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A Travel Nurse’s Guide To Living in New York City

Reviewed by Allie Lowe RN, OCN

Published: October 15, 2022

Read Time: 9 minute read

Updated On: July 29, 2024

Every year people move to the Big Apple chasing dreams, jobs, adventure, and a fresh start. But once you arrive, is New York City a good place to live? 

We’ll answer that question with a few of our own: Do you love word-class parks? Unique neighborhoods? Amazing restaurants? Unforgettable art? 

If you’re asking, “Is NYC a good place to live?” there’s only one answer—it’s an amazing place to live and an incredible place to work if you’re a travel nurse. With this city guide exclusively for travel nurses, we’ll help you figure out where to live, how to use the transit system, and other tips for embracing this iconic city.

Choosing Where to Live in NYC

Sometimes it feels like one of the first questions every New Yorker asks is “Where do you live?” That’s partly because people love their neighborhoods. 

New York is made up of five unique boroughs: 

• Staten Island

Manhattan sits in the heart of New York City and is home to young professionals beginning their careers right out of college, CEOs running Wall Street, and families of all sizes and demographics. The most noteworthy neighborhoods in Manhattan include SoHo, Gramercy Park, and Tribeca where you are surrounded by some of the best parks in New York City, such as Central Park and Bryant Park.

Known for its incredible food, live music, and street art, the culture in Brooklyn is unmatched. Located near Manhattan, Brooklyn is a unique borough in that it prides itself on its “under the radar” nature. In this borough, we promise you will never get bored as there is always something to do or somewhere to be. Enjoy a picnic in Prospect Park, pick up a slice at Midwood’s Di Fara Pizza, or attend a show at BAM Harvey Theater. 

If you want to enjoy city life while surrounded by nature, Queens is where you need to be. Astoria, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, and Forest Hill are four of the best neighborhoods to explore in Queens that provide gorgeous city-views of Manhattan without the Manhattan price tag. With a vast range of affordable housing options, the suburban feel of Queens is what attracts families and young adults that love and appreciate how ethnically diverse its population is.

Dubbed the most affordable borough, the Bronx is home to the original Yankee’s Stadium, the New York Botanical Garden, New York City’s “Real” Little Italy. Deeply rooted in culture, Queens’ residents are proud to live in this borough, however, with easy access to Manhattan and other surrounding boroughs via public transportation, residents can venture out and explore neighboring areas for a change of scenery. 

Last but not least, Staten Island. What makes this borough unique is that unlike Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, to get to Staten Island, a ferry ride or drive over Verrazano Bridge is required. The primary attraction of living in Staten Island is affordability, making it a great option for individuals and families especially who love and appreciate the hustle and bustle of Manhattan but want a quieter place to escape to at the end of the day. Filled with amazing restaurants and shopping, highly-ranked private and charter schools, and over 170 parks, Staten Island offers people of all ages and backgrounds a place to call home.

Depending on where you work, you might want to consider living in New Jersey, just across the Hudson River. Not only can this sibling state be more affordable, but it may even take less time to commute from Hoboken or Jersey City than from some NYC boroughs. (You can still have an awesome NYC living experience, even if you’re not technically living there—we promise!). So, how to find housing as a travel nurse ? 

When choosing where to live, it helps to factor in:

• Budget – Real talk: New York was ranked the fifth most expensive city in the U.S. for a reason. 1 But if you take the time to pick a neighborhood that fits your budget, you can still enjoy all of the amazing things NYC has to offer without worrying about finances. 
• Distance – New York City has a population of roughly 8.8 million packed into 472 square miles. That means it can take longer than you might expect to get from point A to point B. Before you settle on an apartment, try listing out the things you want to be closest to (friends, work, etc.), then check the commute time to each of those locations online. This way, you can find a place that lets you spend your time enjoying the city (rather than just commuting through it).
• Neighborhood vibe – Every New York neighborhood has its own energy, history, and community. Whether you want sleek Manhattan skyscrapers, hip Brooklyn street art, or tight-knit Queens communities, there’s something for everyone here.

Once you’ve narrowed down your housing search to the neighborhoods you’re interested in and have determined your ideal monthly cost, you can start scouting out housing or partner with a recruiter to narrow down your options. If you don’t see something you love, don’t worry—the New York City rental market moves quickly, so you’ll probably see plenty of new listings pop up as you get closer to your move-in date.

As lovely as it is to cozy up in your own apartment, you’ll get the most out of NYC when you explore beyond your front door. Let’s scope out some of the incredible things to do just a subway ride away.

#1 Urban Green Spaces

If you’re a nature lover, we have wonderful news: New York City has over 1,700 parks, recreation facilities, and playgrounds to explore. 2 Hit refresh and explore NYC’s outdoor locales like

• Central Park – Located in the heart of the city, Central Park features trails, fields, lakes, horse-drawn carriages, famous statues, and the John Lennon Imagine memorial. 
• The Highline – This raised train track was converted into a public park. Visitors can wander through peaceful trees while savoring amazing views of Manhattan surrounding it. 
• Prospect Park – Designed by the same team that created Central Park, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park features gorgeous lake views, forested trails, and picturesque fields. 
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – For amazing views that include Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Statue of Liberty, spend an hour strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge and have a picnic in this promenade. 

#2 The Performing Arts

Famous for its incredible arts scene, NYC is the perfect place to catch a show. We recommend:

• Broadway – If you love theater, try browsing TodayTix, which features some of the best theater New York has to offer. 
• Lincoln City Center – You can see performances from the New York City Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera, along with other events at the iconic Lincoln City Center.
• Concerts – If you love live music, try catching a concert at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, or a host of smaller local venues. No matter your taste, this city has something for every music lover.

#3 World-Class Museums

As of 2022, New York City has 145 museums. 3 Some of our favorites include:

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Arguably one of the most famous art museums in the world, the Met includes classical Greek and Roman statues, paintings from the Impressionists, ancient Egyptian art and artifacts, Tiffany stained-glass pieces, and so much more. Plus, New York City residents can choose how much they want to donate instead of paying the standard ticket price. 
• American Museum of Natural History – Whether you love natural history or just the Night at the Museum movies, there’s something undeniably fun about dinosaur skeletons and a model of the solar system that takes up a full room.
• MoMA  – A must for lovers of modern art, the MoMA features arresting art collections ranging from the 1940s to the present.
• Guggenheim – With a historic building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim features Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art. 

You can also find exhibits in unconventional spaces. For example, in addition to the iconic stone lions out front, the New York Central Library hosts free exhibits throughout the year.

#4 Unbeatable Shopping

Whether you’re window shopping or treating yourself, it’s always a treat to pop into local stores. If you’re looking for a place to start, try checking out:

• Bookstores like The Strand, Argosy Books, Books of Wonder, Greenlight Bookstore, The Corner Bookstore, and McNally Jackson Books
• Chelsea Market , which hosts a range of delicious restaurants and trendy boutiques 
• Fifth Avenue , which is lined with iconic high-end stores (this is for all you devoted fashionistas out there!)

#5 Restaurants Galore

If you love trying out new restaurants, you’ll eat your heart out in New York. 

Some of our favorite spots include:

• Breakfast – Black Seed Bagels, Peter Pan Donut, and Pastry Shop
• Comfort food – Blue Collar, Best Pizza, Katz’s Delicatessen, Lucali Brooklyn, Amy Ruth’s
• Drinks and fun – Royal Palms, Brooklyn Winery, Barcade
• Foodie-approved – Falansie, Via Carota

Whatever your dining preferences, there’s always something new and delicious to taste.

Tips for Moving to New York City

Looking for general advice for moving to a new city ? If you’re a travel nurse, you’ve probably got the moving steps down pat (updated mailing address? check!). However, a New York City move can come with its own quirks. 

