Work Hard, Play Hard with Travel Nursing Jobs in the Northeast
By Jennifer Larson, contributor
The Northeast is home to some of the best states for travel nursing opportunities, hands down.
If you take a travel nursing job in Pennsylvania, Maryland, or perhaps Massachusetts or one its New England neighbors, you can expect an excellent professional opportunity to sharpen your clinical skills and build your resume. Plus, you’ll find a myriad of activities to keep you entertained when you’re not at work.
Not sure where to start? Check out some of the fun things you can do in these Northeastern states.
Note: During the ongoing COVID pandemic, be sure to check in before you visit any of these locations. Ask about operating hours and closures, as well as reopening dates.
Highlights for healthcare traveler jobs in the Northeast
Maryland
Some people will argue that Maryland is actually a Southern state; agree or disagree, you’ll still love the Old Line State.
Tour Annapolis. The capital city of Maryland is worth visiting for its historic district alone. Check out the colonial architecture, the wooden-domed Maryland State House, browse shops and galleries on Main Street, and be sure to eat some of the local seafood. Take a guided tour of the United States Naval Academy and its museum, too.
Eat and drink in the Inner Harbor. Baltimore’s a big city, and it offers the usual array of big-city attractions—plus a scenic harbor right in the middle of everything. This popular district known as the Inner Harbor is the setting for some of the best dining and entertainment in town. One area worth visiting on your healthcare traveler job is Fell’s Point, a popular waterfront neighborhood packed with seafood restaurants, brew pubs, bars and more.
Go sailing. It’s hard to narrow down a list of possible places to go sailing in Maryland because there are so many. Take a sunset sail on the Inner Harbor or take a cruise where you might learn a little something, like the History of Chesapeake Bay Sailing Tour. Want to learn to sail? Check out the Annapolis Sailing School or Baysail on the Chesapeake in Havre de Grace.
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Pennsylvania
There’s a lot of history to explore in Pennsylvania, too, especially in the City of Brotherly Love (i.e., Philadelphia). But that’s not all you can (or should) do.
Walk up (or down) a really steep street. The steepest street in the continental United States is none other than Canton Street in Pittsburgh, with its incredible 37% grade. You might recognize it, since it’s been featured in a lot of car commercials. Put it in your own videos and see what kind of reaction you get from your followers.
Have a beer in church. Pittsburgh has an affinity for giving old businesses new life as taverns. Grab a beer at Church Brew Works, formerly the home of St. John’s the Baptist Church, or try the former funeral parlor now known as The Abbey on Butler Street. You might also check out the Clark Bar & Grill, where the founder once made Clark candy bars.
Find your favorite cheesesteak. You could visit the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, or visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both adopted. But don’t you really want to figure out where the best cheesesteak is? Hint: start at Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks in South Philly.
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Massachusetts
You could spend all your time in Boston, and you’d never get bored (the Freedom Trail alone would keep you super busy!). But here are a few other things to do in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Visit Cambridge. Yes, Cambridge is most famous for being home to Harvard University. If you’ve never seen Harvard, it’s well worth your time. Take a walking tour and include some of Harvard’s museums if you have time. Stroll along the Charles River, and poke your head into the cafes and bookstores in Harvard Square. Feeling really ambitious? Check out MIT while you’re there, too.
Tour Lexington and Concord. History buffs, this one’s for you. The Battles of Lexington and Concord kicked off the American Revolution in April of 1775, and you can see where it all unfolded. Visit Minute Man National Historic Park and learn more about these consequential battles. Important historical sites include the Lexington Battle Green, the Minuteman Statue and the Revolutionary War Monument, and the Concord Museum.
Soak up some sun in Cape Cod. This scenic peninsula is popular for so many reasons, including its natural beauty, iconic homes and laid-back lifestyle. Visitors can revel in the 40 miles of coastline along the Cape Cod National Seashore. Other activities to pass the time: whale watching, biking, seeing a play, touring lighthouses, shopping in quaint towns and eating ice cream. Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket also take off from Cape Cod.
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The rest of New England
In addition to Massachusetts, the New England states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island have much to offer travel nurses on assignment.
Hike on the Appalachian Trail. If you wanted to, you could hike the entire length of the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine. But since you’ll be busy with your healthcare traveler job, you may need to consider shorter hikes along the trail, including some in the New England area. Maybe you’re eager to explore the Green Mountains of Vermont, the hardwood forests of Connecticut, or Maine’s highest mountain, the beautiful Mount Katahdin at the end of the trail. If you love hiking, the Appalachian Trail is sure to be a high point.
Go snowmobiling. If you’re in New England when there’s snow on the ground, this winter activity is a must-do. There are thousands of miles of snowmobile trails to explore, so you might want to go more than once! Rent a snowmobile to take out on your own, or sign up for a snowmobile tour with a guide in Vermont or New Hampshire.
Follow the Connecticut Wine Trail. The Connecticut Wine Trail boasts more than 40 wineries and vineyards across the state, including the Preston Ridge Vineyard and the Sunset Meadow Vineyards.
Find more travel nurse adventures:
Southern Hospitality, Fun and Adventure: Travel Nurses Can Find It All in the Southwest
Hawaii and the West Coast Beckon to Travel Nurses
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