As a travel nurse, you have endless options when it comes to taking an assignment across the US. So what are the best places to be a travel nurse? The truth is, I’ve liked everywhere I’ve gone for different reasons. And when picking what you want, first you need to decide what you’re looking for. If you want to get paid the big bucks, your biggest shot is to land an assignment in Northern California (or a very small town desperate for help). If you’re looking for outdoor adventures then you’d focus on the PNW, Colorado, Montana, or even Wyoming. If you want warm weather – the west coast; and if you want to leaf peep in the fall – the east coast. The best city to travel nurse in is the city that you’ve intentionally sought out for whatever reason. So before reading further, take a pen, and jot down what you’re looking for, what bucket list items you want to cross off, and go from there!
1. Austin, Texas
WHY AUSTIN?
Working as a travel nurse in Austin, Texas has its pros and cons. On one hand, you’re living in a fun city, with tons to do. Texas is a compact state so if you hold a compact license you don’t need to apply for licensure. There are also fun nearby towns to visit and wine regions just a day trip away. However, on the other hand, housing is hard to come by and the traveler rates aren’t the highest in Texas. Overall working in Austin is a blast and if you’re looking to be in a FUN city, add Austin to the list!
THINGS TO DO
- Bar hop on Rainey Street
- Rent paddleboards/kayaks on Lady Bird Lake
- Visit Zilker Park
- Shop on South Congress
- Eat breakfast from a food truck (preferably Biscuits and Groovy)
- Day trip to Fredericksburg for wine
- Day trip to Magnolia Market in Waco
PAY/RATIO
The pay in Austin is mediocre – not too high, but not too low. However, with the cost of living being high I would’ve expected rates to be higher than what was being offered at the time. Austin is also a place where you’ll be working for your money; expect decent patient ratios.
WHERE TO LIVE IN AUSTIN
- Upscale Downtown Condo
- East Side Modern Studio with Private Deck
- Awesome SoLa Central Austin Condo
- The Tiny House in Travis Heights
- Pastel Studio – Portoro
Read more about Austin…
2. Fargo, North Dakota
WHY FARGO?
This may be surprising, but in my opinion there is no reason not to consider a travel nurse job in Fargo. The hospitality in North Dakota is a dream (the midwest definitely does hospitality best), assignments in North Dakota are generally some of the highest paid assignments in the US, housing is affordable, it’s easy to get around without a lot of traffic, and on your days off – there’s so much to see and do in and around Fargo!
THINGS TO DO
- Learn about the history of the area at Bonanzaville
- Visit Brewhalla for beer, food, and shopping
- Go to West Fargo Cruise Night in the summer
- Ride bikes at Lindenwood Park
- Admire the street art in downtown Fargo
PAY/RATIO
The pay in North Dakota is generally one of the highest paid states for travel nurses. As for ratio, you can really expect the same that you would anywhere else in the midwest – not the best ratios, but do-able.
WHERE TO LIVE IN FARGO
- Downtown Fargo Loft in Historical Building
- Upper Unit-Hawthorne Area
- Downtown Charmer
- City Living at its Best
- 3 Bedroom Hideaway
Read more about Fargo…
3. Phoenix, Arizona
WHY PHOENIX?
Why should you be a travel nurse in Phoenix? Aside from the affordable cost of living, Arizona is a playground for those who love the outdoors. And the best part about it is that it’s the perfect place to chase summer and escape those winter blues. Spend your week in the city and your weekends hiking in Sedona, visiting the Grand Canyon or Horseshoe Bend, and squirming your way through narrow slots at Antelope Canyon.
THINGS TO DO
- Day trip to the ghost town of Jerome
- Spend a weekend in Sedona
- Visit Old Town Scottsdale
- Have a spa day at one of the many resorts around
- Hike Camelback Mountain
PAY/RATIO
The pay in Arizona is mediocre, but the cost of living is affordable. Also, be prepared to work for your money in Arizona with decent-heavy patient ratios.
WHERE TO LIVE IN PHOENIX
- Chic Resort-Style Condo
- Scottsdale – Seconds from Old Town & Views of Camelback
- Downtown Phoenix Home
- Private Casita
- Scottsdale Sun Condo2
If you need more guidance on becoming a travel nurse, make sure to check out The Ultimate Travel Nurse Bundle where you’ll get 60+ pages of travel nurse information including – how to make sense of your contract, how to negotiate pay, & more – delivered straight to your inbox!
4. San Francisco, California
WHY SAN FRANCISCO?
If you’re chasing high-paying contracts then San Francisco is definitely where you want to be. The nurses in the Bay Area get paid more compared to nurses everywhere else in the US, so it only makes sense that the travel contracts here are also high-paying. While the cost of living is equally high, you can still find a decent place in the city and save money. Not only that but with most of the hospitals being unionized, the ratios are low and breaks are always respected.
Aside from the pay, if you’re looking to explore a city for 13-weeks San Francisco is a great choice. There’s so much to do, incredible food to eat, and it’s a great place to come in the winter for warm(ish) weather.
