Posted on Tuesday, April 22 2025
Since the pandemic, more Canadian healthcare professionals have been taking on temporary or travelling assignments across the country. According to the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, thousands of nurses work through independent agencies at any given time, with many choosing travel roles for both professional and personal reasons.
While some are motivated by the opportunity to explore new places, these assignments can still be demanding – especially when it comes to adjusting to a new city, schedule, and living situation.
So how can healthcare professionals make temporary assignments less stressful and more rewarding? Here are five practical tips.
One of the most important first steps is understanding your motivation. For many healthcare professionals, travelling roles offer higher pay, more consistent overtime, or opportunities that aren’t available in their home location. While those benefits are real, they don’t eliminate the challenges that come with relocation – such as loneliness, unfamiliar workplaces, and being away from your support system.
Taking time to understand your “why” helps set realistic expectations and makes it easier to navigate the ups and downs of a temporary move.
Not all assignments are the same, and location plays a big role in your overall experience. Some professionals prefer the pace and independence of smaller communities, while others want the intensity and specialization of larger urban hospitals. Thinking about the type of clinical experience you want – along with your lifestyle preferences – can help guide the right choice.
The more aligned the location is with your goals, the more meaningful the assignment tends to be.
In many cases, healthcare agencies may provide housing support, but often professionals are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Because shifts can be long and unpredictable, safe, comfortable, and well-located housing is essential. If you’re unable to visit beforehand, it’s important to research neighbourhood safety, commute times, and access to essential services. Speaking with others who have worked in the area can also provide valuable real-world insight.
Housing is often one of the biggest factors in how successful an assignment feels.
Healthcare professionals on temporary assignments typically consider a few common housing types, each with different trade-offs.
Hotels and suite hotels are convenient and fully serviced, but can feel restrictive over longer stays due to limited space and lack of kitchens. Short-term rentals such as Airbnb may offer more room, but costs can increase quickly, and consistency between listings can vary significantly.
Sublets can sometimes provide a more affordable and local experience, but availability is limited and often depends on personal networks or local groups.
Corporate housing tends to offer a more balanced solution. These fully furnished apartments, townhomes, or houses combine the comfort of a home-like environment with the consistency and reliability of professionally managed accommodations. For many travelling healthcare workers in Canada, this makes it one of the most practical long-term options.
Costs during a temporary assignment can vary widely depending on location, lifestyle, and length of stay. Beyond housing, expenses like transportation, groceries, overtime availability, and even seasonal clothing can all impact your budget. Taking time to map out expected income and expenses in advance can make a significant difference in how manageable the assignment feels.
Some professionals prioritize as much as possible, while others focus on balancing savings with quality of life during their time away. Either approach works, as long as it’s planned intentionally.
Across all housing options, one factor consistently impacts the experience: stability.
Corporate housing helps reduce many of the common stress points faced by travelling healthcare professionals by offering fully furnished living spaces with kitchens, laundry, and dedicated living areas. This makes it easier to maintain routines during demanding shifts and adjust to a new environment more comfortably.
Premiere Suites is one of Canada’s leading providers of corporate housing, supporting healthcare professionals, hospitals, and staffing agencies across the country.
With more than 1,500 furnished suites, townhomes, and homes – and access to over 10,000 properties nationwide – Premiere Suites provides flexible accommodations designed for real-life working conditions.
Healthcare professionals rely on Premiere Suites for:
Fully furnished, move-in-ready housing
Flexible short- and long-term stays
Locations near hospitals and medical centres
Comfortable spaces designed for shift work and recovery
A key advantage for healthcare professionals is location. Premiere Suites properties are available in major medical hubs across Canada, including housing options close to hospitals and healthcare centres.
Premiere Suites offers furnished housing options throughout downtown Toronto and surrounding neighbourhoods, making it easier for healthcare professionals to stay close to major hospitals like SickKids and Toronto General Hospital. This helps reduce commute time and supports demanding shift schedules.
In Vancouver, Premiere Suites provides accommodations near key medical hubs, including Vancouver General Hospital and surrounding healthcare facilities. These locations support professionals who need quick access to the city’s primary hospital network.
In both Calgary and Edmonton, Premiere Suites offers furnished homes and suites near major regional hospitals and healthcare districs. These options are designed to keep healthcare workers close to their assignments while maintaining comfort during extended stays.
Premiere Suites also provides centrally located housing in Ottawa and Montreal, with convenient access to major hospitals and transit routes. This makes it easier for healthcare professionals to manage schedules while staying connected to key medical centres.
Across all locations Premiere Suites accommodations are fully furnished and designed for longer stays, with kitchens, laundry, and separate living spaces that support rest and routine between shifts.
For travelling healthcare professionals, this combination of proximity, flexibility, and livability helps create a more stable and manageable experience while working away from home.
Temporary healthcare assignments can be incredibly rewarding, but they also come with real challenges.
By being clear about your goals, choosing the right location, planning your budget, and securing the right housing, you can set yourself up for a more successful experience.
With the right support in place, it becomes much easier to focus on what matters most: your work, your patients, and your well-being.