travel nurse companies that provide housing

Travel Nurse Housing

Your go-to travel nurse housing resource

Searching for housing?

You've got options.

Whether you want furnished housing provided for you or a housing stipend to find your own place instead, the choice is yours! You may find that Aya-offered housing is best for one assignment while the housing stipend works better for another. It’s okay to switch between housing options from assignment to assignment.

CHOOSE AYA HOUSING AND WE’LL FIND YOU THE PERFECT PLACE.

If you’d rather have one less thing to worry about, this is the option for you. You’ll get a nice place to live without having to lift a finger yourself. You may even live near other traveling nurses – and everyone knows that travel nurses are the best company!

TAKE THE HOUSING STIPEND INSTEAD AND DO IT YOURSELF.

Some travel nurses are experts at finding housing online. Some prefer living in an RV so they can bring their housing with them wherever they go. Others may want to choose a location that is between work and somewhere else they want to be, like the beach, ski slopes or the big city.

If you enjoy house or apartment hunting or already have your housing set before you begin an assignment, choosing the housing stipend may be your best bet.

Traveling with a pet? No problem!

Just let your recruiter know so our housing team can ensure you and your furry friends find the perfect spot. Read more about Aya travelers who bring their pets along on their assignments.

Want to rent your place?

Do you have a furnished rental you’d like to list for travelers? Complete our form to submit your property now.

Privacy Overview

Private Housing

If you choose to elect housing and transportation provided by medical solutions, our expert housing and travel team is here to serve your needs. they know that caring for others all day can be stressful, so they go above and beyond to provide you with comfortable, low-stress accommodations during your assignment., with medical solutions, your housing is always:.

• Paid by the company
• Fully furnished
• Utilities Included - such as gas and/or electric, water, sewer, and trash - with set-up covered by Medical Solutions
• 32" flat-screen television and DVD player

Your housing options can also be customized according to your special needs such as:

• Pet friendly
• Floor level
• Washer/dryer
• Traveling with a family
• And more -- just be sure to talk to your recruiter upfront about any additional needs or preferences!

What does pet-friendly housing mean?

We know that our clinicians and their pets come as a package deal, so we proudly offer pet-friendly housing options. When you take our company-provided housing, we’ll help you find pet-friendly housing for your cats and/or dogs. Some properties or vendors may not allow or have restrictions for certain pets; in these cases, our team will do everything they can to find alternatives for you. We also cover refundable pet deposit costs upfront for you.

Paid Transportation

When Medical Solutions is your co-pilot, all your travel needs will be covered:

• Leased intermediate-size rental car, with LDW insurance coverage and unlimited mileage included
• Flights to and/or from your assignment

Taking a Housing or Travel Stipend Instead?

If you prefer to arrange your own housing and/or travel accommodations, you’re eligible for a housing stipend. Luckily, our housing and travel team is still a valuable resource for you, and we are always happy to help share recommendations or answer questions. Plus, as a current Medical Solutions traveler, you have access to our company discounts — including hotel and lodging deals such as:

• Avis & Budget Car Rental
• Hertz Car Rental
• Enterprise & National Car Rental
• Southwest Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Hilton Hotels
• HotelEngine.com

Have housing you would like us to consider? Submit your information here so we can get it saved in our system!

What do clinicians say about our housing.

“We got to the apartment late last night, but had no trouble getting in and settled. We were impressed that the apartment was so large and fully furnished — much better than my last company. It felt like home as soon as we walked in the door!”

Jenna, Medical Solutions traveler

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Travel and Housing with Freedom

Free housing and travel for travel nurses, because we specialize in rapid response assignments, which can start in as little as 10 days from the initial request, it’s important that we help our travel nurses get to their destination and settle in., we take care of everything so that you start your next travel job in the best state of mind..

Travel and Housing Covered Travel with peace of mind knowing transportation to and from your assignment is booked and covered, as is your new home away from home. We offer carefully selected private housing for your stay, or a housing stipend if you prefer to choose your own. And if you have any travel preferences—from aisle seats to direct flights—we will work to meet them.

Travel with Family & Pets One way to feel more at home away from home is to bring your loved ones with you. We know there’s no better emotional support system, so we do what we can to facilitate the travel of your loved ones. We will coordinate with you to select private housing that works, book flights together, even manage deposits.

If you would like tips on how to make the actual traveling easier and your housing feel more like home, check out our travel nursing resources .

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HOW DOES TRAVEL NURSE HOUSING WORK?

The biggest concern for most nurses considering travel jobs: where am i going to live our travel & housing faqs explain what travel nurse housing options are, who pays for it, and how the accommodations are arranged. find the answers to these questions and more in our faqs..

How Does Travel Nurse Housing Work?

The biggest concern for most nurses considering travel jobs: Where am I going to live? The Travel Nurse Academy explains what travel nurse housing options are, who pays for it, and how the accommodations are arranged. Find the answers to these questions and more in our FAQs. ‍

We have a different approach to Travel & Housing. While we love setting up company provided housing, we also want our nurses to enjoy the perks of the tax-free housing per diem – it is a huge financial advantage of traveling.

We realize finding short-term housing can be tricky, and we want to help in a way that fits your needs! Our dedicated Travel & Housing team is available to provide housing recommendations, set up housing, give exclusive hotel and rental car discounts, answer questions, and more. We believe you have more important things to worry about than housing, including improving lives at the hospital. Below are all the ways our team can help you feel confident about your housing situation regardless if you took company provided housing or the housing stipend.

Company Provided Housing

Sit back and allow our team to put all the work into booking housing! We will provide fully furnished accommodations for the entire length of your assignment – you only need to bring your clothes and any personal belongings.

Why take company provided housing?

• Saves you time in researching and setting up housing.
• Simplest way to take a travel contract – you can focus more of your efforts on patient care.
• Eliminates upfront costs for housing.

Per Diem Assistance Program

Where most companies limit Travel & Housing assistance to company provided housing, we extend help to all our nurses, including those taking the tax-free per diem. Our team will provide housing research, discounts, answer questions, and provide advice no matter where your assignment is.

Why utilize the Per Diem Assistance Program?

• Allows you to take full advantage of the financial benefit of the per diem without the burden of finding housing alone.
• Saves you time researching housing.
• Resource for questions you may have about the area, housing set up, etc.
• Access to exclusive discounts on many hotels around the country.

Temporary Company Provided Hotel

Do you want to take advantage of the per diem, but need company provided housing the first few weeks while you get settled in? Not a problem! We can provide housing at a local hotel while you find your preferred housing to utilize the stipend on for the remainder of your assignment.

Why take a temporary company provided hotel?

• Eliminates immediate upfront housing costs until you find something else further into your assignment.
• Allows you to get acclimated with the area and affords you the ability to physically visit housing before committing.

Company Provided Rental Cars and Flights

Need of a way of traveling to your assignment or around your location for the duration of the assignment? Our Travel & Housing Specialists are happy to book a round trip flight to get you to and from your assignment. A rental car can be provided for all or part of an assignment if ground transportation is needed while on assignment.

Why take company provided cars or flights?

• Hassle-free way of traveling to and from an assignment – our team will set everything up!
• Eliminates high upfront cost of purchasing means of transportation prior to assignment.
• Our car rentals are insured and covered for any potential damage – you don’t need to provide your own coverage.

How Much do Travel Nurses Get Paid for Housing?

Travel nurses who choose not to use the company-provided housing will receive a tax-free stipend to pay for their travel nurse housing, utilities, and furniture. The amount of the stipend is dependent on the length and location of the contract. Short-term contracts may pay more or less depending on the needs of the hospital as well as the time of the year. Hospital census and markets can fluctuate, which can also be a factor in determining how much a facility is willing to pay for travel nurses . The cost of living within a large city may be more expensive than in a rural area. Utilities and rent may be more costly in a downtown area versus living on the perimeter of a large city or small rural areas. It is essential to discuss travel nurse housing options and the stipend with our agency housing department so you can find the best fit for you.

How Much Do Traveling Nurses Pay for Housing?

Travel nurses pay different amounts for travel nurse housing based on many factors. As a travel nurse, one of the benefits of your contract may be a tax-free stipend for housing if you chose not to use the agency provided travel nurse housing. Some travel nurses may travel with their significant other, kids, or pets. These nurses may want a two-bedroom apartment versus a nurse traveling alone and only needing a one-bedroom apartment or condo. Assess your particular travel situation and consult with our agency housing department to find the best option for you and your travel needs.

4 Best Travel Nursing Places to Stay

One- or two-bedroom apartment- furnished vs. unfurnished Townhome- furnished vs unfurnished Long-Term Hotel- furnished Airbnb, VRBO house/apartment- furnished

Travel Nurse Agency Housing Department

Health Carousel Travel Nursing’s housing department will help the travel nurse taking the tax-free per diem by providing the travel nurse with housing research, discounts, answering questions, and advice no matter where the assignment is. Our housing department wants to help our nurses find the best option for them and their particular situation so the travel nurse can be successful and enjoy their assignment.

Staying with Friends or Family

Depending on the assignment, travel nurses may be able to stay with local friends or family. This arrangement would allow the travel nurse to take the tax-free stipend and save money while staying for a free or reduced cost with friends or family. The travel nurse would have the support system provided by those friends or family, which can be helpful in a new work and living environment. 

Things to Consider When Finding Your Own Travel Nurse Housing

If you are starting your first travel assignment, it might be wise to take agency-placed housing. Travel nursing is full of firsts: first time in a different hospital, first time traveling, and first time being away from friends and family, so taking the stress out of finding housing might make things a bit easier  However, some travel nurses like the freedom to find their own accommodations. Travel nursing is full of wonderful new opportunities and adventures just waiting for you to take advantage of them.

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Comprehensive Guide to Housing Stipend for Travel Nurses

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Comprehensive Guide to Travel Nurse Housing Tips

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12 Best Travel Nurse Housing Sites Ranked For 2023

• Last Updated: February 27, 2024

If you’re looking for accommodation for your next nursing assignment, then these best travel nurse housing sites are the perfect place to get started!

While some nurses depend on the travel nursing agencies to find housing for them, others prefer the flexibility of finding their own property to rent. Additionally, you may be losing out on more money via your non-taxable housing stipend if you decide to use agency housing.

Though it can be difficult to find the right place, the online resources we discuss in this article can help you rent an apartment that meets all your needs.

So, let’s explore the best travel nurse housing sites, their pros and cons, and the best way to begin searching for your new place.

Table of contents

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The best travel nurse housing site is Furnished Finder. This is because the platform caters specifically to travel nurses, listing affordable, flexible, and furnished short-term rentals.

However, just because this site is often the best place to start doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll find your dream apartment there right away. Instead, you may want to explore your options on several of the best travel nurse housing sites.

By comparing listings across multiple platforms, you’ll give yourself plenty of accommodation options to choose from. This way, you can find a place that mostly closely matches your desired location, budget, and amenities.

In order to determine the rankings for the best travel nurse housing sites, we took the time to explore listings on each website. This allowed us to get a feel for each one’s offerings, as well as features like search filtering capabilities.

We paid close attention to all of the following criteria:

• Prices and Number of Affordable Options
• Ease of Use
• Number of Locations/Location Flexibility
• Number of Flexible/Short-Term Lease Options
• Number of Furnished Options
• Additional Features

1. Furnished Finder

We determined that Furnished Finder is the best website for travel nurse housing because it caters specifically to the needs of travel nurses. In fact, it not only caters to nurses, but other traveling professionals as well.

This means almost all of the rentals are furnished and include utilities in the listing price. Depending on your preferences, you can filter the listings by price, pets welcome, and various amenities.

You can even choose to filter the results by “room only”, which tends to be cheaper, or “entire place”, which gives you more space and privacy.

Overall, we found that the listing prices on this travel nurse housing site were some of the most affordable. Better yet, the pricing is transparent and easier to gauge because there’s no additional premium added on for furnished and short-term leases.

The biggest downside to Furnished Finder is that most of the properties we looked at didn’t have any reviews. So, be sure to do your due diligence and ensure listings are legit by touring the property or taking other safety measures.

Most importantly, do not send anyone money until you’ve confirmed the legitimacy of the listing.

AirBnB is probably the most popular platform for finding short-term rentals, making it a great travel nurse housing site. While this site doesn’t cater specifically to travel nurses, we have seen several properties marketing themselves as a great place for travel nurses to stay.

