Travel Nursing opportunities in California are as abundant and varied as the state’s many things to see and do, making it a favorite destination among Travelers. That’s why we picked Cali to kick off our new State Spotlight series, which will focus on one of the 50 nifty United States every month in our newsletter! In this series you can find out what Travel Nursing opportunities and licensing requirements exist, what there is to see and do, and learn some fun facts about each state.
With that, California here we come!
Travel Nursing in California
Several factors make California a hotbed state for Travel Nursing. The state has a population north of 38 million as well as one of the lowest numbers of nurses per capita in the U.S. Additionally, it’s a really great state to travel to, so it maintains consistent popularity among Travel Nurses.
If you think you want to work in California, you should start to pursue your license by endorsement immediately, as the state is known for one of the lengthier licensing processes. But not to worry, just talk to your recruiter and he or she will be able to help you navigate the process.
The cost of housing can run high in some California locations, however, wages tend to be dictated accordingly so they run high too. The Central Valley is often considered a great zone for net pay, as it generally has a lower cost of living but bill rates remain higher. That said, when it comes to pay and housing costs — as in any state — every assignment and offer is different and may buck general trends.
California has very progressive nurse-to-patient ratio laws that cap the number of patients assigned to each nurse, which many nurses are pleased to report is helpful in providing quality patient care and combatting nurse burnout. The state also has very stringent rules regarding meal breaks and rest breaks for hospital staff, which greatly benefits nurses.
To Do & See in California
The only problem with what to do and see in California is where the heck to begin! No other state can really quite say that it has something for everyone on the level of this great state. California offers everything from beaches to skiing, as well as some of the country’s most cosmopolitan urban centers and some it’s most unspoiled nature.
Exciting cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and others offer all the hubbub of urban life, including amazing art and culture museums like L.A.’s Griffith Observatory and Getty Center, San Francisco’s Exploratorium and Museum of Modern Art, San Diego’s Museum of Contemporary Art, and so many more. World class shopping (Rodeo Drive, anyone?) and dining are also hallmarks of California’s cities, where the produce is fresh and abundant and foodies can easily achieve a state of dining nirvana.
There are also plenty of attractions, like San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, Pier 39, Golden Gate Park, and who could forget the cities iconic cable cars. Los Angeles is home to the Hollywood sign, La Brea Tar Pits, Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and, of course, famous theme parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios. San Diego is known for Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Sea World, Old Town San Diego, Point Loma, and more. All of these locations also have an abundance of professional sports teams and amazing weather in which to take yourself out to any kind of ball game!
Outside of its major city centers, California is dotted with adorable little towns like Truckee, Arcata, Grover Beach, Nevada City, Sausalito, Pismo Beach, and Sonoma, for those who’d prefer a slower pace and less density.
Speaking of Sonoma, California wine country is a must-visit destination for vino enthusiasts. From huge, time-tested winemakers to quaint, under the radar wineries, there’s plenty of gorgeous scenery and scrumptious spirits to drink in. Napa and Sonoma are among the most famous wine destinations, but there are great wineries and wine regions throughout the state.
When it comes to nature, California is just as varied as everything else in the state — from the highest point in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney, to the nation’s lowest point in Death Valley. See the famous Redwoods, Joshua Trees, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Mount Shasta and the surrounding lavender fields, China Beach, Point Reyes, Lake Tahoe and its gorgeous Emerald Bay, Glacier Point, Muir Woods, the Big Sur coastline, Bishop Creek, Crystal Cave, Fossil Falls, Glass Beach, the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, General Sherman (the largest tree in the entire world!), more amazing beach and hiking trails than you can imagine, and so much more.
And that’s just scratching the tippy-top of the surface of the many amazing wonders that await in The Golden State! When you decide to take a travel nursing assignment in California you’re signing up for boundless amounts of fun and adventure on your days off — whether that’s road tripping to a nearby natural wonder or simply enjoying the landscape of your neighborhood.
California Fast Facts
State Nickname: The Golden State
Capital: Sacramento
Largest City: Los Angeles
National Parks: 10
Nationals Forests: 18
State Parks and Beaches: 278
State Motto: Eureka! (I have found it!)
State Flower: Golden poppy
California is the 31st state.
Richard Nixon is the only California-born president to date.
California produces more than 17 million gallons of wine each year!
One out of every eight music festivals in the U.S. is hosted by California.
Fortune cookies, skateboards, Apple computers, Frisbees, blue jeans, and Barbies were all invented in California.
There are enough steel wires in The Golden Gate Bridge’s cables to circle the Earth three-and-a-half times.
California is the only state that’s hosted the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics.