The great thing about being an itinerant nurse boils down to one key component: it’s all about the journey! For those of us who love to move and see the world, travel nursing is our dream profession. There are many travel destinations available, depending on weather, activities, cost of living, and salary. So, I’ve put together a list of my “Top 10 Destinations” that nurses choose, based on the number of travelers who inquire about each location each month. Are you a traveling RN looking for a new assignment? So I would like to suggest the following ten “hot spots”:
HAWAII – It’s no surprise that Hawaii generates more than 500 travel nurse inquiries per month. The wide range of outdoor activities, from snow-capped mountains to snow-white sand beaches, elevates Hawaii to one of those meccas where you can build a snowman or sandcastle in a single day. The nurses tell me you’ll discover just about every kind of outdoor activity imaginable: hiking trails winding through erupting volcanoes, secret beaches, and lush green ranches. Many travelers also hunt, mountain bike, raft, and golf on some of the world’s most extravagant courses.
ALASKA – Traveling nurses are intrigued by the possibilities of Alaska’s rugged mystery. Alaska is a vast wilderness with beautiful scenery, and travel nursing assignments offer plenty of time to see and do as much as you like, whether it’s in the dead of winter under the northern lights or in the glorious spring and summer where there’s daylight. most of the time. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Alaska for its wildlife, spectacular natural scenery, and fishing expeditions where the fish really are as big as the stories they tell. Countless day cruises and sightseeing expeditions abound, as well as opportunities to hike, kayak, canoe, ski…need we say more?
MONTANA – Whether you’re a photographer, adventurer, or both, Montana truly is a state that beckons with open arms. River trips, fishing and camping, history, snow-capped mountain ranges and waterfalls are what you’ll find, along with plenty of open space to explore. Assignments in Montana attract those traveling nurses who just need some time to get away from the grind of the city and enjoy marching to the beat of a completely different drummer. Big Sky Country boasts some of America’s most famous mountains, canyons, river valleys, forests, grassy plains, badlands, and caverns, and many travelers find it compelling enough to keep coming back.
MAINE – Maine’s splendor has inspired artists like Georgia O’Keefe and three generations of the Wyeth family since the mid-19th century. Traveling nurses can’t resist at least one adventure at this charming getaway. Whether you’re embarking on outdoor adventures like skiing and snowmobiling, or prefer the cozy vibe of antiquing through charming towns or simply strolling or horseback riding on miles of fresh-smelling sandy beaches Salty, Maine is legendary and offers wonderful travel nursing. experiences. Its unique culture is outdoorsy and picturesque, and of course you can enjoy lobster just like the locals do, fresh from the ocean!
CALIFORNIA – Warm weather and world-famous beaches make California a favorite choice for traveling nurses. Nine hundred miles of coastline give nurses everywhere the opportunity to spend many hours near the waves; And for nature lovers, California is home to many wildlife parks, remote wilderness areas, and safe havens for endangered animals. If you’re a thrill junkie, you can explore a wide selection of theme parks; and no matter what your taste in music, concerts abound in all sorts of venues. Historic sites and museums beckon, as are five-star restaurants and clubs where you can see and be seen. The shopping is like no other, whether it’s in trendy Melrose Place, La Jolla or Venice Beach; and, of course, it is the home of Hollywood and, yes, movie stars. Whether in northern, southern or coastal locations, mobile nurses return to California time and time again.
WASHINGTON – The Evergreen State boasts the beautiful Pacific Ocean, the Cascade Mountains, desert experiences, rainforests, towering volcanoes, glaciers and a lush wine country. Washington state is high on the list of many traveling nurses. Must-sees are the Space Needle and Coulee Dam. The culture here is incredibly diverse; sophisticated, open-air, and packed with resorts, history, parks, museums, and botanical gardens. Whether scouring downtown Seattle for cozy antique shops and bookstores, exploring ancient Indian land, or hiking and biking up mountains or trails, Washington holds great appeal for many traveling nurses.
SOUTH CAROLINA – Endless adventure, excitement, fun and exploration is why South Carolina is always a favorite destination for traveling nurses. America’s oldest landscaped gardens frame heritage-filled mansions, along with pristine beaches and legendary swampy wetlands. For all golfers, with over 330 golf courses, there is always a new place to swing your clubs. But what fascinates many traveling nurses is the rich heritage in which South Carolina has paved the paths of culture, art, and folklore in our past. You can visit several historic areas and discovery centers for American history, including the American Revolution and the Civil War.
COLORADO – World-class winter skiing and summer music festivals in the mountains are just two reasons nurses love traveling to Colorado. With four spectacular seasons, Colorado is where traveling nurses can explore the state’s 18 million acres of state and national parks, forests, and monuments for biking, hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, and kayaking, to name a few. Colorado has many cultural treasures, including ancient Native American sites and dinosaur fossil exhibits, historic ghost towns, and even award-winning vineyards in Grand Junction. And for those who enjoy city life, in the midst of all this natural beauty are wonderful metropolitan areas like Denver and Boulder, filled with shopping, performing arts, and professional sports.
TENNESSEE – From energetic blues nights on Beale Street, to the beautiful rolling acres of Tennessee Walker Horse Country, to peaceful Smoky Mountain sunsets, Tennessee is a vacation that offers many world-renowned attractions. Traveling nurses visiting Tennessee will find that they are within a day’s drive of 75 percent of the US population via quality interstates and highways. Attractions in Tennessee include the Jack Daniels Distillery, Elvis’s Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and plenty of southern hospitality. And don’t forget the jewel in the crown of southern Appalachia, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
ARIZONA – If you love the outdoors, then the Grand Canyon State might be perfect for you. Nurses who go there simply rave about the Arizona landscape that encompasses high mountain ranges, rushing rivers, prairies, sand dunes, and cactus forests, all set against a beautiful sky that glows pink at sunset. Traveling nurses who enjoy history will find a lot here, including the reformations of the Old West, Native American nations, and areas of Spanish influence, all in one state. Arizona is also home to the best golf courses, resorts, spas, cabins, and ranches in the country.
As you can see, there are limitless possibilities for those nurses who want to make travel, fun and adventure a part of their daily lives. If you’re a traveling nurse and it’s time to move to a new location, try one of these top travel nursing destinations and see what new experiences await you.
