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As a traveler, you’re often on the move. Chances are, each assignment takes you to a new town and that means a new place to call home.

Finding great housing can feel like a chore. No doubt, you’re on a budget trying to balance your salary, other living expenses, and housing costs. Working within your stipend can be a challenge. It’s even more difficult when you factor in all the hidden costs associated with temporary housing. Here are few tips from our experts to help you better understand the fees associated with your housing so you can get the most for your money.

As always, we encourage you to check your rental agreement carefully and read the fine print. Get your calculator out and see how these add up:

Security Deposit

It’s pretty typical to expect that a security deposit will be required to secure your space. However, landlords can vary greatly on how much they charge for the deposit. For example, one month’s rent is common to cover any damage, cleaning fees, or to help protect from non-payment. In some cases, agreements will require first and last month’s rent due at signing. Be sure you understand these costs as they can really amount to needing significant upfront cash.

Cleaning Fees

Are there any cleaning fees associate with your move out? This is usually a flat rate but there could be add-ons for specific conditions. For example, extra fees often apply when you have had a dog or cat on the premises. Look to see if these cleaning fees are automatically deducted from your security deposit or require a separate payment, sometimes to a third-party.

Utilities

While in your new home, you’ll need water, electricity, gas (if used), garbage removal, cable, WIFI, etc. to live comfortably. Those costs can vary greatly. Will you need the air-conditioning regularly for a warmer climate? Is it a cold winter where you can expect higher heating costs? Self-discipline is one way to help control your heating and AC costs, simply keep your thermostat on a temperature that saves both energy and money. But other fees are fixed and you can’t really do anything about them. Be sure you understand what utilities are included (if any) as part of your rent. There may also be an “allowance” for variable costs like electricity. In this case, your rent includes electricity usage up to “X amount”, if you go over, you pay the difference.

Laundry

Is there laundry in your living space? If so, you should add in some extra costs to run the washer and dryer. This usually comes in the form of higher electric usage, unless you have a gas dryer. Managing your laundry efficiently by doing full loads, hanging things to dry if possible, and washing in cool or cold water can help you save. If you have laundry in a common area or must go to a laundromat, be sure to add these extra charges into your budget. 

Pet Fees

Rent can often vary if you will have a pet living with you. This can be as a higher monthly rate for rent or increased security deposit or higher cleaning fees.

Mailbox Rental

Ask how you will receive your mail while staying in your new home. Will you need to rent a mailbox at the post office or other mail service provider? Is there a safe area to receive large packages? Each situation is unique and could result in some added expenses.

Parking Fees

Does your housing come with assigned parking? Is there a monthly fee for parking? If parking is not available and you will have a vehicle, be sure to shop around for options based not only on cost but also security and accessibility.

Transportation

If you will be living without a vehicle then you won’t incur any parking fees. However, you might need to factor in public transpiration. If you don’t plan to walk or bike, try to estimate your costs for the bus, subway, train or ride share options.

Extra Insurance

Many experts will recommend that you get “Renter’s Insurance” while in temporary housing. This protects not only your belongings and valuables, but also provides insurance coverage should you inadvertently cause any damage to the property. Some leasing agreements will require this extra insurance at your expense. Talk to insurance providers to understand the minimum you need to satisfy the agreement as well as what makes sense based on the value of your personal belongings.

Additional Storage

Many housing opportunities will offer additional storage in the form of an optional garage or storage locker. There are also many retail options for renting a storage unit in various sizes—with or without climate control. If you can’t comfortably fit all of your things in your new living space, then you may need to take advantage of other storage options. These options will likely have added costs, and for public storage facilities, often require an insurance policy.

Background Check

It’s not uncommon for landlords to require a background check of potential tenants. The fees for these checks can vary depending on how comprehensive the landlord wants to be. The processing fees for these checks is most likely an expense passed on to the applicant.

Taxes

Tax requirements vary by state. There are some cases where you can expect the landlord to pass on state taxes to the tenant. Read your agreement carefully and consult the local tax regulations for specifics.

Finding your next accommodations might seem like a daunting task. However, if you stay organized and learn what to look for in your options, we’re sure the perfect place to call home is just around the corner. Our team is always available to help with your next assignment. We can help you select a location that works well with your lifestyle and budget. Give us a call today at (844) 916-8773 or apply here to speak with a recruiter.

5 Traveler Tips to Make it Fabulous

Now is the perfect time to start thinking about the Thanksgiving holiday. Chances are, you’re on assignment in a new surrounding and your loved ones won’t be there to share in the feast. Traveling can be especially challenging during the holidays but we have some terrific tips to make Thanksgiving special.

1. Check Your Schedule

Will you be working on Thanksgiving Day? If so, organize a pot luck with your co-workers. Think traditional turkey dinner or maybe outside the box. Take time to learn about other customs and favorite dishes. Then decide what type of pot luck you want. Post a sign-up sheet, collaborate on what each person will contribute, or leave it all to chance. It’s a great time to try something new or simply indulge in old fashioned favorites.

2. Check Other Schedules

Touch base with your family and friends back home, or wherever. What time is their celebration starting? When is dinner? Where will they be gathering? Find ways to connect and be part of the festivities. Ask them to expect a Facetime call, or for even more people—schedule a Zoom. Another wonderful way to be part of holidays while not physically present—send something in advance. Arrange a delivery of flowers, fruit, or candy, and be sure to include a heartfelt message.

3. Pick Your Own Day

Thanksgiving can all of the meaning and sentiment even if you celebrate on a different day. Try a Friendsgiving that fits into your work schedule. Plan to host or, find a great local restaurant and meet up there. Find a way to celebrate that doesn’t create unnecessary stress. If you don’t want to be chained to your kitchen, order out or have your guests bring a dish.

