5 tips for medical professionals making a temporary relocation for work

Posted on Tuesday, April 22 2025

In the wake of the pandemic, more and more Canadian medical professionals find themselves relocating temporarily for work. For example, according to the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, there are almost 10,000 nurses working for independent agencies across Canada at any given time, many of whom are considered to be ‘traveling’ nurses.
While more than 15% of these traveling healthcare professionals say that seeing new places is their primary reason for taking on these assignments, that doesn’t mean that the moves aren’t stressful.
So how can healthcare professionals make their temporary assignments less stressful and more fulfilling? Here are our 5 tips.
Be realistic about why you’re taking the assignment in the first place.
Not surprisingly, the #1 reason that most nursing professionals take on ‘traveling’ roles is that these positions typically pay more, and include more guaranteed overtime, than a ‘regular’ nursing position. However, money can’t compensate for many of the inconveniences of being in a strange place: Loneliness, homesickness, lack of a support system, an unfamiliar working environment – these things can all take a toll.
Before you commit to taking on an assignment that will require a temporary relocation, take the time to be honest with yourself about why you’re taking it: Is your goal simply to make as much money as possible to fund a trip or large purchase? Do you want to get some experience in a new area preparatory to making a more permanent move? Are there professional opportunities that you might not be available closer to home? The more you know about why you’re taking the assignment, the more successful it will be.
Choose the right location for you.
Some healhcare professionals who are normally based in a big city like the idea of relocating to a small town for a few months where they can be providing primary care to a small community; others, from smaller centres, are interested in getting experience in a busy urban centre or with a key specialty. Knowing what kind of professional experience you’re looking for is the first step to determining what location and what facility makes the most sense for you and your career goals.
Do as much research as you can, especially when it comes to living arrangements.
While some agencies provide housing options for temporary healthcare professionals, in many cases you will be left to your own devices to find accommodation during your assignment.
For staff who often work long shifts, some of which may start or end in nighttime hours, finding housing in a safe neighbourhood will be paramount. If you can’t visit your new location prior to starting work, consult local real estate guides for walkability and safety scores, and reach out to friends and family to see if they can put you in touch with someone already living there and can give you first-hand information about your new hometown.
Understand your housing options. For healthcare professionals making a temporary move, options typically include the following:
Hotels/suite hotels: These tend to be offered/provided in locations where housing is scarce. Advantages include being turnkey and providing basics like housekeeping, but without living areas they can feel like cramped dormitories, and without kitchens, they leave you dependent on either hotel food or takeout, which can be both expensive and less healthy than being able to cook for yourself.
Short-term rentals: Short-term rentals like Airbnbs can deliver more space than a hotel room can, but can be prohibitively costly when you need one for more than a few days, especially if your assignment is in an area that tends to attract tourism. The bigger challenge for healthcare professionals is the lack of standardization and concerns about reliability: The last thing you need to worry about when you’re on assignment is whether your accommodations are as they were described online, or whether the property owner will decide after a few weeks that they need to evict you so their cousin can come to visit. Ensuring you read all the reviews of a property is key!
Sublets: In some areas where housing is particularly scarce, nursing and other staff will sublet an apartment or home from a local resident who is going to be out of town for a few weeks or months. This can be a great arrangement, but tends to require ‘inside knowledge’ – knowing someone in your new town. Checking local Facebook groups for the hospital or town you’ll be moving to can help give you a headstart on finding subletting opportunities.
Corporate housing: Corporate housing (also commonly known as ‘executive suites’) provides furnished condos, townhomes and private residences on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. These deliver all the advantages of short-term rentals in terms of living space, fully-equipped kitchens, etc., while having the reliability and standardization of hotels. In Canada, corporate housing is generally the most common option for healthcare professionals who are on short-term assignment.
Make a budget – and write it down Housing costs, per diem allowances, overtime opportunities, groceries and transportation – all of these will fluctuate depending on your role, your location and your own personal preferences.
Taking the time to map out a budget can make a huge difference in whether you see your assignment as a big success – or a bit of a flop. Do you want to work as much as possible and save every penny? Or do you want to use the opportunity to splurge a bit on taking advantage of the shopping and dining in your temporary city? Are you planning to return home frequently? Will the weather require you to purchase new clothing? All of these should be considered when you’re planning your finances for your assignment period.
A little planning goes a long way! Ultimately, the more proactive you can be when it comes to planning for your short-term assignment, the more successful it will be, no matter what your personal goals.
Need help planning your short-term move? We help house more traveling medical professionals than anyone else in Canada. We look forward to hearing from you!

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