Hawaii and the West Coast Beckon to Travel Nurses
Article shared from Travelnurse.com. Written by Jennifer Larson, Contributor
Travel nursing opportunities abound in the Pacific Region of the United States, including the West Coast states of Washington, Oregon and California, and Hawaii, of course.
Not only do these states have an abundance of jobs, but they offer their own kind of fun and countless places to explore when you’re not at work. So, if you’re considering an assignment in one of the best states for travel nursing, read on for some ideas of where to go and what to do when you get there.
Note: During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to inquire about operating hours and times before you visit any of these locations. Some places may be temporarily closed or operating with restricted hours.
Check out these sites in four of the best states for travel nursing:
California
The Golden State is home to some amazing cities, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, where you’ll never run out of places to eat, drink and play. But there are a lot of natural wonders, too.
Big Sur. This is the ultimate California road trip. Drive up Highway 1 and admire the rocky coastlines in the Big Sur area. Fans of the show Big Little Lies will recognize the iconic Bixby Bridge soaring through the air just south of Monterey. Plan some time to poke around in Carmel by the Sea and maybe even visit the historic Hearst Castle.
Ocean Beach. Think throwback beach town, and you’ve got Ocean Beach, known simply as OB. Located in sunny San Diego, this beach community was founded in the 1880s, and the locals are fiercely loyal to preserving it. OB is home to the iconic OB Pier, a popular farmer’s market, street fairs and festivals, bars, pubs, a popular dog beach, small businesses, surf shops and a laid-back vibe.
Lake Tahoe. Whether you plan to splurge and stay in a luxury hotel or resort, or you prefer to climb into a tent and sleep out under the stars, Lake Tahoe has a place for you. This gorgeous lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near the Nevada border is the beautiful setting for a range of outdoor experiences, from water sports to snow skiing and snowboarding, to fishing, hiking, biking and more. Plus, there are restaurants, casinos, breweries, and a range of indoor activities, too.
Find travel nursing jobs in California.
Oregon
Oregon is an interesting state, one that’s home to both the world’s largest collection of carousel horses in its Carousel Museum and the largest number of ghost towns in the United States. What else is there to see and do if you’re planning on an Oregon travel nursing assignment? Read on.
Willamette Valley wineries. The Willamette Valley is home to nearly 700 wineries. Book a couple of nights at a bed-and-breakfast and take yourself out to tour a few of them. Be sure to taste at least a few pinot noirs, since Oregon has earned a reputation for fine pinots.
Powell’s Books. Bibliophiles, you have found your home-away-from-home. Powell’s Books bills itself as the world’s largest independent bookstore, which becomes very apparent when you visit its Portland headquarters, which it calls Powell’s City of Books. (There are two other stores nearby, too.)
Columbia River Gorge. Imagine an 80-mile-long canyon in the Columbia River with some parts of the canyon dropping off to 4,000-foot depths. Take yourself to Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and you won’t have to imagine it anymore. Go windsurfing, join a bike tour group, hike, or simply explore the Gorge Beer Trail and visit the local breweries in the area.
Find travel nursing jobs in Oregon.
Washington
Washington State is known for its lush forests and majestic mountains–which you definitely don’t want to miss. But there is and so much more to see and do!
Pike Place Market. If you don’t post a selfie of yourself with the famous Public Market sign in the background on Instagram, did you even really go to Seattle? Eat, drink, shop, sightsee, and be merry in the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. And watch the fishmongers toss fish back and forth to each other (trust us, it’s an actual thing).
Mount Rainier National Park. Don’t be surprised if someone finds out you’re going to Washington and urges you to visit Mount Rainier National Park. You won’t regret it. Pick a season and there’s something fun to do, from hiking among the wildflowers in the spring to snowshoeing in the winter. And if you’re not afraid of heights, take a ride on the Mount Rainier Gondola for the spectacular views.
Olympic National Park. If you love chasing waterfalls, the Olympic Peninsula, with its high volume of annual rainfall, is the place for you. You could start with a short, easy walk to Marymere Falls to kick off your waterfall tour, or the famous Sol Duc Falls. Then you can decide where to go from there, choosing from among 20 sites to visit. Just be sure you have plenty of battery life and storage space to accommodate all of the photos you will want to take along the way.
Find travel nursing jobs in Washington.
Hawaii
The Aloha State is home to countless sparkling beaches, of course, so be sure to visit at least a few of them. Bring along your surfboard and snorkeling gear or rent some when you get there. But beyond the sand and surf, consider checking out a few other wonders:
Haleakala National Park. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen the sunrise from the top of this volcano on the island of Maui. Trust us, it’s worth getting up in the middle of the night to see. Plus, you can join a bike tour group and literally coast your way down the volcano afterward. (And yes, this 10,000+ foot volcano is inactive.)
Kona Coffee Living History Farm. Are you a coffee drinker? Is that a silly question? If you love a good cup of Joe, be sure to visit this working farm that’s also dedicated to the culture and history of coffee farming. Located in Captain Cook, on the island of Hawaii, this farm also sells Kona coffee, so be prepared to drop a few dollars.
Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. You might get a little breathless from gazing upon the towering sea cliffs that this park is famous for (if they seem familiar, it’s because they have been featured in Jurassic Park and other famous movies.). Located on the northwest part of the island of Kauai, this park is home to the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, which is a must-do if you’re an experienced hiker; you can also opt to do a shorter hike just to experience the majesty of nature in this setting. Not a hiker? Take a helicopter tour instead.
Find travel nursing jobs in Hawaii.
TravelNursing.com has thousands of travel assignments across the U.S.
FIND TRAVEL RN JOBS or APPLY TODAY to get connected with a recruiter.
5 Nursing Trends Heading into 2025
In an ever changing career its important to know what may be coming your way. Here's 5 things to look for in theNew Year! The…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
SUMNER COLLEGE STUDENT OF THE MONTH | DECEMBER 2024
Congratulations Kymra for being the December 2024 Student of the Month at Sumner! Congratulations on your accomplishment!…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Continuing Your Education with a BSN
Many individuals enter the nursing profession driven by a desire to help others. As they gain experience, many seek to advance their careers to provide…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from Sumner College! We are grateful to all of our students for entrusting us with taking their nursing dreams to reality.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Upcoming Info Sessions
Looking for some more information on our programs? Join us for an info session! Our upcoming info sessions are all at 11am, November 26, December…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Why Become a Nurse?
A career in nursing offers one of the most exciting, rewarding, and dynamic paths in the healthcare field. With over 4 million registered nurses in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Welcome New Class Start November 18!
Happy first day, and welcome, to our newest class starting today, November 18! Thank you for choosing Sumner College to continue your educational career! Dream…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
What Are Clinicals?
If you have been researching nursing schools, you may have seen the word "Clinicals" before but not known what they are. Clinicals are a safe…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month | November 2024
Congratulations Olga for being the November 2024 Student of the Month at Sumner! Olga was inspired to join Sumner College's nursing school after hearing about…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month | October 2024
Congratulations Benjamin for being the October 2024 Student of the Month at Sumner! Benjamin is a compassionate nursing student who learned about Sumner College through…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Thank you, Veterans
Sumner College thanks and values our veterans on this honorable day. If you or someone you know has an interest in continuing education, please see…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing in the 21st Century
21st Century nursing is the glue that holds a patient’s health care journey together. Across the entire patient experience, and wherever there is someone in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Paying for Nursing School- Scholarships
Sumner College understands that every student’s financial situation is unique. Our financial aid department can provide you with more information about Oregon financial aid options…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
How to Prepare for Nursing School
Nursing school can be intimidating, but here are some helpful tips for you to make the most of your time and studies. As always, feel…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Bend, Oregon, Our New Home!
In a recent article with the Bend Bulletin, our School President Joanna Russell shared how we are enrolling for February 24, 2025 at our newest…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
RN to BSN – Career Upgrade!
Here at Sumner College we offer a program for current Registered Nurses, to further their education in a flexible schooling style and get a Bachelors…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Niche Award!
Exciting news! Sumner Nursing College was recently ranked by Niche, listed as #1 in Best Value Colleges in Oregon, #1 in Best Value Colleges in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Check Out Our New Campus!
Welcome to our new campus in Bend, Oregon! We are excited to be welcoming the first BSN cohort February 24th, 2025. Stay tuned as we…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Upcoming Info Sessions
On the fence or have questions about starting your education at Sumner College? Check out our upcoming BSN Info Sessions! Available for on-campus in Portland…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
All About TEAS
If you're considering enrolling at Sumner College (or other nursing schools!) you will be required to take the TEAS Exam. This stands for Test of…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing School Study Tips
Nursing school is known to be extremely difficult, but there are ways to make it easier on yourself! NursingWorld.org suggests a few different things to…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
$5,000 Education Award Available!
Exciting news! DiversityNursing.com is offering a $5,000 education award, with easy entry and no essays, why not enter for a chance to win $5,000 to…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New Member Bend Chamber of Commerce
Sumner College is proud to share we are new members of the Bend Area Chamber of Commerce. Coming soon our official ribbon cutting and social…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Spirit Week!
Happy Spirit Week! Stop by the Lobby or Front Desk throughout the week to say hi and show some school spirit! Monday: Meal Prep and…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month | September 2024
Congratulations Kristina, for being the September 2024 Student of the Month at Sumner! Kristina completed the LPN program from Sumner College and recently returned to…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Virtual Tour: SIM Lab 202
Welcome to Sumner College! Before you head in to our Portland Campus take a virtual tour where you can see our Simulation Lab, Hospital Simulator,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New Campus Alert!
We are extremely excited to announce the opening of our new additional campus location in Bend, Oregon! Conveniently located just around the corner from Bend's…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The Heart of Healthcare
Nursing can be described as both an art and science; a heart and a mind. At its heart, lies a fundamental respect for human dignity…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Labor Day Weekend
Happy Labor Day! We will be closed Monday to enjoy a long weekend!…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Upcoming Class Start Dates
Join us on one of our upcoming start dates for RN's looking to achieve a BSN completion!…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn