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Travel Nurses – Why and Where to Travel in the Fall

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Cooler Weather, PSLs and a Brand New City

There are great benefits to travel as a nursing professional in the fall! When the leaves are painting colors and cooler temperatures make outings more enjoyable! So, what better time is there to check out some of the best travel nursing locations than right now? As a travel nurse, you have the unique opportunity to explore new places, meet fascinating people, and discover lots of hidden gems all while providing the very best patient care.

As you get ready for your next travel nurse assignment, it’s important to remember the seasonality of the market. The fall is one of the most beautiful and high demand times of the year to land one. So, if you’re searching for the next perfect travel nurse contract, you’re in luck! There’s a fresh feel to the air, which is only amplified by the prospect of moving to a brand-new city, full of potential and possibility. 

Why Take a Nurse Assignment in the Fall?

  1. Get ahead of the game by planning your next travel nursing assignment now so that you can preplan for the holidays and family visits later in the year. Planning ahead gives you the best chance to work at top facilities, best fall locations, and get potentially higher bill rates. Plus, experiencing holidays in a brand new place can offer unique cultural experiences. Or if your goal is to spend the holidays with your family before your next contract the time to land one is right now!
  1. Look at opportunities to experience a different climate and patient populations. With seasonal demands, hospitals know that their area will experience a population increase or decrease during a certain time of year. In the northern states during the fall season, there is typically an increase in demand at healthcare facilities. This is due to various factors such as the start of the flu season and an increase in respiratory illnesses with cold weather. The same thing can be said for warmer southern states since “snowbirds” and tourists go south to enjoy a warmer winter. 
  1. Increased demand and staff shortages means facilities may be willing to offer more competitive pay rates to attract travel nurses. This higher patient demand can lead to more job opportunities with unique case experiences plus potentially higher bill rates for travel nurses, allowing them to secure resume building contracts more easily and pay off those students loans! Pro tip: states with colder weather and harsher climates typically offer higher pay rates in the fall and winter months. Make sure to plan now and talk to a recruiter about getting placed asap because prime locations and higher pay rates go first and go fast!
  2. Think about possible winter extensions! Many travel nurse contracts may offer extensions after your original contract ends and will go through the holidays into the rest of winter. This is a great option because you won’t have to move again during the cold months in inclement weather or driving conditions. As you research possible places to extend your travel RN assignment through the winter, keep your budget in mind and remember that the cost of living can change in each location depending on the season. For instance, if you’re heading to Jackson Hole during the winter, you can expect to pay more due to the influx of tourist-related travel. 
  3. Try to iron out all of the details about your fall nursing assignment as soon as possible including contract dates, shift times, travel, transportation and healthcare housing. You may want to spend time with family, friends, or loved ones as the festivities become more frequent. If you know your important dates now, you can share them with others so they’ll know when you’ll be in town. Or, they can make plans to visit you and enjoy the holidays!

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Top Fall Locations for a Traveling Nurse

For Full on Fall

These locations are perfectly fall-esque and are the more popular assignment locations for travel nurses this time of year due to their iconic fall sceneries. If you want to embrace sweater weather in all its glory, think about heading to these cities:

  • Asheville, NC
  • New Haven, CT
  • Roanoke, VA
  • Bar Harbor, ME
  • Gatlinburg, TN

At each of these locations, you can find festivals, fairs, and plenty of places to take in the fall scenery. Visit Yale University in New Haven, get your spook on at a haunted Bar Harbor Ghost Tour, and visit the Biltmore House in Asheville when it’s surrounded in shades of auburn and gold. Everywhere you look, there’s a postcard moment waiting to happen just for you. 

Fall Travel Nurse
Winter Travel Nurse

For Colder Temperatures

Are you a travel RN that wants to head to a city where the weather is bound to turn frigid after all the leaves fall? If skiing and snowboarding are some of your favorite pastimes, you might prefer to work someplace where you’re sure to see your breath, and maybe even snowy holiday celebrations!