After all, nearly all rentals on AirBnB come furnished, and with utilities included in the listing price. You’ll always pay the price you see in the listing, with the only other additional cost being taxes.

It also has robust filtering tools. For example, you can choose to only see properties with specific amenities and under a certain budget. 

Additionally, you can filter the results by “room only”, “entire place to yourself”, or both. If you’re looking to save extra money, booking a room instead of an entire place is significantly cheaper. However, many people like the extra privacy of an entire place for the extra money.

Most listings on AirBnB also have lots of reviews, making it easy to gauge which properties are high-quality. The site even recently introduced a new filter called “Guest Favorites” which allows you to only view highly-rated rentals, usually those averaging above a 4.75 out of 5 star rating.

The biggest downside to this platform is that it’s becoming increasingly limited in certain cities. For example, New York effectively banned many AirBnB rentals after adopting Local Law 18 . However, despite the stricter laws, there are still a ton of rentals available on the platform.

Kopa is another great travel nurse housing site because it only lists short-term, month-by-month rentals. You can also filter the results by “Fully Furnished”, “Partially Furnished”, and “Unfurnished”.

It’s easy to find a rental that aligns with your assignment, as you can search availability within a specific date range.

Additionally, there are search filters for various types of amenities, accessibility requirements, and rules (like pet allowance). You can also choose to only see “Entire Place” listings or “Individual Room” listings.

This platform also gives you all the key information you need once you click on a listing. The first things you’ll see are:

• Rental Type (ie, entire space vs individual room)
• Furnished, Partially Furnished, or Unfurnished
• Which utilities are included
• Other costs like security deposits and cleaning fees

The main drawback to this site is that there aren’t quite as many affordable options as the ones ranking above it. However, It’s worth noting the pricing and availability could fluctuate depending on several factors, like your location and the time of year.

Overall, it’s definitely worth checking out, because it’s possible to find a really nice place for a good deal.

4. Apartments.com

Apartments.com is another good place to look when searching for housing for your next travel nursing assignment.

This site is useful because the listings often provide a comprehensive overview of the property. They detail all of the amenities, neighborhood information, and even various fees, like utilities and pet fees.

Additionally, many of the properties have at least a few reviews, which can help you avoid low-quality rentals.

To find listings suited to your preferences, you can filter the results by “short-term” lease “furnished available”. Then, you can set your maximum budget and desired number of bedrooms.

However, it’s worth noting that the listing prices on this travel nurse housing website often don’t accurately reflect the monthly cost of rent. This is because most properties charge a premium for short-term lease and furnished units.

Additionally, many of the leases don’t include utilities, which can add even more cost to your stay. While you can filter by “Utilities Included”, this often means only some of the utilities are included. 

You may also need to consider upfront costs like the security deposit and first and last month’s rent.

So, overall it can be a little more difficult to gauge the final cost of accommodation when using this website. While it’s worth checking out the available short-term stays on Apartments.com, this site is typically better for long-term rentals.

5. HomeStay

If you’re looking to stay with a host and live with a local, Homestay can make a great option for travel nurses. The site mostly lists individual rooms, not entire places, and this can often result in more affordable accommodation.

Another good thing about this site is that many of the listings have reviews. This makes it easier to gauge the legitimacy of the listing, and get a feel for travelers’ experiences with the host.

Also, there are various types of filtering criteria, like amenities, distance from city center, and even hobbies you may share with your host. You should also be sure to use the “Host Welcomes” filter, as different hosts place restrictions on who can stay. 

For example, if you hope to travel with your family, it’s key to filter by “Host Welcomes Families”. Likewise, if you’re a male, be sure to use the “Host Welcomes Males” filter, as some hosts aren’t comfortable hosting men.

Another important thing to note about HomeStay is that the number of listings can vary a lot based on location. For example, in Philadelphia, we didn’t find many affordable results. On the other hand, we found quite a few relatively inexpensive rooms available in New York City and Boston.

So, if you’re not concerned with having an entire place to yourself and you want to find a cheap rental in a city with high rent prices, this could be right for you.

6. Extended Stay America

Extended Stay America is a great site for travel nurses to find housing because it’s relatively affordable and consistent. This company offers nice hotel-style rooms, fit for stays anywhere from a few days to a few months.

You can rent a private studio apartment that includes a kitchen and utilities, as well as on-site laundry facilities and free wifi. If you have pets, they even offer pet-friendly accommodation.

The downside is that, while they do have a lot of locations, they may not always be in your desired location. For example, when we looked at available units in Philadelphia, all of the properties were located in the suburbs, with no options within the city itself.

One more thing to note is that Extended Stay America is considered a hotel, and they feature hotel-style rooms. While these rooms look pretty large, even featuring a queen bed (or two) and a kitchen, those looking for a different style may want to look elsewhere.

7. Hello Landing

Hello Landing has a network of 20,000 available apartments across over 375 cities. The rentals are all short-term, flexible leases, and tend to be more high-end.

Their platform also offers a “Standby” option, which allows you to live in any one of their available Standby rentals for a flat fee. The catch is if someone else decides to pay the non-Standby price to rent the apartment, you are given a minimum of three days to move into a different unit. 

You should also keep in mind that the Standby option does not include all the available listings. You need to create an account to view Standby rentals.

This option could work out for those who are traveling from city to city and want a consistent marketplace and consistent price point. However, given the busy schedules of travel nurses, the possibility of having to switch rentals on short notice may be difficult.

If you’re not a Standby member, the prices of rentals on Hello Landing were some of the most expensive we saw, with few inexpensive options. Additionally, some of the listings had additional fees for utilities.

However, if you have a high budget and want to live in really nice accommodation, this could be a good choice.

8. Craigslist

Craigslist can also be a great place to find travel nurse housing rentals. While the “apts/housing” section usually features more traditional, long-term property listings, the “sublets/temporary” section often has listings for short-term rentals.

Additionally, you can filter the available properties by price, as well as “furnished”. However, you’ll need to check each individual listing to determine if the length of the lease matches your needs.

This can be one of the most affordable travel nurse housing sites, because property owners are often trying to find a tenant quickly. This way, they’re not wasting money on a place they don’t live in anymore.

The biggest downside to Craigslist sublets and temporary rentals is that you’re often working renting from individuals instead of established property management businesses. 

Additionally, since anyone can place an ad on the site, you should be especially cautious and ensure the listing is legitimate. If possible, try to tour the place before you commit, and don’t send money to anyone until you feel it’s safe to do so.

9. VRBO/Homeaway

VRBO , which also acquired Homeaway, is a rental marketplace geared more towards vacation rentals. This means a lot of listings on this site tend to be a little fancier, and they all come furnished.

You can filter by particular amenities as well as maximum price, and you can view the cost as a nightly or total price. So, if you plan on staying for a few months, you may need to break out your calculator to determine the monthly rent.

A lot of Homeaway and VRBO travel nurse housing listings also have reviews, which can help you decide if the rental is right for you.

The main drawback to VRBO is that the listings tend to be pretty expensive. However, if you’re looking for a more luxury stay, you may be able to find a good rental on this travel nurse housing site.

10. HotPads

Overall, HotPads is very similar to Apartments.com when it comes to travel nurse housing. The biggest difference is that Apartments.com has better filtering features, like filtering by short-term leases.

To see if short-term leases are available on HotPads, you’ll need to check the individual listings. You should keep in mind that your rent may be higher than the listing prices, because many properties charge a premium for short-term leases and furnished units.

One good reason to search for rentals on this platform is their commute calculator tool. This can help you determine how long it will take to get to your travel nursing job from each rental.

Overall, HotPads can be a good place to find short-term rentals and easily find a location with a short commute. However, checking each individual listing to see if they offer short-term leases could be time-consuming.

Like Hotpads, Zillow is better for finding long-term leases, but there are still travel nursing housing options on this site. However, you won’t be able to filter by “short-term lease” or furnished units.

With Zillow, the only way to filter out unfurnished and longer-term leases is to use their keyword search tool. Unfortunately, this often loads results that don’t actually come furnished and don’t last less than a year.

However, if you take the time to look at the listings, you may be able to find a short-term, furnished rental. Just be wary of the fact that short-term, furnished properties typically charge a premium on top of the listing price.

Overall, since the Zillow platform is used by people to both rent and purchase property, it lacks some of the features that are crucial for travel nurse renters.

12. Facebook Housing Groups

One more option to find a travel nurse is to join groups on Facebook . For example, a quick search for “travel nurse housing” on Facebook brought up several groups boasting over 100,000 members with over 10 new posts a day.

For instance, some popular housing groups dedicated specifically to travel nurse accommodation include:

• Travel Nurse Housing – Furnished Finder (group is moderated by Furnished Finder but acts independently from the site and app)
• Travel Nurse Housing – The Gypsy Nurse
• Travel Nursing: Places/Rooms For Rent

You might also consider searching for more general housing groups in your desired location. For example, if you want to work in Chicago, search for “Chicago housing”.

While this strategy can be hit or miss, you can find really good deals listed in these groups. 

However, even though most groups are moderated, you should be wary of spam and scams. Moderators may not be able to weed out all the illegitimate listings, so do your due diligence before committing or sending the landlord a deposit.

Most of the best travel nurse housing sites listed above also offer an app for a better user experience on mobile devices. 

So, while you can browse rental listings on a desktop or in your phone or tablet browser, you might have a better experience by downloading these free apps for travel nurse housing:

• Furnished Finder App ( Apple and Android )
• AirBnB ( Apple and Android )
• Apartments.com ( Apple and Android )
• Craigslist App ( Apple and Android )
• Extended Stay America ( Apple and Android )
• Hello Landing ( Apple and Android )
• VRBO App ( Apple and Android )
• HotPads ( Apple and Android )
• Zillow App ( Apple and Android )
• Facebook App ( Apple and Android )

The only platforms from our rankings that don’t have apps are Kopa and HomeStay. To use these websites, you’ll need to use your preferred web browser.

When choosing which travel nurse housing sites to explore, there are a few key things you should keep in mind. 

The following considerations will help you determine which sites might have relevant property listings for you to explore. 

One of the most important things to consider when choosing which travel nurse housing sites to use is your budget. While some sites offer affordable rentals, others focus on more expensive, high-end listings.

For example, Furnished Finder and AirBnB tend to offer the best deals on short-term furnished rentals, while also providing plenty of luxury listings.

Meanwhile, you can find some good deals on more traditional property rental sites like Apartments.com. However, you’ll likely incur extra costs on top of the listing price, because there’s usually a premium on short-term and furnished units.

Finally, you’ll likely only want to check out sites like Hello Landing if you plan on budgeting a lot of money towards a luxury apartment. While they do offer the “Standby” option for an affordable rate, it often requires more flexibility than many travel nurses are comfortable with.

Time Investment For Finding Rental

Another key thing to consider when selecting the right travel nurse housing sites is how much time you’re willing to invest in finding a rental.

For instance, it’s really easy to filter by your preferred lease length, amenities, and more on sites like Furnished Finder and AirBnB. Better yet, nearly all the properties you find on these websites are furnished and include utilities, which means you spend less time on irrelevant listings.

Apartments.com is also a good option for saving time looking for listings, as you can filter the properties by “short-term lease available” and “furnished available. Just keep in mind that short-term, furnished units on this site often charge a premium, and many don’t include utilities in the listing price.

Meanwhile, you can find short-term, furnished units on sites like Zillow and Hotpads, but there’s no way to filter by short-term leases. This means you’d need to spend time checking every listing to see if it’s an option.

Type of Accomodation

You should also think about the key things you’re looking for in your accommodation. 

For example, if you’re looking for a private apartment that only you have access to, many of the best travel nurse housing sites allow you to filter by that feature.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for cheaper housing or simply want to live around others, you can also usually filter by “Room Only”. Sites like HomeStay specifically cater to those who want to live with a host. 

Meanwhile, other sites, like Hello Landing, only offer private accommodation.

Additionally, different travel nurse housing sites feature different filters for amenities. Most sites provide filters for those looking for perks like a washer/dryer or an on-site gym, but some sites allow you to do more advanced filtering than others.

So, if you’re looking for any specific amenities, be sure to check out the available filters on each site.

Available Locations

Finally, the travel nurse housing sites you use can also depend heavily on the location you want to rent in.

For example, if you don’t see any listings close to your workplace, you may want to explore listings closer by on another website. If you search on a site like HotPads, you can use their commute time estimator tool to determine how long your commute would take from each rental.

