Bakersfield, CA · Furnished Short-Term Rentals · 13-Week & 6-Month Leases
Travel Nurse Housing in Bakersfield, CA
Furnished and unfurnished rentals for travel nurses and healthcare travelers near Kern Medical, Adventist Health, and Dignity Health — rented directly from local landlords.
For Travel Nurses & Healthcare Travelers
Find a Home in Bakersfield Without Platform Fees
- Direct landlord contact — no Furnished Finder or corporate housing fees
- 13-week and 6-month leases accommodated
- Many landlords open to furnishing — ask directly
- Pet-friendly options available
- All neighborhoods within 20 min of Kern Medical Center
- Single-family homes with private yards — not apartment-style units
For Bakersfield Landlords
Earn 20–40% More by Furnishing for Travel Nurses
- Travel nurses call from Zillow asking if you'll furnish — say yes and charge more
- Housing stipends run $1,500–$2,000+/week — nurses have the budget
- Background-checked professionals employed by major staffing agencies
- Defined 13-week contracts with clear end dates
- Bakersfield hospitals employ hundreds of travel nurses at any given time
- Low furnishing cost: $3,000–$6,000 pays off after one placement
Bakersfield Hospitals That Hire Travel Nurses
Bakersfield's hospital system is larger than most people expect for a city of its size. Kern County's population of nearly one million — spread across a huge geographic area — creates consistent demand for healthcare workers, which drives steady travel nurse assignments year-round.
Kern Medical Center
222 bedsCounty Teaching Hospital · Stockdale Hwy, Central Bakersfield
Largest public hospital in Kern County. Level II trauma center. Heavy travel nurse usage across ICU, ER, med-surg, and specialty units.
Drive time: 5–20 min from most neighborhoods
Adventist Health Bakersfield
254 bedsNon-profit Community Hospital · Truxtun Ave, Central Bakersfield
Active travel nurse program across multiple departments. Strong reputation for nurse culture.
Drive time: 10–20 min from most neighborhoods
Dignity Health — Mercy & Memorial
380+ beds combinedRegional Health System (2 campuses) · Multiple Bakersfield locations
Two campuses with high travel nurse volume. Memorial is on 34th St; Mercy is in central Bakersfield.
Drive time: 10–25 min from most neighborhoods
Bakersfield Heart Hospital
47 bedsSpecialty Cardiac Hospital · Fruitvale Ave, Northwest Bakersfield
Boutique cardiac specialty hospital. Travel nurses in cardiac, telemetry, and cath lab roles.
Drive time: 5–15 min from Northwest Bakersfield
What Travel Nurses Need: Furnishing Guide for Landlords
When a travel nurse calls from Zillow asking if you'll furnish — here's exactly what they need. A basic furnishing investment of $3,000–$6,000 can increase your monthly rent by $400–$800 and pay for itself within the first contract.
| Item | Priority | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bed frame + mattress (queen or king) | Essential | Travel nurses work long shifts — sleep quality matters |
| Dresser or wardrobe | Essential | They arrive with luggage, not moving boxes |
| Sofa or sectional | Essential | Living space for 13 weeks of off-shift downtime |
| Kitchen table + 2–4 chairs | Essential | Meal prepping is common — nurses eat at home often |
| Basic kitchen supplies | Essential | Pots, pans, plates, utensils, coffee maker |
| Wi-Fi / internet | Essential | Non-negotiable — nurses chart, study, and stream off shift |
| TV + TV stand | Recommended | Standard expectation for furnished units |
| Washer & dryer (in-unit) | Recommended | Scrubs need frequent washing — shared laundry is a dealbreaker for many |
| Desk or workspace | Recommended | Many travelers study for certifications or do telehealth on days off |
| Bed linens & towels (starter set) | Optional | Nice touch — many nurses travel with their own |
| Blackout curtains | Optional | Night shift nurses sleep during the day — highly appreciated |
The ROI of furnishing
A 3-bedroom home furnished for ~$5,000 and rented to a travel nurse at $2,200/mo instead of $1,600/mo unfurnished earns an extra $600/mo — recovering the furnishing cost in under 9 months. After that, every travel nurse placement is pure premium.
