How to Find and Book Travel Nurse Housing: 2024 Guide
There are a number of ways to find and book travel nurse housing, and several factors to keep in mind. Many travel nursing professionals choose to take a tax-free stipend over agency-provided accommodations because they prefer doing the research and picking their own housing. Although not as common, some facilities will offer to find housing for travel nurses as an incentive to work at their facility and as a way to ensure that their out-of-town nursing professionals are safe and in a position to provide high quality care.
Whether you’re a travel nurse looking for housing or a facility leader looking to build strong long-term working relationships with your contractors, this article provides a range of resources to help you find and reserve temporary accommodations. We’ll review key points to consider when looking for housing and outline a list of frequently used options that can help you meet your needs.
Types of Housing for Travel Nurses
There are plenty of choices when looking for short-term rentals for healthcare workers. Fundamentally, it’s important to remember that reasonably comfortable housing can help alleviate burnout and ensure a more successful placement. Below, we’ll outline five types of travel nurse housing and rental options and share some of the best travel nurse housing websites you can use to find them.
1. Extended-Stay Hotels
A common type of housing that travel nurses use is an extended-stay hotel. These hotels are convenient because units usually include a kitchenette and amenities. However, for nurses who work night shifts and sleep during the day, the hotel’s housekeeping schedule might disrupt sleep or leave the room without clean towels. If you’re booking several rooms in one hotel on a consistent basis, you might ask if the hotel can adjust the housekeeping schedule for those rooms.
| Pros of Extended-Stay Hotels | Cons of Extended-Stay Hotels |
|---|---|
| Fully furnished and equipped with kitchenettes/kitchens
Additional amenities like WiFi, fitness centers, and pools Secure, with regular housekeeping and access to front-desk staff |
Rates can be higher than other types of housing options
Not all states have adequate extended-stay hotel options Can be noisier and busier than private homes |
Here are three sites that you can use to book an extended-stay hotel (click on each to learn more):
Extended Stay America
- Availability: Extended Stay America is located in all states (and the District of Columbia) except Hawaii, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
- Booking: An Extended Stay America booking can be completed directly through their website. Simply enter the location of your facility, select the expected check-in and check-out dates, and book the room that’s most conveniently located with the best rates.
- Cancellation Policy: Advanced purchase reservations must be canceled no later than 24 hours before the check-in date to avoid a penalty. All other types of reservations may be canceled by 6 p.m. on the date of arrival.
- Top Features: 24/7 on-site laundry services, pet-friendly, free grab-and-go breakfast
Residence Inn by Marriott
- Availability: Residence Inn is located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- Booking: To book a stay at Residence Inn by Marriot, visit their website and enter the destination and expected dates of stay of your travel nurse. Browse all available options and select a room in the hotel that is closest to your facility.
- Cancellation Policy: Marriot typically gives all guests up to 24-72 hours before their check-in date to cancel without penalty.
- Top Features: Activities for kids, free full American breakfast, pet-friendly, eligible for points as a part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program
Homewood Suites
- Availability: Homewood Suites is available in all states (and the District of Columbia) except Hawaii.
- Booking: To secure travel nurse housing and book a room in Homewood Suites, enter the destination and expected check-in and check-out dates on their website. Then, view the rates of rooms in specific counties and select the one with the best rates.
- Cancellation Policy: Guests typically have up to 24 hours before check-in to cancel without penalty, but this policy (outlined in your booking email) varies by reservation.
- Top Features: Pet-friendly, free build-your-own breakfast, outdoor grills and firepits, eligible for points as a part of the Hilton Honors loyalty program
2. Condominiums and Apartments
If you’re a nurse who’s been assigned a longer placement, or an organization that sends a steady supply of nurses to the same location all year, it might be worth signing a 6- to 12-month lease for an empty unit. If you’re specifically seeking furnished housing for travel nurses, look for fully appointed units. Otherwise you can buy or rent what’s needed.
| Pros of Condos and Apartments | Cons of Condos and Apartments |
|---|---|
| Can offer more privacy for nurses
Offers continuously reserved housing for longer-term assignments and frequent rotations More of a home-like feel, typically in a residential area |
May not be fully furnished
Lease agreements can be more strict and hard to break if an assignment ends early May require more upkeep and maintenance |
Here are three sites that you can use to rent out a condo or apartment:
Apartments.com
- Booking: To find a rental on apartments.com, enter your city into the search bar and browse available options by location and price. You can then contact the specific landlord or management company listing a rental to apply for and finalize a lease.
- Cancellation Policy: Apartments.com aggregates apartment listings from various landlords and management companies, so termination policies will vary. Read over your contract to ensure you understand all the terms of your lease before signing.