Some of the top cold-weather spots for nurses traveling in the fall include:

  • Boston, MA
  • New York, NY
  • Chicago, IL
  • Colorado Springs, CO
  • Portland, ME

Go ice skating at Chicago’s Millennial Park, take a Jeep tour through Colorado’s Pike’s Peak region, or bask in the sight of Times Square preparing for the holidays. You might be shivering, but your heart will be warm. 

For Fun in the Sun

If you’re a nurse looking for an assignment that would rather skip the cold altogether and head somewhere that stays sunny around the clock, here are the top warm-weather destinations:

  • San Diego, CA
  • Tampa, FL
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Arlington, TX
  • Honolulu, HI

Cheer on the San Diego Gulls hockey team, take a pedal cab tour through downtown Phoenix, or attend a luau just steps from the ocean. These cities offer mild, temperate weather that lets you do it all. 

Keep in mind that while these warmer locales might be pleasant during the fall, they won’t exactly be empty. Many snowbirds who live in colder climates the rest of the year flock to places like Florida, Texas, and California when they want to escape the chill of their hometown and soak up the rays someplace sunnier.

Summer Travel Nurse

Find Local Fall Activities and Seasonal Favorites

Fall is loaded with seasonal favorites and activities for travel nurses taking on a new location such as pumpkin patches, fall sports, the great outdoors, holiday parties, and delicious eats. But the best part is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to get out and explore. For instance, if you love hiking, you may plan to spend your days off trekking around the Great Smoky Mountains or Acadia National Park both of which are famous for their fall foliage and scenery. 

There are so many fun fall activities to squeeze into your busy schedule in new cities if you’re the new travel nurse in town. If you’re a travel nurse, you know how important it is to utilize your time off between your long and demanding shifts. So celebrate the season BIG, and indulge in all of the fall favorites you can only get during this time of year. Or maybe you dream of pumpkin everything from Starbucks’ PSLs to baking your own pumpkin flavored pastries!

At times, you may arrive in a new city and feel a little lost. That’s OK! With a little sleuth work, you can usually uncover lots of fun events and activities happening right in your backyard. Start with your city’s official website or local community center. Many local sites will offer digital community boards and calendars filled with events, sports, and activities. You may find everything from hayrides and bonfires to festivals and leaf tours. Pencil in a few that sound interesting and make plans to go! 

Starbucks Seattle

Where Will You Work This Fall?

The end of summer is always bittersweet. We reluctantly say goodbye to long days at the beach and evenings spent outdoors, but there is also a sense of excitement in the air as we start to think about the possibilities of fall and all those beautiful colors. Travel nurses have the unique opportunity to combine their passion for healthcare and their love for exploration and adventure. Opting for travel nurse contracts in the fall brings numerous benefits, including favorable weather, cultural festivities, and unique resume building experiences. 

There’s no shortage of incredible destinations to choose from, each offering a distinct and enriching experience. By embracing the autumn adventures, travel nurses can not only provide exceptional patient care but also create memories that will last a lifetime. These are only a few of the in-demand places where you can travel this fall with many more to discover. Whether you want to kayak on Lake Tahoe, explore the coffee culture in the Pacific Northwest, or visit Disney World on your days off, we’ve got you covered! 

Looking for the perfect travel nurse assignment this fall?
Let us help you find your match!

Arial view of California housing options for travel therapists

Travel Therapy Housing 101

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A career in travel therapy is one of the most rewarding ways to make a living. It may be the prime choice for therapists (PT, OT, SLP, PTA, COTA) who love to help others and also love to see as many corners of the country as they possibly can. Perhaps you just like to get away from your principal residence and drive a few hours to a different location and state of mind. You get the satisfaction of helping others while doing what you love plus seeing new places! Now, that all sounds pretty exciting. 

However, there are a lot more factors you need to consider that you wouldn’t have to think twice about if you were settling in one area, especially finding suitable housing. First, you’ll work with one of our dedicated recruiters to find the perfect travel therapy contract. Then, when you know where you’ll be traveling, you’ll have to figure out where you’ll live while there. That’s when a new series of questions arise; are some places more expensive? What is a housing stipend, and how do they work? What if I have pets and need pet friendly housing? 