Additionally, you should consider whether the site you use offers accommodation in your selected location. For instance, Hello Landing’s Standby option is not available in New York and California. So, if you hope to complete assignments in these states, this won’t be a good option for you.

Overall, the popularity of each site can differ from location to location. So, we recommend you start exploring with travel nurse housing websites like Furnished Finder and AirBnB. 

If you don’t see many good listings, broaden your search to sites like Apartments.com and other sites on the list above.

The best time to book your travel nursing accommodation depends on a myriad of factors. While a report from NerdWallet suggested one month in advance is the best time to book on sites like AirBnB, the cost of rentals simply depends on supply and demand.

For example, if you’re looking to complete an assignment in a city during their high tourist season, you can expect to pay more for the rental. On the other hand, if you’re in a tourism-driven city during the off-season, you may be able to snatch up last-minute bookings at a discount.

So, while there are situations where booking last minute may be advantageous in a buyer’s market, sometimes it’s more beneficial and safer to book in advance.

So, we recommend you book as early as you can. This will save you the stress of having to worry about accommodation in the lead-up to your assignment. 

Additionally, since you’re likely looking for a stay of a few months, earlier booking can prevent other renters from booking a place during the time you’re hoping to stay for. For example, many users on AirBnB often only book a few nights, which can make it more difficult to find long-term stays.

Finally, keep in mind that hosts on sites like AirBnB sometimes offer full or partial refunds if you cancel before a particular date.

If you’re ready to start exploring rentals near your next travel nursing assignment, you can find great places to stay on any of the sites we listed in this article. The ones that work best for you will depend on your own desires and circumstances, like budget, location, and other important amenities.

However, we generally recommend that travel nurses begin their accommodation search with Furnished Finder. As we mentioned earlier, this travel nurse housing site caters specifically to travel nurses, and it’s the easiest platform to find furnished, temporary rentals.

Then, if none of the options on Furnished Finder pique your interest, or you simply want to explore more listings, you can work your way down the list of sites in this article.

By using multiple platforms, you can create a shortlist of properties to compare and contrast. This can also help you stay prepared in the event that your preferred rental gets snatched up before you’re able to book it.

Ultimately, the sooner you can book your accommodation, the more options you’re likely to have. So, get started by searching for a rental now !

What Is The App That Helps Travel Nurses Find Housing?

The best app for helping travel nurses find housing is the Furnished Finder App. The platform caters specifically to traveling nurses and professionals.

However, there are plenty of other apps you can explore too, like AirBnB, Apartments.com, and lots more we listed earlier in this article.

How Much Should You Spend On Housing As A Travel Nurse?

There are two popular methods for determining how much you should spend on housing as a travel nurse.

The first is to spend a maximum of 25% of your monthly income. This allows you to put the other 75% towards other living expenses, savings, and more.

For example, if you make $2,000 a week, or $8,000 a month, you can budget up to $2,000 towards monthly rent.

The second method of travel nurse rent budgeting is to multiply your weekly housing stipend by four to determine your monthly housing stipend. Whatever number you get is the maximum amount you should put towards rent.

Of course, these are both general guidelines. The amount you should spend on rent also depends on a number of other factors, like existing debt, long-term savings goals, and what kind of amenities you feel you need.

Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family. 

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Finding Housing: Agency vs. Stipend

Housing can make or break your assignment experience. To help you decide which works best for your lifestyle, here’s a comparative look on the two most common options.

Other Housing Options

Travel nurse housing sites.

There are dedicated websites for travel nurse lodging such as: Airbnb – https://www.airbnb.com/ Furnished Finder – https://www.furnishedfinder.com/ VRBO – https://www.vrbo.com/ Hotel Engine – https://members.hotelengine.com/join/stabilityhc Kopa – https://www.kopa.co/kopa-for-good Snap Stays – https://snapstays.com/?utm_source=jpnursebd

Facebook Groups – Travel Nurse Housing The Gypsy Nurse: https://www.thegypsynurse.com/housing/

We also recommend to clinicians to always look at monthly or longer stay bookings as the prices are typically reduced due to the length of stay.

They present housing options that are:

• Fully equipped
• Near hospitals
• Have short-term lease

They offer a wide array of lodging options — from private rooms to complete apartments, and may have bonus features such as incorporating utilities in the monthly rent or being pet-friendly.

Extended-Stay Hotels

Staying at hotels can be a terrific option when you are looking for convenience.

Hotels often provide perks such as:

• Free continental breakfast
• Fully furnished kitchen or kitchenettes
• Bed and kitchen linens
• Pool and hot tub
• Workout facilities
• Events for guests

Ask your nursing recruiter if they have partner hotels that give discounts.

Friends and Relatives

Living with your friends or family is always an option. You can spend quality time with them, and save some money. If those sound good to you then this is a great option to consider.

Housing Considerations

To help you choose the best lodging option that fits your priorities, here are some questions you should ask yourself before finalizing your decision.

General Considerations

Experienced travel nurses prefer self-placement because it allows them to maximize their earning potential. Let’s imagine your rental agency will pay you $3200 per month to find a place to live. If you can get a rental property for $1200, you can save the remaining $2,000.

Are you looking for a way to get a better income? Is it more vital to go on a new adventure? If you want to make as much money as possible, finding your own lodging and taking advantage of the non-taxable travel nurse housing stipend may be the ideal option. You need to have your mind cleared regarding why you are taking on the job.

The typical duration of a travel nurse assignment is 12-13 weeks or three months. This makes it difficult to find rental properties, as even most short-term contracts begin at six months. Monthly furnished rentals are now available through Furnished Finder for traveling professionals who want the convenience and stability of a real home without the credit checks and applications that come with it. But any traveling healthcare workers should visit any travel nurse housing sites, or any housing platform for that matter, and leave no stone unturned in their search.

Any housing-related questions should be answered by your recruiter. Most travel nurse companies strive to maintain accommodation as close to the hospital as possible—usually within a 30-minute commute—but each location will have its own set of alternatives.

When it comes to parking, each area will have its own set of rules. Off-site parking can add time to a daily journey, so it’s crucial to know ahead of time what the situation is. Some hospitals or healthcare facilities charge fees for parking in staff lots, while others provide shuttle service to and from lots farther distant from the facility.

Most travel nurses declare a home base (which allows them to receive the additional stipends because they are only considered to be “traveling” if their destinations are a certain distance from their homes) and usually have financial obligations related to that home base, family members, or personal finances such as loans, medical expenses, transportation, and so on.

Furnished apartments should include all essential items, such as tables, seats, lights, and mattresses. Except in places where it is difficult to bring a car, travelers must carry their own cooking supplies, devices, and linens.

Your housing may be located close to the medical facilities, but is it safe? Do basic research regarding the neighborhood where you’re going to live before accepting any travel nursing job.

Housing Stipend Considerations

A housing stipend is a certain amount of money built into your contract to cover the cost of accommodation while you’re on assignment. This can include funds for accommodation, transportation, and food. The stipend is provided weekly through your paycheck and is based on a monthly rate. If you choose a monthly stipend, you will be responsible for your own accommodation and utilities.

A few travel nurses will sell their homes, store their belongings, and travel without a “home” where they can pay rent or a mortgage. In this case, any funds raised for housing will be taxed at the standard rate. You can collect any money granted for accommodation without paying taxes if you have a tax home established wherever you are from. This can make a big difference in your take-home money, especially if you can locate affordable lodging wherever you go.

Simply defined, your tax home is where you earn the majority of your nursing income. For many travel nurses, their tax home is their permanent address, which is the address on their driver’s license.

You may be asking why the GSA refers to it as “Per Diem,” but we refer to it as a “stipend.” The Latin term “per diem” means “per day.” The GSA gives lodging charges as daily figures. For example, the current Per Diem lodging rate in Sacramento, CA is $145 per day. A “stipend,” on the other hand, is a “set recurring sum received as a wage or allowance.” Because most agencies pay their lodging reimbursements in lump sums, this term is better suited to the travel healthcare sector. They usually pay them on a weekly or bimonthly basis. Furthermore, most agencies quote their housing reimbursements as a monthly amount. Also, adopting the term stipend avoids the ambiguity caused by the healthcare industry’s usage of the term “per diem” to refer to daily or on-call staffing.

If they spend their whole stipend on accommodation and only take home $25 after taxes and insurance, the majority of travel nurses would be unable to cover their complete expenses at home and while on assignment. As a result, while assessing whether or not a pay package will fit your budget, you must consider the entire package.

Most recruiters will structure their pay packages to maximize pay while staying under particular taxable ranges. This means that while the housing stipend may appear to be generous, you may be earning a lesser hourly wage (imagine $25 per hour).

For travel nurse lodging, there is no defined stipend amount. While housing stipends vary per agency, each must adhere to the Government Services Administration’s guidelines (GSA). Furthermore, the amount granted for travel nurse lodging is determined by the following factors:

• The assignment’s location.
• Season of the year.

The pay for housing for a travel nurse is determined by the next three factors:

Assignment location Due to the higher cost of living in some areas of the country, travel assignments in those areas pay higher stipends. Living expenses in larger cities, such as New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, are likely to be more than in a tiny town in Missouri or Iowa, for example. As a result, the GSA stipend maximum will very certainly be higher in such places.

Time of the year Let’s say you’ve always wanted to work in Florida during the winter. Because of the increased winter population in the state, the GSA may increase the stipend limit for the winter months to account for rising living costs and a lack of affordable homes at that time of year.

Type of housing Naturally, a travel nurse who chooses to live in a two-bedroom apartment will pay significantly more per month for accommodation than a nurse who decides to live in an Airbnb studio.

Housing Tips

Packing tips, important documents, electronics, personal items, first-aid kit, household items, pet supplies, independent housing tips, if it looks too good to be true, it is, research your potential landlord online.

• Use your instincts; they’re generally correct.
• Verify that the visuals correspond to the price. ­
• It’s almost certainly a con if the photographs are stunning, yet the rent is ridiculously low.
• Never send money to anyone. Scammers are online bullies who prey on stranded tourists.

Vacation rentals yield good results

Extended hotel stay is an option, housing faqs.

Yes, if you accept agency-provided housing and do not request any upgrades. The answer is also yes if you take the housing allowance and find anything within that budget. You’ll have to spend more if you want luxuries like two bedrooms, a vacuum, or a washer/dryer in the housing. Similarly, if you can’t find what you want for the stipend amount, you may have to pay for it yourself.

Most agencies cover the cost of utilities (gas, electricity, and water) up to a certain point; you might have to pay extra if going past an amount. Cable and internet are normally paid for by travel nurses, though some companies may reimburse them, especially in cases of short-term stays.

For the most part, the agency will supply the following:

• Queen-size bed, one-night stand, one dresser, and a lamp in the bedroom
• Dining area: Four chairs at a small kitchen table
• Couch, chair, end table, coffee table, lamp, and TV stand in the living room Dishes, linens, a television, mattress, and a vacuum cleaner are all considered extras that will increase the cost. A washer/dryer and even a microwave are not often included in the usual package. Some of these items are negotiable.

If you ask, the housing team on most staffing firms will give you two to three housing choices if they have more than one. You’ll hear the disclaimer that just because you put in a request doesn’t mean it’ll be fulfilled.

The amount of the housing stipend is defined by the contract, the city, and how the specific agency divides its compensation package. As a result, each travel nursing assignment may pay you a different amount.

Most of the time, no. On the other hand, you may be forced to share a room with another nurse or take a lesser income in return for a private room because of short-term assignments. This is something you should be aware of before applying for the job.

Yes! It’s something you’ll want to talk about with your recruiter right away. They’ll have to look for pet-friendly homes, and you’ll almost certainly be required to pay a pet deposit.

This does, unfortunately, happen in agency-placed housing. Contact your recruiter right away, and they’ll most likely solve the situation if it’s genuinely bad. It is recommended doing your homework before leaving on an assignment as it will help you avoid unpleasant housing surprises.

It could be any of the aforementioned, as well as a hotel. If your assignment takes you to a big city, you’ll most likely be living in an apartment complex. However, in smaller places with fewer alternatives, there is greater diversity in where you may be placed.

Contact your staffing agency and the landlord immediately. The agency should offer to put you up in a hotel overnight if it’s not solved. Usually, issues are more minor than this, if they happen at all.

On a case-by-case basis, this will be decided. Travel nurses tend to face pushback if their organization is locked into a lease that they can’t get out of. They should, however, address the issue if the home is in dire need of repair. However, if it’s just because you changed your mind because of personal preferences, relocating at the last minute can be challenging.

Taking the housing stipend carries a significant risk of having your contract terminated. If your contract is canceled, the hospital will usually notify your recruiter, who will then notify you. This tends to happen rapidly and with little warning. In rare situations, though, the hospital would give you two weeks’ notice before ending your contract, leaving you and your travel nursing recruiter time to find another assignment and agency-placed housing.

Finding Housing for Travel Nurses: Agency vs. Stipend

Housing can make or break your assignment experience. To help you decide which travel nurse housing works best for your lifestyle, here’s a comparative look at the two most common options: Agency-placed nurse housing and paying your housing stipend.

Other Travel Nurse Housing Options

As a traveling clinician, you have plenty of housing alternatives. Here are other common housing options you may consider.

There are dedicated online housing platforms for travel nurse lodging. If you aren’t familiar with them, some popular travel nurse housing websites are:

Airbnb – https://www.airbnb.com/ Furnished Finder – https://www.furnishedfinder.com/ VRBO – https://www.vrbo.com/ Hotel Engine – https://members.hotelengine.com/join/stabilityhc Kopa – https://www.kopa.co/kopa-for-good Snap Stays – https://snapstays.com/?utm_source=jpnursebd

Transplant Housing: https://www.transplanthousing.com/find

We also recommend healthcare professionals always include at monthly or longer stay bookings in their housing search as the prices are typically reduced due to the length of stay.

Staying at extended-stay hotels can be a terrific option for travel nurses when they are looking for convenience compared to short-term rentals.

Living with your friends or family is always an option. You can spend quality time with them and save some money. If those sound good to you, then this is a great option to consider.

To help you choose the best travel nurse housing option that fits your priorities, here are some questions you should ask yourself before finalizing your decision.

Travel Nurse Housing Tips

Whether you are an experienced travel nurse or just about to begin your first travel nurse assignment, finding housing may feel overwhelming. So we curated some tried-and-proven tips to help lessen the burden of finding the right accommodation and preparing for your next move.

The amount of items you need to pack will greatly depend on your housing arrangement. But for any assignment, these basic necessities should be in your packing list.

Store them in one secure container to avoid the hassle of transporting them from great distances or paying for replacements.

Make sure you have enough supplies to last you through the first few days. Be extra careful in packing liquids to avoid spills in your luggage.

It’s hard to survive our modern world without our devices. So be sure to pack your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. and their corresponding chargers and adaptors.

Even if you’re a seasoned travel nurse, it’s helpful to have a few items that remind you of your loved ones with you.

Having a first aid kit hand when you’re not at work is important. See here for recommended list.

Bring work clothes (e.g. scrubs) that fit your prospective employer’s criteria. Pro tip: check the average temperature inside and outside of your work location to pack accordingly.

The amount and type of household items you’ll need to bring is determined by the level of furnishing offered by your landlord or by the property owner.

Bring medications and a file (on paper or digital) with your pet’s health certificates and medical history, and contact information for the veterinarian who last treated them.

Finding a place that fits your stipend may appear daunting at first, but you have several resources at your disposal to make the process go smoothly and potentially save on housing costs. Consider the following before signing any documents:

On Craigslist, you can find a variety of housing options and alternatives, but they come at a price. You can’t believe everything you see on Craigslist. Someone will post a too-good-to-be-true Craigslist affordable housing offer, and you need to ask yourself whether it’s real or not. Thankfully, if you are part of a travel healthcare worker community, you can ask your fellow travelers about it and get great advice . Always do a background check on any place before saying yes to any offer.

And do background checks on your landlord as well.

Remember these three rules when dealing with potential landlords through email:

Websites that specialize in vacation rentals are a fantastic place to start. HomeAway, VRBO, and Airbnb are three of the most popular. Although they might not be specific sites for travel nurses and travel healthcare professionals, they offer some excellent housing possibilities and, for the most part, keep scammers at bay. Simply enter a location or state, and you’ll be able to see a large number of vacation rentals. You’ll need to filter out the houses that don’t make sense for you, just like any other site.

Travel nurses frequently use extended-stay hotels as a bridge between standard accommodation and as a housing alternative in and of itself. It’s a popular option for some travelers because of their wide range of services , such as breakfast, housekeeping, fitness facilities, and laundry facilities. Most hotels accept animals weighing up to 60 pounds. In addition, the majority of these hotels include kitchens, which can help you save money on food when traveling and give you a sense of home while you’re away on business. In addition, compared to an apartment, hotels offer more flexibility on the back end in the event that your job is unexpectedly canceled.

Travel Nurse Housing FAQs

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The Ultimate Guide to Travel Nurse Agency Housing

If you’re a travel nurse looking to take company provided housing as part of your compensation package, then you’ll need to cover a lot of variables in advance to make sure that you’re not caught off guard by some unforeseen issue after it’s too late to rectify. It’s definitely not as simple as companies make it sound. So, in this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about company provided travel nurse housing.

First, this article assumes you already know how to evaluate the choice between taking the company’s housing or taking the housing reimbursement. If you have not considered all the risks and rewards involved with this decision, then please review our  article on that topic here .

Also, this article does not cover issues related to you finding your own travel nurse housing. Please review our  Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Own Travel Nurse Housing  to become an expert on that topic.

In this article, we’ll answer whether or not travel nurse company housing is taxable. Next, we’ll review some of the different approaches that travel nursing companies take with their housing. Then, we’ll discuss why it might be best for you to work with certain types of companies if you prefer a furnished apartment.

Next, we’ll discuss factors you should consider if you want the agency to provide housing that is less expensive than the lodging reimbursement the agency offers. Finally, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the most common housing options that companies offer.

Table of Contents:

Is Travel Nurse Company Housing Taxable?

Will i get to choose my travel nurse company housing, the best travel nursing companies for furnished apartments.

• Travel Nurse Housing that is Less Expensive than Furnished Apartments
• Agency Provided Motels, Hotels, and Extended Stays

Tips for Travel Nursing Company Provided Apartments

• When to Discuss Company Housing?

Travel Nursing Hospital Provided Lodging

Travel nursing couple and the stipend.

• What if the Company Housing is a Dump?
• What if Something Breaks or Requires Maintenance

If you have a legitimate tax-home, then travel nurse company housing is not taxable. Please review our  article on travel nursing tax homes  if you are unsure whether or not you have a legitimate tax home.

However, if you do not have a tax-home, then the  IRS considers company housing to be a fringe benefit  that counts as taxable income. Therefore, you would need to declare the value of the company housing on your taxes if you do not have a legitimate tax-home. You would also have to pay taxes on the company’s lodging reimbursement if you took it instead of their housing.

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To clarify, it does not matter if the company reports the fringe benefit to the IRS or not. If you receive a fringe benefit, then it is your responsibility to declare it on your taxes. For example, if the IRS audits the agency and finds that the agency issued unreported fringe benefits to a traveler, then the IRS may audit the traveler.

Many travel nurses wonder if they will get to choose the location of their travel nurse company housing. Of course, you may also wonder if you get to choose the type of housing.

Different companies have different approaches to travel nurse housing. Ultimately, you’ll want to work with companies that can best meet your housing needs.

Generally, you’ll find that travel nursing companies approach housing in one of 3 ways. Let’s take a look at each.

1. Travel nursing companies that do not offer housing

Some agencies don’t offer company housing at all. Instead, they only offer a housing reimbursement. Obviously, you simply will not work with these companies if you decide you want company provided housing.

That’s okay! Personally, I’m leery of any company that isn’t willing to  take the same risks  they expect their employees to take.

2. Travel nursing companies that offer limited travel nurse housing options

Some agencies offer lodging but they don’t offer much in the way of choices. You need to take what they give you. Or, you take the housing stipend.

Some agencies in this category will only offer furnished apartments. Other agencies in this category will only offer  Extended Stay  hotels or something similar. Agencies in this category typically work with particular property managers or property owners. Therefore, you will have little to no choice on the type of housing they provide.

Moreover, these agencies may not offer much of a choice for location either. For example, they may only guarantee that the housing they provide is within a 30-minute commute of the hospital. You’ll have to decide whether or not you are comfortable ceding this level of control regarding your housing.

It’s important to note that the largest companies in the industry often take this approach to housing. However, as we discuss below, these agencies often get really good deals on the housing they provide.

3. Companies that offer flexible travel nurse housing options

At the other end of the spectrum, some agencies are flexible and offer many lodging options. They might offer furnished apartments, Extended Stays, vacation rentals or even share rentals.

These companies may even involve you in the housing search and let you choose the option that best suits your needs. Or, you can  take a housing stipend  instead.

Some travel nurses find that this level of flexibility is a huge advantage. However, agencies with this level of flexibility are usually small to mid-sized companies. As a result, they may not be able to get the same discounts on furnished apartments that some of the largest companies sometimes receive.

That said,  travel nurses tend to rate small and mid-sized agencies higher  than their larger counterparts in terms of service quality. Additionally, these companies can save money on housing by offering unconventional options like studios or share rentals. They almost always add the money they save on housing to the travel nurse’s pay. We discuss this further below.

Many travel nurses are only willing to accept furnished apartments. In this section, we discuss the reasons that it might be best for you to work with the largest travel nursing companies in the industry if you require a furnished apartment.

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However, before we begin, we want to stress how important it is to always compare travel nursing pay packages to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Comparing pay packages is complicated. Here are some links to resources that will help:

• How to Compare Travel Nursing Pay Packages
• Video on Comparing Pay Packages
• The Ultimate Travel Nursing Pay Calculator and Comparison Tool

Problems for Travel Nurses with Short Term Furnished Apartments

To understand why it might be better for you to work with the largest travel nursing companies if you want a fully furnished apartment, you have to know some of the unique challenges short-term leases present. First, apartment managers typically  charge a premium for short term leases .

Second,  there are fixed-costs  associated with securing an apartment and getting it move-in ready. For example, the furniture company charges a delivery fee. Finally, companies spend time and money each time they secure a new apartment.

Economies of Scale for the Largest Travel Nursing Companies

The largest travel nursing companies can avoid these problems because they realize  economies of scale . Some of these companies have hundreds, even thousands, of travelers in company housing.

As a result, they can get volume discounts where smaller companies pay premiums. Therefore, the largest companies sometimes pay hundreds of dollars less per month than their smaller counterparts for the same properties.

The same goes for almost every aspect of housing. Larger agencies can get volume discounts on furniture rentals, cable TV fees, and other items. Suppliers might even waive deposits for larger companies.

Larger companies can also sign long-term leases on apartments in areas that they routinely have travelers on contract. As a result, they spread their fixed costs over longer periods, thereby reducing those costs.

Travel Nurse Housing Costs and Pay Package Adjustments

Another factor that can make large companies more attractive if you need a furnished apartment is that they tend to be more accurate with their housing cost estimates. Let’s look at an example to understand why this is important.

Let’s say a company quotes you a pay package that includes a furnished apartment as the company housing. Remember, companies almost always provide pay quotes before you even interview for the position.

Later, they come to find that a furnished apartment will cost them more than they originally budgeted. Of course, the cost overrun will reduce the company’s gross profit and could even cause them to take a net loss on the contract.

Different Companies Adjust in Different Ways

The company could do several things at that point. However, most companies are not going to eat the cost. Instead, they will most likely offer you alternative housing or a lower pay package. Of course, this would catch you off guard and you would need to reconsider if you want to accept the contract.

This scenario is less likely to happen with the largest companies for a couple of reasons. First, the largest companies have housed thousands of people all across the country and sometimes have long term leases on apartments so they have robust data to run estimates. Alternatively, smaller companies often run estimates on the fly.

Second, larger companies are less likely to reduce pay quotes in this case because they are highly averse to “ wage recharacterization ”. They want to avoid it at all costs. We’ve covered  wage recharacterization extensively in another article .

Such miscalculations tend to happen more frequently with furnished apartments for a couple of reasons. First, it’s really simple to call an Extended Stay Hotel or look on Airbnb to get a quote. By contrast, contacting apartment complexes to get accurate quotes is like pulling teeth.

Therefore, agencies often run their estimates for furnished apartments with imperfect information. Or, the specific property they budgeted for is suddenly unavailable which forces them to find another option.

So, please do not think that an agency who does reduce the pay in this scenario is scamming you. In fact, most agencies will reduce the pay in this case. Even the largest companies do it in some cases. Again, this is why it’s an advantage to work with agencies that can avoid these problems in most cases.

You Must Compare Travel Nursing Pay Packages to Know for Sure

The bottom line is that the largest agencies sometimes offer amazing value on furnished apartments. They sometimes provide fully furnished, 1-bedroom apartments with all utilities covered in nice locations for much less than you’d be able to secure on your own, and for much less than their smaller and mid-sized competitors.

Then, they pass the savings into the traveler’s pay. Again though, you should still compare pay packages between agencies to verify that you have a good offer.

In some cases, small to mid-sized companies can also get great deals on apartments. For example, if a smaller agency does a lot of business in a particular metropolitan area, then they may have built strong relationships with property managers over the years.

Free eBook: How To Negotiate Travel Nursing Pay

Moreover, the largest agencies do not come through with great housing deals 100% of the time. In fact, some of the largest agencies outsource their housing requirements to third parties like  Travelers Haven .

There is nothing wrong with these services. However, they do cost money. Those costs can negate the benefits we’ve described here.

Finally, many travel nurses contend that the largest companies pay the worst. Our own experience indicates otherwise. However, it’s further evidence that you must  compare pay packages  to know for sure.

Tips for Travel Nurse Housing that is Less Expensive than Furnished Apartments

Thus far, we’ve discussed issues pertinent to furnished apartments. It’s important to note that furnished apartments are usually the most expensive option for travel nurse housing. Meanwhile, there are many alternative options for travel nurse housing that are less expensive.

You may want to consider housing options that are less expensive if you want to save more money. However, there a several factors to consider.

First, you want to make sure the companies you work with will increase your pay if you accept lodging that is less expensive than the housing reimbursement they offer. Not all companies will do this. Let’s take a look at an example.

Let’s say a company offers you a choice between a furnished apartment or a housing reimbursement of $2,500 per month. Then, you ask them to provide a housing option that is less expensive. As a result, they find an Extended Stay Hotel for $1,800 per month.

Make Sure You Get the Savings

That’s a difference of $700 per month between the housing reimbursement and the Extended Stay. You want to make sure that the $700 per month is added to your pay.

Most commonly, agencies will transfer the equivalent value to your taxable hourly pay rate. However, the amount they actually transfer is slightly less because the agency must pay  the employer’s portion of payroll taxes  for taxable income. They do not have to pay those taxes for nontaxable reimbursements.

Again, not all companies will add this difference to your pay. Also, companies that don’t do it are not necessarily ripping you off. Instead, they may have legitimate concerns that they will be guilty of wage recharacterization  if they adjust pay like this. Essentially, they are taking money that they were using to cover a business expense and adding that money to the employee’s pay.

Now that we’ve covered the company related issues you must consider, let’s take a look at the issues specifically related to the housing itself. In the next sections we’ll cover what you need to know for each of the common types of travel nurse housing.

Tips for Travel Nursing Company Provided Housing – Motels, Hotels, and Extended Stays

Many agencies offer to house travel nurses at Motels, Hotels, and Extended Stay type properties. While agencies may offer these options under any circumstance, they most often offer them if your contract is 10 weeks or less. These options have similarities and differences that you must consider.

Hotels and Motels as Company Provided Travel Nurse Housing

Motels are typically the lowest budget accommodation of the three options. Motels have room access  directly from the parking lot. In other words, room doors are on the exterior of the building. Additionally, motels typically offer very few additional services or no additional services at all.

Hotels are typically the most expensive option of the three. Hotels have interior access to the room. Therefore, most people consider them more secure. They also tend to include additional amenities like gyms, pools, Jacuzzis, house-keeping, room service, breakfast service, and restaurants.

It’s important to remember that hotels and motels don’t have kitchens in their rooms. As a result, you could end up spending a lot of money in restaurants. You should definitely consider this cost before you agree to these housing options.

Extended Stays as Company Provided Travel Nurse Housing

It’s more common for travel nursing companies to offer Extended Stay properties than hotels or motels. Extended Stays typically have a price point between motels and hotels. That said, they can cost less than some motels if the agency negotiates a special rate for the long-term stay.

Extended Stay properties are designed for just that, extended stays. They typically come  equipped with a kitchenette . The kitchenette typically includes a mid-sized refrigerator/freezer, a dishwasher, sink, and a 2-burner stove.

The rooms at Extended Stays can be studios, suites, or full on 1-bedroom apartments. They may also have additional amenities akin to hotels. While room access is usually interior, it can also be exterior.

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It’s important to note that amenities vary greatly between Extended Stay hotels. For example, you can’t count on them all having the same kitchen amenities. It’s important to ask ahead of time to ensure that you know what you’re in for.

Questions to ask your travel nurse agency about motels, hotels and Extended Stays

If the company offers one of these options, then you should determine the following:

• Is it a Motel, Hotel, or Extended Stay?
• Is room access interior or exterior?

What’s the parking situation?

• Will you have to pay for parking?
• What amenities are included (gym facilities, free breakfast, cafe or restaurant, daily housekeeping, room service, etc.)?
• Do they provide free Wi-Fi?
• What type of cable TV service does it have?
• Is there a kitchenette, and what’s included? (Specifically inquire about things that are important to you, like a toaster or frying pan.)

Is there a microwave?

• Is there an oven?
• Is there a coffeepot?
• Is there a dishwasher?
• Is there a laundry room?
• Is there an iron and ironing board?
• Is it a studio, suite, or 1 bedroom?
• Is there adequate storage for your belongings?
• Is there a real bed in addition to a sofa pull out, or is there just a sofa pull out (you’d be surprised!)?
• What size is the bed?
• Will you be responsible for any hidden fees?
• If you have pets, will the property accept pets and, if so, will the company pay the pet deposit or do you have to pay the pet deposit?
• What floor is the room on?
• Does the property allow smoking?
• Do they allow children, spouses, or partners?
• How far is it from the hospital or facility?

You might think that you don’t need to inquire about some of the variables on this list because they are obvious. However, I assure you that if it’s on this list and it’s important to you, then you should ask. The list above is basically a list of problems that I had to deal with as a travel nursing recruiter who worked with these lodging options over the years.

Let’s shift gears and discuss company provided apartments. Many travel nurses believe that taking a company provided apartment is a matter of simply agreeing to take a 1-bedroom apartment, no questions asked. However, apartments are often more complicated than Motels, Hotels and Extended Stays.

Apartments come in all grades, shapes and sizes. Both agencies and apartment properties offer varying amenities. Moreover, your agency may be working with a property manager or furniture provider for the first time. As a result, they may assume the property or furniture provider includes various items when they do not.

List of questions to ask about travel nursing company apartments

Therefore, you should always ask the company to provide specifics. Below is a list of items for consideration:

Is the company providing an apartment in an apartment complex, or a condo, or a vacation home?

You’ll want to know the specific type of housing in order to set your expectations. Different types of housing have different variables for you to consider.

For example, if the property is a vacation home or condo, then you’ll want to know if it has a yard. If there is a yard, then you’ll want to know if yard maintenance is included in the cost. The same goes for related items like swimming pools and hot tubs.

What amenities does the property include?

Some properties have pools and even gyms. These amenities can save you money which is something you should consider when you evaluate competing pay packages.

Is the lodging furnished?

If the lodging is furnished, then you need to find out the specifics. For example, ask what size the bed is. Ask if the furnishings include a dining table, end tables, a coffee table, etc. Furniture rental companies often charge for Each additional item of furniture. Therefore, it’s best to make sure you know exactly what the furniture includes.

Does the housing include housewares?

Housewares packages from furniture rental services typically include pots, pans, linens, towels, silverware, a coffee maker, and a toaster. However, different furniture providers offer different packages. Many companies do not provide housewares by default. Instead, you need to ask for them. They typically cast $200 – $250 per month.

You’d be surprised. Many apartment managers do not equip their properties with microwaves. I had many occasions as a recruiter where we had to add one after the fact.

Do they include a “cleaning package”?

Cleaning packages typically include a broom, dust pan, and mop. They may or may not include a vacuum cleaner. You should find out whether or not the company provides these cleaning items and others that you’d like to have.

Do they include a TV?

If you care about TV, then you should ask about the size of the TV. Most standard furniture packages include a 26-inch TV. That’s pretty small.

If you want to hook electronics to the TV such as a computer, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast or a game console, then you should make sure that the  TV has the necessary ports .

How does the agency handle the utilities, cable, and other bills for their travel nurse housing?

Some agencies put all the utilities in their name and the traveler doesn’t have to do anything. Some agencies require travelers to put the utilities under the traveler’s name. Then, the agency adds a fixed-amount as a “utility reimbursement” to the travel nurse’s paycheck each month. They do this to protect against exorbitant usage based costs  such as the purchase of $500 worth of Pay Per View movies, or leaving the air-conditioner running on 65 degrees for 30 days straight in the middle of summer.

Parking costs extra in many urban areas. Some housing options have parking garages. Others have open parking lots. Some have assigned parking spaces. Others have covered parking. Some have no parking and you need to find street parking nearby. If this is important to you, then you’ll want to know.

Do they allow children, spouses or partners?

Most  agencies accommodate family in their housing . You should expect to pay extra for additional bedrooms and other accommodations. Additionally, the agency may require that anyone over the age of 18 completes a criminal background check.

Do they accept pets?

If they do accept pets, then what’s the deposit and who’s responsible for it? Or, do they have any additional “pet rent” costs?

Does the property include a washer and dryer in unit? Or, is there a laundry facility on site?

Sometimes there are hookups for the washer and dryer in the unit, but the facility charges extra to supply the actual appliances. Or, they expect you to bring or rent your own.

When do they let you move in and when do they require you to move out?

Most travel nursing companies allow you to move into an apartment they provide 2 days before the contract’s start date. Similarly, most agencies require you to move out no later than 2 days after the contract’s end date.

That said, you can request an earlier move-in date or a later move-out date. However, the agency will likely ask you to pay for the additional costs.

What floor is the apartment on?

If the floor number you live on is important to you, then you should let your recruiter know or at least ask the recruiter to provide it in advance.

Is smoking allowed?

Many apartment complexes  ban smoking anywhere on the premises . You’ll want to let your recruiter know if this is important to you either way.

Get the contact information for the landlord or property manager.

Do not overlook this step! Yes, the travel nursing company is responsible for the housing. However, there are many reasons that you may have cause to contact the property manager directly.

When Should You Cover the Details of Company Travel Nurse Housing?

As you can see, you must cover many housing related details with your travel nursing company. This is true no matter what type of housing is involved.

But,  when  should you cover all of these details with your recruiter? You need to cover as many housing details as you can well in advance of your recruiter submitting you for a job. However, certain circumstances make it tricky for your recruiter to adequately research the given housing market.

Why You Should Cover the Details Before Submission

The reason you need to cover housing details in advance is that your recruiter will typically provide you with the  pay package for an assignment before they submit you . As we’ve  mentioned before , pay packages are, in a sense, built around the cost of housing.

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All else being equal, the higher the cost of housing, the lower the pay and vice versa. Moreover, if the actual cost of housing ends up exceeding the budget the company set aside to cover the cost of housing, then many companies will  reduce the travel nurse’s pay to cover the additional cost .

Essentially, you want to have a crystal-clear understanding with your recruiter as to what your housing expectations are so that your recruiter can provide their most accurate pay quotes. If you don’t cover the details, then they can become deal-breakers for you after the hospital makes an offer or after you have accepted the assignment.

Things can move very fast once your recruiter submits you for a travel nursing job. In fact, it’s possible that you have an  interview and offer the same day your recruiter submits you . Moreover, housing issues can creep up on you late in the process if you don’t discuss them beforehand.

So, if you don’t discuss housing with your recruiter in advance, then you’re taking your chances. Depending on your financial situation, you may get forced into accepting an assignment with lodging that does not meet your standards. Otherwise, you could be stuck at that point without a travel nursing job.

What Happens When Something Gets Missed

That said, it’s always possible that the travel nursing company provides something at no charge even if you missed it during the initial process. However, they’re not obligated to do that.

For example, you may forget to inquire about a cleaning-package and arrive to find it’s not there. It’s definitely worth your while to request one from the company. They may or may not provide it.

Chances are good that they provide an item or two, but beyond that, you can expect them to deny further requests. At some point, the company won’t be able to afford additional costs. This means that you would have to purchase items out-of-pocket, or go without for the duration of the assignment.

Why It Might be Difficult to Cover the Housing Details Before Submission

As you can see, it’s important for you to cover all the housing details prior to the recruiter submitting you for an assignment. However, certain circumstances can make it difficult for your recruiter to evaluate the housing market prior to submission.

For example, jobs in highly desirable locations require that your recruiter gets you submitted for the job quickly. The same is often true for jobs that pay the highest rates. As a result, the recruiter may not have time to thoroughly scout the housing options in the area.

Therefore, they may not be able to provide all the details before they submit you. That is okay. Just be sure to get the details as soon as you can.

As we mentioned above, they may also attain an inaccurate estimate for the cost of housing in the area. As a result, the pay quote they provide could be off. Or, they may tell you that they can secure a particular type of housing that they ultimately cannot because it’s simply not available.

Again, the largest companies in the industry are better equipped to manage these scenarios. They simply have more experience in any given area because they’ve placed more travelers over the years.

In any case, it’s important for travel nurses to keep these scenarios in mind. Ultimately, the recruiter is not necessarily trying to scam you when there is an oversight related to housing. It’s more likely that they ran into one of these scenarios.

Moreover, these scenarios sometimes make housing a bit of a give-and-take between you and the agency. That’s to be expected, especially in areas with limited housing options.

“Hospital provided housing” is another type of company provided housing that travel nurses should be aware of. I know this sounds funny, but it exists, albeit rarely.

In this scenario, the hospital secures lodging for their travel nurses. This situation is most common in very remote locations or other locations with housing shortages.

For example, you might see hospitals provide lodging in some of the more remote parts of Alaska. Similarly, you might see it in expensive resort areas like Aspen, Colorado.

In my experience, hospital provided lodging usually isn’t glamorous. It can often be more like a barracks than an apartment complex. These accommodations sometimes have communal bathrooms and kitchen areas. They rarely accommodate pets and lack the amenities that typically come with apartments or hotels.

Despite all these potential negatives, hospital provided housing has some advantages. First, it’s not always as described above. Instead, it can be quite nice and accommodating. Also, it can allow you to take jobs in some really great places.

Hospital provided housing can also result in some really good pay rates. Hospitals will typically adjust the  bill rate  down to factor in the cost of housing. However, the resulting bill rate is typically still enough for the agency to offer a very attractive pay package.

In any case, you’ll want to approach hospital provided housing the same way you would approach company provided housing. Ultimately, you’ll want find out everything you can before you proceed.

Should You Receive a Housing Stipend if the Hospital Provides Housing?

Every travel nurse who receives hospital provided housing is going to wonder whether or not they should receive a housing stipend as well. This is a loaded question with a few nuances.

First, travel nursing companies  should only pay nontaxable reimbursements  if they have reason to believe that the travel nurse is incurring an expense. Therefore, the travel nursing agency should not pay a lodging reimbursement to the travel nurse when the hospital provides housing because the agency is clearly aware that the nurse is not incurring the expense.

That said, different companies interpret IRS rules in different ways. Let’s run through an example that illustrates the 3 alternatives in this scenario.

3 agency approaches to lodging stipends when the hospital provides the lodging

First, let’s assume that all else is equal. All three companies account for their expenses in the same way. And all three companies pay the same pay package with the exception of two variables, the taxable hourly rate and the lodging stipend.

Next, let’s assume that the companies are left with $40 per hour after they account for every other cost and compensation variable related to the pay package. At this point, they have $40 per hour to split between the lodging stipend and the taxable hourly rate.

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The first company pays the entire $40 per hour as the taxable hourly wage. This is probably the right way to do it for tax purposes. You will pay the payroll taxes that you should pay.

The second company pays $25 per hour as the taxable wage and $15 per hour as a nontaxable lodging reimbursement. They are clearly doing it wrong. You are taking a risk if you proceed with them. If you do proceed, then the right thing for you to do would be to declare the reimbursements as income on your taxes.

The third company pays $25 per hour as the taxable wage and pockets the remaining $15 per hour. They tell you they can’t pay a lodging reimbursement per IRS rules. This certainly sounds shady but they might genuinely believe that they are following the rules. Either way, it’s best to avoid them for this particular contract because you’ll be making significantly less money with them than you should.

How to Find Out

The problem is that it will be very difficult for you to know which approach the agency is using before you actually start the contract. You would need to get pay quotes from multiple companies before anyone submits your profile for the assignment.

Once you start the assignment, you can communicate with fellow travel nurses at the facility to find out how their agencies are paying them. Just be sure that you  compare pay packages accurately  when you discuss them with fellow travelers.

If you are travel nursing as a couple, then you have a unique housing related issue to consider regarding company housing. Specifically, some companies or recruiters will offer to provide housing for one member of the couple and provide the tax-free lodging reimbursement to the other member of the couple.

Unfortunately, this violates IRS regulations. First, the agency would be in violation because they must have a reasonable expectation that an employee will incur an expense in order to reimburse the expense. Clearly, the company knows the employee won’t incur an expense in this case.

Additionally, IRS regulations require that you incur an expense in order to accept a tax-free lodging reimbursement. You won’t incur an expense unless you pay your traveling partner rent. If you do that, then it jeopardizes the tax-free status of the housing itself.

Alternatively, the agency may split the cost of the housing between the two travelers.

For more information on this topic and others pertinent to travel nursing couples, please review our  tips for travel nursing couples .

What to do if the Travel Nurse Company Housing is a Dump

In rare cases, you might arrive to find that your travel nurse company housing is a disaster. Perhaps the floors are disgustingly dirty or the refrigerator is trashed. This scenario, while rare, most often occurs with apartments and rentals as opposed to hotels and motels.

In this case, you should take photos and contact your agency immediately. You can request that they put you up in a hotel until they rectify the problem.

If you come upon the issue outside of normal business hours, then you may have to put yourself up in a hotel until you can speak with your company. If that happens, then you can request a reimbursement. However, there are no guarantees.

Of course, you can try to contact the property manager directly. However, these things often take time to rectify and you will need to inform the agency either way.

If your agency fails to rectify the issue, then you can turn to social media and call them out with the images you took. While this can be very effective in bringing about a resolution, you should only do this as a last resort. Please give the agency a chance to rectify the situation first. Remember, the agency is most likely located somewhere else and therefore is not able to inspect the housing in advance.

What to do if Something Breaks or Requires Maintenance in Your Travel Nurse Housing

Similarly, you may experience any number of maintenance related issues during the course of your stay. An appliance might require repair or a window may break.

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Of course, the resolution will vary based on the circumstances. If you’re staying at an Extended Stay or some other hotel, then it’s easy enough to contact the front desk.

If you’re staying at an apartment or vacation rental, then you can contact the property manager for certain issues. Again, this is another reason it’s important to make sure you get the manager’s contact information.

In other cases, you may need to contact the agency in order to resolve certain issues. For example, if there is a problem with something from the furniture rental company, then the agency will most likely need to get involved.

That said, you should notify your agency of any and all problems you have with housing even if they aren’t involved in resolving the issue.

As you can see, different travel nursing companies have different approaches to housing. They offer different types of housing. They treat lodging reimbursements differently. They might even get different prices on the same properties.

Moreover, travel nurses need to make sure they cover every last housing detail with their recruiters. From furniture to parking, if it’s important to you, then you need to discuss it with your recruiter!

If you don’t discover how the agencies you work with handle their housing, or if you don’t cover all the details that are important, then housing issues will inevitably catch you off guard at some point. We hope this guide helps you avoid such pitfalls!

Related posts:

• Should You Take Travel Nurse Agency Housing or Find Your Own? This article covers all the issues travel nurses need to...
• Travel Nurse Housing – Advantages and Tips for Company Provided Housing In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the...
• Travel Nurse Housing – Tips for Securing Your Own Lodging Many travel nurses, especially first timers, shy away from securing...

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The Best Traveling Nurse Services to Work for in 2024

The travel nursing agencies we recommend for your next short-term post

Traveling nurses often find working in different parts of the country, or even the world, exhilarating and fulfilling. Many agencies focus on matching registered nurses (RNs) with short-term working opportunities in a variety of healthcare specialties and settings across the United States and internationally. Healthcare facilities in the U.S. rely on travel nurses to meet the demand for nurses, which is expected to soar by 275,000 between 2020 and 2030.

"Being able to explore other healthcare systems and connect with other providers can help give a travel nurse new experiences and perspectives," says Rachel Norton , BSN, RN, a clinician support manager at Vivian Health , a national travel nurse hiring marketplace.  We reviewed more than 20 agencies and studied hundreds of reviews to create this list of the best travel nursing agencies. We considered factors such as company quality, customer service scores, company reputation, wage ranges, housing options, and benefits.

• Best Overall: Triage Staffing
• Best for Sick Pay: Aya Healthcare
• Best for Education: Travel Nurse Across America
• Best Customer Service: Axis Medical Staffing
• Best Track Record: FlexCare Medical Staffing
• Best Newcomer: Advantis Medical
• Best for Benefits: RN Network
• Best Recruiters: Host Healthcare
• Best for Recent Graduates: Fusion Medical Staff
• Best Job Board: TotalMed
• Our Top Picks

Triage Staffing

Aya Healthcare

Travel Nurse Across America

Axis Medical Staffing

FlexCare Medical Staffing

Advantis Medical

Host Healthcare

• Fusion Medical Staff
• See More (7)

Final Verdict

• Compare Providers
• Guide to Choosing

Best Overall : Triage Staffing

• Pay: Hourly wage paid weekly, overtime, bonuses, per diem
• Housing: Tax-free stipend or company-secured housing for 13 weeks
• Benefits: Health coverage, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, vacation, education reimbursement
• Contracts nationwide: Yes

Triage Staffing tops our list because it provides a higher hourly wage and more frequent bonuses than its competitors. Additionally, the agency offers extensive perks, like tuition reimbursement and 401(k) on the first day.

Contracts available in all 50 states

Insurance available on first day

Paid by direct deposit each week

Dedicated support team available 24/7

Reports of poor weekend support for billing issues

Must have 2 years experience for most positions

Triage Staffing , founded in 2006, is considered by industry professionals as one of the most well-rounded travel nurse agencies among the companies listed here and in general. The company was recognized in 2023 by Inc. Magazine and Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA).

The company, which currently has about 1,500 employees, is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and has an impressive rating on Glassdoor .

Triage Staffing specializes in helping nurses and healthcare professionals find 13-week assignments across the U.S. The company strives for transparency and "to build relationships deeper than simple business transactions." Those who are hired are paid weekly (based on an hourly wage) via direct deposit.

The benefits package includes a wage, overtime, bonuses, per diems, and a housing stipend. Triage will also help its travel nurses find housing, if that's their preference. Health insurance is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield, and those hired get dental insurance, vacation time, and a 401(k) plan.

Best for Sick Pay : Aya Healthcare

• Pay: Hourly wage, overtime, bonuses, per diem, stipends when called off
• Housing: Tax-free stipend or company-secured housing
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; 401(k) with company match; sick pay; wellness and fitness programs; employee assistance programs; tuition reimbursement; loan forgiveness options

Of the many benefits Aya Healthcare offers, one makes it stand out from other agencies: providing sick pay should you become ill during an assignment. You can rest assured knowing if you get sick, Aya will support you through recovery.

Benefits include sick pay (after 90 days)

Offers local and nationwide travel assignments

Requires only 1 year of experience

Insurance coverage for you and your dependents from day 1

Complaints about communication during recruitment

Large agency size might be challenging

401k eligibility begins after 4 consecutive months of work or 1 year after hiring

Aya Healthcare is one of the most talked-about travel nursing agencies around, literally. A 2017 independent study analyzed the frequency of top travel nursing companies mentioned by users on social media sites. The study concluded Aya Healthcare is the most frequently referenced in user comments.

Aya Healthcare is also one of the only travel nursing agencies that have sick pay, which begins accruing on the first day of an assignment. Nurses can earn one hour for every 30 hours worked, but it can't be used until after at least 90 days after their start date.

