A city that flies under the radar, Omaha is great to visit (or live!) for various reasons. Spoiler alert: I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, so I might be a bit biased… but as a travel nurse, I highly suggest taking a 13-week assignment in Omaha. This way you’ll be able to explore the Midwest and experience the famous Midwestern hospitality! Not only are you bound to get along great with your co-workers (people in Nebraska are SO NICE), but Omaha is also relatively cheap so you should be making good money if you choose to take an assignment in the city.
If it’s your first time to Omaha, don’t miss:
Best Time to Be a Travel Nurse in Omaha
Nebraska experiences all four seasons, so the best time to be a travel nurse in Omaha is in whichever season you prefer! I’m partial to warm weather, so I’d recommend coming sometime between June-September to make the most of the outdoor experiences the city offers. The only other thing to consider is the College World Series. If you are a baseball fan, then definitely try to live in Omaha the month of June to partake in all of the CWS festivities. If you aren’t a big baseball fan, perhaps skip the month of June because housing can be more expensive and difficult to find.
The Best Housing Options for Travel Nurses in Omaha
BOOK YOUR NEXT TRAVEL NURSE STAY ON VRBO!
Neighborhoods in Omaha – Where Should You Live?
Omaha is made up of tons of different pockets with cool neighborhoods all around the city. If you like the suburbs – West Omaha. If you like a quieter, more historic area – Dundee. For something more hipster and young – Benson or Blackstone. And if you want to be downtown with all the action… then Downtown or Midtown. Everything in Omaha is pretty easily drive-able and traffic isn’t bad so you never really have too big of a commute.
I prefer the Dundee neighborhood, downtown, or midtown. These areas offer great bars and restaurants and are centrally located to all the other fun things around Omaha.
The Best Housing Options in Omaha
- Stylish Omaha Escape w/ Modern Amenities
- 2 bedroom/1 bathroom
- Parking included (1 vehicle)
- 3rd floor, no elevator
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Managed by agency
- Cozy 1 Bedroom Apartment
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- Street parking available
- Pets allowed
- Property manager (not managed by agency)
- Cute Little House in Omaha
- 3 bedroom/1 bathroom
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Property manager (not managed by agency)
- Prime 1BD/1BA Balcony – Downtown Omaha
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- Fitness center
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Managed by agency
- Flats on Howard L-411 – Use code “PassportsandPreemies” for $250 off your first standard stay with Landing
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- Utilities not included
- Parking not included
- Apartment on 4th floor
- Pets allowed (additional cost)
- NICO 101 – Use code “PassportsandPreemies” for $250 off your first standard stay with Landing
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- Utilities not included
- Parking not included
- Apartment on 1st floor
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Whispering Heights 07-201 – Use code “PassportsandPreemies” for $250 off your first standard stay with Landing
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- Apartment on 2nd floor
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Utilities not included
- Parking included
- Pets allowed (additional cost)
- 24/7 concierge
- Pool, volleyball courts, fitness center, clubhouse
- Tuscany Apartments 202 – Use code “PassportsandPreemies” for $250 off your first standard stay with Landing
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- Apartment on 2nd floor
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Utilities not included
- Parking included
- Pets allowed (additional cost)
- Pool, fitness center, clubhouse, dog park
- The Rochester Apartments, 121 – Use code “PassportsandPreemies” for $250 off your first standard stay with Landing
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Apartment on 1st floor
- Utilities not included
- Parking included
- Pets allowed (additional fee)
- Fitness center, clubhouse
ANOTHER HOUSING OPTION IN OMAHA IS TO BOOK WITH EXTENDED STAY AMERICA – CHECK IT OUT HERE!
For a more comprehensive guide on how to find housing as a travel nurse, don’t miss:
Cost of Living in Omaha
As mentioned earlier, Omaha is very affordable! According to PayScale, the cost to live in Omaha is 7% lower than the national average. Median rent costs $1,512/month with housing being 16% lower than the national average, utilities being 6% lower than the national average, and groceries being 3% lower than the national average.
Travel Nurse Salary in Omaha
There are tons of factors to consider when discussing what a travel nurse’s salary is. These factors include (but are not limited to)…
- Time of year
- Unit need (the more desperate, the higher the pay)
- Unit (specialized units generally pay higher than non-specialized units)
- Cut that your recruiter takes
- & more
With that being said, as a NICU nurse working in Omaha my contract was $1,300/week (this was my very first travel nurse assignment and I didn’t know how to negotiate). In my opinion, you shouldn’t accept anything under $1,500 in Omaha.
To better understand travel nurse pay, don’t miss:
Travel Nurse Assignments in Omaha
When searching for travel nurse jobs in Omaha, my biggest piece of advice is to find a recruiter that you trust and go from there. When you’re working with a recruiter to be placed in Omaha, make sure that the company staffs in Nebraska and ask your recruiter if the company has had success placing other travelers in Omaha. (This is where that trust aspect comes in! DM me on Instagram if you’re looking for a trustworthy recruiter).
