Best Cities for Travel Nurses to Check Out This Spring
Perhaps, the biggest perk of being a travel nurse is the flexibility to choose your schedule. Travel nurses get to explore the world while fulfilling their career and passion. If you’re looking for your spring assignments, why not pair your destination with the right city to visit during this season. Check out these top-ranking cities to visit during spring, and whether you’re going on an assignment or as personal leisure, you’re bound to enjoy these cities at their fullest potential.
1. Manhattan, New York
Let’s start with New York City. During spring, you get a quieter time in the city, with fewer people overall. Not to mention, the weather is divine, not too hot or too cold, just between the 50s and low 70s. Walk around the bloomed city and embrace spring at its finest by taking a stroll down Central Park.
Don’t miss the orchid show at the New York Botanical Garden, when thousands of orchids from around the world transform the garden into a majestic tropical jungle. In the subject of flowers, stop by the Macy’s flower show and see close to a million flowers perfectly laid out around the store.
Enjoy the weather and take a short trip to Conney Island and explore New York from a different point of view. Finally, take advantage of the multiple spring festivals, and art shows happening around the city for a complete cultural experience.
2. Breckenridge, Colorado
Known as one of the most charming small towns to visit in Colorado, this ski-season favorite is also a must-visit in spring. Not only will lodging be at its cheapest, but you’ll also get to enjoy the beautiful weather as you explore this town.
Don’t miss the Breck spring Beer Festival for a unique artisanal experience. And enjoy some music with the Bud Light Concert Series, usually happening throughout spring.
If you want to live a more adventurous vacation, consider X-country (Nordic skiing), a type of skiing in which the toe of the boot is fixed to the binding in a manner that allows the heel to rise off the ski. Spring-time is the best time of the year to practice this style.
3. Sedona, Arizona
Get ready for a vacation that will blow your mind. Explore the openness and serenity of Arizona and get lost in its trails and canyons. With over more than 100 hiking trails, there always something exciting to try around here. Spring-time is peak season in Arizona thanks to its gorgeous weather, so make sure to plan your stay.
For baseball fans, Arizona is also home to Spring Training practices and games, making it the perfect city to visit during this time of the year.
Overall, you can choose from hiking, horseback riding, or just basking in the amazingness these natural mountains have to offer. Ask around and get an extensive list of all the national parks worth visiting in the area — none will disappoint.
Finally, take some time to relax! Sedona is home to celebrity-worthy spas and retreat hotels. Unplug from everything and enjoy a well-deserved vacation at one of their famous boutique spas.
4. Washington, D.C.
While Washington is a city you can visit year-round, spring is mainly a beautiful season to do so. First of all, the entire town is covered by blossoming cherry trees all over that give this ethereal and magical background to a somewhat cold-looking city. Not to mention, the weather is divine during this time of the year, usually in the high 50s and low 70s.
While you’re there, give yourself a few days to stop by and visit the dozens of historic landmarks. Honestly, it might seem that everywhere you look, you’re staring at a bit piece of history. From the White House to the Capitol and every other museum in between, there are countless opportunities for you to get in touch with your cultural side while visiting Washington.
Before you leave, make sure to stop by Georgetown. This small but crowded area is a must-see while in Washington. Experience a more youthful vibe to the city and bask in the beautiful colorful-painted doors that line up the streets. Stop by a few local bars, and don’t forget to enjoy some shopping at some of the local boutiques.
Remember to reach out to Stability to see if we can help you schedule your assignments during spring at one of these must-visit cities. Make the most out of your role as a travel nurse by exploring the world at the same time.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
Read More
Tips For Finding the Best Travel Nurse Housing
After working a long shift, you’re going to want to put up your feet and relax in a comfortable atmosphere. Luckily, there are several ways you can find the perfect housing for yourself. When looking for housing, you should write out a list of must-have features, such as your desired distance from the facility you’re working at, amenities you need (laundry on-site, a dishwasher, etc.), how much space you want, and whatever else you consider to be necessary for your living space. After you curate a list, you can turn to these methods of searching to find housing that checks off all of your must-haves:
AirBnB
AirBnB is a great option for housing, especially for a shorter-term placement. The website is easy to navigate, allowing a user to select a city (worldwide!), designate price range, view photos of the unit, and more. Their search tool is extremely customizable. It includes options to narrow down specifics, such as property type, extra amenities like a full kitchen, wifi, parking, and more. You can also choose to rent a full unit, like an entire house, or just a solo room. Additionally, for travel nurses looking for even more adventure on top of their traveling, more recreational-oriented stays are available from bungalows to tiny houses.
