Housing questions a Travel Nurse should ask of any Travel Nurse agency

Jennifer Abdullah, Housing Coordinator
HEALTHCAREseeker.com

The housing you will be staying at while on a Travel assignment should be a haven for your weary bones after a long days work.  When receiving the initial introductory call from your housing coordinator, you should not be afraid to tell them your preferences, likes and dislikes.  This will help us narrow down the perfect place for you, especially in areas with a lot of choices.  While a good housing coordinator will give you a clear picture of what to expect when you get to your destination, it is good to ask questions along the way to clear up any uncertainties. Here are a few questions that should be asked about your agencies housing before you leave for your new assignment:

1. Distance:  This is especially important if you don’t have a car, and plan to walk.  Ask about the distance not only to the hospital, but to shopping centers, post office, etc.
2. Public Transportation: While this is vital information to travelers who will not be bringing a car, it is also good to know if there is bad weather or if you happen to have car trouble.  If there is no public transportation, ask about rental cars companies or taxis.
3. Furniture/Housewares:  Ask what will be in the apartment, and, more importantly, what will not.   Most furniture rental companies give very detailed lists of items included, as do corporate apartments.  If you ask to go over this with the housing coordinator, you could avoid having to run out to the store as soon as you get there.
4. Utilities:  Most travel companies pay for gas and electric, but not always cable and phone.  Ask if that is the case, and if is not, the coordinator will be able to provide you with phone numbers so that you can set up accounts before your arrival.
5. Pets: While you should bring up pets to your recruiter at the beginning of the process, it should also be brought up to the housing coordinator to make sure that your 4-legged friend is not forgotten in the quest to find you housing.  Some complexes allow pets (with additional rent and deposit costs), but many have breed, size and number of pet restrictions, as well as very strict rules.  However, you should also know that having a pet causes a lot of extra work for the housing coordinator and you might have to sacrifice other things such as a short distance to the Hospital, as housing options are limited to pet-friendly housing only.
6. Floor request: Many nurses have floor preferences, which is completely understandable.  You may be working at night, and need a top floor unit (less noise if sleeping during the day), or want a first floor unit (no stairs to climb). Mention this as early as possible, so the housing coordinator does not obtain an apt. on the wrong floor. 
7. Smoking:  Some apartment complexes have smoke free units, but most do not.  Many complexes choose to allow smoking and then charge cleaning/painting fees if there is a detectable odor after the traveler leaves.  If you do smoke or plan to have guests that do, always ask about the smoking policy of a complex, but it may be your best interests to smoke outside for the duration of your assignment.
8. Photos: At HEALTHCAREseeker.com, we always try to get interior and exterior photos of the place that our Travelers will be staying at and we show those pictures to our Travelers. Ask for pictures, as this will give you a better idea of the apartment layout, and the area that the complex is located in.
9. Emergency numbers:  Make sure you have the direct number for your housing coordinator readily available for your trip, as well as an “after-hours” number if you plan to arrive at a time when your travel nurse agency will not be open.  Make sure that the housing coordinator has a number to reach you at as well; I myself like to check in with the traveler and make sure the trip is going along smoothly, and then again to make sure that the traveler arrived safely. Also ask for phone numbers and contact names for the complex before you leave.  This will come in handy if you happen to get lost on your way there, or can’t find the complex office when you need to pick up your key. 
10. Walk thru contact: It is in your best interest to do a walk thru with the complex before leaving the assignment.  Make sure that the apartment is in the same shape (or better) than it was when you got there, and make sure to ask questions during the walk thru to avoid being charged unnecessarily.
11. Amenities: Ask about what the complex has to offer, (ie. computer room, common room, pool, workout room, etc.)  This may save you having to lug a laptop, or start up a membership at the local gym.
12. Area:  Ask if the apartment is in a rural, residential, or urban location.   You may have a location preference and wish to travel further to the hospital to be in a neighborhood that makes you more comfortable.
13. Special Requests:  Always make sure that your recruiter and housing coordinator are aware of any other special requests that are needed to make your stay more comfortable.  We can always try to accommodate needs that are within reason. 

Acceptable housing is such a critical aspect of any successful Travel assignment. It is imperative that not only the agency you select does a good job, but that a Traveler not leave it up to the agency unless the agency has proven themselves to you before. Our advice, ask the right questions and communicate.