What’s Included in a Travel Nurse Housing Stipend?

When you’re working from place to place as a travel nurse, you may find it difficult to figure out where you’re living next. With temporary housing, you typically have two options: allow the agency you’ve worked with to provide housing or accept a stipend and find your own place to live. Stipend sizes vary, but they’re meant to help you pay for your temporary living arrangement, which can include rent in a fully furnished apartment. 

What Are the Benefits of a Stipend? 

Going with the agency-provided living arrangement certainly makes it easier to find housing. However, you can choose your own place with a stipend, which may be beneficial if you factor commute times to and from work or adventures you want to go on that are close to home.

Additionally, the amount of money you would get on your stipend will depend on many factors, including where you live and the time of year of your assignment, but 

you can gain some extra cash from your stipend. For example, if rent costs less than the stipend, you can take home the difference. 

What Should Travel Nurses Consider in Their Housing? 

You may have to factor in a few considerations if you’re leaning towards accepting a housing stipend on your next travel nurse assignment. As mentioned earlier, commute times to work and other lifestyle activities are worth thinking about. When deciding where to live with your stipend, you may also want to consider: 

• Means of transportation – Are you bringing a car or will you be depending on public transportation or a rental vehicle? Is everything you need within walking distance?
• Appliances and furniture – If you plan on cooking often, does your new home have the appliances you need? Do you need to bring your own entertainment, such as a TV? How homey are you willing to make your own space?
• Length of the lease – Will your new living arrangement align with the length of your assignment? Can you break your lease? How much will it cost you if you do? 

How Do You Know if a Housing Stipend Is Best for You? 

If you’re still unsure about your options, or if you’ve realized finding housing on your own is no small feat, we can help you figure out the best path forward. HealthCare Support is a national staffing resource that supports the professional, personal and financial goals of passionate healthcare professionals. With compassionate guidance and highly responsive support, our dedicated team can help you thrive in your new role and home. We’ll help you throughout the placement process and walk you through stipend living if that is best for you. 

To connect with our team, please give us a call at 888-219-6285.