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We will help connect you with your next assignment and walk you through the housing process.
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Travel Therapy Careers

Traveling therapy aims to reinvent how society deals with staffing shortages and fill open positions at facilities that are in need of patient care. At Marvel Medical Staffing our mission is to provide healing places where patients and facilities need support while protecting our nation’s future healthcare workforce. Facilities need therapy professionals all across the country. Travel therapy is booming, meaning you can be a travel physical therapist, a travel occupational therapist, or even a travel speech-language pathologist and will be able to find work anywhere. 

Traveling therapists have the added benefit of meeting a more diverse group of people, patients, and other therapists alike. They are consistently exposed to new practices/methods and can care for a wide range of patients in all different settings. This can help them learn to work with all types of people and advance their career as a therapist. Not to mention, they also get to experience different cities and explore new places!

Choosing Your Own VS. Company Provided Housing

It can be overwhelming to know you have a job but not know where you’re going to live. Luckily, you do have a few primary options when finding housing while on a travel therapy assignment. 

Choose Your Own Housing

When you elect to find and pay for your own housing you are applicable for a housing stipend as part of your overall pay package. Many travel therapists prefer this option because they have the freedom to choose whatever you want. Hunting for your own housing may also be the more lucrative option and is part of the appeal of becoming a traveling healthcare professional.

Modern resources and short-term rental companies take the stress out of finding housing. Nowadays, you can find your dream apartment with the click of a button, and many places offer both furnished and unfurnished options. You also don’t have to stress over utilities and internet with short-term rental companies, as that it is typically taken care of by the landlord/owner.

The downside? If your contract abruptly ends for any reason, you are responsible for paying the amount of time left on your rental or lease. Make sure you tell any potential landlords about your status as a travel therapists and see if they have flexible cancellation policies. 

Company Housing

You can also opt for Marvel Medical Staffing to select housing for you, which comes with several benefits. First, you can focus your energy on preparing for travel and living in a new place, rather than scouring the internet for housing and dealing with leases, landlords, and property management. Less stress means an easier transition for you! 

When you choose to use Marvel Housing to select your living arrangements, you do not qualify for a stipend. If you’re going to a city, we may have an agreement with a local hotel or furnished apartment complex, so be sure to ask what we have available.

Travel Therapy Housing Options

How do Stipends Work?

To understand how housing stipends work, you must assess all monetary aspects of a travel therapy career. Most travel therapists ask themselves three questions:

Traveling therapists and SLPs get housing stipends (free from taxes) to go towards the cost of living/housing (if they elect to find their own). This amount is factored into your weekly pay, which can be kind of confusing when you break it down. Keep in mind, the cost of living from state to state varies, therefore your stipend amount will also vary depending on where you are going for your travel assignment.

Your contract may tell you that you’re earning close to $50 an hour (before taxes), and they’re guaranteeing 40 hours. Great! But wait, there is more info that’s puzzling you. When actually broken down, it says you’re getting a taxable hourly rate of $20, a housing stipend of $800 per week, and a meal stipend of $500 per week. What does all of this mean? What happened to the high hourly wage?

An easy way to figure this is taking the $20 rate times (before taxes) hours worked (40) which equals your taxable weekly rate ($800). While your stipend is tax free,  you still have to pay taxes on your hourly wages. Since the stipends are technically reimbursements, they qualify as tax-free. Your taxable wage combined with your weekly tax-free stipends ($800 + $500 divided by 40) to create your total hourly wage. You only have to pay taxes on the hourly wage, which is ultimately better than if you were working a permanent position at a facility. Remember, tax rates vary from state to state also.

As we mentioned, you get to keep whatever is left of your housing stipend if you stay somewhere cheaper than your allowance. For instance, Marvel Medical Staffing may offer you $2000 a month for housing, but you’ve found an amazing rental for $1200. Now you get an extra $800! No, it’s not too good to be true; you get the untaxed money for yourself!!