You can prepare for a smooth NYC move by:

• Packing light – Many apartments run smaller than other areas of the country, so we recommend channeling your inner Marie Kondo and packing only the things that spark joy. 
• Minding the stairs – A lot of older buildings don’t have elevators, so if you’re moving or buying anything heavy, you may want to hire movers. When they ask for the stair count on your new building, remember to include any outdoor steps leading into your building.
• Learning your transport options – Ranked the number one public transit system in the U.S., NYC’s public transport includes a 24-hour subway system and bus system. 4 You can also use other train systems like the Path, NJ Transit, or Amtrak to visit nearby cities. 

When public transit won’t cut it, you can also take a taxi or a rideshare like Lyft or Uber. Taxis don’t use surge pricing, so if you’re planning on catching a cab at a high-demand time of day, they can often prove cheaper than other car options. While many New Yorkers have cars, particularly in the outer boroughs, you don’t need one, especially if you live in or close to Manhattan. 

• Shopping light – If you’re shifting to a public transit lifestyle for the first time, you’ll probably want to change your grocery shopping to make several small trips a week instead of one big one, since you’ll have to carry it home yourself. Alternatively, you can order your groceries online and have someone else deliver them to you.

Ultimately, there’s a reason why New York City living has reached legendary status. But the secret to feeling at home in NYC isn’t mastering your Metrocard swipe or scoring a table at the latest A-List restaurant—it’s treating your time here like an adventure you get to build along the way.

Make Your New York Dream Real with Host Healthcare

At Host Healthcare , we’re dedicated to matching Nurses, Allied and Therapy professionals to their dream travel healthcare positions across the country. We offer premium employment benefits, access to high-paying job opportunities, and a responsive support team ready to help you settle into your new job and new city.  No matter where you want to jet-set next, we help you thrive as a traveler and find yourself with travel nursing . Apply today to join the Host Healthcare community to learn what your next adventure could look like, (in New York City and beyond).

Reviewed by:

Allie Lowe RN, OCN

Nursing Specialty: Medical Oncology, Telemetry/Cardiac Acute

I started my nursing career in a Medical/Surgical/Oncology unit where I was able to really connect with my patients’ long term, which I absolutely loved but always knew I wanted more of a challenging environment. During my time of being a nurse I have been able to work my way through Cardiac Acute/Telemetry, COVID ICU and Emergency Department. I am still working as a Team Lead on a Cardiac Acute Telemetry floor when I am not working at Host- this way I get the best of both worlds of advocating and coaching fellow nurses on travel assignments and still have my own direct patient care. The beauty of nursing is that there truly is an unlimited number of specialties & areas you can pursue! When I am not working, I’m most likely taking my dog out on hikes, surfing or eating tacos in sunny San Diego. 

• Fernandez, Celia. “These Are the Most and Least Expensive Major U.S. Cities Based on the Average Cost of Monthly Expenses.” CNBC , CNBC, 3 Oct. 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/03/the-most-and-least-expensive-us-cities-based-on-household-spend.html
• “Frequently Asked Questions.” Frequently Asked Questions : NYC Parks , https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/faq#:~:text=New%20York%20City%20has%20more,partial%20list%20of%20our%20parks
• “Museums in NYC: The Complete List (2020).” Museum Hack , 28 July 2021, https://museumhack.com/museums-in-nyc/
• The 10 Best Cities for Public Transportation – US News & World Report . https://www.usnews.com/news/cities/slideshows/10-best-cities-for-transportation

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Is a Disney Theme Park Vacation Still Worth the Price?

As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves if they should rethink their vacations.

By Tariro Mzezewa

Earlier this year, Jake Williams, a filmmaker and content creator in Toronto, made his long-awaited return to one of his favorite places on earth: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. After traveling to Disney World and Disneyland multiple times a year since childhood and becoming an annual pass holder as an adult, Mr. Williams hadn’t been to a Disney park since 2019.

“As someone who went all the time, it’s crazy to me that I hadn’t gone to a Disney park in that long,” he said in a phone interview. “It’s a special place. ”

Before his trip, Mr. Williams heard about some changes at Disney World, but he didn’t anticipate how different things would be, starting at the airport. Since his last visit, the company had gotten rid of the Magical Express, a free bus that for more than 15 years shuttled people from Orlando International Airport to their Disney resorts. Guests must now take a shuttle that costs between $23 and $30 per adult each way, depending on the time of year, use a ride share service or rent a car.

