A few suggestions

18 posts · started Mar 16, 2002

maryongo Mar 16, 2002, 3:19 PM
Here's a few tips that I've picked up along the way regarding housing:
1) As soon as you get the housing address and phone, make a call yourself and talk to the apartment manager. Verify the mileage to the hospital, ask the fastest route, double-check the amenities offered, and ask if there's a website that you can visit. If not, they may have a brochure that they can send you.
2) Call the local police department to find out about the safety of the area you'll be living in.
3) If other travelers are in that complex, have your recruiter give them your phone number to contact you. Ask them how they like the place.
4) If you find that there is something major wrong with the place, speak to your recruiter immediately so they can get to work on remedying the situation.

Doing a bit of the footwork yourself can save you a lot of aggravation when you get to your assignment.
sassychick Mar 17, 2002, 2:39 AM
Your suggestions are great. Will be very helpful to new travelers. It is also helpful to ask your recruiter for a phone number of anyone who's stayed there before.
maryongo Mar 22, 2002, 2:48 AM
Hi! I mentioned that you should contact your recruiter and give him/her your phone number for others who've lived in a particular complex to call you. Recruiters are not supposed to give out phone numbers without permission, so we have to take the "round-about" method! *grin*

Love your posts, by the way!

Boggled Apr 29, 2003, 12:11 PM
Noise, travelers will frequently be on the night shift, if the apartment is near a high traffic area, noise can make sleeping during the daytime difficult at best.

Apartment complexes like to give short term (extended stay) persons the least desirable locations, so traveler beware.

Boggled Bob,
Road Mgr
blondie3 Nov 3, 2004, 1:44 PM

questions

I am trying to get set up with Medical Staffing Network for a travel assignment in Miami Florida. Have any of you worked through this agency? My husband and I have already secured an apartment there, so we will be taking the housing subsidy they offer. I was told by my recruiter that they offer between $1000-$1500/month....is this close to what is true? She also told me that Florida is a lower paying state, so I would make somewhere from the lo to mid $20's/hr. Also, have any of you applied for a Florida license? My recruiter told me it takes 12-15 weeks to receive one....Do you receive any orientation period on travel assignments, or are you essentially thrown into things? Thanks for the help in answering my questions...
Kris Handy-Kraus Dec 2, 2004, 2:48 PM
Hello all! Most apartment communitites will be helpful in relocation if they can. If you are specific with them and they are on thier game; an good relocation specialist will be able to suite your needs or at least be able to tell you if they can help you. One thing to also consider is a buy out clause. Does the lease have a way to break it with without having to pay for the entire lease term? Will they allow someone else to take over the apartment if you have to leave?

Of course, if you are ever looking for a place to stay when in St. Louis, MO...come see me! visit www.apartments.com/jeffersonarms for more info. Good luck in all of your journeys!
Starr Jan 13, 2005, 9:35 PM
Hi i was wondering if anyone might have any information on a virus called 'Ruda Virus'? I don't believe that's the right spelling but the way you say it is what I'm looking for information on. Thank you to anyone who can help me with this!
CaseyJean Jun 23, 2005, 9:23 AM
My friend and I were just reading through the posts and she gasped when she read that an RN is going to take 20 ANYTHING an hour as a traveler! She is working for Nationwide Nurses and based on her experience she is making in the mid $30/hr range. Also her company secures the housing for her, so she doesn't have to enter into any lease, that is their job. She recommends for anyone that is getting their own apartment, NOT to get it until all the i's have been dotted and all the t's crossed on the contract from the hospital, the agency, AND the nurse! You never know when an assignment is going to fall through at the last minute and then you could be stuck with a lease you don't need or want.
NurseNanay Jul 25, 2005, 11:25 AM
I'm strongly considering travel nursing, but I don't know what to expect as far as work load and how much is expected of you. I only have 2 years of experience and both years have been on a progressive cardiac care unit (telemetry step-down). Can anyone give me some words of wisdom or some good advice please? Thanks.
RNLADY64 Feb 17, 2006, 2:53 AM
Hi, This is off topic, but i was wondering has anyone worked for a company called Supplemental Health. I am a Psych Nurse and was considering traveling with them. I'm having second thoughts because i was told they pay TEN dollars per hour!!!!!This of course sounded rediculous, but the recruiter promises 3466 per month for housing and its tax free??Plus 125 per week living expenses.ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS COMPANY??PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE PROS & CONS :confused:Thanx Denise
RNA Oct 31, 2006, 1:55 AM
maryongo wrote:Here's a few tips that I've picked up along the way regarding housing:
1) As soon as you get the housing address and phone, make a call yourself and talk to the apartment manager. Verify the mileage to the hospital, ask the fastest route, double-check the amenities offered, and ask if there's a website that you can visit. If not, they may have a brochure that they can send you.
2) Call the local police department to find out about the safety of the area you'll be living in.
3) If other travelers are in that complex, have your recruiter give them your phone number to contact you. Ask them how they like the place.
4) If you find that there is something major wrong with the place, speak to your recruiter immediately so they can get to work on remedying the situation.

Doing a bit of the footwork yourself can save you a lot of aggravation when you get to your assignment.

Good tips. Thanks!
RonRNBN Oct 31, 2006, 8:39 PM
RNLADY64 wrote:Hi, This is off topic, but i was wondering has anyone worked for a company called Supplemental Health. I am a Psych Nurse and was considering traveling with them. I'm having second thoughts because i was told they pay TEN dollars per hour!!!!!This of course sounded rediculous, but the recruiter promises 3466 per month for housing and its tax free??Plus 125 per week living expenses.ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS COMPANY??PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE PROS & CONS :confused:Thanx Denise


I am planning on going on my first assignment with Supplemental Health. My recruiter explained to me that the $10/hr is your taxable earnings, so that when you get your W2 it will show your taxable earnings to be only 25K a year. Only your 'official' hourly wage and your bonus payments are taxed. My recruiter explained to me that virtually all the money you earn will be tax-free since you'll probably get back all taxes paid in your tax refund. They also pay a weekly meal and lodging allowance (MLA) usually between $650-1200/week tax-free depending on where you go.
I'd also appreciate some feedback from nurses that have travelled with Supplemental Health. Is it a good deal compared to some other companies?
Ron