Cost of Living

Cost of living is defined as the total amount of money that is needed to live in a particular area. The expenses that factor into cost of living can include housing affordability, transportation expenses, food prices and entertainment costs. Cost of living is also tied to income, as salary levels in a geographic area are measured against these expenses. So, some locations have a higher cost of living than others, which most times will be taken into consideration when calculating a travel therapist’s pay package. Southern states like Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Georgia have a lower cost of living. States with a higher cost of living include Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, and Alaska. If you break it down even further, you’ll see that cost of living also varies for region to regions within a state. For example, a large populous city like Los Angeles, CA will have a larger COL than a rural northern California town. 

Sometimes the places that you really want to see mean they are a little more expensive. Differences in COL don’t just apply to housing costs, but also other resources like groceries, gas, utilities, etc. It is recommended to use online resources or a cost of living calculator to compare your current location with your new travel assignment location. 

Best Resources to Find Housing:

If you’ve decided to take a housing stipend and do the work yourself, you should check out the following resources:

  • AirBNB: If you’re not staying somewhere permanently, why bother signing a lease? AirBNB is an immensely popular short-term rental company offering fully furnished accommodations for travelers like yourself. It’s a great option if you need something for a fixed amount of time, but less than a year. Several AirBNB hosts offer monthly stays, similar to renting with a landlord.
  • Hotel Engine: Offers lower rates for hotel stays to people traveling for business or their careers.
  • Furnished Finder: This site is similar to AirBNB but more tailored towards traveling healthcare professionals. It only has listings in the United States.
  • Corporate Housing: Connects medical professionals to fully furnished dwellings and short-term rentals in the United States.
  • VRBO: Like AirBNB, VRBO has global accommodations available for people in need of temporary housing.
  • Choice Hotels: Choice Hotels International is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world.

Traveling With Pets

These days, many people have dogs, cats, or other pets they simply can’t bear to leave behind. At Marvel Medical Staffing we love your pets just as much as you do, however we do not offer housing services for travelers with pets. Luckily though, travel therapists can often accommodate their furry friends in the most hassle-free ways possible. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to bring a pet along for the ride.

1. Pet insurance is always highly recommended especially when taking them on your adventures. The good news is many insurance companies offer pet insurance as an extension of your plan!

2. You may have to pay for some expenses on your own if they concern your pet, so be sure to write down a budget. This may include paying an additional cleaning deposit for living arrangements. You must also keep tabs on food, toys, and other pet accessories.

3. Check the pet policies of where you’re staying and whoever will be transporting you and your puppy pal. Check with airlines about how they can accommodate traveling animals, and talk to your Marvel recruiter, landlords, or rental hosts about pet rules, deposits, and fees.

Lastly, your traveling furry friend is a living creature, not just an extension of you. This means they have their own fears, preferences, and comfort levels you must consider. Ask yourself the following: 

  • Does your pet have a fear of travel?
  • Does your pet like to stay at home?
  • Is your pet adventurous like you?
  • Does your pet panic when left in confined spaces?
  • Does your pet panic when left alone while you’re at work?
  • Would it be better for your pet to have a sitter since you’ll be working a lot?

Logistics aside, a travel physical therapy career should be about having a great experience. Do you have a dog that loves hiking, and you’re about to take off to a beautiful, scenic location? They should totally go with you if they can handle the move!

Travel Therapist on the beach, playing with their 2 dogs

RV Living

Some folks just need the great outdoors and basic amenities when embarking on a travel therapy assignment. Traveling with an RV can be extremely useful for rural, scenic destinations where you know the weather will be agreeable.

If you don’t have to fly, you can consider hitting the open road in a motorhome. Not only do you get to pocket the bulk of your housing stipend, but you get to see all the places between home and your assignment. 

An RV also makes it much easier to take your pet with you. You don’t have to worry about pet policies for housing or forcing your snuggly friend to get on an airplane.