How to Get Around Omaha
CAR
Omaha isn’t a very “walkable” city, although it is very easy to navigate. Dodge Street is the main street in the city and everything kind of branches off from that. I highly recommend bringing a car even if you’ll be living close to the hospital. (If you don’t have a car and plan to rent, I recommend using Discover Cars).
AIRPORT
The main airport in the city is Omaha Eppley Airfield. It’s near Downtown Omaha and again, is easy to get to from most places in the city. It’s also a relatively small airport making it easy to navigate.
At times, Eppley can be expensive to fly out of and can also cause you to have many different connections depending on where you’re going. If I want to book a particularly cheap flight I usually search for flights out of Chicago and then fly to Chicago and connect from there. Otherwise, the Kansas City airport is bigger and flights can be cheaper from there too. Kansas City is only a three-hour drive from Omaha.
TO BOOK FLIGHTS IN/OUT OF NEBRASKA, I RECOMMEND SKYSCANNER OR EXPEDIA
RIDESHARE
Both Uber and Lyft operate in Omaha, however depending on where you’re going rides can be few and far between. Especially if you’re living out west and/or headed out west. Again, I wouldn’t rely on strictly taking rideshares and think it’s important to bring a car to the city.
Hospitals in Omaha/Nebraska Licensing
There are many great hospitals in Omaha including Omaha Children’s, Methodist/Methodist Women’s, UNMC, Lakeside, Bergan Mercy, and more. The hospitals are spread out throughout the city and offer free parking.
To work in Nebraska, you’ll need a Nebraska license, but the good news is that it is easy to get AND Nebraska is a compact state. This means that if you hold a compact license in another state, you won’t need to apply for a separate Nebraska license. (As long as your compact is your state of residence).
For more information on licensing, don’t miss…
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A TRAVEL NURSE RECRUITER TO HELP YOU LAND IN ASSIGNMENT IN OMAHA, DM ME ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SET YOU UP WITH MY RECRUITER! OR FILL OUT THIS FORM AND A SENIOR LEVEL RECRUITER WILL REACH OUT TO YOU.
Prioritizing Your 13-Week Stay – The Best Things to See & do in Omaha
Whenever I arrive at a new destination, I sometimes feel completely overwhelmed at all there is to see and do. I think to myself, how in the world do I accomplish all that I want to accomplish without wasting any time in 13 VERY short weeks? Where do I even start? Well, that’s what I’m here for! Omaha is brimming with things to do. Here is a comprehensive list of what to do, restaurants to eat at, bars to visit, and more!
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- Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
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- Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch
Henry Doorly Zoo – The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is located in downtown Omaha. It continuously ranks as one of the best zoos in the world. With exhibits from the African grasslands to the Asian highlands, there are loads of attractions to see and animals to spot.
Topgolf – Topgolf is becoming a more popular activity across the US, and Omaha just got their first one! Located between West Omaha and Downtown, Topgolf is a fun activity for the most novice to most experienced golfers. Grab your friends and make it a competition as you hit balls, eat good food, and drink.
College World Series – Unique to Omaha is the College World Series (CWS). It is an annual two-ish week baseball tournament held in Downtown Omaha in June. There are beer tents everywhere, people moseying around, and grill-outs happening on every corner. I always relate the CWS to football tailgating on crack. For two weeks.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge – A 3,000-foot footbridge, Bob Kerrey spans across the Missouri River connecting Nebraska and Iowa. You can walk the length of the bridge crossing off two states – at once! There is a marking on the bridge to let you know when you cross states; by putting one foot on each side you can truthfully say that you’ve been in two states at the same time.
Jazz on the Green – Another summertime activity, Jazz on the Green takes place in Midtown Crossing and is held each Thursday during the summer. Every Thursday there will be a new form of live entertainment, and entrance is completely free. Make sure to go early and grab a spot on the lawn… just don’t forget a blanket and picnic setup!
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch – This is the perfect activity to do if you visit Omaha in the fall months (September-November). And while you can visit a pumpkin patch in almost every city and town these days, there aren’t any quite like Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. A family-run patch and apple orchard, Vala’s has continued to grow and thrive for 35+ years. With haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, fall treats, warm cider, and fire pits; you could spend hours at Vala’s walking around the 55-acres of land. To enter Vala’s you’ll pay a fee, which varies depending on age and when you’re visiting.
Day Trips & Weekend Trips from Omaha
Ashland – Located on the eastern side of Nebraska near Iowa, Ashland is a small town of character and charm. Upon arrival, I would describe it as a town of Joanna Gaines-Esque-style proportions. Cheerful, beautifully decorated, and a place that emulates friendliness. Only 30-minutes southwest of Omaha; Ashland, Nebraska is an ideal day trip to get out of the city and explore something new.
