Between the warm weather year-round and top medical opportunities, Arizona is a great place to relocate as a travel nursing professional. This job provides the rare chance to live and work in a new destination, and this southwest state has more than its fair share of allures.
1. Burgeoning medical opportunity
In Wallethub's "2014 Best & Worst States for Nurses," Arizona was ranked No. 4 in the country. The rankings were based on 15 key metrics that reflect job opportunities, how much competition there is for each position, differences in the workplace environment and projections for the future. The Grand Canyon State offers burgeoning opportunity that's only expected to grow in the upcoming years.
2. You can visit the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas in the same vacation
Attracting a staggering 5 million visitors a year, the Grand Canyon is one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Mix that with the Entertainment Capital of the World, renowned for its casinos and nightlife, and travel nursing professionals have one unforgettable trip.
3. Sunshine
Yuma is the sunniest city in the U.S., with more than 90 percent of days filled with sunshine, according to the National Climatic Data Center. This desert city is also the least humid and has fewer days of precipitation than any other city in the U.S. Close behind are Phoenix and Tucson, which average sunshine about 85 percent of the time.
Can't take the cold any longer? In the southwest part of Arizona, temperatures reach highs of 60s in the winter. The best part is, you can stay as long as you want. Most travel nursing assignments last between 13 to 26 weeks, so you can stick around and enjoy the balmy weather or move on to explore a new destination.
4. Affordable cost of living
According to Forbes, Tucson's cost of living is 4 percent below the national average and Yuma's cost of living ranks 9.4 percent below the national average, making them both affordable cities to relocate to. In Flagstaff, the cost of living is equal to that of the rest of the country.
5. Nature lovers can bask in surreal sights
Glen Canyon, located in Grand Canyon National Park, encompasses geologic formations surrounded by Lake Powell and weaving waters. Adrenaline junkies can go white-water rafting down the Colorado River. For history, check out ancient Native American cliff dwellings before exploring Meteor Crater, the best preserved crater on the planet. Havasupai Falls is famous for its bright blue-green waterfalls.