- Top Features: Comprehensive search filters (e.g., term length, parking, amenities), interactive map showing apartment locations, resource center with tips on renting
Hotpads
- Booking: You can find an apartment on Hotpads by entering your location into the search bar and browsing available options by location. Once you identify the rental you want, you can either contact the landlord directly or submit an application online.
- Cancellation Policy: Termination policies vary by landlord and management company, so make sure to double check the terms of your lease.
- Top Features: Sublease filter, interactive map showing apartment locations, aggregates apartment listings from multiple different websites
Kopa
- Booking: To find rentals on Kopa, use the search bar to enter your city and the expected move-in and move-out dates of your travel nurse. Apartment listings will then be populated by monthly rate and location. Once you select a listing, confirm the dates of stay and submit a reservation request.
- Cancellation Policy: All cancellations result in a $75 fee and booking service fees are not refunded. For guests who have already moved in, hosts have the right to keep or ask for the remaining rent based on the terms of their lease.
- Top Features: Shows commute distances, more options for short- and mid-term rentals, online rent payment portal managed by Kopa
3. Off-Season Vacation Rentals and Guest Rooms
There are many websites where you can book guest rooms or entire residential properties that are typically used for vacations. These options can serve as great, short-term rentals for traveling professionals.
Rates for these rentals are usually less expensive in vacation destinations during the off-season. Travel nurse housing in coastal areas of California, for example, may be easier to find in the fall and winter seasons. Accommodations in these areas discount their rates when tourists aren’t there; and you may find rentals near attractions, dining, and shopping.
| Pros of Vacation Rentals and Guest Rooms | Cons of Vacation Rentals and Guest Rooms |
|---|---|
| Offers more term flexibility for shorter assignments
Wide range of housing and rental options Usually comes fully furnished |
Some listings may be fraudulent, especially on unregulated platforms
Some hosts may have stricter cancellation policies, offering no refunds Hosts may sometimes cancel last minute |
Here are three sites you can use to book off-season vacation rentals and guest rooms:
Airbnb
- Booking: To complete an Airbnb booking, enter the destination and expected check-in and check-out dates of your travel nurse. Rentals are listed by price and availability. Once you find an appropriate listing, click “reserve” and complete the booking process directly on the website.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies vary by host. You can always check the host’s policy details directly on the listing prior to making a reservation.
- Top Features: Ability to read reviews from previous guests, rules and guidelines that protect both hosts and guests, comprehensive search filters (e.g., length of stay, type of housing, amenities)
VRBO
- Booking: To reserve a rental on VRBO, enter the destination, dates of stay, and expected number of guests. After browsing through available rentals by location and price, you can complete the reservation process by clicking “Book Now.”
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies vary by host, but listings on VRBO typically follow one of six policies outlined on VRBO’s help page.
- Top Features: Interactive map that shows locations of listings, comprehensive search filters (e.g., pet-friendly, cancellation policies, safety features), rewards program for frequent users
- Booking: While Facebook is a social media platform, users can join private groups that offer cheap housing for travel nurses. To find housing, join a relevant group like travel nurses housing or monthly furnished housing and browse recent posts to see what’s available in your area. If you see a post that fits your needs, you can contact the poster for more information on subleasing their home or apartment.
- Cancellation Policy: Termination and cancellation policies are determined by the individual who is subleasing their home or apartment.
- Top Features: Cheaper rental options, ability to talk directly with subletters, access to community posts containing tips and tricks on finding travel nurse housing
4. Travel Nurse-Specific Housing Options
Some property owners rent out their homes, apartments, and private rooms specifically to travel nurses and healthcare workers. Websites geared toward travel nurses are a great place to find short- and mid-term rental options from hosts who understand what nurses are looking for.
| Pros of Travel Nurse-Specific Rentals | Cons of Travel-Nurse Specific Rentals |
|---|---|
| Hosts are experienced in renting out to nurses and healthcare professionals
Properties are usually thoroughly screened and verified Listings are generally close to major hospitals and medical center |
Some hosts may try to charge healthcare workers higher rates
Bookings may take longer to secure due to thorough screening processes May have limited availability outside of major cities |
Here are three sites you can use to book temporary housing for travel nurses:
Furnished Finder
- Booking: Securing Furnished Finder rentals is simple and can be done directly on their website. Enter your location, move-in date, and monthly budget in the search bar. Then, browse available listings and contact the owner/subletter offering the best option.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies vary by host. Make sure that you go over all the terms and conditions of the listing you’re interested in before signing a lease.