Other benefits of using an RV for your travel career include:

  • Exploring the outdoors.
  • Moving around as you please.
  • Being in total control of your living space.
  • Roadtrips while on or between assignments!
RV

Key Takeaways

It’s no secret that traveling PT, PTA, OT, COTA, or SLP is a lifestyle! Housing is one of the top priorities for every on-the-go travel therapist. You can decide to sit back and let your travel company take care of it for you or enjoy the housing stipend and take on the responsibility yourself. We feel full confidence knowing that you have your best interests at heart, whatever you decide. If you want to become part of our MARVELous Family, contact one of our recruiters today!

To learn more about travel therapy, check out additional resources from our blog page!

Travel nurse looking for housing options

What Housing Options do Travel Nurses have?

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Housing Options for Travel Nurses

Travel nursing is exciting. There’s nothing like visiting and exploring a new city! Before you can explore, though, you may need to find housing. Some agencies provide housing, and some provide a housing stipend. If you have a stipend and need to find housing on your own in a strange city, it can be overwhelming at first. You don’t know the area, where to find the necessities, or how to get around the city. And you don’t know how expensive housing will be from assignment to assignment.  

On top of the unknowns, your contract length can make it challenging to find housing, as many landlords aren’t willing to rent for a short time. Along with the length of stay, here are some other options to consider when looking for your temporary home:

  • Closeness to the job
  • Appliances and amenities
  • Local transportation, or is the area walkable?
  • Are there stores or a gym nearby?
  • Is it a safe neighborhood?
  • What are the parking arrangements?
  • Are pets allowed?
  • Are there local attractions and activities nearby?

It can be difficult to find the answers to those questions and more from a distance. Fortunately, there are some helpful options for finding housing and for vetting your options from afar.

 

Vacation Rental Sites

Vacation rental sites are popular and familiar and tend to have a wide selection of rental options. From locations to amenities to home type, you can find almost anything you’re looking for on vacation rental sites. Two of the most popular sites are Airbnb and VRBO.

Airbnb

Airbnb is a popular vacation rental site that allows you to search by location and rental dates.

They have a wide variety of rentals, from luxury homes to off-grid homes and everything in between. They even have a “Unique Stays” category if you’d like to stay in a unique home, like a vintage Airstream or a treehouse.

The “Amenities” section in the listing will indicate if a home is available for long-term stays. Many renters offer discounts for extended stays, but you may need to communicate with the owner for details.

Keep in mind that there are cleaning and service fees with each rental. Fees are noted on the listing.

The Airbnb website also has local information and activities for many areas.  

VRBO

VRBO is a popular vacation rental site that allows you to search by location and rental dates, as well as particular circumstances like pets-allowed rentals or homes with swimming pools. According to their website, VRBO has over 2 million rentals listed. Chances are good you’ll find something you like!

The listings are very detailed, noting the type and size of each bed, the setup of each bathroom (tub, bidet, and so on), and utensils provided in the kitchen, as well as nearby attractions.

Keep in mind that there are cleaning and service fees with each rental. Fees are noted on the listing.

VRBO offers booking protection and 24/7 customer support.

Extended Stay Properties

Extended stay properties are hotels that include a kitchenette in the room. It’s an option that allows you to have the amenities of a hotel in a more apartment-like setting. Not all extended hotels are alike, so it’s always a good idea to verify the kitchen features before booking if you plan on cooking in your room.

Many extended stay options have swimming pools, gyms, house cleaning, complimentary breakfast, and more. Some have a nightly happy hour with snacks for guests to mingle.

Extended stays generally don’t ask you to sign a lease, so you have more freedom to come and go if your contract changes than with private rentals.

You can search for extended stay hotels on the internet or use a website like Travelocity to search. Some well-known extended stay hotels are Extended Stay America, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites.

travel nurse housing - RV options


RV Rentals

An unusual option for the more adventurous is an RV rental. Rentals can be by the month, come fully furnished, and can be parked just about anywhere. RVs for travel nursing became especially popular during the pandemic, as nurses traveled to COVID hotspots as staffing needs changed. RVs also became isolation homes for healthcare workers who did not want to take their COVID unit home to their families at night.

