Healthcare Traveler - November 2008 - (Page 24)

Perks & preferences Living arrangements Nearly three-fifths of current and previous travelers signed up for company-supplied accommodations, and just over one-third said they opted for the subsidy or stipend to make their own living arrangements. This is up from 2 years ago, when a quarter of respondents exercised this option. Fewer individuals (6%) indicated they shared the costs with their travel agencies to upgrade accommodations, receive private lodging, or bring along spouses, families, or pets. Once again, seven out of 10 current and former travelers accepted the standard furniture package —typically a couch, loveseat, or chair, coffee table, end table, lamps, refrigerator, table with chairs, dresser and mirror, full- or queen-sized bed, and nightstand. An additional 17% of participants opted to cover a portion of the cost to upgrade furniture and appliance packages. However, 22% stated they weren’t offered any package, up four points from 2 years ago. In 2006, nearly 38% of mobile clinicians were provided with free housewares, a boon for those who wished to save packing space for additional personal items. The number of travelers who were provided with pots, pans, kitchen utensils, and other housewares this year remained relatively flat, at 36%. Of course, there were plenty of ideas about how to improve travelers’ home-away-from-home experiences. One clinician suggested “free housekeeping or maid services.” A few would like to see more housing options situated near public transit routes to save on gas during daily commutes, as well as apartments with washers and dryers in the individual units. Utilities are another area where professionals appreciated company assistance. Seventy-one percent of current and previous travelers stated that staffing agencies covered the cost of water and electricity. Slightly more than three-fifths said natural gas bills were paid. Only a small percentage (7%) was mandated to contribute a portion of the costs, which is in line with the previous survey. In some cases, travel companies paid $75 or more toward the monthly utility bill, with overages the responsibility of travelers. As might be expected with rising energy costs, the number of individuals Staffing companies offer a variety of benefits, from bonuses and cash to vacations and merchandise, as a show of appreciation. Circle Career Card No. 613 24 Healthcare Traveler November 2008 www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.VAcareers.va.gov http://www.VAcareers.va.gov http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - November 2008

Healthcare Traveler - November 2008 Editor’s Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes You Said It Perks and Preferences A Latitude Adjustment Drug Update Clinical Tips Advice of Counsel Cityscape Advertiser’s Index Name It When In. . . It’s in the Bag Contest Rules Big Deals Tax Facts Going the Distance Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - November 2008

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