Since we’re all in the throes of March Madness, what better corner of the nation to highlight this month than the great state of North Carolina — whose Tar Heels have made the most Final Four appearances of any team in college basketball!
Travel Nursing in North Carolina
North Carolina is a great state for Travel Nursing — both in terms of days off and on the job! There’s tons to do and see here, as well as many great career opportunities.
The state is home to more than 126 hospitals, including the largest in North Carolina — Duke University Hospital — which is one of four university-affiliated academic medical centers in the state. Many Travel Nurses have reported that working in teaching hospitals are excellent for developing their skills and strengthening their resumes. The Raleigh-Durham “Research Triangle” region is particularly fertile ground for Travelers seeking opportunities at teaching hospitals.
According to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, North Carolina has a cost of living that’s below the national average. That’s a good sign for Travelers looking to get the most buck for their bang-up work!
As for licensing, North Carolina is not a walk through state but it is a compact state and a NURSYS state. Temporary licenses generally come through in approximately one to two weeks and are good for six months. Click here for more info on licensing in North Carolina.
To Do & See in North Carolina
As North Carolina is known for its gorgeous landscapes and pleasant climate, many of the most famous points of interest in the state involve the great outdoors. There’s the famous Blue Ridge Parkway — known for some of the nation’s most scenic drives as it cuts a winding path through the mystical Great Smoky Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains are simply a breathtaking must-see when you take an assignment in North Carolina! On its coastal side, North Carolina is known for 300+ miles of some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, plus the amazing Outer Banks. Here you can go-go-go — experiencing activities like world-class golf, fishing, shopping, lighthouses, and shipwreck chasing — or you can simply lay on the beautiful beach and relax.
North Carolina’s climate is perfect for those who’d just as soon pretend winter doesn’t exist. Winters here are mild and lovely, spring and fall are generally long and beautiful, and although summers here often get quite warm, that’s what the amazing beaches are for, right?
North Carolina’s unofficial state motto is “First in Flight” — coined for the famous site near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first “controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft” in 1903. History buffs will enjoy a trip to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, as well as attractions like the Biltmore Estate, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and the State Capitol. If you’re into planes, trains, automobiles — and boats — check out the North Carolina Transportation Museum, the Battleship USS North Carolina, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Urban areas in North Carolina have all the southern charm of the rural areas, plus intriguing cultural activities and all the spoils of big city life. Larger cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Winston-Salem have tons of great art, history, and cultural opportunities, as well pro sports (Panthers, Hornets, and Hurricanes — oh my!), shopping, historical sites and attractions, and all kinds of other urban excitement. Asheville is kind of like the Austin of North Carolina — with its hip, Bohemian vibe, aces farm to table restaurant scene, ample craft beer community, dozens of art galleries, thriving live music scene, and breathtaking views and hiking opportunities.
By the way, we’d be remiss to discuss North Carolina without mention of the state’s down-home, delicious cuisine. Come for the Travel Nurse job, stay for the distinct North Carolina BBQ, famous fried chicken and a biscuit (those in the know go to Chapel Hill’s Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen for theeee best in the state!), and low country shrimp & grits. Wash it all down with a Cheerwine and you’ll be living like a true local!
North Carolina Fast Facts
State Nickname: The Old North State or Tar Heel State
Capital: Raleigh
Largest City: Charlotte
National Parks: 10
State Parks and Recreation Areas: 38
State Motto: “Esse Quam Videri” meaning: “To Be Rather Than to Seem”
State Vegetable: Sweet Potato
North Carolina is the 12th state.
Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the United States east of the Mississippi River.
Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run in Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 7, 1914.
2012’s The Hunger Games was filmed throughout North Carolina — with Pisgah National Forest acting as the fictional District 12.
Famous North Carolinians include Sugar Ray Leonard, James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Cecil B. DeMille, Howard Cosell, Dolley Madison, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Wolfe, Charlie Rose, Clay Aiken, John Coltrane, and Billy Graham.
The first Pepsi was made and served in New Bern, North Carolina in 1898.
The Biltmore Estate, just outside of Asheville, is the largest private home in the United States. It has 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, and sprawling gardens!
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest U.S. lighthouse.
The first mini-golf course was built in Fayetteville.
During Prohibition, Wilkes County was known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. Nowadays, North Carolina is home to 140+ breweries and brewpubs, plus 160 wineries.