By Lee Soren, Contributor
If you're searching for your next destination as a travel nurse, New England might not be on your radar, but it probably should be. Known for its quaint small towns, dramatic change of seasons and some of the best seafood in the world, New England has plenty to offer travel RNs. Here are five great reasons to make New England your next travel nursing destination.
1. New England Has Some of the Best Hospitals in the Country
If you want to work at some of the nation's top hospitals, New England is the place to be. Massachusetts General Hospital, a teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School, took the number two slot in U.S. News & World Report's prestigious
Best Hospitals Honor Roll. Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital made the list too, landing at number 13.
In Connecticut,
Yale New Haven Hospital was also named to the honor roll. This teaching hospital is affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Nursing.
2. The Change of Seasons in New England is Spectacular
While New England is probably best known for its autumn leaves, the other seasons are also spectacular. Travel RNs are sure to enjoy plenty of outdoor activities during the region's beautiful, mild springs, and the hot summer days bring clear blue skies that are perfect for exploring the Cape Cod seashore. In the highlight of the New England calendar —autumn —wooded areas blaze with fiery foliage in reds, yellows and oranges, inviting long, leisurely rides in the countryside or strolls in the woods.
Although many travel professionals equate winter with heading south, the colder months can be a great time to experience New England. If your travel nurse job takes you to the region during the winter, you can expect plenty of snow, making it ideal for winter sports such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling and skiing or just for cozying up by the fire with a good book.
3. The Seafood is Out of This World
If you like seafood, you won't get it fresher than along the New England Coast. Much of the fish that you'll sample in this region is caught locally each morning, and some of the best seafood restaurants are located right along the waterfront so you can enjoy the view while you dine.
Whether you're in
Connecticut or Rhode Island, just about every restaurant dishes up New-England-style clam chowder, which is perfect for a blustery day at the shore, and you can find crab cakes on most menus. If you want to experience the true essence of New England, find a traditional clam bake or head to Maine if you want to try some of the best lobster around. While you're there, don't forget to try the state's world-famous "lobstah" rolls. You won't be sorry.
4. You Can Enjoy Plenty of Regional Activities
From the rocky coastline of Maine to the forested stretches of Vermont and New Hampshire and the big-city appeal of Boston, New England is a study in contrasts, which makes it a great place to try a wide range of regional activities. If you're considering a travel nurse assignment in a New England state, here are a few ways you can spend your days off:
5. You Can Experience History Firsthand
If you're interested in history, New England is the ideal place to learn about our country's colonial heritage. The region has a wealth of historical attractions ranging from
Plymouth Rock to
Boston's Freedom Trail and
museums that celebrate everything from decorative arts to the area's rich maritime history.
New England is also known for its
living history museums, which aim to recreate life as it was lived in earlier time periods. These restoration villages let visitors experience history firsthand and range from seaports and farms to Shaker communities.
Travel Nurse Assignments in New England
Whether you're a history buff or a nature enthusiast, New England may be a great choice for your next travel nursing assignment. Explore available positions by visiting
American Mobile's job search.
