Dig out those stylish sunglasses and short shorts, it’s time to officially bid adieu to chilly weather and say “hello” to sunshine and summertime! Hell yes!
Life as a medical traveler takes you on adventures all across the U.S. and gives you the work-life balance you deserve all year-round. But, there’s something about summer that boosts your mood, enhances your energy, and brings your crew together to live your best lives!
From lazy days sunbathing on the beach to bucket list outdoor hikes, the long summer days offer the perfect atmosphere to make the most of your travel assignment, no matter where you’re located.
How to Make the Most of Your Summer Travel Assignment
You have all the power when it comes to your travel career. When it’s time to choose your summer medical assignment, it’s up to you to decide where you want to go, what adventures you want to take, and what memories you keep along the way.
This year, there are eight top travel destinations in the U.S. for medical travelers, and they are:
- Texas: Beaches, adventure parks, hiking trails—oh my! Texas is a great summer destination with countless of seasonal events and activities. Plus, there are over 600 hospitals and nearly 30 million citizens in the state, making Texas ideal for professional medical workers in search of their next assignment.
Click here to search jobs in Texas. - Florida: If you’re into world-class theme parks and natural springs, Florida might be your summer dream come true. The state has nearly 400 hospitals and almost 22 million people that need taking care of.
Click here to search jobs in Florida. - California: Home to Yosemite Park and the Golden Gate Bridge, California is full of beautiful scenery and fun things to do for the whole family. About 350 hospitals live in California with a population of almost 40 million people.
Click here to search jobs in California. - Pennsylvania: Zip down natural waterslides and camp in a Pennsylvania treehouse this summer on your off days. When you are working, there are 177 medical facilities in need of a helping hand to care for the 12.8 million Pennsylvanians.
Click here to search jobs in Pennsylvania. - New York: Lounge in Central Park and tour Lady Liberty when you’re not caring for the 19.45 million New Yorkers across 339 hospitals.
Click here to search jobs in New York. - Massachusetts: If you’re a wine or seafood connoisseur, Massachusetts is your summer getaway. With only 72 medical facilities in the entire state, Massachusetts is home to almost 7 million people.
Click here to search jobs in Massachusetts. - North Carolina: From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Appalachian ski mountain, North Carolina offers diverse summer activities for all to enjoy. With nearly 11 million citizens, there are 108 hospitals to choose from.
Click here to search jobs in North Carolina. - Virginia: If you love history and breath-taking sights, Virginia is the summer destination for you. Since there are 5 million Virginians and 91 medical facilities, the job market may be a little more competitive to enter.
Click here to search jobs in Virginia.
The demand for medical travelers has grown as the staffing gap in U.S. medical facilities continues to widen. Employment in medical occupations is expected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, adding roughly 2.4 million new jobs to professionals across the country. Which is great news for you, traveler! You get to do what you love, in a city you want to be in, growing both personally and professionally while you take in the summer sun! No matter where your travel job takes you, it’s important that you make the most of your home away from home.
Live like a savvy local
Once you’ve settled into your new destination, it’s time to explore the town—this is your chance to sample local cuisine or visit nearby museums. Do some research to learn what your new city is known for or look up seasonal festivals and other activities that help you acclimate to your surroundings.
Whether your scene is live music or white, sandy beaches, your summer travel assingment location is full of local attractions for you to enjoy—all you need to do is find them.
Get your tourist on
Let your guard down and get your tourist on in your next travel destination! With an abundance of national parks, historic museums and monuments, amusement parks, resorts, and other attractions in the U.S., the tourist opportunities are never-ending. Some popular tourist attractions from the top eight hot travel destinations include:
- Disneyland in Anaheim, CA and Disneyworld in Orlando, FL
- The Alamo in San Antonio, TX
- The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA
- Statue of Liberty National Monument on Liberty Island, NY
- Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA
- Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County, NC
- George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Fairfax County, VA
Regardless of what tourist attractions interest you, the chance to investigate an unknown place is half the fun.
Find your fave outdoor getaway
Summer in most parts of the country means spending time outdoors. You don't have to stay cooped up, because the warm weather allows you to do practically anything outside. Whether your vibe is sunbathing at the beach, watersports, sitting poolside with your posse, or attending a backyard barbeque (btw: listen to our Spotify for some great tunes to get you in the BBQ mood.) The point is, get outdoors and soak in that vitamin D!
Here are outdoor activities you can do pretty much anywhere:
- Pack a personal picnic
- Find a campsite and chill
- Stargaze
- Have a bonfire with s’mores
- Sight-see on a bike
- Go for a leisurely walk or hike
- Fish in a local pond, lake, or river (make sure you have your permits!)
Enjoy the comfort that comes from the warmth of the summer sun against your skin as you hang outdoors with new friends (cuz you're gonna make some on that new travel assignment, right?)
While you're out there livin' your best summer life, cherish the memories made along the way. Those fun summer stories happen when you get out to explore, unwind, and relish in the bright sunny days. As a professional medical traveler, you have a unique job that gives you the freedom to venture to spectacular destinations across the country, meet new people, make deep connections, and learn skills along the way to help propel your medical career.