In addition to its rare sick pay policy, the company boasts comprehensive benefits. Travel nurses working for Aya Healthcare can start contributing to a company-matched 401k plan after four consecutive months of work for the agency, or one year after their hiring date. It also promises to cover or reimburse nurses for the cost of licensure and help them navigate and expedite the process in the states where they are assigned. Aya Healthcare offers discounts, wellness, and nutrition plans in addition to its medical, vision, and dental benefits, which are available to nurses (and their spouses and children) from their first day with the company.

Aya Healthcare has a strong online presence, including a blog and active social media accounts on nearly every contemporary platform. Its website proudly displays several company awards and accolades, including the Joint Commission's Golden Seal of Approval. The agency has placed thousands of travel nurses and allied workers nationwide and offers a program for  travel nursing from Canada .

Best for Education : Travel Nurse Across America

• Pay: Hourly wage paid weekly, overtime, bonuses, per diem (guaranteed)
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage; liability insurance; 401(k) with company match; sick pay; travel reimbursement; free continuing education; mental health resources; employee assistance program; chaplain assistance program

Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) offers comprehensive benefits; however, its continuing education programs are what really sets the agency apart. Thanks to a partnership with Aspen University, the agency helps you earn your BSN with tuition reimbursement upon completion.

RN to BSN tuition reimbursement

RN specialty exam/recertification reimbursements

Insurance coverage available on first day

Offers free mental health resources

Per diem guarantee

Unable to see pay rates on the site

Large agency size might feel less supportive

Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) had the highest average score when analyzing the top 10 travel nurse agency lists across several well-known sites.

Founded in 1999 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, this company was present on three "Top 10" lists in 2019, a notable feat that speaks to its history of satisfaction. According to BluePipes, TNAA was among the top 10 travel nursing agencies, one of the biggest (in terms of company size) on its 2022 list.  

TNAA uses a full-team approach to assist travelers, with specialty staff equipped to handle a variety of needs, including housing experts and clinical leadership, This agency also offers a wide array of benefits, such as low census pay, tuition reimbursement, and paid licensure fees prior to travel. Overtime is included in the payment for any extra hours worked and in every state, paid sick leave starts to accrue from day one.

TNAA also partnered with Aspen University, so individuals can get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 12 months. Upon completion, TNAA will even reimburse tuition expenses. It also offers reimbursements for recertification fees to certain eligible nurses.

Best Customer Service : Axis Medical Staffing

• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; state license reimbursement; transportation stipends; continuing education

With around-the-clock support 365 days a year, Axis Medical Staffing has one of the best customer service reputations in the industry. It offers a wide array of benefits, including healthcare coverage and company-matched 401(k) plans.

Dedicated support team available 24/7/365

Wide variety of specialty contracts

Offers company matching 401(k) with immediate vesting

Can submit questions to real travel nurses

Provides quick email responses

Pays for housing and assists in securing it

Not transparent about pay rates

Doesn't include paid sick leave in benefits

User reviews for Axis remain the highest on this list. Formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2004, Axis provides several coveted benefits, including payment of paid personalized housing options (with pet deposit costs covered by the agency), as well as immediate vesting in its company-matched 401(k) plan.

This agency regularly features a new  Traveler of the Month nurse on its blog. Additionally, the Axis website has a page dedicated to Ask an Axis Travel Nurse , which features an easy submission form where a nurse can answer all your questions.

This encouraging way of connecting can provide novice or even seasoned travelers with a trusted source in the form of a nursing peer who has traveled with this specific agency several times, instead of hosting an impersonal message board. Axis also offers a live chat feature that's easily accessible on the homepage. These features earned Axis the top spot on BluePipes Best Travel Nursing Companies list in 2022.

Axis promises reimbursements and benefits similar to other companies, but it is not immediately clear from the company's website whether it offers paid sick leave.

Best Track Record : FlexCare Medical Staffing

• Benefits: Health coverage, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, state license reimbursement, transportation stipends, meals and incidentals stipend, rental car, travel reimbursement, continuing education, license reimbursement

Boasting more than 50 industry awards, including BluePipes’s 2022 Best Travel Nursing Companies list, FlexCare Medical Staffing has a track record of exceeding expectations and fulfilling its promises to traveling nurses.

Award-winning, highly reputable agency

Single point of contact for all your needs

Outstanding benefits

Features a referral program

Have to make an account to view wages

BluePipes refers to FlexCare Medical Staffing as the "most decorated travel nursing agency of all time," with more than 1,727 reviews reported. This agency obtained a gold finish on Travel Nursing Central’s 2019 list of top travel nursing companies and has consistently placed since 2014. FlexCare has also been on the Highway Hypodermics list since 2011.

FlexCare’s website touts its  Premier Traveler Access program, offering prospective travel nurses the opportunity to unlock and view pay ranges for a wide variety of open jobs, in addition to personalized alerts via text and email. This agency explains its mission to support travelers by providing a single recruiter who is able to meet every need (termed “S1NGLEPOINT” on the website) and help simplify the entire process.

This one point of contact can advocate for the traveler, assist in searching for jobs and housing, provide a transparent and competitive salary rate, as well as ensure timely payment.

Best Newcomer : Advantis Medical

• Benefits: Health coverage, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) without company match, transportation stipends, partial license reimbursement

Advantis Medical has a nurse care team available to help you every step of the way—from setting up your profile and walking you through the onboarding process to helping you find your next assignment—making it an excellent choice for those just starting out.

Excellent reviews from its travel clinicians

Quick response times from trained care team

Has a great reputation in the industry

Site offers several communication methods

Site lacks information on benefits package

No company match for 401(k)

Founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of Advantis Global, Advantis Medical's user reviews are limited in number but are glowing regarding people's experiences with the company.

Advantis Medical recruits travel nurses and places them in top institutions across the United States. The agency offers client connections with hospitals, outpatient clinics, same-day ambulatory surgical centers, as well as skilled nursing facilities.

Advantis Medical’s specialization opportunities include placements in divisions like medical-surgical (M/S), emergency department (ED), intensive care unit (ICU), labor & delivery (L&D), and more. Its benefits include highly competitive compensation packages, direct deposit available from day one, assistance with housing options, health insurance (medical, dental, vision), and a 401(k) option.

The agency also has payment incentives for referrals. To make the process as seamless as possible, Advantis Medical has a one-minute application form which could not be any easier, especially for a traveling nurse who is always on the go.

Best for Benefits : RN Network

• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; employee assistance program; Sanvello membership; Talkspace membership; Teladoc access; credentialing assistance; continuing education; traditional and Roth 401(k); travel reimbursement; loyalty program

RN Network provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes day-one health insurance and 401(k) options, plus additional perks like access to virtual therapy and medical care.

24/7 clinical support

Transparent about pay rate

Provides access to virtual therapy and medical care

Weekly pay via direct deposit

Completion, extension, and referral bonuses

No paid time off

Complaints of lower-paying contracts

Founded in 1998, RN Network has over two decades of experience in the travel nursing industry. Its experience shows in the company's user reviews, many of which highlight its great communication, support, and benefits.

The agency provides an impressive benefits package that includes day-one health insurance with a zero-premium option, as well as a 401(k) with company match, both traditional and Roth options. RN Network also offers access to Talkspace, Teladoc, and Sanvello's mental health app—ensuring its healthcare professionals have the mental health resources they need while on assignment.

Available contracts and pay rates are transparent on their user-friendly website, which can be a rarity in the industry. The company hires RNs, LPNs/LVNs, PCTs, and surgical techs for a variety of specialties throughout the country. Only one year of clinical experience is required, and the company offers a comprehensive onboarding program to help simplify the transition.

Best Recruiters : Host Healthcare

• Pay: Hourly wage paid weekly, plus overtime, bonuses, per diem, COVID quarantine pay
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance; 401(k) with company match; travel reimbursement

Host Healthcare recruiters are some of the best in the business, according to clinician reviews. With exceptional customer service , the company strives to make the job hunt and placement process as smooth as possible for its candidates.

Excellent customer service

Straightforward job hunt and placement process

Offers a variety of housing options, including pet-friendly

24/7 support via multiple channels

COVID-19 quarantine pay available

Can’t view facility or pay without an account

Site lacks information on reimbursement offers

Founded in 2012, Host Healthcare is a travel healthcare staffing agency that works with some of the nation's top facilities. The company has earned multiple awards over the years, including being named one of the Top Travel Nursing Companies by BluePipes.

What sets Host Healthcare apart from other agencies are its recruiters, who are consistently praised by clinicians for their exceptional customer service. In reviews, nurses rave about their recruiters being responsive, receptive, and thorough in their onboarding and placement processes. The company also offers a variety of housing options, including pet-friendly ones, to ensure you have a comfortable place to call home while on assignment.

In addition to its comprehensive benefits package, which includes health insurance, dental, and vision coverage, Host Healthcare also offers a 401(k) with company match and COVID-19 quarantine pay. If your facility quarantines you due to possible COVID-19 exposure, the company will compensate you for the duration of your time off work.

One drawback is that the company requires users to sign up for an account before viewing facilities and estimated weekly pay . However, it hires across multiple specialties and licensure types, including nursing professionals, therapy professionals, and other allied health professionals.

Best for Recent Graduates : Fusion Medical Staff

• Pay: Hourly wage paid weekly, plus overtime, per diem, and bonuses
• Benefits: Health coverage, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, short-term disability, travel and transportation per diem

Fusion Medical offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and transparent information about opportunities, and welcomes new graduates to sign up.

Transparent information for each job posting

Nationwide network

Attentive recruiters

Competitive pay and benefits

Open to new graduates

Per diem reimbursements may be less convenient for expenses like travel

Past complaints from LGBTQIA employees

Fusion Medical Staffing urges applicants to "choose your own adventure." With thousands of travel nursing positions across the U.S. available on its website, Fusion will definitely give you a lot to choose from.

Founded in 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska, Fusion doubled its size by 2016. The company racked up awards from Inc., People, and Staffing Industry Analysts for being among the best places to work and is rated 4.7 out of 5 on Indeed.com .

Assignments through Fusion Medical typically run 13 to 26 weeks and are available across a broad spectrum of nursing specialties. We particularly like how transparent the pay, terms, and benefits for each opportunity are on Fusion's website.

But what really makes the company stand out is its recruitment. Fusion offers 24/7 support and many of its travel nurses rave about their attentive recruiters. Fusion has a new graduate traveling medical job program recruiting nurses who have just finished training. Most travel nursing agencies require at least two years of experience, so Fusion may be a great choice if you're about to finish school and eager to see the country or aren't sure of where you want to call home yet.

Of note: Some LGBTQIA+ travelers and employees have complained of inclusivity issues and unsupportive leadership. In 2021, the company published a blog post about forming an oversight group dedicated to LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and support and alluded to its efforts to "grow" and "learn."

Best Job Board : TotalMed

• Pay: Hourly wage paid weekly, plus overtime, bonuses, and guaranteed hours
• Housing: Company-provided housing or stipend
• Benefits: Health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, short-term disability up to 12 weeks plus up to 60% of monthly earnings

TotalMed is one of the biggest agencies in the business and has the job board to match. The company is known for making it easy for travel nurses to quickly find a new post in any state.

Large, well-connected agency with huge job board

Solid day-one benefits

Flexible housing options

Pay guaranteed

Generous short-term disability policy

Some nurses complain of long onboarding process

Pay is competitive, but perhaps not the highest of any agency

Focus on placing nurses in areas of urgent need

Few travel nursing agencies have a job board as full as TotalMed 's. The company leverages its wide network of partner hospital systems to offer nurses a plethora of assignments to choose from.

TotalMed prides itself on placing nurses and other medical workers in new postings quickly and prioritizes assigning workers to places urgently in need of additional staff. It offers a standard array of benefits, plus a pay guarantee and a generous short-term disability policy that covers up to 12 weeks of injury or illness with up to 60% of your pay.

Some travel nurses have complained of a protracted onboarding process, but once the initial paperwork is out of the way, most seem very happy with the company's efficiency and the quality of its recruiters. Its pay may not always be the highest of any agency, but travel nurses working with TotalMed still enjoy the benefit of payment guarantees and the confidence that a new job will almost always be available, and fast. TotalMed also goes a long way to smooth out the transition process by organizing and covering the cost of any licensing and certifications its travel nurses may need, as well as offering reimbursement for pesky costs like new scrubs.