To Disney-goers, the end of the Magical Express speaks to a larger issue: The cost of being at the happiest place on earth is going up while the perks are going away. As the company has raised the price of tickets and hotel rooms, and added costly, difficult-to-navigate tools to book rides as replacements for previously free products, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves if it’s still worth it.

Mr. Williams said that a day in the Orlando parks and a one-night stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort cost a “jaw-dropping” $886.34 for two adults. He decided to calculate how much the same trip cost in 2017 — a year when he visited the park several times. The cost: $567.90. Even accounting for inflation, he was stunned.

“It’s hard to justify going to Orlando rather than, like, Iceland,” he said. “When you have a budget like this, you can go a lot of places and see and do a lot of things. You could even do a Disney cruise for less than that.”

Epcot’s Italy, or Italy?

He’s not alone. Len Testa, president of Touring Plans , a site that helps travelers organize Disney trips, and a co-author of “The Unofficial Guides to Walt Disney World and Disneyland,” said that he increasingly hears from Disney lovers who are now planning other types of vacations.

“At some point a Disney vacation starts competing with ‘Let’s go see Europe’ and I think that’s what a lot of people are doing,” Mr. Testa said. “I’ve had a number of people in the last few years say, ‘We priced it out and we could take our children to eat pizza in the Italy pavilion in Epcot or for the same money we could actually go to Italy for two weeks. We’re going to go to Italy for two weeks.’”

For Mr. Testa, collecting data about Disney is a passion. In the late ’90s, as a graduate student in computer science he decided he wanted to build a computer program that could help people navigate Disney World as efficiently as possible. That research continued through his Ph.D and the program he created turned into Touring Plans. His team of developers and data scientists model what’s going on at Walt Disney World on a minute-by-minute basis every day. The data they’ve collected in recent years shows that the cost of a Disney World trip, on average, has gone up almost 25 percent since 2019. Seventy percent of that increase is for services that used to be free.

The prices of parking and entry tickets have consistently risen in recent years. In 2022 ticket prices went up two times. In 2023 annual passes saw a $30 to $50 increase, depending on the tier, while multiday tickets also went up. A one-day ticket to either of Disney’s U.S. parks now costs $109 for anyone over the age of 10.

One analysis concluded that between 2014 and 2025, the base price for tickets has gone up 32 percent and increased by 90 percent for the highest-priced tickets. In 2025 the base price for an adult one-day ticket will be $119 and the higher tickets will be $199. Hotel prices have also risen. The cheapest hotels at Disney World now cost an average of $187 per night, according to Disney Magic Guides , a resource for planning trips to the parks.

In an earnings call this week , Disney’s leaders acknowledged that they’ve seen a slowdown at the parks and that, because of the economy, lower-income visitors are financially stressed, while higher-income guests are traveling internationally. And Disney is not alone: Tickets for Universal Studios in Florida and in California often cost as much as Disney tickets. In July, Comcast said Universal’s revenue fell by 11 percent in the prior quarter, with visitors turning to cruises and international travel.

In an email, a spokeswoman for Disney said the company is always trying to offer guests an array of tickets and experiences. To the company, and its most loyal fans, she said, the value of the experiences is worth the price.

“We are purposeful about creating more ticket and hotel price points than ever before to provide guests a variety of opportunities to visit our parks,” she said, adding that “a visit to a Disney theme park is a 10- to 16-hour experience with attractions, entertainment and more.”

Apps overload

For many guests, price isn’t the only hurdle. Visitors now have to navigate several new apps and tools if they want the best chance at getting on the most popular rides. In the past, they could get a free FastPass, which allowed them to go to the front of a line for a ride. In 2021, Disney replaced the FastPass with a digital feature called Genie+ that park goers had to pay for and that was supposed to make booking rides more efficient. Instead, it caused so much confusion that content creators started making videos that showed viewers how to “hack” the tool.