Craigslist
Craigslist is one of the most common search engines to find housing. There are plenty of gems posted by users, including long term rentals, short term sublets, and singular rooms for rent. Craigslist is worldwide and you can narrow your search down by city. There is an interactive map which shows which neighborhood the listing appears, usually on the street that the unit is on, so you can get a broad overview of where the unit is in relation to other places in the city. This makes it easier to see how far your rental will be from the facility you’re working at or the distance from places you frequent. There is also a list view if you prefer to view your options in that format.
HotPads
HotPads is geared towards those looking for a more straightforward rental. Although it’s mostly used to find apartments, more traditional homes are also available. On their website, there are a ton of unique, helpful tools, such as a commute time calculator. HotPads was created by three college students looking for housing themselves, so you know it’s focused on making things as easy for its users as possible.
Furnished Finder
Furnished Finder is a very common search tool for travel nurses and medical staffing companies. Furnished Finder is made specifically for traveling professionals, and excludes those who are looking to vacation. If you don’t want to manually search yourself, you can simply submit a housing request with your living space must-haves. Furnished Finder will alert property owners that fit in your criteria and directly connect you. As an added benefit, their Resources tab provides a significant amount of information, like how to stay safe and avoid scams while searching.
Overall tips and tricks to finding housing
- If you’re worried about moving costs, keep in mind that Stability Healthcare provides up to $600 in travel reimbursements for your assignment. Additionally, if you find your own housing, you may be eligible for a lodging subsidy.
- Stay safe and trust your gut. Most often, your instincts will be right. If a unit seems too good to be true, it’s best to look at other options. If you are able to check out the unit before moving in, view the unit with a friend or partner. Never meet with a stranger alone.
- Don’t forget about hotels! Some hotels offer discounts for those who are staying for an extended period of time. Most hotels have wifi, restaurants, a room-keeping service, etc. They also tend to be more flexible if something comes up and you have to cancel your stay.
- Check to see if the unit comes furnished or not. If you would prefer to skip the heavy lifting, see which units come fully furnished.
- If you are able to, check out the neighborhood before moving in. Does it seem safe? Is the street quiet? Is there night-life nearby that you’d like to join in on? Not only is your actual unit important, but the atmosphere it’s in is also extremely important. If you can’t physically go check out the neighborhood, check online to see feedback from those who have lived there or who are currently living there.
- Ask other travel nurses. The best way to get reliable information is from people who are currently working in your position. If you’re able to, ask them for advice or recommendations.
Stability Healthcare is an industry leader in travel nursing. If you’re looking for more resources, read more on our blog. You’ll find everything from Tips for Surviving the Night Shift to How to Navigate Health Insurance.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
Read More
Travel Nursing as a Couple – How to Make It Work
The field of travel nursing is fascinating for many. However, when it comes to relationships, things can get a bit challenging. Travel nursing involves many months away from home, different working hours, and continually moving from one city to another. These are things that can put pressure on couples. If you’re determined to make travel nursing as a couple work for the both of you, keep reading.
When You’re a Travel Nursing Couple
In an ideal situation, you both are travel nurses, which means you both understand the perks link to the career, as well as the downsides. When you’re both travel nurses, it’s easier to navigate the system to make it work.
Finding Assignments
While challenging, you could try to find assignments that help you be closer together. In this case, it’s best to work with the same travel nursing agency, as they’ll be able to work with both of you in finding the right type of assignments.