- Top Features: This is the most cited website catering specifically to nurses and healthcare professionals, no additional booking fees, property owners undergo thorough background check
Transplant Housing
- Booking: You can find a rental through Transplant Housing by typing in your city and adding relevant filters (e.g., pets, property type, number of beds). Then, you can browse available options and directly contact the owner of the property you’re interested in.
- Cancellation Policy: Transplant housing doesn’t offer refunds or credits if you cancel your rental agreement with a property owner. However, specific terms and agreements of a lease will vary by owner.
- Top Features: Offers property management services, over 8,000 listings in most states, no additional booking fees
Travel Nurse Housing
- Booking: To find a rental through Travel Nurse Housing, enter your location, expected move-in date, and monthly budget. You can then browse available options and click the “Booking Request” button, which will send a message directly to the property owner.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies vary by property owner, so make sure you double check the terms of your lease agreement before signing.
- Top Features: Provides resources and tips for people hosting nurses specifically, interactive map that shows all available listings in an area, no additional booking fees
5. RVs
RV rental companies provide a more flexible housing option for traveling nurses. Housing like this can be a great choice for people who love the outdoors and prefer driving over flying. This can also be convenient for travel nurses who expect to go to several consecutive assignments.
| Pros of RVs | Cons of RVs |
|---|---|
| Great option for nurses who live a minimalistic lifestyle and enjoy the outdoors
Provides nurses more freedom to explore and move between locations Nurses can more easily travel with their families and pets |
RV campsites are often in isolated areas, so nurses may still need additional transportation to work
RV maintenance can become tedious and costly Not all RVs and campsites offer showers and bathrooms |
Here are three sites you can use to rent an RV:
Outdoorsy
- Booking: Making an Outdoorsy RV reservation is quick and easy. Enter your location, start and end date, number of guests, and vehicle type (driving vs. towing). Browse options by location and nightly rates. Once you find a listing, double check the availability during your start and end date and place your booking.
- Cancellation Policy: Hosts on Outdoorsy follow one of three standardized cancellation policies (flexible, moderate, and strict), which are outlined on Outdoorsy’s help page.
- Top Features: Allows instant booking without host’s response, offers option to get RV delivered and fully set-up, booking and payments can be conducted directly through the app
RVshare
- Booking: To book a vehicle through RVshare, select the vehicle type and then enter your pickup location or address, expected pick-up and drop-off dates, and the number of guests. Browse available options, check the availability of listings that interest you, and click “Book Now” to complete your reservation.
- Cancellation Policy: Hosts on RVshare select from one of three cancellation policies (flexible, standard, and strict), which are outlined on RVshare’s information page.
- Top Features: Allows instant booking without host’s response, offers option to get RV delivered, detailed search filters for electricity and water supplies
RVnGo
- Booking: You can rent an RV on RVnGo by selecting your location and entering the start date and end date of your nurses. Enter your query and search available RVs by nightly rate. Select the listing of your choice, create an account, and submit a booking request to the host.
- Cancellation Policy: Hosts on RVnGo follow one of two cancellation policies (strict and flexible), which you can read more about on the RVnGO FAQ page.
- Top Features: No transaction fees, paid referral program, philanthropic commitment to planting a tree every time an RV is booked
What Nurses Really Need: Key Housing Considerations
The perpetual cycle of hiring, training, and reposting vacant positions makes short-term staffing a costly and time-consuming option for facilities in need of clinical employees. If you’re a facility leader who decides to hire temporary staff, taking a hands-on approach to travel nurse housing can be a great way to build your reputation and give contractors a reason to return. This also means it’s important to understand what to look for when securing accommodations. If you’re a nursing professional, you’ll want to ensure your housing stipend covers your needs and preferences.
As you look for travel nurse housing options, you’ll come across a number of different housing types. To choose between them, you also need to consider what might be the best fit and what the assignment requires. Below are a few considerations to keep in mind as well as a downloadable checklist to help you keep track of key housing preferences.
Spousal and Family Considerations
If spouses or children come along, you’ll need to find housing that is appropriate for the family. For example, a small hotel room will not be comfortable for a nurse, spouse, and child. For instance, a nurse getting up for an early shift is less likely to wake other family members if there are multiple rooms. You’ll also need to consider pets and ensure whether a given accommodation allows them. Some rentals may require a pet deposit or an additional monthly fee.
Amenities Needed
When you hear “amenities,” you might think of luxuries like hot tubs. In this case, we’re talking about basics like parking, Wi-Fi, paid utilities, snow removal, yard maintenance, house cleaning, and emergency services. Also, on-site laundry or accessible services may be necessary for keeping scrubs clean. Depending on the type of housing, these services and conveniences might come with the rent or lease. Otherwise, consider those costs in your budget.