Even though some agencies on our list require account registration to access pay rates, each one offers competitive benefits and wages. Triage Staffing is our choice for best overall travel nursing agency because of its positive reviews, superior customer service, and competitive wages. Day one 401(k) and tuition reimbursement are just a few ways it provides long-term support for travelers. 

Compare the Best Travel Nursing Agencies

Guide to choosing the best travel nursing agencies.

Travel nursing agencies are  staffing agencies  that place registered nurses and healthcare professionals in hospitals and clinics with short-term staffing needs. They often send individuals to national or international locations where there are nursing shortages.

Here are a few tips for choosing the best travel nursing agency to meet your needs.

Is a Travel Nursing Agency Right for You?

There are many advantages to working with a travel nursing agency in addition to the obvious benefit of being able to travel and explore new places. Some of the other advantages of working with a travel nursing agency include:

• Competitive pay: Travel nursing agencies offer competitive pay rates that are often higher than what you would make as a staff nurse and recruiters can help you find lucrative positions.
• Benefits : Health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits are typically included in a travel nursing agency's compensation package.
• Housing: Travel nursing agencies often provide housing or help nurses find housing in their assignment location.
• Specialty assignments based on nursing field: Agencies can help place you in an assignment that matches your specialty, interests, and skills . Some facilities accept travelers into new specialties or a float pool that covers multiple units, as long as they have prior travel nursing experience. This is an added bonus for those who wish to explore new areas of nursing.
• Flexibility: Agencies offer a variety of assignment lengths and locations, so you can choose an assignment that fits your lifestyle.
• Perks and discounts : Free or reduced-cost continuing education courses, travel expenses, gym memberships, completion bonuses, and other perks are often available through travel nursing agencies.

How to Choose a Travel Nurse Agency

Consider the following when choosing a travel nursing agency:

• Average pay rates: Pay rate varies by agency, location, and assignment. Travel nurses often work with multiple agencies at the same time to find the best assignments and pay rates.
• Benefits package: Make sure the agency's benefits are comprehensive and meet your needs. Benefits may include health coverage , dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, 401K, vacation time, and education reimbursement.
• Housing options: Determine if the agency provides housing or assists with finding housing. Some nurses prefer to find their own housing, while others prefer the convenience of having the agency secure housing for them.
• Reputation: Check out online reviews and ratings to get an idea of the agency's reputation. Talking to other travel nurses who have worked with the agency is also a good way to get first-hand information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which travel nurses are most in demand.

Staffing agencies report that demand is high for critical care and medical-surgical nurses. Emergency room staff and labor and delivery staff are also in great demand.

Do Travel Nursing Agencies Pay for Housing?

Your agency will either have housing available for you or will reimburse you for your housing expenses. If you choose to secure your own housing, most agencies will give you a stipend to help offset the cost of rent and utilities. Talk with your agency recruiter about your housing options and what will work best for you.

How Long Are Travel Nursing Assignments?

Some travel nursing opportunities can be as short as eight weeks, while others can last for up to six months at a time. There are often options and offers to extend assignments, too.

What Experience Do You Need to Be Recruited by a Travel Nursing Agency?

Most agencies require new travelers to have recent experience as a nurse—meaning you can't become a travel nurse right out of nursing school. A year or two of experience is commonly required. A qualified nurse may also need more experience to work in the intensive care unit (ICU) or another specialty area.

Can Travel Nurses Choose Where They Work?

Yes, and that's generally a benefit of the job. Some agencies work to assign candidates throughout the United States, while others place travel nurses internationally. Before deciding to work with an agency, it makes sense to find out where they place travel nurses if you have a specific placement location in mind.

Methodology

We reviewed more than 20 agencies and studied hundreds of reviews from travel nurses around the country to identify the best travel nursing agencies. We then analyzed company quality and customer service scores across multiple sources to determine which companies are most reputable. Wages, housing options, and benefits were also a top priority. We reviewed the range of assignments, as well as the quantity and quality of each agency's listings in all 50 states.

VERYWELL Health / Design by Amelia Manley

U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Department of Labor announces $80M funding opportunity to help train, expand, diversify nursing workforce, address shortage of nurses .

Healthcare Research & Analytics. Social listening: Evaluation of travel nurse companies: Analysis of travel nurse sentiment towards travel nurse companies .

BluePipes. Best Travel Nursing Companies 2022 .

9 Best Travel Nurse Companies of 2023

Are you ready to try travel nursing? Working with a travel nurse staffing agency can make it easier to find travel nursing jobs and to negotiate pay rates and benefits. An agency gives you a point of contact who can help you navigate job listings and compensation packages.

The sooner you find the right company, the faster you can start traveling.

Click here for today’s top travel nursing opportunities.

How To Find The Right Travel Nursing Company

When looking for the best travel nursing company to suit your needs, you first have to know what your needs are.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when considering travel nursing companies:

• Are you going to need health insurance?
• How important is it that you contribute to your retirement?
• Do you prefer to find your own housing or do you want your company to find it for you?
• Where do you want to travel?
• How do you plan on getting there?
• Do you plan on working per diem as well?
• What kind of healthcare facilities are you hoping to work in?

What to Look for in Travel Nursing Agencies

When looking into travel nurse agencies you should first make sure that they provide the basics: free housing or a housing stipend, health and dental insurance, a retirement plan, travel reimbursement, 24-hour customer support, and a variety and abundance of travel nursing jobs all over the country.

Here are a few tips from my experience about the basics:

Travel Nurse Housing:

Do you want your agency to find housing for you, or do you want to take the housing stipend and search for housing yourself?

I personally found it much easier to have my agency set up my housing for me. This way I knew it was safe, furnished, close to where I was working, and paid for. If there were any problems, all I had to do was call my company and it would be handled.

Many people choose to find their own housing and take the housing stipend instead. There are pros and cons to this choice:

Pros To Choosing Housing Stipends

• Your housing stipend depends on the city you live in, but oftentimes, it is more than the rent you end up paying. This is a good way to make some extra tax-free cash.
• You can find exactly the type of housing you’re looking for at the price you’re willing to pay. You can rent just a room for yourself and pocket a lot of cash. Or rent an entire house if you’re bringing your family or pets along. If you’re traveling with fellow coworkers, you can find a bigger house to share that fits everyone.
• You can choose where you live. Maybe you’re going to Seattle and you’d rather live downtown and commute to work than vs. living next to the hospital in the suburbs.
• There are several websites and groups now to help you find housing
• Once you’ve done it once, you understand how to find housing and can repeat the process in the next location.

Cons To Choosing Housing Stipends

• It can be difficult to find short-term furnished housing.
• Many landlords require a deposit, so you have to front that money before you get your first paycheck.
• If you end up extending your contract, it’s not guaranteed that your landlord hasn’t rented out the place to someone else.
• If you have never been to that city before, it can also be tough to determine whether a neighborhood is safe or not.

Another thing to keep in mind, if you are traveling with a pet, it may make it difficult to find your own housing. Oftentimes, travel nurse agencies have housing already contracted that accepts pets.

There are pros and cons to using your a travel nurse agency’s contracted housing vs. finding your own housing. It just depends on how much time and effort you can put into the search and if you’re hoping to pocket any extra housing stipend cash.

Benefits for Travel Nurses:

• The majority of travel nurse companies offer health and dental insurance.
• Now that the Affordable Care Act is in place, it might be wise to research whether or not it would be more cost-effective for you to go with your agency’s healthcare plan or purchase one of your own through healthcare.org. The benefit of going through healthcare.org is that if you do plan on switching travel nurse agencies, you won’t have to change your insurance.
• Some smaller travel nurse companies will give you a healthcare stipend if you don’t take their health insurance so you can purchase your own.
• As far as retirement plans go, I decided to open up my own Roth IRA and not contribute to the 401K because I didn’t know how long I was going to be traveling.  With some companies you can contribute to your 401K from day 1 and with others you have to wait as long as 1 year.

Travel Nurse Reimbursements

When talking with your potential travel nurse agency, make sure you ask them what the reimbursement is for travel. “Travel” cost is considered the amount of money it takes you to get from your “tax home” to your travel assignment or from one assignment to the next. Often times this can be negotiated if there is a high need in one state that happens to be across the country.

I have found that the average reimbursement is $500.

They will pay you half on your first paycheck and the other half when you complete your assignment. You have the option of either driving or flying to your next destination. I personally drove to each of my assignments; I couldn’t imagine trying to fit all my belongings into suitcases and I love road trips.

Important Pay and Benefits Questions to Ask

Not all benefits or pay packages are created equal. It is important to find an agency that offers benefits, housing, and pay packages that are specific to your needs.

1. What destinations does your agency serve?

The whole point of travel nursing is to travel…right? So it is important to find a company that serves the city or cities you want to travel to. Some agencies claim they have contracts nationwide, however, that may not be the case.

If you know of a specific hospital that you would like to travel to because it looks good on your resume or a specific city you want to explore, then make sure your potential agency has a contract at that location. This is especially important if you want to travel to places such as Hawaii and Alaska.

Match with a travel company here.

2. How are your pay packages broken down?

Does the company tend to pay a higher base rate with lower non-taxable reimbursements or a lower base rate with higher non-taxable reimbursements?

Having a higher base rate may serve you better if you plan on taking company housing, plan on buying a house, or getting a loan in the near future. If you are someone who likes to find their own housing, then a higher housing stipend may be the way to go with a lower base rate.

3. What types of housing do you provide?

Most agencies offer a one-bedroom furnished apartment for your typical 13-week contract. This typically does not include dishes, linen, a washer and dryer, a T.V., or even a vacuum. If you don’t like lugging your belongings around with you all over the country or paying out of pocket to rent this stuff, then it may be wise to either ask if the agency provides any of these necessities at no cost or find your own housing.

If your contract is only eight weeks, then you could get stuck in an extended-stay hotel. I personally like to have nice housing, so I wanted a company that focused on providing comfortable and safe housing options. If you like to find your own housing then this may not apply to you.

4. What type of benefits do you offer?

Most agencies offer medical/dental benefits and a retirement package. If these benefits are important to you, then finding a company with good benefits is essential.

If you like to live on the edge with no health benefits and you brush and floss your teeth like a champ, then maybe you don’t care about benefits. If this is the case then you can ask the company if they are willing to pay you a higher base rate for not taking their benefits.

As far as retirement packages go, I found it easier to do my own Roth IRA on the side. This way, if I switched companies I didn’t have to worry about moving my money all over the place.

Click here to discover new high paying opportunities.

5. What types of extra work-related costs do you reimburse for?

Travel nurse companies can reimburse you for the following:

• Licensing fees
• CEU (Continuing Education) requirements
• Certifications
• Required immunizations

Some travel nurse agencies have a CEU database that is free for their employees. This helps cut costs in those states that require a certain number to maintain or acquire a new license.

These extra costs add up over time so it’s nice to know your agency is looking out for your pocketbook.

6. What are your missed and canceled shift policies?

A missed shift means you called in sick, and a canceled shift means they canceled you for low census. For the most part, the hospital determines how the travel nurse agency handles this, and it will be written in your contract.

This is important because in the travel nurse world if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. And in some cases, you may have to reimburse your agency for housing costs.

There may be a clause written in your contract that allows you to “miss” a certain amount of shifts without being penalized. There will also be a clause that states how many shifts the hospital can cancel you. Usually, it’s once a pay period, and your agency shouldn’t require you to reimburse them for housing costs.

There are even some agencies that offer 100% guaranteed shifts meaning no matter what you will not get canceled.

Find travel assignments in your specialty here.

Other Questions To Ask a Travel Nurse Agency:

• What is the travel reimbursement?
• How much will health insurance cost me?
• If I don’t take health insurance, do I get a healthcare stipend?
• When can I start contributing to my 401K?
• Are there bonuses for extending assignments?
• How often do I get paid?
• Does the company also contract per diem work?
• Do they offer paid time off?
• Are there any referral bonuses available?

9 Best Travel Nursing Agencies

Here is a list and highlights of a few travel nursing companies to consider.

All of these companies offer the basics such as housing, benefits, travel reimbursement, staffing in all 50 states, and 24-hour customer support.

Click here to find the right company for you!

Find the Best Travel Nurse Agency for You

There are a number of travel nursing companies to choose from.

Finding the best travel nursing company that fits your needs and a recruiter that has your best interests in mind are absolutely essential for an enjoyable travel nursing experience.

The right staffing agency for you is out there, now is the time to find them!

  Click here for today’s top travel nursing opportunities.

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