Moving for clinical can be a daunting experience. However, it doesn’t have to be! Follow these steps to make your clinical rotation housing and transition smooth and stress-free:
Step 1: How to Choose the Best Housing for CRNA Clinical Rotations
- Decide between Furnished Finder and Airbnb based on your needs. Personally, I’m Team Furnished Finder (FF). It’s cheaper, offers actual leases (hello, peace of mind!), and feels like a more secure option. That said, I’ve heard of folks using Airbnb and scoring big with travel points by booking with their credit cards.
- Consider factors like cost, lease terms, and whether you want to earn travel points.
- Look into potential connections at the hospital to find insider housing deals.
Step 2: Prioritize Key Housing Factors
- Choose a place close to your clinical site to avoid long commutes.
- Ensure the area is safe, especially if it’s your first time in the city. If possible, check out the site in person before signing any leases. Some people book a night or two in a hotel first to scope out potential areas. *Thankfully* I have gotten super lucky and have found great places without seeing them first. If you do this, I highly recommend scheduling a phone call/FaceTime with the owner/renter to ensure you are actually getting what the listing states!
- Decide if you prefer a solo setup or roommates for peace of mind. Personally, having my own space was worth the extra cost.
Step 3: Seek Advice from Prior Cohorts/CRNA Students
- Reach out to people who’ve been in your program for their housing recommendations.
- Learn from their experiences to avoid potential pitfalls. This can look like avoiding bad areas and/or less than professional renters.
Step 4: Plan Your First-Day Logistics at Your Clinical Site
- Do a trial drive to your clinical site before your first day. Familiarize yourself with parking and the main entrance – this really helps me minimize stress and first day jitters!
Step 5: Pack Smart
- Keep it minimal! Focus on essentials like seasonal clothes and conference outfits.
- Leave decor at home – most rentals have kitchen supplies, and the basics covered.
Step 6: Explore the Area
- Use Instagram to find local events, foodie spots, and gyms. This has been my favorite way to scope out new areas! I like to look up run/walk clubs, farmer’s markets, breweries, etc. Usually once you find one good account, others will start to pop up as well.
- Look for activities that match your hobbies to stay balanced during rotations. For me, this looked like finding OrangeTheory gyms nearby or dance studios where I could do drop-in classes.
Step 7: Start Packing Early to Ensure a Smooth Move
- Begin packing at the start of the month before your move. I know, as soon as you feel settled in, you’re going to be packing again! It’s all part of the experience. I like to stay on top of packing throughout that last month instead of trying to cram it all in at the end after I’m already exhausted from the last 3 months.
- Staying organized helps avoid last-minute chaos and gives you time to enjoy the process.
With these steps, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth clinical rotation experience. Cheers to your next adventure!