Furniture and Housewares Required
Not all travel nurse housing will be move-in ready. If it’s an apartment, it may or may not come furnished. If not, you’ll need to rent or buy these items, along with things like blankets, linens, and pillows. Also, for night shift nurses, consider the fact that black-out curtains will be necessary to promote restful sleep.
Since assignments last months at a time, it’s also important to consider appliances and kitchenware like silverware, dishes, pots, and pans. Caffeine is often a necessity to get through long shifts, so a coffee maker or kettle can also go a long way.
Preferred Location/Transportation
As you try to find travel nurse housing, you’ll naturally want it to be close to the workplace so nursing professionals can start their shifts on time. Some travel nurse sites that list available housing include maps with hospitals and medical centers. Other considerations include whether parking is accessible and free and whether there is public transportation nearby.
Privacy and Noise Levels
Assignments may require long shifts or nights, which can lead to an inverted sleep schedule. Be sure to consider the noise level and privacy of the housing you’re booking to allow for adequate rest between shifts.
Safety Considerations
Many variables contribute to whether housing is considered safe. Adequate lighting, security systems, close parking, and neighborhood location are just some of the things that impact whether a property is a safe place to house travel nurses. Be sure to look at online reviews and area crime statistics to get a clearer picture of the location’s safety.
Logistics
If you’re a facility leader, you’ll need a staff member to be the point person when arranging travel nurse housing. You may also consider creating a dedicated housing department if you regularly work with travel staff, which is what many large staffing agencies do as well.
If you’re a nursing professional, remember to confirm all check-in or move-in details with your host (if applicable) so that you’re able to securely move into your new place. Remember that check-in rules and details can vary greatly, especially for vacation rentals and guest rooms.
Top 10 Cities for Travel Nurses and Average Rental Prices
If you’re considering apartments for travel nurse housing, you may be wondering what the most popular destinations are and how much do traveling nurses pay for rent when they’re finding their own housing? There are several factors that nurses weigh when selecting and vetting their next assignment, such as salary rates, cost of living, weather, attractions, licensure requirements, and transportation.
Based on various surveys, blog posts, and online forums for travel nurses, we’ve compiled a list of 10 popular cities for travel nurses, as well as the average monthly rent prices in these locations.
| City | Studio | 1BR Unit | 2BR Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$1,010 |
$1,110 |
$1,460 |
|
|
$1,510 |
$1,540 |
$1,740 |
|
|
$2,180 |
$2,370 |
$2,840 |
|
|
$1,430 |
$1,590 |
$1,910 |
|
|
$2,250 |
$2,300 |
$2,600 |
|
|
$1,440 |
$1,530 |
$1,740 |
|
|
$1,370 |
$1,490 |
$1,770 |
|
|
$1,910 |
$2,100 |
$2,680 |
|
|
$2,200 |
$2,720 |
$3,250 |
|
|
$2,010 |
$2,060 |
$2,410 |
Travel Nurse Housing: Red Flags
Whether you’re a facility leader or a nurse, you’ll want to ensure a positive, safe housing experience and avoid potential scams. Here are some things to watch for when sourcing housing from different websites:
- If it sounds too good to be true, especially regarding price, it probably is.
- Perform a background check on landlords to assure you’re dealing with someone reputable.
- Never wire money for deposits, etc. That can be a sign of a scam because wired money is not traceable.
- If you’re signing a lease, make sure it’s short-term only.
- Run a Google image search of the property to see if it matches up to the description. Searching via Street View will also give you an idea of what the surrounding area looks like.
- Look for online reviews of the property.
- Question high-pressure sales tactics. Don’t sign anything before you have reviewed all documents and feel confident.
- Check the listing for misspellings, confusing language, and odd hours of communication (e.g., calling/emailing you at 3 a.m.), all of which could signal a scam.
Additional Resources for Travel Nurse Housing
We’ve given you an overview of housing ideas, provided a list of traveling nurse housing websites, and summarized some key considerations to make during your search. However, you may still need some more resources to round out the nurse housing experience. Below are more helpful links that provide additional information on transportation, safety, noise levels, child and pet care, and furniture rentals.
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Car Rentals |
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Crime, Safety, and Noise Levels |
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Day-Care and Pet Sitting Services |
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Furniture Rentals |
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Reach Nurses Today With the Largest Nationwide Nurse Hiring Network
Figuring out how to find travel nurse housing can be challenging for nursing professionals and facilities alike. If you’re trying to find the right nursing professionals for your facility at the right time — and coming up short — we can help you reach over 1 million nursing professionals looking for work. Find out how by posting your open positions on our nationwide nursing job board today.
IntelyCare writer Kathleen Walder contributed to the writing and research for this article.