RVs are great options for small, rural areas where there are few options for furnished rentals. They’re also convenient, as many RV owners will deliver them to your campsite and set them up for you. Some hospitals even allow travel nurses to park RVs onsite but may not have adequate water and electrical hookups.

Other nurses may prefer an RV park or campground where they can enjoy the camplike atmosphere and sightseeing.

Another option is to tow your own and take your home with you on every assignment – a true adventurer!

Travel Nursing Websites

Travel nursing websites are dedicated to helping travel nurses find housing while on assignment. Because they’re specifically focused on travel nursing, they weed out the housing options that aren’t agreeable to the unusual scheduling of travel contracts. Two popular sites are Furnished Finder and Tripping.com.

Furnished Finder

Furnished Finder is a web service designed specifically for traveling nurses and other professionals. Its focus is on 30-day minimum stays. The website allows you to search by destination and maximum monthly budget.

Furnished Finder will locate rooms, houses, cottages, apartments, condos, and even hotels, saving you from searching multiple sites.

Listing descriptions include any minimum stay requirements, utilities, if pets are allowed, and other amenities.

The site also has a map option so you can view each option in relation to your job site or other local features.

There are no booking fees, and you book directly with the owner. You can request Owner Verification from the site. Hosts must pass background checks to be listed.

The Furnished Finder website has extensive FAQ’s to answer all your questions.

Tripping.com

Tripping is a vacation and short-term rental search site. It finds and displays housing from other websites based on your search criteria. It allows you to compare options from multiple websites at once, saving you from searching numerous sites. According to the website, Tripping has access to listing for 12,000,000 properties worldwide! It also lists activities and attractions in the surrounding areas.

Many of the listings have discounts listed. Booking is through the listing site.

Vetting Your Options When You Can’t Check Them Out in Person

When you’re far away from your next assignment, it can be challenging to choose a rental if you’re not familiar with the area. Before you sign a rental agreement, use these sites to check out the neighborhood:

Google maps – To see what’s nearby.

Google earth – For a bird’s-eye or street-level view of the area.

AreaVibes – Type in an address, and AreaVibes will show you information about the area, including safety and a livability score.

WalkScore – Type in an address, and WalkScore will give you details about the area, including nearby attractions as well as how bike- and walk-friendly it is.

Always Be Safe

While you’re looking, keep an eye open for red flags that might indicate a scam, like:

  • Too good to be true price
  • Hard to contact property manager
  • Property manager using a Google Voice number
  • The area code of the manager doesn’t match the property area code
  • The property manager or owner won’t meet you in person
  • Odd behavior (extreme urgency, emotionally invested in your rental)
  • Requests to wire money through untraceable apps

How Much Should You Be Prepared to Spend?

The cost of housing will depend on several factors, including:

Location – Pay attention to the cost of living in your assignment area. Your stipend should account for that, but you may still be surprised by the cost of living in larger cities.

Time of year –Taking an assignment in a popular vacation area in-season or a warm state in the winter may be more expensive than doing the opposite. Research your location before you go so you’ll be prepared for seasonal cost-of-living changes, lack of housing, or an influx of tourists.

Type of housing – The size, type, and location of your temporary home will affect the price.

Enjoy Your Adventure!

Travel nursing can be rewarding and exciting! You have a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and explore the country one assignment at a time. But one thing you don’t want to turn into an adventure is finding a safe place to stay. Follow the tips above to make your temporary home search easy and enjoy your adventure!

Be sure to check out our frequently posted jobs on Marvel Match as well!

Travel Nurse Housing Options, Apartments

Travel Nurse Housing Explained

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Travel nursing offers an incredible opportunity for healthcare professionals to explore new places, gain diverse experiences, and expand their careers. However, one of the key challenges that travel nurses face is finding suitable housing during their assignments. You can decide to either enjoy the housing stipend and take on the responsibility yourself or sit back and use Marvel Housing. No matter what you decide is best for you, there are many things to remember when it comes to your housing stipend and finding housing options. Let’s dive into the world of travel nurse housing and share some valuable tips to help you find the perfect place that meets your needs, comforts, and budget. 

