Navigating Housing as a Travel Nurse: 3 Must-Know Tips

Let’s discuss housing options for Canadian travel nurses. They are a bit different from our neighbours in the States. For example in the States, stipends and increased rates are usually provided to assist travel nurses with their ability to rent a condo or an airbnb for the duration of their travel contract (typically contracts are 13 weeks minimum); on the Canadian side, these options are different. In Canada, the healthcare facilities that are working with the recruiting agencies, have pre-arranged housing (hotel or houses/apartments) specifically set aside for travel nurses. There is always the possibility that you have the opportunity to book your own housing or hotel, based on the budget that is made available to you via the recruiting agencies. This budget allows you to search for airbnbs, hotels and/or apartments that are conducive to your needs with your input. Similarly, to what I mentioned in my previous blog, “Key Elements to Review in Your Contract: What You Need to Know,” you’ll be reimbursed for your housing based on the policy of your recruiting agency. Reimbursements can occur prior to the first week or during the first week of your travel contract. Despite which agency you are with and what their policies for reimbursement are, ensure you keep your receipts!

Now, let’s dive into what you need to know about housing and how it works to ensure you have a comfy stay on your contract!

1. Sometimes its Shared Housing

That’s right! Oftentimes if the facility (hospital/long term care centre etc) provides housing and accommodations, it's very likely that it can be shared. This is important to inquire about because if your preference is to live alone on your contract, your recruiter will need to know. This will ensure that the facility can possibly increase their budget for you to live in your own space, especially if they mainly only offer shared options - although there is no guarantee. Know if this is a deal breaker for you. Ask yourself, “Am I okay living with one or two other people for the next 4-8 weeks?” Otherwise you may end up in a situation that will not work for you. Shared housing was an initial discussion between my recruiter and I before I started my contracts, so I was aware that it could be a possibility. However, I found that I had to ask more questions at times and dig a little deeper to know how many nurses I would be sharing the space with and the size of the accommodation because if there are 5 nurses in a small house, it can get a little tight. Personally, the experiences I’ve had with shared housing have been pretty good and it's been a great way to meet other travel nurses. It’s not as bad as you may think. 

2. Accommodations Are Covered for Your Loved Ones

Your loved ones can most certainly stay with you on your contracts. Yes you read that correctly! Sometimes your needs or preferences are having your loved ones travel with you. It's a common understanding that you, your recruiter and the facility have when you are travel nursing and so, they don’t mind accommodating having your loved ones stay with you. Of course this means that your loved ones wont be staying with you in a shared housing situation, your housing would be private at this point. During the on-boarding process for any travel company, they ask you if you’ll be travelling to contracts on your own or with other family members. Regardless of your initial answer to this question, things can change and so you can always let your recruiter know prior to submitting your dates for your next contract that loved ones will or won’t be joining you for the duration of the contract. Loved ones can include your dog, your spouse and kids, your partner, a parent etc. This is important to communicate because you don’t want to have a one bedroom apartment if your kids are joining you or not having yard space to accommodate your 4 year old golden retriever. It's good to provide a heads up so that wherever you’re placed, whether it be e.g, airbnb, private residence or hotel, the place housing you is aware. Not that you have to go into details about who’s staying with you and for how long but just so they know you will have another guest(s) staying with you. Notifying whoever is housing you is dependent upon whether the housing was booked separately by you or through your agency. They want you to have an enjoyable stay but since they are accommodating you, there is an accountability aspect to it. 

3. Your Accommodations Don’t Always Come Fully Stacked

The nice thing regarding facilities, which often hire travel nurses, is providing accommodations that are usually equipped with your daily essentials and living amenities to facilitate your comfort during your stay.

But unfortunately, these accommodations don’t always provide your daily essentials and living amenities in full. Make sure to bring your must-have household items that you know you need to function with for your day to day. For me, a few must have items I always travel with are:can opener, cooking utensils, seasonings/spices, pots, cooking bowls/utensils, containers and laundry soap! When driving to a contract, your must-have items are a bit easier to bring along because you can pack it in your car the way you need to without worrying about travel stipulations. Keep in mind that bringing these items via airplane can add weight to your luggage in addition to your clothes and nursing uniforms, so really prioritize your 'I can’t live without' items. 

Being forewarned is being forearmed, so if upon arrival to where you’ll be staying doesn’t have all of what you need, at least you’ve gotten yourself covered. I mean, you can always go out and buy the missing items, but really, it's nice to save your money and bring what you already have from home. This also lends to the familiarity and "home away from home" feel that you may want to have. Your recruiter do try their best to accommodate your needs and preferences, just be upfront about what those are. 

My hope for you is that through these tips, you will avoid some of the uncomfortable and unnecessary mistakes that I’ve made by not knowing this information and that you have a great housing experience during your contract. 

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*Bonus*

 Important Questions to Ask Regarding Your Housing! 

What type of housing is available? 

Is private housing available? 

How many other nurses will I be staying with?

Is it shared housing with the opposite sex?

What is the layout of the accommodation? 

Is the laundry in the facility or on the premises?

Do I need coins or is it available for use at any time? 

Be safe. Be comfortable and secure the best housing for you!

Your travel nurse advocate,

Sarah