Why Travel Nurses Are Great Tenants
20–40% Premium Rent
Furnished short-term rentals command significantly above market rate. A 3-bed that rents for $1,600/mo unfurnished often fetches $2,100–$2,400/mo furnished to a travel nurse.
Low-Risk Tenants
Travel nurses are employed by staffing agencies, background-checked, licensed professionals earning $70–$120k+ per assignment. Eviction risk is extremely low.
Repeat Bookings
Nurses on back-to-back contracts at the same hospital often extend or return. Word travels fast in travel nurse communities — one good experience brings referrals.
Short Vacancy Cycles
13-week contracts end and new assignments begin constantly. With the right listing, your property rarely sits empty between placements.
Property Care
Healthcare professionals are accustomed to clean, organized environments. Most travel nurses keep rentals in excellent condition.
Zillow & Direct Inquiries
Travel nurses actively call landlords from Zillow and other platforms asking about furnishing. A landlord willing to furnish is immediately differentiated.
Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses in Bakersfield
Bakersfield is a compact city — most neighborhoods are within 20 minutes of any hospital. Here's what each area offers for healthcare travelers:
Oleander-Sunset
5–10 min to Kern MedicalQuiet, tree-lined neighborhood close to the hospital corridor. Affordable rents and a calm environment — great for recovering from night shifts.
$1,100–$1,700/mo unfurnished
Neighborhood guide →Northwest Bakersfield
15–20 min to most hospitalsSafest and most modern neighborhood in Bakersfield. Newer homes, good grocery stores, and a suburban feel. Popular with travel nurses who prioritize comfort and safety.
$1,400–$2,200/mo unfurnished
Neighborhood guide →Southwest Bakersfield
10–15 min to most hospitalsAffordable, centrally located, with quick freeway access. Good value for nurses who want more space for less money.
$1,200–$1,800/mo unfurnished
Neighborhood guide →Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does furnished travel nurse housing cost in Bakersfield CA?
- Furnished travel nurse housing in Bakersfield typically ranges from $1,800 to $3,200 per month depending on size, location, and amenity level. Most travel nurse housing stipends in the Bakersfield area range from $1,400 to $2,200 per week in total pay package, with housing stipends varying by agency and assignment. Many landlords price furnished rentals at 20–40% above the unfurnished market rate.
- Which hospitals in Bakersfield hire travel nurses?
- Bakersfield's major hospitals that regularly use travel nurses include Kern Medical Center (the county teaching hospital), Adventist Health Bakersfield, Dignity Health — Mercy & Memorial hospitals, and Bakersfield Heart Hospital. Kern Medical Center is Bakersfield's largest employer of travel nurses and is located in central Bakersfield.
- Can I find furnished housing in Bakersfield as a travel nurse without using Furnished Finder?
- Yes. Many Bakersfield landlords list directly on BakersfieldRentalHomes.com and are open to 13-week and 6-month furnished lease arrangements. Renting direct from a landlord eliminates platform fees charged by Furnished Finder or corporate housing companies. You can contact landlords directly to ask about furnishing and lease length flexibility.
- What neighborhoods are closest to Kern Medical Center for travel nurses?
- Kern Medical Center is located on Stockdale Highway in central-west Bakersfield. The closest rental neighborhoods are the Oleander-Sunset area (5–10 min), Southwest Bakersfield (10–15 min), and Northwest Bakersfield (15–20 min). Most of Bakersfield is within a 20-minute drive of any hospital due to the city's relatively compact layout and low traffic.
- Are Bakersfield landlords open to furnishing homes for travel nurses?
- Many Bakersfield landlords are open to furnishing or partially furnishing homes for travel nurses, especially for 3–6 month lease terms. Landlords who furnish typically charge 20–40% above the unfurnished market rate, which is usually well within a travel nurse's housing stipend. Contact landlords directly through BakersfieldRentalHomes.com to discuss furnishing and lease terms.
Have a Home Perfect for a Travel Nurse?
List your Bakersfield property and reach travel nurses directly — no platform fees, premium monthly rent.