Travel Nurse Pay Explained

Think of your bill rate as a pie, and each piece of the pie is a different classification of income. These pieces generally include the base pay rate (taxable income), tax-free housing stipend, tax-free meals and incidentals stipend (M&IE), and other benefits that may be offered as part of your contract. A housing stipend is the amount of money included in your overall pay that is meant to cover the cost of housing that a travel nurse incurs while on a travel assignment. Stipend amounts are set by the General Service Administration (GSA) of the Federal Government and are the maximum allowances that federal employees are reimbursed for expenses incurred while on short term travel healthcare assignments. Keep in mind that rates often vary depending on the location, setting, and length of your assignment. 

For example your contract may tell you that you’re earning around $50 an hour, and they’re guaranteeing 40 hours. Great! But when you break it down you’ll see you’re actually getting a taxed hourly rate of $20, a housing stipend of $800 per week, and a meal stipend of $500 per week. What does all of this mean? What happened to the high hourly wage of $50? Don’t worry, it’s still there! An easy way to figure this is by adding your two stipends together ($800 + $500 = $1,200) and then dividing it by 40 hours ($30). Add your taxed hourly rate to your untaxed hourly stipend rate ($20 + $30 = $50) to get your total hourly rate. Since the stipends are technically reimbursements, they qualify as tax-free. Your taxable wage combined with your tax-free stipends creates your weekly gross pay. Remember, tax rates vary from state to state. It’s important that you meet with a recruiter and a tax professional to discuss payment packages in depth before signing a contract, as they can get quite confusing.

Travel Nurse Housing
Travel Nurse Housing

Travel Nurse Housing Stipends

Now that you understand the different pie pieces of your paycheck let’s explore your housing stipend options with Marvel. Opting to use your tax-free housing/M&IE stipend to cover costs of living if you chose to find your own housing is typically the most common choice most travel nurses go with. If you choose stipend compensation, you’re responsible for locating, booking, and paying for all of your own housing and related expenses. You will use your stipend to go towards short term rentals, extended stay hotels/motels, or book a long-term Airbnb, etc! This housing option allows for maximum autonomy and self-selection with your stipend. The best part? Travelers can take advantage of the housing stipend by finding a place cheaper than the allowance given to them, allowing them to pocket the extra cash; yes, it’s that simple. Add that to the money you save from the tax break, and it’s easy to see how the housing stipend can be a bonus financially.

Marvel Housing Help

Marvel Housing

Wherever you decide to go, you can also opt to use Marvel Housing provided via our in-house housing representative! Choosing Marvel Housing means less stress for you since we will do everything for you in place of receiving a stipend! Marvel’s Housing department can help you research and locate options for you to review.  Additionally, we can provide you our vetted list of preferred hotels/housing options where other traveling healthcare professionals have stayed before. We even have some housing discount codes we can provide to you! Make sure you choose a housing option that works best for you. Even if you choose to take the stipend and select your own housing, Marvel can still aid you in the process of finding housing options if you are having trouble as a FREE perk for our travelers. Keep in mind that the best housing option for you may differ from assignment to assignment.

A few contract examples:

  • Travel Nurse Contract A provides $2,000 per month for housing. If you find a place for $1,200/month, that’s an extra $800 in your pocket.
  • Travel Nurse Contract B on the other hand opts for Marvel Housing, which means there is not a housing stipend but still provides the hourly rate and meal stipend.
  • These are just two of many possible scenarios. Be sure to ask your recruiter about contract stipulations and negotiations. 

Tips to Finding Housing as a Travel Nurse

Plan Ahead: Start researching housing options in your desired location in advance. Websites and platforms dedicated to travel nursing, such as Furnished Finder, Choice Hotels, and Hotel Engine, can be great resources for finding temporary accommodations. Many housing options such as these offer benefits like discounted rates, corporate discounts, or rewards programs. You also want to plan your budget in advance so that you know your price range and other expenses when finding housing. 

