What about my pet?

I get asked this quite often. “Can I bring my dog, cat (or?) on a travel nursing job assignment?

I used to discourage this. Getting housing that allowed a travel nurse to have a pet could be difficult.

It seems that time has mellowed the attitudes towards this though. More and more agencies will work with you and do whatever they can to find you housing that can allow your pet. This is especially true if you are a very qualified candidate for travel nursing and are applying for a job that is more difficult for the travel nursing agency to fill.

It’s just common sense.

As a pet owner, though, I would add this. Think about the pet. Is this an animal that is comfortable and happy being

without your companionship for long periods of time while you are working? Obviously larger dogs are less likely to be happy in an apartment/temp housing situation.d

Now that housing stipends are all the rage and you are arranging your own housing more often than not, it is easier to communicate directly with landlords and “room renters” about this. A lot of nurses rent out rooms to travel nurses and if they are pet owners they are much more likely to allow pets. I have a lot of thoughts on this so if we happen to have a private conversation ask me!

So think twice. Everyone’s situation is different.

As an aside, I once had two pet rats. They were the best! They loved their cage and even if I left the door open the had no interest in venturing out. They had wonderful personalities (I swear) and were great little companions. Not that I am saying every travel nurse who wants a pet should get a rat but………they will do pretty well when you are working those 10 hour shifts! Just a thought lol.

If you would like to talk persoanlly with one of the top travel nurse experts in the country just ask!