However, you also want to be flexible about the arrangements. In a perfect world, you’ll both have the same shift. But, in most cases, you’ll have to be a bit more flexible on shift hours if you want to have a higher chance of finding the same hospital or city.
Finally, be open about your plan with the agency. Let them know that you’re interested in finding an opportunity alongside your partner. If you’re both excellent nurses, it will be to their advantage to hire you both. As always, be flexible about the options. Just finding a job in the same city should be enough to help you make it work.
Arranging the Housing
One of the perks of being a traveling nurse couple is that you get to save on housing. There are many options to choose from. Some travel nursing agencies, have housing options, and are more than happy to assist you in finding a home for your assignments.
One of you can accept the housing offered by the agency while the other accepts stipend housing. This is an excellent option if you share your income. If you don’t choose the house by the agency, you can still find a tax-free housing stipend and split the cost of the rent.
Again, if you’re working with the right agency and the right recruiter, arranging housing as a traveling nurse couple won’t be an issue.
When Only One of You Is a Travel Nurse
In the case that only one of your works as a travel nurse, things can get a bit more challenging. As you probably already know, travel nurses have very flexible schedules and living arrangements. Fitting a couple-situation into this scenario requires a compromise on both ends of the relationship to make it work.
Someone Has to Compromise
Thankfully, travel nurses have a fantastic salary, health benefits, and other perks through their employment. One could say it’s enough for the other partner to leave their job and choose to travel with their partner on their assignment. In this case, someone has to make a compromise and decide if that’s what they want to do.
The partner without the job can become the travel assistant of the relationship. While so many agencies work with travel nurses to make their assignments as smooth as possible, it’s nice to have someone you trust help with all the travel arrangements. They can be the travel support person, who takes control of some of the logistics involved with moving to a new city, working at a new place, and so on. Plus, this will also give them a sense of purpose in your assignments.
Look for Alternative Options
Thanks to the new gig-based economy, non-travel nurse partners can also be productive and generate income. With ride-sharing apps, delivery services, and other gig-based jobs available, they don’t have to rely on a specific employer location to have a job.
Talk with your partner and see if they’d be interested in taking on some of these jobs while you’re on assignment. Hopefully, your salary as a travel nurse covers both of your expenses, so whatever your partner gets through their gigs is an additional income you both could use.
While challenging, traveling nurse couples can still live a normal lifestyle and enjoy their relationship without compromising their career. Working with a trustworthy and flexible agency is the key to making it work. If you still have questions about becoming a travel nurse as a couple, contact our representatives. They are always available to help answer any of your questions.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
Read More
The Best Travel Nursing Blogs
Whether you’ve been working as a travel nurse for years or you are just entertaining the idea, travel nursing blogs will have everything that you need. These blogs give you a peek into the life of a traveling nurse through various topics and stories. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best blogs, packed with helpful advice and information. With these resources, you’ll have answers to questions that you didn’t even know you had.
The Gypsy Nurse
When you go searching for information you are sure to come across The Gypsy Nurse. According to their site, it’s “the #1 most-recognizable brand in travel nursing today.” The website is easy to navigate because it is broken down into simple categories: a job board, resources, articles, reviews, events, and a community page. After signing up, you can access any of these pages. The articles tab is one of the most helpful. The page is updated often, and the articles range from “5 Things To Consider Before Quitting A Difficult Assignment” to “Travel Nurse Pets On Assignment.” Besides the blog posts being detailed, they’re also very personal. A majority of them use real photos and real life stories, providing an in-depth, realistic look into the lives of a travel nurse.
The Traveling Nurse
The traveling nurse is run by a travel nurse and is filled with plenty of stories, photos, and tips on how to give back while you’re a travel nurse. K Chandler Rosemont, the primary author, gives specific examples of philanthropy on the road, like being able to provide a Kenyan hospital with new scrubs. She has traveled to two countries – India and Kenya. On top of this, Rosemont also runs an Instagram that has amassed quite a following. Just by looking at her aesthetically pleasing photos, you’ll want to hop on your next assignment!
