Travel Nursing in San Jose: Gateway to California's Bay Area

Many nurses love to explore travel opportunities in quaint, sleepy towns off the beaten path. For others, the bright lights of cosmopolitan cities eventually beckon. Travelers need to seriously consider what's right for them-in terms of weather, safety, convenience, working conditions, and pay (to name a few).

Traditionally, hospitals in larger metropolitan areas offer great pay. But, if you ask around, you'll discover that many traveling nurses think that the trade-offs aren't necessarily worth it. For example, while they may be making $40+/hour, the jobs themselves are more challenging. Patient care may lack continuity; resources may be stretched. Primary care providers can end up feeling that their licenses are on the line-that the hospital is more of a "knife & gun" club than anything else.

If you're a traveler considering a contract for a large city hospital, be prepared to spend some time considering assignments. Get clear on the things that are most important to you. Outline your concerns, requirements, and expectations with your recruiter. Ask that s/he do research for you-but also be prepared to do your own. When doing research, many travelers will discover that California often holds great appeal simply because of the diversity of available opportunities.

For nurses who decide that the location, pay, and countless other benefits reside in California, San Jose is one of the most desirable locations. In light of many big-city travel nursing assignments, San Jose in particular, is one place that can really brag about having "the total package."

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
San Jose is just 45 minutes south of San Francisco; 90 minutes north of Monterey; and just 350 miles north of Los Angeles. San Jose has long been recognized as a major source of technological innovation and entrepreneurial success. Nurses who want to surround themselves with people in an environment that is forward-thinking often discover that working there offers opportunities for professional growth-from professional contacts to increased exposure to the latest advances in medicine. They have the first major/new City Hall of the 21st century and the largest concentration of technology expertise in the world.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE
Nurses who enjoy travel and crave big city luxuries/access to beautiful beaches/mountains will soon discover that their fun in the sun is readily available here. You can easily fill up your social calendar with a host of activities available in San Jose while you're soaking up gorgeous weather. San Jose boasts three hundred days of sunshine per year! In fact, while temperatures vary from an average of 50 degrees in January to an average of 70 degrees in July, its moderate climate holds a strong attraction for traveling nurses who want to shy away from extreme heat or cold.

TOP TEN FUN CITIES
San Jose was recently voted Number Three for the "Most Fun Big Cities in America" by Seattle-Starbucks' "Cranium, Inc." for good reason. There's no better place to explore your hobbies and interests. You may want to immerse yourself in a brand-new culture. If you're looking to absorb more of Northern California's hip vibe, then San Jose offers a world-renowned quality of life, marvelous ethnic diversity, and a climate that makes it a fantastic place to live/work/play.

A good website you may want to refer to as a starter is 10best.com/San_Jose.

When you go to San Jose, the rich diversity of cultural attractions is dazzling and includes innovative theater and performing arts events; internally acclaimed nightlife; sports events and golfing; exquisite gardens and parks; museums and galleries; wineries; and shopping (to name just a few). Plus, their Visitor's Center will provide concierge services to design custom itineraries including attractions, event tickets, and even dinner reservations!

If you happen to be a sports fan, then you'll also find plenty to do in and around the city. You'll find the NHL's San Jose Sharks; Fight Nights at the HP Pavilion; San Francisco Giants baseball at AT&T Park; Stanford Cardinals college football and basketball at Stanford Stadium; and let's not forget Oakland Raiders football at McAfee Coliseum.

SAFETY FIRST
Probably one of the first and foremost concerns of nurses and other healthcare traveling professionals is that they feel they're in a safe place. For that reason, it is very reassuring to know that, based on FBI crime data, San Jose ranks as "America's Safest Big City" now, for more than five years running!

FAMILY VALUES
If you're a traveling nurse who wants to seek out family activities, there are storytelling and kids' book clubs at bookstores (such as Barnes & Noble and Borders) as well as local libraries. The Mission Chamber Orchestra also provides family-oriented musical events. Bonfante Gardens offers a variety of seasonal special events and entertainment. Even more family-friendly offerings can be found at: www.sanjosefamilies.com.

SHOW ME THE MONEY
HSN tends to embrace working relationships with medium-to-large hospitals that offer solid assignments with fewer high risks, outstanding pay, and greater technology/patient care opportunities. With the number one median income in the United States, this is especially true for San Jose.

There's no question about it-San Jose is definitely a place to consider. It simply offers the best of all worlds and can deliver the quality of life and money-making potential many travelers seek.

Useful links for further research on San Jose, CA are:

• City of San Jose
• Fun in San Jose
• More about San Jose in general, and also hotels, dining, attractions, and more.
• Sports Info

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