By Melissa Wirkus, associate editor
August 4, 2010 - The freedom and endless choices that come along with travel nursing are what drive many RNs to take their nursing careers on the road. With so many choices out there, it helps to have some guidance, especially when making the decision about which location to select. From major metropolises to small, country towns, TravelNursing.com looks at the top destinations for travel nurses.
You may be asking yourself, “What makes a city a good destination for travel nursing?” Well, that answer varies from nurse to nurse, but it’s safe to say that pay rates, cost of living and range of opportunities are all factors that make up a desirable travel location. A nurse who is interested in working for a major hospital may find one city location more attractive than a nurse looking for an assignment in a more intimate setting. Like beauty, location preference lies in the eye of the beholder.
HOT cities for travel nursing that are also interesting places to go:
• Chicago, IL
• San Diego, CA
• New Haven, CT
• Anchorage, AK
• Los Angeles, CA
• Trenton and Atlantic City, NJ
Although pay is not always the deciding factor for travelers looking at several different locations for their next assignment, it is obviously an important part of the decision making process. So where can you find the best nursing pay?
According to the latest Occupational Employment and Wages report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), published in May 2009, California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Maryland and New Jersey are the top paying states for nursing. When it comes to travel nursing specifically, American Mobile Healthcare, an AMN Healthcare company, has many high-paying assignments in these states. .
Northern California, in particular, is a hotbed for travel nursing. Considering the variety of hospitals centered in a relatively small area, the high pay rates and exciting city life, it is no wonder that Northern California remains a favorite among travel nurses. American Mobile has a variety of top-paying travel nurse positions across all specialties throughout the Bay Area and in other Northern California cities.
The five highest-paying metropolitan areas for nursing in the United States are all in Northern California, according to the BLS report. They include: Visalia-Porterville; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara;, San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City; Oakland-Fremont-Hayward; and Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville.
While Northern California may have the high pay rates and plenty of job openings, some road warriors are looking for destinations that offer adventure, excitement and opportunities for new experiences and exploration. The State of Alaska, New York City and Las Vegas are three of those destinations. Travelers who enjoy the outdoors and working in smaller, more rural settings will find bliss in Alaska. Surprisingly, travel nurses are in high demand in Alaska, so there are usually plenty of assignments waiting to be filled.
New York and Las Vegas remain favorite destinations for travelers looking for some big-city fun, where even first-time visitors are sure to have an amazing experience. New York’s central location is also a great option for travelers from the East Coast who want to travel yet stay within driving distance of friends and family members.
What’s important to remember when looking for your next travel nurse assignment is that many of the higher paying positions are being offered to RNs only if they can start by a specific date. Being prepared with your state license and all documents in hand can help you land your next job in one of these desirable locations.
In addition to pay rates, lifestyle and type of hospitals in a potential travel location, cost of living is also an important element to be considered. Although most travel nurse companies, including American Mobile, pay for their nurses’ housing costs, a low cost of living is another important factor when comparing destinations for travel assignments. From fast food to dry cleaners, the cost for basic goods and services can vary dramatically from one place to the next.
According to the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), Oklahoma is the state with the lowest cost of living. States in the Midwest and South rated as the most affordable, with Tennessee, Nebraska, Texas and Missouri rounding out the list of the top five. The C2ER survey looks at a variety of factors to determine cost of living including the price of groceries, transportation, housing and health care.
When looking for a low-cost place to live, mid-sized cities in Middle America and the South will give you the most bang for your buck. Luckily, there are thousands of travel nursing opportunities available in these cities, giving you the opportunity to experience these interesting and affordable locations while earning great pay--before making any permanent moves.
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