Now considered heroes, travel nurses persevered through historic times as they relocated to understaffed medical facilities that desperately needed help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experienced nurses increasingly served in temporary positions in high-need areas to provide patients across the country with high-quality care—and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Through it all, PadSplit assisted travel nurses in their frequent moves by helping them settle in the right location at the right time. As they moved from city to city, those headed to Texas knew they could depend on PadSplit to provide secure, temporary, and affordable housing in Houston.
Known for its award-winning medical institutions, Houston is home to Houston Methodist Hospital, cited by U.S. News and World Report as “the No. 1 hospital in Texas.” Joining it are such respected health care giants as Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Texas Medical Center’s M.D. Anderson, among others. Houston’s concentration on medical research, care, and education facilities draw professionals, students, and patients from around the globe making affordable housing close to those and other medical centers crucial.
Part of PadSplit’s appeal to the countless travel nurses who rely on its service is providing ideal accommodations to suit each nurse’s particular contract or assignment length with a short distance to work. Their membership also carries over from location to location, making re-application unnecessary and transitions smooth.
Other PadSplit advantages include:
Quick access to the workplace. Living near work means that less of nurses’ precious free time is spent on the road, allowing opportunities to pursue personal interests and achieve a healthier work-life balance with better job satisfaction. PadSplit’s proximity to major healthcare employers and public transportation makes for convenient and quick commutes, especially for urgent, on-call trips. Some PadSplit residences even have specified space for vehicle parking, but if residents want to avoid the hassle of using their vehicle, Houston offers many alternatives that include buses, rental cars, rail, ride-share, and BCycle—a bike-share program currently offering over 90 stations.
Parking spots in downtown areas are at a premium, and hospitals try to make patients’ and visitors’ needs a priority. Some hospital campuses discourage driving to work by charging employees for parking. Often, the closer you live to the hospital, the higher the parking fee. On the other hand—to encourage alternate transportation to and from work and an active lifestyle—some hospitals offer a small stipend for employees who bike, walk or run to work. PadSplit affordable housing makes participation in that sort of bonus program doable.
Flexibility. Indefinite assignment length could play havoc with a lodger’s ability or willingness to follow a typical lease agreement. The duration of a travel nursing assignment varies depending on the facility. According to Trusted Nurse Staffing, it can be as short as two weeks, but six, eight, and 13-week positions are the most common. While most housing facilities demand a specified commitment and apply steep penalties when a lease is broken, PadSplit caters to traveling nurses’ need for flexibility by offering a 30-day minimum commitment and weekly stay options. Residents also appreciate the option to make rent payments weekly or bi-weekly.
The comfort of home. PadSplit’s single-occupancy requirement is perfect for medical staff who follow atypical schedules and require time away from health care’s fast-paced pressures. Most are looking for rest and relaxation when returning to lodgings after long shifts, and the luxury of having one’s own space meets that need. PadSplit residences are tastefully furnished to feel like home, and residents typically bring linen, artwork, and minimal kitchen supplies to add a touch of familiarity to their home away from home.
A respectful atmosphere. PadSplit members expect to enjoy a quiet atmosphere favorable for unwinding and decompressing. To that end, PadSplit implemented a Three Key Policy to quickly address disturbances to members’ sense of well-being. A series of official warnings lets violators know how they should adjust their conduct or risk a fine or eviction. An easy-to-use dashboard notifies violators about the perceived disruption and the need to remedy it. Covering everything from guest policy to vehicle parking, clearly stated membership rules leave no room for ambiguity, which ensures members enjoy a well-regulated community from day one. There’s also a 24/7 customer service call center available to handle any issues that may arise. More common, though, is using that same messaging dashboard to send shout-outs to members who are helpful and kind. Nurses, who often pull double shifts, value the daily specified quiet time required for all members to further promote their comfort.
An opportunity to save money and build credit at the same time: Recent nursing graduates appreciate that not only does their all-inclusive rent payment cover the private furnished room and all utilities, but it also includes free credit reporting. PadSplit reports membership payments to help members build favorable credit histories. Through a partnership with Esusu, 95% of PadSplit members have seen an improvement in their credit scores. More than 2,700 members established credit scores for the first time, and 95% saw an increase in their credit scores.
Rooms are move-in ready. Members can expect necessary utilities, including Wi-Fi, to be up and running from the start, and, unlike traditional rentals, utility costs are included in the price.
Think green. Short commutes and public transportation use mean reduced carbon footprints. As part of global sustainability efforts, PadSplit encourages members to conserve resources like electricity, water, and gas. Even small gestures add up—in warm climates such as Houston’s, PadSplit asks that windows remain closed to further conserve energy.
Keeping shift workers happy and secure. PadMates are subject to background screenings where available and employment verification, helping ease members’ minds about just who their housemates are. Straightforward membership rules remind PadSplit guests that their comfort depends on following high standards set by PadSplit’s governing body allowing residents to rest and relax as their schedule allows.
Healthy living consideration. Busy members appreciate on-site laundry facilities, saving time spent keeping scrubs and uniforms work-ready. Now, more than ever, it’s essential to focus on sanitation and hygiene. While members are responsible for keeping their residences clean and secure, many PadSplit locations also provide a once-monthly cleaning service for common areas.
Security first. PadSplit seeks kind, independent, responsible, and respectful members for a secure, shared community—people who understand that security is key to making that a reality. For security’s sake, applicants are screened to determine suitability for membership.
Member welfare is PadSplit’s top priority. That’s why access is strictly controlled and closely monitored. For security purposes and to ensure privacy, addresses and lock codes for PadSplit homes are not provided until move-in day. On move-in day, residents receive a welcome email from PadSplit that includes the address, newly created front door code, and information about the private room door lock.
Membership advantages. In today’s volatile rental market, prices are increasing, and many housing options require at least a one-year stay. As cost-of-living skyrockets, finding an affordable lease for less than six months is not easy. Travel nurses frequently relocating realize how networking with PadSplit hosts can make moving easier. When pulling up stakes and moving across the country, agility and flexibility are essential. PadSplit eliminates security deposits, freeing members from accounting challenges associated with keeping track of what’s been paid toward and what’s been returned from multiple—and expensive—fees.
The PadSplit lifestyle
As thousands of travel nurses explore a rewarding, fast-paced lifestyle in Houston, they’re taking advantage of a new kind of affordable housing that’s more than just a clean, modern furnished room. They’ve adopted the PadSplit lifestyle.
