One of the amazing perks of traveling for work is that you can choose where to spend the winter months.
If you’re looking for some ideas, take a look at our picks!
If You’re a City Slicker, Culture Buff, or Foodie
Cities always offer a wide variety of opportunities for nurses, but during the winter, you have the added benefit of holiday events, winter shopping, and even festivals.
Our top picks are:
1. New York City, New York
The Big Apple is home to a large number of renowned hospitals, including:
- New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell
- NYU Langone Medical Center
- Mount Sinai
In terms of things to do in the winter, you have your choice of:
- Broadway shows ranging from the old favorite Cats to John Waters’ Hairspray,
- shopping opportunities for every budget,
- watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve,
- and festivals like the NYC Restaurant Week from January 18th to February 5th.
But there’s so much more to discover, from opera to ballet and from museums to skating in the park.
2. Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City has some of the best hospitals in the U.S., including:
There are restaurants dishing out delicacies from practically every cuisine and micro-breweries where you can sample craft beers.
There’s the well-loved Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.
And for an unforgettable experience, take part in the Polar Plunge!
If You’re an Outdoor Enthusiast and Love the Sun
If you’ve had enough of snow and cold weather, why not seek out the beaches of Florida, the golf courses of Arizona, or the national parks of California?
3. Tampa, Florida
Tampa’s General Hospital provides top-notch services in multiple adult specialties—plus, there are many smaller hospitals in the area. However, with a large number of seniors who live in Florida, it’s important to be aware of the many interesting opportunities for patients who need palliative or hospice care.
And when you’re not working, you can enjoy the miles and miles of beautiful beaches around Tampa.
Whether you just want to relax in the sun, try your hand at kitesurfing, or go paddleboarding among the manatees, there’s so much to do!
4. Phoenix, Arizona
When we say, “Phoenix,” you say, “Mayo Clinic!”
Working at Mayo Clinic is, of course, an outstanding opportunity for any health professional. Since this facility is nationally ranked in a total of 10 adult specialties, there’s a good chance you can find a job in a specialty that interests you.
However, there are also other great hospitals here, including the Banner University Medical Center Phoenix and the nationally acclaimed Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
And how about spending your free time teeing off on every single golf course in the area? The Phoenix area is home to some of the best golf courses in the nation, and the mild weather makes it a perfect outdoor activity.
5. San Diego, California
San Diego was once voted the city with the best quality of life!
It’s home to:
- UC San Diego Medical Center-UC San Diego Health
- Naval Medical Center San Diego
- VA San Diego Hospital
Less than two hours away is Joshua Tree (“J-Tree”) National Park, a stunning landscape of stark boulders, thousands of Joshua trees, and desert flora and fauna that’s perfect for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking.
For an educational experience, sign up for a tour to learn about the area’s history.
And if you want a truly breathtaking experience, go camping. You’ll see some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world and the beautiful night sky.
If You’re a Winter Sport Enthusiast
Not everyone looks to warm weather as one of the best places to travel in the winter. For those of you obsessed with snowy, white powder, how about:
6. Colorado
If you’re into winter sports, then you’ve got to spend a winter in Denver or one of Colorado’s world-class ski resorts like Telluride, Aspen, or Vail.
However, it’s probably easiest to get a job in Denver—unless you get very lucky and/or have a nursing specialty like sports medicine or ER experience.
Denver’s top hospital is Porter Adventist Hospital, but the top-ranked hospital in the state is the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, located about 10 miles from downtown Denver.
When you’re not working, you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding at one of the many ski resorts; attending numerous festivals ranging from the 12 days of Aspen festival to the spectacular Breckenridge; or seeing tree lighting events, ice festivals, snow sculpting competitions, sports competitions, and much, much more.
If There’s No Place Like Home
If you love traveling but want to be surrounded by your loved ones during the holidays, there’s nothing stopping you from working in your hometown area for a couple of months.
7. Your Hometown
Make sure to discuss your wishes with your recruiter in a timely manner so he or she can help you find the right position and reach out to those in your network for referrals.
Confirm your living arrangements ahead of time, and once you’ve got it all worked out, allow yourself to relax and enjoy yourself!
Travel Assignments Are Perfect For Seeing New Places
As a traveling medical professional, you have the opportunity to see beautiful places whenever you’d like. Where do you see yourself traveling for the winter?