4. Plan Ahead

Nothing says Thanksgiving like leftovers. Make your favorite dishes ahead of time and then reheat when the celebration fits your schedule. Or do as much prep work as possible ahead of time, assemble your dishes, and do the final cook the day you plan to enjoy. Check your recipes, many side dishes will freeze extremely well giving you even more flexibility.

5. Find Unique Ways to Celebrate

Thanksgiving is a great time to give back. And while you are in one of the most unselfish professions, maybe you would enjoy volunteering. Many organizations open soup kitchens for Thanksgiving, while churches and community centers often offer free meals. These groups always welcome an extra set of hands.

Whatever way you decide to spend your Thanksgiving, take time to be thankful and embrace all the good things in your life. With such a hectic and emotionally demanding travel nurse career, it’s so important to reflect on your own blessings. And know how grateful Go Healthcare Staffing is for all you do for our patients and hospital staff. Take a few minutes today to plan your turkey day and we’re sure it will include many special memories.

Ready to Cook?

The Go Team has got you covered! Check out our Go Cookbook, full of delicious recipes from our families to yours.

Treatment and Coping

Our team recognizes the importance of acknowledging the real struggles associated with caregiver burnout. Nurses are at the forefront of caring for others and face ongoing challenges to maintain a healthy life-work balance and emotional stability. Travelers, in particular, face the additional pressures of frequent moves, adjusting to new surroundings, and often times being physically distanced from their core support system of friends and family.

In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the signs of caregiver burnout and the importance of recognizing these warning signals. In Part 2, our team compiled some helpful tips for preventing burnout. If you missed these or want a refresher, just click below:

Caregiver Burnout- Part 1- Recognizing the Signs

Caregiver Burnout- Part 2- Steps for Prevention

Now, in the third and final part of our series, we have gathered reputable advice for the treatment of burnout and some proven coping strategies.

What is Caregiver Burnout?

“Burnout” is described as feeling overwhelmed and exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally from the stress of caring for another person. Sufferers have a depleted ability to cope with their everyday environment. Even though caregiving is a chosen profession for nurses, they can still feel alone, unsupported, and unappreciated.

A significant contributor to the onset of burnout is lack of sleep and personal health. If nurses fail to take proper care of themselves, it can sadly dovetail to a loss of interest in caring for their patients and possible depression. If this situation is not addressed, it can result in an inability to provide good care and can be potentially harmful to the both parties.

Treatment and Coping with Caregiver Burnout

Dealing with caregiver burnout requires a commitment to making some important lifestyle changes. There is no magic cure that instantly relieves the feelings of being overwhelmed and unappreciated. Similar to treating the often-associated depression, you must take a multitude of steps to a path of recovery. The first and most important step is an honest self-assessment of where you are in terms of overall health, nutrition, and self-care. These areas should be addressed as priorities. Alongside, you should also explore the many treatments and coping strategies to help relive anxiety and stress on a continuous basis. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Create your own home away from home support system– travelers are usually faced with the added burden of feeling distanced from family and loved ones. Try to connect with at least one or two trusted friends while on assignment for quality face-to-face engagement. And, in addition, organize your virtual support system using zoom and FaceTime, with regular video chats so you can still feel connected to those you rely on most.

• Music and art therapy – the right tunes and tempo will slow down your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing; also try calming down with an adult coloring book.

• Apps (i.e., Calm and Headspace)– can be great tools to learn and practice stress management.

• Yoga/tai chi, mindfulness meditation– these are wonderful options to refocus your energy, relieve tension, unwind and relax.

• Grief counseling– seek professional therapy of you are struggling with loss or sorrow and can’t seem to handle it on your own.

• Brainstorm ways to change workplace and workload– assemble a trusted group of colleagues and share ideas on how to improve working conditions.

• Learn better communication skills– brush up on being assertive, a good listener and managing your emotions. These skills can bring positive results in both your professional and personal relationships.

• Improve workload and organizational management skills– learning new techniques to help better manage your workload can increase confidence and efficiency, even when you can’t control the size of the workload.

• Eat right– nurses often forget how important the proper fuel is to keeping energy levels up during a long shift. Don’t cut corners, plan for healthy nutrition day and night with good hydration.

• Get enough quality sleep– sleep is vital to good health and feeling rested helps you handle stress; if you must sleep during the day invest in black out shades, an eye mask, ear plugs, anything that gives you a tranquil sanctuary.

• Laugh more– find a favorite comedy or listen to some stand-up.

• Reclaim your identity– set aside time to revisit a favorite hobby or passion.

• Journal– writing down your most private thoughts, fears, and feelings without judgement from others is a very therapeutic form of release.

• Exercise– guaranteed to release “feel-good” endorphins and helps reduce stress.

• Feel empowered– remember every single day at your work makes a difference.

• Take a break– enjoy a brief vacation or getaway where you can completely separate yourself from your work environment and recharge.
• Seek advice anonymously– Try listening to Nurse Burnout: A Caregiver’s Guide to Stress Management and Building Resilience in Healthcare

Don’t feel ashamed or alone if you suffer from symptoms of burnout. Across the globe, more than half of all nurses suffer at least once form caregiver burnout. The good news, most of the times, nurses report they get better with self-treatment and attention to lifestyle. Talk to other nurses, see if they can offer advice or just empathize with how you are feeling. Take care of yourself and don’t let things progress where you feel hopeless or in despair. If things aren’t looking up, seek immediate medical and professional help at your facility or click here for a list of Mental Health Resources for Nurses.

Be Well, Stay Well

Thank you to all our travel nurses, you are truly the Heart of Go. Visit here to meet some of our recently celebrated travel nurses. For more helpful articles for travelers, check out our travel blog!