Travel nurses have the ability to take nursing jobs anywhere in the U.S. ; but, while exciting, the location where your are going the live for the next few months can be a little scary. First, you need to decide if you are taking a pet or family member along for the ride. If the answer is yes, then you need to do your research and ask your travel nurse job consultant about the location and surrounding areas. Below are some key questions you should ask before taking the plunge:
In case you are bringing your pet, here are a few items you need to tell your recruiter, so you can get the perfect housing location:
- What kind of pet you are bringing.
- Weight, breed, age, and if the pet is neutered or spayed.
- The number of pets you are bringing.
- What floor you would like to be housed on to make it easier to take your pet on a walk.
Other travel nurse housing tips are:
- Make sure your travel nurse agency offers free and private housing or a subsidy instead; otherwise, look for another agency.
- Be sure to express your feelings about your daily commute to the hospital; do you mind driving more than 10 miles to work or not?
- If you don't want cable TV installed, inform your recruiter; otherwise you might be charged an extra fee for cable.
- Learn about the area before you leave for a travel nurse job. Be sure to find out about the hospital, city, and what is the lifestyle around/things to do in your days off.
- Ask as many questions as you need, about the housing and anything else you have doubts about it.
- Check Google Earth for housing location pictures and surrounding area information.
Once you are sure about your assignment, just go for it. And, hope to have as much fun as this travel nurse did in her travel nursing career. Read A. Connell's testimonial to her travel nurse agency, American Traveler:
I just wanted to thank all of you. I have been a travel nurse for nearly seven years, all of that time with my first and only travel company, American Traveler. When I was considering a career as a traveler, I spoke with numerous companies. When I spoke with my consultant at American Traveler she told me, "Talk to the other companies and then call me. I think you'll see a difference."
She was right. During my time with American Traveler I met many other travelers, from many other companies, and hearing some of the problems they encountered made me appreciate you guys even more.
From the start, my housing was a challenge because of my two cats. And from the time I met Kevin in 2003 (we got married in 2005), I've limited my "travels" to a very small area. Your company always found a way to accommodate me (and later, us). I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a traveler and have countless wonderful memories, both of the places I've seen and the people I met. Thank you all for giving me such a fantastic experience.
A. Connell - Travel Nurse