To get the best out of Genie+ guests had to buy the app early in the morning ( avid park-goers recommended doing so at 6 a.m.) and then, at 7 a.m., they would book rides for the day. They could only book more rides after they’d completed their first activity or two hours after making their first reservation. And they couldn’t choose what time they wanted to get on a ride — Genie+ would do it for them. Mr. Testa said all of this led to “Disney complexity fatigue.”

“ God forbid on your vacation, you want to go back to your hotel and take a nap,” Mr. Testa said. Others said having to always be on their phones took away from the experience of being on vacation.

Disney heard the complaints. In July, Genie+ became Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which makes it possible for people to reserve rides ahead of time, instead of on the day they are in the park. The new system, which starts at $30 a day, is an attempt at mixing Genie+ and FastPass, but only those willing to pay extra can use all the features. The Disney spokeswoman said that so far, guests are “very pleased” with Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Reviews on social media show that it may be too soon to tell. On Reddit, reviewers lamented the different prices for Lightning Lane passes, with one person saying she “despised the process” of booking in the new system so much she felt like throwing her phone.

Jeremy Sonkin, a Chicago-based content creator who makes videos about theme parks, was at Disney World on the first day the new system was available. He said the new app is less confusing than Genie+, but it doesn’t feel like an upgrade.

“The idea and thought behind trying to bring back the ‘Fast Pass plus’ system is correct, but it’s not a level playing field and I can see this causing just as much, if not more, frustration from guests,” he said.

Greg Antonelle, the managing director of MickeyTravels , a travel agency that focuses on booking Disney trips, said his company is having a great year, with travelers looking to experience new rides like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , which replaced the old Splash Mountain ride. He said that complaining about Disney is par for the course.

“We’ve been in business for 13 years and we’ve heard complaints about cost for 13 years,” Mr. Antonelle said. “It’s nothing new.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article misstated the starting month of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disney World. It started in July, not June.

How we handle corrections

Tariro Mzezewa, a former national correspondent at The Times, is a reporter who writes about culture and style. More about Tariro Mzezewa

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Lake Como, Italy:  Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here’s an insider’s guide .

South of France:  Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped  by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Disney Theme Parks:  As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves  if they should rethink their vacations.

Helsinki, Finland:   Explore the stunning architecture  of the new central library, browse treasure-filled shops in the Design District, sweat in a wood-burning sauna, sip cocktails on a schooner and trek across islands in the surrounding archipelago.

Salzburg, Austria:  The compact Austrian city of medieval alleys, majestic Alpine views and just 150,000 residents bursts to life in the summer .

NYC Travel Nurse: “I Didn’t Expect THIS To Happen At Orientation”

“Hello Matt, this is your recruiter! Pack your bags, you’re headed to New York!”

A wave of excitement poured over me as my mind’s eye rushed to crowded streets and hard knocks.

I had just completed my most recent assignment in Los Angeles. In fact, when my Recruiter called, I was 60-miles into a cross-country road trip. The details were finalized, contract signed and – as my recruiter ordered – bags were packed.

Get started with travel nursing! 

Welcome To The Big-Apple

After an amazing 4-day road trip across the southern US filled with Texas BBQ, Beignets in New Orleans, and blue crab dockside in Maryland we finally drove up in our hotel for the night. The sounds of birds and trees were quickly replaced with people and machines. There was an indescribable romance to it all.

The smells, clanging steel of the subway, and a thousand conversations offering snippets into the variable human existence. There was a rumbling excitement, almost palpable, to get thrown into the fray and test my mettle in the rat race to end all rat races. This is a literal Iron Man of daily living.

Shocker: If You Fail The Exam…You’re Fired.

After checking in I get an email: “You are to report to the 6 th floor of the hotel at 20:00 for an exam prep session. Attendance is strongly encouraged; this exam isn’t easy.” Exam? What… exam?

Our coordinator enters the room, she had just finished a 12-hour shift on the floor and still has an hour commute after this, so we get to it.

