties usually charge extra for pets and may have restrictions around breed and weight.
Other considerations may include things like your day-to-day routine. For instance, if you go to the gym every morning, finding housing with an on-site fitness center may be ideal. Or if you’re used to a large living space at home, van living might not be ideal for your travel nursing assignment.
The location of your assigned facility relative to the location of your housing is a key consideration, but the shortest distance isn’t always ideal.
For travel nurses who are more concerned about commute times and convenience, proximity may be the deciding factor. However, if you are more cost-focused, getting housing near your hospital or clinic may be more expensive than obtaining lodging elsewhere in town or the next town over. Of course, this isn’t always the case, so it’s best to do research around your assignment location before choosing housing.
Be sure to review a map of the city where you’ll be staying so you can get the lay of the land and better understand what the driving or walking routes to your new facility look like. Additionally, check out the crime statistics in the area where you’re planning to stay so that you can ensure you won’t be settling down in a place where you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Smaller, more basic housing options might be comfortable for a little while, but these solutions might not be sustainable for longer travel nursing assignments. Before determining where you’ll live while traveling, consider how long you’ll be there and what kind of lifestyle you’d like to lead during that time.
Also, remember that the length of your lease should match up to the length of your assignment as much as possible so that you aren’t left paying for housing after you’re gone or without a place to stay before your assignment is over.
Travel nurse housing isn’t always furnished. Whether out of necessity or preference, there may be times when it’s necessary to bring furniture along for your assignment. In cases like these, you’ll need to hire movers—potentially even long-distance movers—to help transport your belongings to and from your temporary accommodations.
While bringing furniture with you can create a sense of home while you’re working a travel healthcare assignment in an unfamiliar city, having to haul your items back and forth with every assignment can start to add up cost-wise, especially if you need to hire movers. It’s a good idea to review your budget and determine whether bringing things with you is worth the cost vs. opting for a furnished rental.
When you’re ready to book travel housing for your upcoming assignment, there’s still one final step: finding local options. Your direct involvement in this step will vary based on your preferences, as well as what services are offered by your travel nursing agency. Learn more below.
Many travel nursing agencies will either find and arrange housing for you, or they’ll recommend areas and housing options near your facility they believe to be a good fit. When arranging housing for your travel nursing assignment, be sure to share your budget, lifestyle needs, and concerns with the agency support staff providing housing assistance so that everyone is on the same page.
For traveling nurses who plan to book their own lodging, check out popular travel nurse housing websites*, such as:
*When using any of these websites to arrange your own housing for travel assignments, don’t forget to check specific booking policies for additional details.
If you’re headed to a rural travel nursing assignment, where traditional rental options may be sparse, or if you’re looking for off-market properties, going directly to landlords on local forums and other online groups may be your best option. Social platforms like Facebook or online nursing forums like Gypsy Nurse and Ultimate Nurse can also be great resources for connecting with other travelers who have been in your situation and discovering alternative housing solutions.
When you travel with TRS Healthcare, our Housing team works with you to find the best housing options for your budget and your lifestyle. We help research and arrange temporary housing, and we even provide housing loans to help you secure accommodations before your assignment starts. Learn more about how we support our travelers with housing in this TRS housing guide.
Interested in a travel nursing career with TRS Healthcare? Search our current jobs or apply with us now!