American Traveler
American Traveler’s travel nurse blog is a bit more on the traditional, information side. However, just because it may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing, doesn’t mean it’s not helpful! This particular blog posts extremely relevant information – like how the Coronavirus is affecting traveling nurses or what shoes are most comfortable during your shift.The blog has been active since 2015, so it has plenty of content to browse through.
Travel Nursing Blogs
A huge plus to Travel Nursing Blogs is the ability to “ask a travel nurse!” On this specific page, you can ask any question you may have. Questions are answered by David Morrison, who has two-decades-plus of travel experience. In addition to answering questions on the blog, Morrison actually wrote the Travel Nurse’s Bible, a book that acts as a detailed guide for a traveling nurse.
On the other hand, if you have questions specific to housing, you can submit a question to Jill Budler, who is the current Director of Housing at Medical Solutions.
Off The Clock Nurse
If you’re hungry for adventure, this is the blog for you. Off The Clock Nurse focuses a bit more on the travel side of things. Each post outlines a different adventure that the author was able to take while travel nursing, like visiting Oregon’s Tulip Festival. Browsing through the blog gives a great idea of some of the activities and trips you can plan while traveling. Each post describes the respective trip, with plenty of photos. Use it to help plan your own trips, find out the best restaurants to eat at, and read about some of the highlights of being a traveling nurse.
Stability Healthcare is an industry leader in travel nursing. If you’re looking for more resources, read more on our blog. You’ll find everything from Tips for Surviving the Night Shift to How to Navigate Health Insurance.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
Read More
What To Do in Kansas City On Your Day Off
One of the most appealing aspects of traveling nursing is the ability to explore. Kansas City is a quaint, mid-sized city in the Midwest, with plenty of fun activities for your day off. If you find yourself in Kansas City for your position, here are some of the best activities, restaurants, and sights the city has to offer.
Brunch at Morning Day Café
Morning Day Café has quickly become a Kansas City-staple. Not only is its home in a unique setting – specifically a tricked out shipping container in the Iron District – but the restaurants’ food is colorful too! Besides a selection of breakfast classics like house-made muffins and pancakes, Morning Day Café has a variety of filling brunch and lunch entrées, like their rosemary biscuits with bacon gravy or their walnut pesto penne. If you’re thirsty, take advantage of their cocktail selection. Morning Day Café is suitable for meat-eaters, omnivores, and vegetarians alike.
Pick up fresh flowers at the Kansas City Farmers Market
Kansas City has one of the best farmers markets in the country. Not only is the city smackdab in the middle of farmer territory, resulting in tons of fresh produce, but it also hosts a variety of self-made artists, bakers, and gardeners. Every Saturday, hundreds of people meet at the City Market to open their own booths and to see what others are selling. Spruce up your housing by picking up some fresh flowers from one of the vendors, and grab some fresh-made goods to stock your pantry while you’re at it.
Sit down for a cup of coffee at Oddly Correct
Oddly Correct isn’t only the perfect coffee shop to get some caffeine before starting your morning shift, but it’s also a great place to relax on a day off! There are plenty of tables for you to sit at, and outlets in case you need to give your phone a quick charge. Their black coffee is fantastic, but if you want something a little sweet, taste one of their specialty lattes, like their bourbon vanilla latte or berry-infused mocha. Oddly Correct is a prime spot for their prime coffee drinks and pastries, but another benefit is that you’re supporting locals, and the earth, too. Oddly Correct has been recognized for providing their employees with higher-than-average pay, and the shop has recently started using glass instead of paper cups, making it more sustainable.
Cheer on the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium
Football fan? Arrowhead Stadium is a hot-spot. Known for being one of the loudest stadiums in the country, Kansas City Chiefs fans take it to the next level. The team recently won the Superbowl (their first time in decades), and with young stars like Patrick Mahomes, they’re surely on the trajectory to continue being an excellent team. One of the best ways to fully get a feel of the Chiefs atmosphere is to rally up fellow traveling nurses and tailgate before the game.