“You’ll be taking anywhere from 3 to 5 exams tomorrow morning first thing. If you fail any of them, you walk. I am here to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

She has that quintessential New Yorker demeanor and accent, I can feel my resolve crumbling already. We wrap up around 11 pm (yes, 11 pm) with little more than illegible napkin scribblings I’ve used to dry my tears and free dinner; cannon fodder for my nausea. I got little sleep that night – as it turns out using old nursing textbooks as pillows weren’t as comfortable or an effective study method.

Want to see new places while helping people around the country?

Nurses Are Sent Home All Around Me.

The next morning, we arrive at the orientation site and file in. After short hello’s (and mental goodbyes) we head to the testing area where I spend the next 2 hours in mental assault with 5 exams while fellow nurses are being sent home all around me. One from this row, one from that row. I give a moment of silence realizing all they have done to get here – only to be sent home.

The experience was utterly brutal, but this is what I came here for, this is the New York I wanted to stand up against. These are the people and experiences I dreamed would mold me and add something not available elsewhere.

“I better have my act together”

Sprinkled in amongst the grit and fast pace are glimmers of human kindness. A smile here, a joke there, even a few compliments exchanged.

I remember thinking to myself that below the hardened surface are good, nice people.  I better have my act together. If I work hard to meet their standards I shouldn’t have a problem. The door to a New Yorker’s heart is there, I just have to open it.

After 5 exams, several breathless guesses and countless coin tosses I made it. I still had a job. We head back down to the classroom to begin hospital orientation.

Wait a minute… the patient ratio is what?

Want a fresh start? Looking to meet new people in a new place?

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Home / Nursing Articles / 10 Pros and Cons of Becoming a Travel Nurse

10 Pros and Cons of Becoming a Travel Nurse

Pros of Becoming a Travel Nurse

Cons of becoming a travel nurse, latest articles & guides.

Becoming a travel nurse is an exciting and rewarding career choice that allows healthcare professionals to combine their passion for nursing with a sense of adventure. Travel nurses work in various healthcare facilities across the country, from hospitals and clinics to long-term care facilities and more. While this career offers numerous benefits, it also comes with its unique set of challenges. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of becoming a travel nurse to help you make an informed decision about this career path.

1. Adventure and Exploration

Exploring new places is one of the most appealing aspects of being a travel nurse. Travel assignments can take you to different cities, states, and even countries. You’ll have the chance to experience diverse cultures, try different cuisines, and immerse yourself in new environments. Travel nursing provides an ideal platform if you love adventure and discovering new places.

2. Competitive Salary

Travel nurses often earn a higher salary compared to their permanent counterparts. Combining a base salary, tax-free stipends for housing and meals, and other benefits can be financially rewarding. Additionally, you may receive sign-on and completion bonuses for specific assignments, further boosting your income.

More about RN salary : nurse practitioner salary , nurse midwife salary , nurse anesthetist salary .

RELATED : Male vs Female Nurse Salary

3. Flexibility and Independence

Travel nursing offers a high degree of flexibility. You can choose your assignments based on your preferences and availability. This autonomy allows you to create a work schedule that suits your lifestyle. You can take time off between assignments to relax, spend time with family, or pursue personal interests.

4. Skill Enhancement

Travel nursing provides an excellent opportunity to diversify your skill set. You’ll work in various healthcare settings, encounter different patient populations, and adapt to varying hospital protocols. This broad experience can make you a more well-rounded and adaptable nurse, enhancing your professional growth.

5. Exposure to Best Practices

As a travel nurse, you’ll be able to work in cutting-edge healthcare facilities alongside experienced healthcare professionals. This exposure allows you to learn from the best in the field and observe the latest advancements in healthcare practices and technology.

6. Building a Strong Resume

Travel nursing experience looks impressive on a nursing resume . It demonstrates your ability to adapt, willingness to take on new challenges, and capability to work in diverse healthcare settings. This can make you a desirable candidate to future employers.

7. Opportunities for Continuing Education

Many travel nurse agencies offer educational benefits and opportunities for continuing education. These can include tuition reimbursement, free online courses, or financial assistance for advanced certifications . Enhancing your education while working as a travel nurse can further boost your career. Learn more about RN CEUs .