THINGS TO DO
- Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
- Walkthrough Golden Gate Park
- Visit Alcatraz
- Have a picnic at Dolores Park, Alamo Square, or Palace of the Fine Arts
- Visit wine country
PAY/RATIO
As mentioned earlier, the pay and nurse to patient ratio is the best in the US. If you’re looking for a job where breaks are prioritized, patient safety is first on the agenda, units are appropriately staffed, and the pay is incredible – San Francisco (or the Bay Area) should be the first place on your list.
WHERE TO LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO
- Pacific Heights Victorian Garden Bedroom & Private Bathroom
- Live High Above San Francisco in Noe Valley
- Pacific Heights Victorian Home
- Vintage Time Capsule Treehouse Studio Cabin
- Cheerful Suite with Garden
Read more about San Francisco…
- 15+ of the Best Restaurants in San Francisco
- 8 Apps You Need for Transportation in San Francisco
- The Best Places to go For Views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
- The Ultimate Guide to Travel Nursing in San Francisco
5. Santa Barbara, California
WHY SANTA BARBARA?
Santa Barbara is hands down one of the most beautiful places in the US. If you’re looking to spend 13-weeks in an epic beach location, Santa Barbara would be it. There are so many things to do including water activities, hiking, and even options if you love wine.
THINGS TO DO
- Day trip to Solvang
- Visit Los Olivos wine country
- Shop on State Street
- Visit the Funk Zone
- Walk to Montecito
PAY/RATIO
Because it’s California, you don’t need to worry about ratios. Like my experience in San Francisco, nursing in Santa Barbara is safe and has pretty great nurse-to-patient ratios. I will say, however, that for such an expensive beach town – the pay doesn’t quite match. If you want to live in the city of Santa Barbara, you more than likely won’t be saving a ton of money. However, you could also choose to live outside of the city and commute in to save money.
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA BARBARA
- Casa Valerio Unit 6B
- Downtown ‘Rose Mary Cottage’
- Casa Valerio Unit 6D
- Secluded Treetop Getaway
- Luxurious Guest Casita
Read more about Santa Barbara…
- California’s Best Kept Secret – Santa Barbara, the American Riviera
- Places to Eat in Santa Barbara – 10 Restaurants You MUST Try
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to Santa Barbara
- Spending 2 Days in Santa Barbara; The Ultimate Santa Barbara Itinerary
6. Seattle, Washington
WHY SEATTLE?
The better question is… why not Seattle? Seattle is an epic destination for travel nurses for numerous reasons. First off, the travel nurse community is huge in Seattle so if you’re traveling alone and looking to make friends you have pretty good odds. Second, the pay is good and hospitals in the area are constantly looking to hire travel nurses. And life outside of work is pretty great too. Summers in Seattle are beautiful and there are so many outdoor activities to keep your days nice and busy. Plus the food scene in Seattle is truly top-notch.
THINGS TO DO
- Stroll through Pike Place Market
- Day trip to Leavenworth
- Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island
- Day Trip to Deception Pass and hike Oyster Dome
- Day Trip to Lena Lake and Eat at Hama Hama Oyster
- Hike
- Take the Clipper to Victoria, British Columbia
- Wine taste in Woodinville
PAY/RATIO
Both the pay in Seattle and patient ratios are decent. Of course, some hospitals in the area pay more than others, but overall pay feels fair. The ratios in Seattle are also decent. The hospitals are constantly hiring travel nurses when things get busy.
WHERE TO LIVE IN SEATTLE
- Cozy Beacon Hill Apartment
- Cozy New Studio – West Seattle
- Secluded Backyard Cottage
- Large Private Apartment
- Classic Lower-Level Retreat
Read more about Seattle…
- 10 Unique Things to Do in Seattle
- 6 Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Seattle
- The Ultimate Guide to Seattle
- Travel Nurse Guide to Seattle – Everything You Need to Know for a Successful Assignment
- The Ultimate Guide to the Seattle Food Scene
Travel Nurse Essentials
FOR HOUSING
- VRBO
- Extended Stay America
- Hello Landing – Use code “PassportsandPreemies” for $250 off your first standard Landing stay
FOR RECRUITERS
- Fill out this form to connect with my favorite recruiter, Jess
FOR TRAVELING TO/DURING YOUR ASSIGNMENT
- To book a flight, I recommend this booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options
- If you need to rent a car, I recommend Discover Cars
FOR WORK
TO EXPLORE YOUR NEW “HOME”
- For tours I recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, Take Walks, & Devour Tours (available in select cities)
With so many places to check out in the United States, I’m interested to hear places that you’ve enjoyed. Travelers, let me know in the comments below which cities hold a special place in your heart and where you think the best places to travel nurse are!
Don’t miss…
- Tips for Travel Nursing Without a Car
- 5 Best States for Travel Nursing
- Where to Go for Your First Travel Nurse Assignment
For more information and inspiration on all things nursing and travel nursing, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinscrubs” or under my highlights for “Nursing” or “Travel Nursing”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Nursing” or “Travel Nursing” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