Eat some BBQ at Jack Stack
Save some room for BBQ at Jack Stack. Jack Stack is a local Kansas City chain and known for their tender and flavorful meats. Bring this place up to anyone in the KC-area, and they’re sure to claim the fame as some of the best BBQ in the Midwest.
Take in the sights at Nelson-Atkins Museum
Nelson-Atkins Museum boasts more than 35,000 pieces of art, all meticulously taken care of. And, it’s all FREE for you to see! Besides its jaw-dropping collections, the museum has a sprawling campus, decorated with quirky sculptures (namely the Shuttlecock sculpture). Fun to go by yourself or in a group with other nurses, the Nelson-Atkins Museum can entertain you for a whole day. If you don’t want to commit to an all-day outing, check out whichever special exhibition they’re currently running.
Does Kansas city sound like a place you’d like to explore? See available positions at Stability Healthcare and get a start on your next adventure!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
Read More
Finding the Best Travel Nursing Agency for You
There are several factors to keep in mind when exploring which travel nursing agency to choose. Although there are hundreds to choose from, certain criteria should be met to parse through which companies are right for you, and which will help you succeed as a traveling nurse.
Stability Healthcare is one of the prime travel nursing agencies in California, and is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing throughout the United States. Not only is the agency reliable, but it’s also flexible. You can work with Stability Healthcare to design the best travel nursing experience for you.
Look below to see which factors you should keep in mind when selecting a travel nursing agency:
Is their website detailed and user-friendly?
One of the best aspects of being a traveling nurse is the right to choose where you go, where you live, and how long you travel. The traveling nursing agency’s website should be detailed and user-friendly, making it easier for you to reach those decisions, and to better help you have a great travel nursing experience. It’s helpful when the website is concise, but still offers in-depth information, and is organized in a way that’s easy to digest. A FAQ gives a great oversight of a company and directs you to specific pages that are more thorough, depending on what information you’re looking for.
A job page is also helpful. This gives every option broken down simply, allowing you to see the location, weekly salary, position specialty, and a review for each position. Creating a profile should only take a few minutes. Technology doesn’t make or break a nurse, but it certainly helps put you in control.
Does the agency work in your preferred location(s)?
Location is a critical decision for traveling nurses. If you’re working somewhere, you should like the city too! Stability Healthcare works with facilities nationwide and encourages you to apply for positions wherever you’d like, as long as you have an active license in the state. Additionally, you can choose to work in a variety of hospital settings, ranging from prestigious teaching institutions to small, rural facilities.
Another huge plus is that traveling nursing isn’t prohibited to just yourself. The agency you choose should offer the option to travel with other – family, pets, or another nurse to your desired location. Your travel nursing experience is in your hands, and Stability Healthcare is here to guide you along the way.
Does the agency aid in housing and are there traveling reimbursements?
Not only do you want to work in your preferred location, but you want to make sure you have a reliable roof over your head too! Housing varies depending on location, AirBnB, Craigslist, VRBO, Furnished Finder and Travelers Haven are all fantastic options to find safe, affordable housing. The agency should also provide details for rentals across the country, allowing you to more easily transition into your new position.
On the other hand, if you want to be more hands-on in finding housing, a nurse can also choose to find a place on their own accord. If they do, they are eligible for a lodging subsidy to help reimburse the costs. More information on this can be found in the GSA (General Services Administration) guidelines.
Stability Healthcare reimburses traveling expenses up to $600 for each assignment, relieving some of the financial pressure of moving.
What is the expected income and will you be insured?
Net pay depends on the agency, and you want to make sure you’re getting a package that fits all of your needs. Stability Healthcare we pay every Friday through direct deposit, so no need to make a trip to the bank! If you’re looking for a more specific breakdown on salaries, the salary page maps out the expected salary by position and by location.
Stability Healthcare offers several different packages, plus many other incentives. Starting on your first day, you will be insured by UnitedHealthcare, one of the country’s most reliable and largest healthcare providers. There are four different packages to choose from, so you can tailor to your specific experience.