For more information on visiting Ashland, don’t miss:
Western Nebraska – Visiting Western Nebraska is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s a place not many people venture to, but the beauty will leave you in awe. There are so many unique things to do in Western Nebraska like visiting Chimney Rock, Scotts Bluff, Carhenge, and more.
For more information on visiting Western Nebraska, don’t miss:
Kansas City – Three hours south of Omaha, Kansas City is a fun and vibrant city if you’re looking to get away and experience more than what Omaha has to offer. Catch a professional sporting event, or go shopping on the plaza. Just make sure to finish with dinner and drinks on the patio at Gram & Dun!
The Best Restaurants in Omaha
Yoshimoto
Au Courant Regional Kitchen – Located in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood, Au Courant is a cozy little restaurant serving small plates of European fare.
Block 16 – My friend Brooke recently took me to Block 16 and as we waited in line outside, I couldn’t help but wonder what all the fuss was about it. After all, from the outside it looked like a small, no-fuss restaurant, that served burgers. What was the hype?
When I sat down to actually try the food, I was blown away! The portions are huge, tasty, and really make you re-think what a burger can be. Plus, I heard a rumor that this little place just filmed for Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and I can’t wait to see this Omaha spot on TV!
Pitch – With two locations in both Dundee and West Omaha, Pitch is one of the best places to go for pizza. With different spins on classic pizza and more, Pitch is my go-to for a fun night out with friends.
Stirnella Bar & Kitchen – Dishing up tasty small plates, Stirnella is also a great place to go with a group of friends. In a fun and lively atmosphere, Stirnella is located in the Blackstone neighborhood. It’s the perfect place to go before venturing out for the night.
Yoshimoto – An incredible Japanese restaurant, Yoshitomo serves the best sushi in all of Omaha. Located in Benson, make sure to make a reservation before arriving; seating is limited and the restaurant is popular.
For more restaurants, don’t miss…
The Best Bars in Omaha
Alice
Alice – One of the best bars out in West Omaha, Alice is a chic and sophisticated speakeasy-style cocktail bar. With a plush interior, it’s a fun place to go for a couple of drinks before a night out.
Dundee Cork & Bottle – The Dundee Cork & Bottle is my favorite dive bar in Omaha. It’s best known for its Moscow Mules, but there is also an array of other drinks. It’s small and cozy with a small, outdoor patio to hang out on.
Fizzy’s Fountain & Liquors – Fizzy’s is an old school style diner where you use the telephones on the wall to call and place your order. Not only does Fizzy’s serve some really great cocktails, but the way it’s been decorated truly makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Krug Park – A beer/bloody mary bar, Krug Park is in the Benson Neighborhood. Its brick walls and big bar gives off an old-timey and welcoming vibe.
La Buvette Wine & Grocery – If you’re a wine lover, La Buvette is for you. This small wine shop doesn’t take reservations, so if you’re hoping to get a table I recommend coming early in the day or on a week night when your chances are better. While you can sit down and order a glass, my favorite way to do it is to browse the hundreds of bottles of wine lining the restaurant – all of which are divided by country – and choose a bottle to share with the table. La Buvette is a completely fresh concept for the city of Omaha.
The Homy Inn – A dive bar, The Homy Inn is best known for serving champagne and sangria on tap. It’s a fun place to go to day drink and you can get Sgt Peffers pizza delivered from down the street.
Wicked Rabbit – Similar to Alice, the Wicked Rabbit is a speakeasy located in Downtown Omaha. Its plush interior and attention to detail are what make this place a fun hangout.
Essential Nebraska – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Nebraska
- To easiest way to book hotels in Nebraska is through Booking.com or Expedia
- My favorite platform for rental properties is VRBO
- For car rentals, I recommend Discover Cars
- To book a flight to Nebraska, I recommend Expedia or Skyscanner to compare options
- For tours and activities in Nebraska, I recommend using Viator
- Don’t forget a Nebraska guide book to help plan your travels
- I recommend traveling with a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste (and to keep your liquids cold)
Although it might not be a destination you might think of off of the top of your head, Omaha is a fun and cool city. As a travel nurse, I enjoyed my time exploring Omaha in-depth and the rest of the Midwest. After all, I did sign two back-to-back contracts in the city.
If you’re looking for other ideas of where to be a travel nurse, check out these posts:
- Travel Nurse Guide to Huntsville, Alabama: Where to Work, Live, & Explore
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to Austin
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to Boston
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to Chicago
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to Fargo
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to San Francisco
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to Santa Barbara
- The Ultimate Travel Nurse Guide to Seattle
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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.