8. Diversity of Assignments

Travel nurses can choose assignments in various specialties, such as critical care, labor and delivery, emergency room, pediatrics, and more. This allows you to gain experience in areas that interest you and align with your career goals.

9. Tax Advantages

Travel nurses can take advantage of tax benefits, including tax-free housing and meal stipends. These perks can significantly reduce your taxable income, lowering tax liabilities.

10. Enhanced Network

Working in different healthcare facilities means meeting numerous healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. Building a broad network can benefit your career and provide access to valuable connections in the industry.

1. Constant Change

Travel nurses frequently change their work environment, colleagues, and patients. While this can be exhilarating, it can also be emotionally challenging. Adapting to new surroundings and forming relationships quickly can be demanding.

2. Uncertainty

Travel nurse assignments can be uncertain. While agencies strive to provide consistent work, the availability of assignments can vary based on market demand. This unpredictability can be stressful for those who prefer a stable work environment.

3. Distance from Home

Travel nurses often have to live away from their permanent residences during assignments. This means time spent away from family and friends, which can be emotionally taxing, especially for those with close-knit relationships.

4. Adjustment Period

Starting a new assignment can be challenging. It would be best to quickly adapt to the facility’s procedures, staff dynamics, and patient populations. This adjustment period can be stressful, mainly if you work in a high-pressure environment.

5. Benefits and Retirement

Travel nurses may not always receive the same benefits as permanent staff, such as retirement plans or paid time off. This can be a drawback for those prioritizing long-term job security and benefits.

6. Licensing and Credentialing

Obtaining and maintaining licensure in multiple states can be complicated and time-consuming. Travel nurses must navigate the licensing requirements for each assignment location, which can involve paperwork, fees, and additional testing.

RELATED : RN License Transfer and NLC Guide

7. Limited Say in Assignment Location

While travel nurses can express their preferences for assignment locations, they may not always have the final say. Your agency might assign you to a location that doesn’t align with your top choices or preferences, which can be frustrating.

8. Loneliness and Isolation

Travel nurses may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially if they’re in a new city without a support system or friends and family. Establishing a sense of belonging can be challenging when you’re frequently on the move.

9. Housing Challenges

Finding suitable housing for each assignment can be a hassle. While agencies often assist with housing arrangements, finding accommodations that meet your needs and preferences can still be challenging.

10. Unpredictable Patient Populations

Each assignment brings a different patient population with unique healthcare needs and challenges. While this variety can enhance your skills, it can also be emotionally demanding, especially when dealing with complex cases or high patient volumes

One of the keys to success as a registered nurse is embracing lifelong learning. Our articles and guides address hot topics and current events in nursing, from education to career mobility and beyond. No matter where you are on your nursing journey, there’s an article to help you build your knowledge base.

Browse our latest articles, curated specifically for modern nurses.

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Harris to embark on a seven-state campaign blitz with her VP pick

Vice President Kamala Harris will set out this week on a swing-state campaign blitz, giving her a far heavier travel schedule than her opponent, former President Donald Trump.

It will be a critical week for Harris, who is rushing to introduce herself to voters with just three months until Election Day. It will also be the first time she will appear with her yet-to-be-announced running mate.

Starting Tuesday, Harris will campaign across seven swing states over five days, one of the heaviest weeks of campaign-related travel in the general election.

Her team has vetted six contenders to be her running mate: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Walz, Shapiro and Kelly each met separately with Harris on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the meetings.

Harris is set to appear alongside her running mate for the first time Tuesday in Philadelphia , where the pair will kick off the cross-country tour.

Her travel swing is a stark contrast to the pace of Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump has delivered remarks in 10 states since the June 27 debate, while Biden traveled to campaign stops in eight states during the final 24 days of his candidacy. Harris’ travel this week will take her to seven states in less than a fourth of the time.

Harris will visit five states that she and Biden flipped blue in 2020: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Arizona. She will also make stops in North Carolina, which Biden lost by a slim margin, and Nevada, where Democrats won narrowly.

The trip highlights the generational gap between Harris compared with Biden and Trump, Democratic allies said.

Biden’s candidacy was consistently plagued by voter concerns about his age, and his final weeks as the presumptive nominee were punctuated by a stream of congressional Democrats urging him to pass the torch to a new generation.

“Age really does matter” when it comes to a candidate’s ability to commit to long campaign trips, said Amanda Renteria, who was the national political director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

Harris, 59, is a generation younger than Trump, 78, and Biden, 81.

In 2020, Biden was the oldest presidential winner in history. If elected, Trump would be the oldest sitting president by the end of his term.

“It is amazing what candidates can do when they’re traveling around, and you don’t know what time it is, and you don’t know what day it is, but everyone’s in it,” she said. “And you can only sustain that for so long. And when you’re at the age of Trump, I don’t know how you keep up with that.”

Trump is scheduled this week to hold a rally Friday and deliver remarks at a dinner in Montana, a state he won in 2020 with 56.9% of the vote. He is also scheduled to hold a fundraiser Saturday in Colorado, which Biden won by a similar margin in 2020. Neither state is considered to be a swing state.

Reached for comment, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung pointed to the overall difference in the number of Trump and Harris campaign trips.

"In this cycle, President Trump has by far visited more battleground states, held more rallies, held more fundraisers, done more interviews and engaged with local reporters," Cheung said of Trump, who launched his campaign more than a year and a half before Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee.

"Kamala Harris can’t even give a simple media interview since she was anointed the Democrat nominee," he continued. Harris has not held a sit-down media interview since Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, though she has answered journalists' questions in media gaggles.

In the days after Biden's widely panned June debate in Georgia, his campaign was in damage control mode. Biden spoke at a North Carolina rally and traveled to fundraisers in New York, New Jersey and Virginia before he held a rally in Wisconsin.

His next campaign trips were to Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada, the last of which was cut short when he contracted Covid. Days later, he dropped out of the race.

Democratic National Committee spokesperson Abhi Rahman said that if Biden had stayed in the race, "I'm sure that there would have been blitzes like this, as well."

But now "there's definitely a lot of desire to make sure that the vice president is defining herself and her VP before Republicans get a chance to," Rahman said. "So the timing of this definitely goes with that."

When Biden was the presumptive nominee, the Trump campaign aimed many of its attacks at his cognitive ability, leaning into voters' concerns about his age. But with Harris' being a generation younger than Trump, Republicans have had to pivot their approach.

"I think she's making a point of her relative youth and vitality," said Bill Galston, a Brookings Institution fellow and official in President Bill Clinton's administration. "It's a point that she doesn't have to talk about because she's just showing it."

Harris' campaign swing is also consistent with how candidates typically pick up the pace as the election draws closer, said Aleigha Cavalier, a Democratic strategist at the strategy and marketing agency Precision Strategies. But she said Harris' travel pace compared to Trump's and Biden's is "a real advantage."

"I think the fact that she's willing and able to do this many events in a small amount of time is something that can make a real difference, especially when we're less than a hundred days out" from the election, Cavalier said.

Traveling for campaign events can create more opportunities for local media coverage, accelerate fundraising and identify potential future volunteers, said Eric Jaye, a Democratic consultant at Storefront Political Media, a campaign consulting firm. But most important, candidates are activating thousands of "micro-influencers" at rallies, he said.

"They're all holding up their phones, and they're all publishers," he said, adding that when rallygoers post pictures of themselves with a candidate, "that will go out to their networks, which is an endorsement for their networks."

"If you can get 10,000 people to share that they trust Kamala Harris, that has an impact as a form of media and communication in and of itself," Jaye said. "So essentially these are conventions of micro-influencers."

Already, the Harris campaign has touted a groundswell of volunteer support, noting in a memo released Saturday that over the previous 12 days, volunteers had placed 2.3 million phone calls and knocked on 172,000 doors.

The seven-state tour “shows that she has a ton of energy,” Renteria said. “It shows that her campaign is ready to go and is thinking through things and able to execute well. So it’s super exciting.”

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

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