Additionally, one of the most popular incentives that Stability Healthcare offers is the Extra Hours Bonus. Nurses who work extra hours are rewarded with pay above the average bonus rates. Some other incentives include paid time off (Stability Healthcare is one of the few agencies that offer this), resources to get free CEUs, and a 401(K) retirement plan (once you hit one year of employment).
Consider the need for travel nurses and the agency’s standards
One thing to keep in mind is the demand for travel nurses in the future. If you’re worried about job availability, fear not! According to statistics, the national need for travel nurses will have increased by 29% by 2020.
Stability Healthcare lays out clear standards for a successful traveling nurse. This is significant because it shows that the agency is transparent with their expectations, and illustrates how they’re motivated to make sure that their traveling nurses are eager to succeed. Some of these include, but are not limited to:
- Experience – Stability Healthcare suggests at least 18 months of experience beforehand to ensure a smooth transition into a traveling nurse position
- 1 year of acute care
- A valid license and proof to work in the US
Do you trust the agency?
Besides being able to choose where you live, your housing, and what your position is, another aspect to think of is trust between you and your recruiter. The great thing about Stability Healthcare is that it is recruiter free when you’re initially looking at positions. Instead of all of the back and forth, your recruiter can submit to the jobs that you choose. This is just another factor in the agency’s trust and flexibility. You truly are the only person making your decisions, with the aid of Stability Healthcare staff when you have questions. Stability Healthcare also has a myriad of testimonials praising the agency, which can be found on the reviews page.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
Read More
Top 3 Travel Nursing Placements for Outdoor Lovers
Travel nursing provides the perfect opportunity to adventure and explore places you’ve never seen before. It also is a great way to be in a place long enough to fully grasp what a city or town has to offer.
For those more outdoor inclined, there are countless placements that will give you a chance to see what Mother Nature has to offer. From the beaches to the forest, here are some of the best cities that will fulfill your nature needs:
Denver, Colorado
Nestled in between the plains and the mountains lies the city of Denver. As Denver grows, there are ample job opportunities for nurses. Just because this city is growing in urban terrain doesn’t mean that any of the surrounding natural wonders are diminished. Within the city, the Platte river allows for access to kayaking and more water-based activities right at your fingertips. Want more? Right outside the city new adventures await in every direction.
Satisfy your nature needs
- Explore everything that Red Rocks has to offer.
- Ride the The Winter Park Express ski train to the Rocky Mountains.
- Bike, jog, or kayak along the South Platte River.
- Take a weekend trip to Glenwood Springs to experience the natural hot springs and hike Hanging Lake.
Nursing
Click here to find current placements in Denver.
Weekly Pay Estimate: $800-$1,600
Billings, Montana
The city of Billings, Montana is the ideal place for someone who wants that small town feel, but with the plethora of activities that a big city offers. Montana is a state rich in nature and history. Depending on the time of year, you could spend your days skiing, or hiking in the sunshine. Listing all of the places and things to do outside in and around Billings would require its own article, so we’ve narrowed down a few options to help you get the picture.
Satisfy your nature needs
- Take a day trip and go float or fly fishing in the Yellowstone River.
- Explore caves filled with prehistoric pictographs in Pictograph Cave State Park.
- Visit Pompey’s Pillar.
- Watch the sunrise at The Rimrocks.
- Drive to Yellowstone National Park.
Nursing
Click here to find current placements in Billings.
Weekly Pay Estimate: $1,300-$1,700
Boise, Idaho
Situated on the edge of the mountains and high desert, Boise, Idaho is a hub for all sorts of outdoor opportunities. This inland city with a population of around 200,000 is more or less a hidden gem in terms of popular cities to live in. Despite its low profile, living in Boise gives you quick access to hiking and biking trails, rivers, streams, ski hills and mountains.
Satisfy your nature needs
- Ski at Bogus Basin.
- Walk or bike along the Boise Green Belt or float by its on the Boise River.
- Hike along the foothills on The Ridge to Rivers Trail System.
- Take a scenic drive to the Perrine Bridge that spans the Snake River Canyon.
Nursing
Click here to find current placements in Boise.
Weekly Pay Estimate: $1,200-$1,600
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
Read More