We’ve previously discussed reasons why you should come to California for your next assignment. Now we’re digging a little deeper to give you insight on some of the best cities in the state for travel nurses. Here are 5 reasons the City of Angels should be on your list.
California has some of the highest travel nurse pay around.
It’s a known fact that California boasts some of the highest nursing pay in the country. If you have a California nursing license, use it! With the mandatory breaks and regulated staffing ratios, nursing in California is not an opportunity you’ll want to pass up.
Here is an example of what travel nurses can earn in Los Angeles:
- Los Angeles, CA, Med-Surg/Tele/PACU – $2,136 gross weekly
- Los Angeles, CA, PICU/OR/CVICU/CVOR – $2,646 gross weekly
- Los Angeles, CA, ER – $2,279.88 gross weekly
- Los Angeles, CA, Stepdown/ICU – $2,520 gross weekly
- West Los Angeles, CA, Med-Surg/Tele/PACU – $2,136 gross weekly
- West Los Angeles, CA, PCU/NICU – $2,520 gross weekly
- West Los Angeles, CA, PICU/OR/CVICU/CVOR – $2,646 gross weekly
- West Los Angeles, CA, ER –$2,279.88 gross weekly
- West Los Angeles, CA, Stepdown/ICU – $2,520 gross weekly
You’ll eat your heart out.
You’re going to get hungry from all your hard work – luckily, LA has tons of restaurants to please any palate. If you’re not from the West Coast originally, then you must make a trip to In-N-Out Burger at one of its 25 locations in the LA area and learn what all the (deserved) fuss is about. Sandwich fiends will meet their match with top-rated Gjusta and Philippe the Original. For fancy French food, find yourself a table at Petit Trois. And on Sundays, head on down to the Smorgasburg for all the eating and shopping a nurse can do in a single day.
You can do some stargazing.
Even with Hollywood right there, movie and TV star sightings are actually not very common. If you’re determined to see stars during your stay, you can try your luck at getting a seat in a studio audience of a show where your favorite celebs might be appearing. You can also search for your favorite stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or even attend ceremonies where new stars are added to the sidewalk. See handprints of classic and current movie stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Visit the stars of the art world at the famous Getty Center. And for a different kind of stellar experience, head on over to one of the planetarium shows at Griffith Observatory.
You can get lost in all the parks.
Despite the urban sprawl, LA has a number of great parks for you to have some fun in the sun. Release your inner at Hogwarts at Universal Studios and ride the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Or if you want to mini golf in a castle, LA’s got you covered. Get great views of your new city at the LA State Historic Park, and Runyon Canyon Park is a great escape from the urban jungle to go hiking and clear your mind after a long week of nursing.
You can be a beach bum on your days off.
One of the major perks of living in California is access to some fantastic beaches, and LA is a prime spot for beach combers. Swim, surf, or scuba dive at Leo Carrillo State Beach. Walk along the shores of El Matador Beach. Social butterfly travel nurses will love the crowds at Venice Beach. Manhattan Beach is known for beach volleyball, and you can fish there, too. Soak in the sun at Zuma Beach, and if you’re lucky, you might also see some whales.
And if that’s not enough, there are more beach options for you here.
Convinced? We have tons of especially high-paying assignments in Los Angeles — check them out.
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