Understand Your Stipend: Before embarking on your travel nursing assignment, familiarize yourself with your housing stipend. Ensure you understand the amount you will receive, the payment schedule, and refundable versus non-refundable stipends. This information will help you set a realistic budget for housing and manage your finances efficiently. If you are unsure about anything related to pay amounts, contract stipulations, or stipends be sure to call your recruiter.

Short-Term Housing: Make sure you’re looking at options that state they offer short-term or are open to term negotiations. Short-term rentals, such as apartments/condos or extended stay hotels/motels, are often the preferred housing options for travel nurses. They offer flexibility and convenience with a homely atmosphere. Websites like Airbnb, VRBO, and Travel Nurse Housing can be excellent resources for finding such accommodations. Reach out to hosts or landlords and explain your situation as they may be willing to offer special rates or extended stays. 

Furnished or Unfurnished: Decide whether you need something furnished or unfurnished first. Most travel nurses opt for furnished housing options so they do not have to bring large items while on the road. The good news, furnished housing options are very popular and findable.

Be Flexible: Being open to different housing options and locations can significantly increase your chances of finding suitable and affordable accommodations. Ask questions and do research before you decide whether you do or do not want to move forward with a housing option. The perfect place may be what you least expect! 

Ask your Landlord Questions: A few things to ask about or research when you are looking for housing options are: utilities, appliances, pet policies, cancelation/extension policies, fees, internet, and parking. Most of the time short-term rentals include these items into the cost of rent, but not always. You will need to know in advance if you will need to set up your own utilities and internet accounts/services. If you’re bringing a pet be upfront about it and know a potential housing option’s pet policies and possible pet fees/deposits so you can budget for it. Housing options that don’t include parking could mean having to park far away. As a travel nurse you know your contract can get cancelled or extended at any time! Be sure you choose a housing option that understands your situation and is willing to be flexible if needed.

Connect with Other Travel Nurses: Joining online communities or Facebook pages dedicated to travel nursing can be highly beneficial. Connect with experienced travel nurses who have worked in your target location or are currently there. They can provide valuable insights into the local housing market, share recommendations, and possibly even help you find potential roommates for cost-sharing. 

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Packing Checklist for Download

Here’s a checklist for when you are ready to travel to your next assignment!

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Traveling with pets blog

Traveling With Your Pets

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Thinking of traveling with your pet?

Here are some things to consider!

As it becomes increasingly common for medical professionals to travel with their pets, there are a few factors that you should carefully mull over before deciding whether or not to call a sitter. Traveling to new locations can innately carry newfound stress into your life, and having someone (in this case, your four-legged best friend) there to accompany you can be comforting.

We’ve put together a list of realistic aspects to consider before you should make this decision.

Travel/Lodging

Before deciding on whether you want to bring your pet with you, find out if you can first. Wherever you are going to stay, it’s important to know the facility’s pet policy, as well as your airline’s pet policy – should you decide to fly.

Second to considering where your pet will sleep, how are you both getting there? Air travel has been known to cause a great deal of stress to animals and in rare cases has resulted in death.

It’s important to have your pet examined and up to date on all vaccinations to ensure your pet’s safety. Furthermore, this information will likely be needed by an airline a few days prior to your departure, so be sure to plan accordingly!

Budget

While bringing your pet along shouldn’t completely drain your wallet, you should consider whether you will have the time and money to support your pet while traveling. It is also likely that you could be charged a pet fee by the facility you are staying at. Ensure you have enough budgeted for both you and your travel buddy!

Time

Finally, how long will you be away from home? Many travelers decide to bring along their pet for a sense of ‘home’, in light of new unfamiliarity. The length of your trip and intensity of your new travel assignment are important factors to consider, as your pet will likely be left alone in an unfamiliar setting for long periods of time while you are at work.

These are just a few of the many factors to consider when deciding to leave your pet safe at home – or bring them along as the family member that they are. When in doubt, just ask your recruiter while going over your contract!

Looking for more information about traveling with your furry friends?  Check out Barking Embarkers, a blog run by one of our travelers!

Traveler with Dog
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