Travel Nursing in an RV: 10 Things You Need to Know!

Travel nurses have several options when it comes to living arrangements. One unconventional but increasingly common choice is to take home with you to each new job by investing in a recreational vehicle (RV).  Although this is a great idea, it doesn’t come without complications. People are often hesitant to get into the RV life because they:

• Are nervous about driving or pulling a vehicle longer than their car;
• Are scared about driving and/or parking such a large vehicle in reverse;
• Worry about everything it takes to set up an RV;
• Fear that they won’t be able to find an RV park close to the hospital.

Read on to discover why some travel nurses choose the RV lifestyle. Then, we will discuss the pros and cons of living in an RV. Finally, we will review 10 things to know about Travel nurse RV living.

RV Living is a Great Choice for Adventurous Nurses

For many, the RV lifestyle evokes a sense of adventure. Can your partner work remotely? Is your partner a healthcare worker, and both of you can find travel assignments together? Do you have a family? RV living can be a grand adventure for everyone in your life. It may be untraditional, but this lifestyle can enrich your life in ways you didn’t know possible. 

Travel nurse RV living can be a pathway to more freedom and adventure compared with traditional housing options. For travel nurses that also crave the creature comforts of home, what better option is there than to take home with you wherever you go?

Pros of RV Travel Nursing

For registered nurses who embrace living in an RV, there are several pros.

Home feels like home

Traditional housing options require you to either stay in the hotel room provided or use the housing stipend to find a furnished short-term rental. Those spaces won’t ever feel like “home,” and don’t forget all the packing and unpacking required when moving to a new city!

Bring your family along for the adventure

Living in an RV is a great way to bring family with you, whether the family is a partner, kids, or even furry. This living arrangement offers several options for home-schooling or ‘unschooling’ your kids. Speaking of your furry friends, pets adapt to new locations better because their space remains the same. 

Explore the country

Traveling in an RV gives you more freedom as you travel to each new city. Enjoy the sights along the way!

Cons of RV Travel Nursing

RV living isn’t all fun and games. Here are some cons to consider.

Contingency plans

RVs are complicated machines, and things will break. Create a backup for how you would get to your next assignment if your RV breaks down. 

Maintenance

Speaking of things breaking down, you will bear the cost of maintenance and repairs. With traditional travel housing options, you call maintenance when something goes wrong. That’s not an option if you own your RV, so make sure you save some of the tax-free stipend to pay for repairs.

Transportation

Once you arrive in your new city, how will you get to and from work? RV parks are typically far from large hospital systems. You’ll need a plan for getting to and from your assignment—a car? Rideshare? Bus stops? These are all things to consider during your research.

On a more personal note, RV living can make it more challenging to get a ‘feel’ for the cities you visit. RV parks tend to be outside the city centers, so your experience will be different. If the thing you love about traveling is being in the major metro areas with amenities and entertainment close by, living in an RV might not be the right choice. 

Travel Nurse RV Tips to Consider

Now that we’ve reviewed some of the pros and cons, here are 10 Things you need to know about travel nurse RV living!

Research and Prepare

GO TO AS MANY RV SHOWS AS YOU CAN.

Look at every RV you think you would be even remotely interested in.  After a while, you will get a sense of the space and amenities you want and need in an RV.

RENT AN RV FOR THE WEEKEND AND GO CAMPING.

To truly understand what it is like to live in a 20-foot home, go camping for the weekend or even a full week. Some people can’t handle this!

CONNECT WITH OTHER TRAVEL NURSES

There are several online communities and forums where you can ask anything. Other travel nurses that have embraced the RV lifestyle give excellent advice regarding their favorite cities, campsites, RVs, and more.

Ready to Purchase 

BUY A SMALLER, USED RV TO START WITH.

I would look for somewhere close to a 20-foot-long camper. This option will allow you to test-drive the lifestyle without breaking the bank. You will find out what you like and what you don’t like before investing in a new RV.

GET LEVELING BARS AND SWAY CONTROL.

If you buy a travel trailer, ensure you get the leveling bars and sway control. These items increase stability when pulling, especially on the highway.

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR TOW VEHICLE CAN HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF THE RV.

To be safe, we usually tow at a 75-percent rate. So, if your truck can pull 10,000 pounds, you need a trailer that weighs no more than 7,500 pounds. You also must remember that all your stuff will add to the total weight.

CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL VEHICLE NEEDS.

If you get a motorhome, you’ll need to research how your everyday car, or ‘toad,’ can be towed. You will find out if you can tow your vehicle with all four wheels down, two wheels down, or if you need to purchase an additional trailer, so all four wheels are off the ground. 

Enjoy your new Adventure!

ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO GET FROM ONE TRAVEL ASSIGNMENT TO THE NEXT.

I drive no more than 65 miles per hour on the freeway. Also, make sure you start looking for a gas station when you have half a tank of gas remaining.

RELAX ABOUT SET-UP AND TAKE-DOWN.

RV people are some of the nicest people on earth! I have never been to a park where someone was unavailable to help. 

FIND THE TRAVEL JOB THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU.

Work with a travel agency that has experience working with other travel nurses that have embraced the lifestyle. An experienced travel nurse recruiter will help you find assignments near quality RV campgrounds, so you can focus on your next adventure. 

TAKE THE LEAP!

Just like the leap into travel healthcare was scary, taking off in an RV can be scary. You will honestly never know if living in an RV is for you unless you try.