How does housing work for travel nursing? What’s a housing stipend, how much is it worth, and how often do you get it? What's the best app for temporary housing? Got the answers to these and more questions in our rundown of most frequently asked travel nurse housing FAQs.
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Understanding Housing Stipends in Travel Nursing
Most travel housing is paid for with a stipend, which is a separate amount you get with each paycheck to cover the cost of living in the place you're traveling.
In the past, some agencies set up housing on behalf of the traveler. Today, it's more common to get a stipend, which gives you the flexibility to choose your own place to live, including everything from upscale hotels to furnished apartments to short-term shared rooms. You could even stay with friends or relatives and save your stipend — either way, it's yours to keep.
How much do travel nurses get for housing stipends?
How much is a travel nurse housing stipend? It depends, usually on factors like location and your employer's policies. For instance, many of the positions currently available on the HealthTrust travel jobsite offer housing stipends of more than $800 per week, which adds up to more than $3,000 per month — well enough for a comfortable place to live, even in expensive areas.
- Pro Tip: Always get a clear, specific number on how much your weekly housing stipend will be before you accept a travel job. Learn more.
5 Steps for Setting Up Your Travel Nurse Housing
Once you've locked down an assignment and you know exactly how much your travel nurse housing stipend will be, you're ready to find a place to live. Here's what comes next.
1. Set a budget. Add up your housing stipend for every week of your assignment so you can set your budget for housing.
2. Decide what you want. Do you prefer being in the city, or out of town? Want to bring a pet, or avoid a long drive to work? Can you get by with a small studio apartment, or do you need something bigger? Answering these questions lets you figure out exactly what type of housing you need to find.
3. Ask your recruiter for advice. If you're working with a travel nurse agency, ask your recruiter if they have any recommendations for housing the area. They may be able to direct you to a place that others have liked in the past, or that has a reputation for welcoming travelers.
4. Search short-term housing websites and apps. From Furnished Finder to hotels that offer discounts to nurses, there are more options than ever. Keep reading for a list of the best sites and apps for finding travel nurse housing.
5. Double-check before you commit! Think twice about giving money or providing any sensitive info to anyone you don't fully trust. Always read the fine print and make sure you won’t be on the hook for extra charges or cleaning fees, or stuck with a longer lease than you need. Check the ratings and reviews for any property you're considering to make sure it is what it claims to be.
What are the best apps & sites for travel nurse housing?
When it comes to travel nurse housing, your best bet is to use a variety of apps and websites designed for short-term travel.
- Airbnb and Furnished Finder are probably the two most popular apps. Both let you search weekly or monthly stays in apartments, houses, and condos in every corner of the U.S., and filter results by private or shared spaces, whether pets are allowed, and other handy criteria.
- Travel Nurse Housing and Transplant Housing both specialize in meeting the unique needs of healthcare travelers with furnished accommodations, short-term leases, flexible move-in dates, and locations in all 50 states.
- Diggz is a roommate app where you can find short-term rentals that are more affordable because you're sharing space with others, so you can save more of your stipend. Or if you're looking to splurge, try ShortTermHousing.com, which offers corporate and executive-level housing.
- If you prefer an extended hotel stay, nurses and healthcare professionals get discounts at Hotels.com and Expedia, two of the biggest booking sites. Learn about other travel discounts for nurses here.
- Kayak.com is a hotel aggregator that lets you search monthly and extended stays. Booking.com is a hotel booking site that shows you weekly and monthly stays, along with a business feature that helps you manage your travel budget.
Find Your Next Travel Nursing Job with HealthTrust
Here at HealthTrust, we’re proud to be transparent in everything we do, including the amount we provide in housing stipends for every travel assignment. Search our travel jobsite today to see for yourself — and for exclusive access to top travel nursing jobs you won't find anywhere else, all across the United States.
The businesses listed on this page are presented in an informational context only and are not endorsed by or affiliated with HealthTrust Workforce Solutions.
