Hawaii Travel NursingThe big kahuna of travel nursing is Hawaii travel nursing. Hawaii is the pacific paradise for the nurse who likes beaches, sun, and surf. Other activities that you can enjoy as you engage in Hawaii travel nursing include hiking, fishing, scuba diving and whale watching. Hawaii also has several national parks and recreation areas. You can also attend a Luau and learn about Hawaiian foods and culture while in Hawaii. Hawaii became a U.S. state in 1959 and is comprised of 8 islands; Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. The island of Hawaii is often called the Big Island to avoid confusion between the island and the state of Hawaii. Average temperatures vary depending on which island you are on from lows around 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to highs above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. There are 49 major medical centers and healthcare centers in the state of Hawaii including a major mental health center, veterans center and military medical treatment facilities. Opportunities for virtually every type of healthcare traveler exist. Learn how to maximize those opportunities. Become an Elite Traveler Hawaii is approximately 2000 miles from the U.S. mainland. Travel to and from the islands is primarily from the Honolulu international airport on the island of Oahu. One disadvantage of Hawaii travel nursing is that travel to and from the mainland is expensive. A roundtrip ticket can cost anywhere from $800 to $1200 for coach. If your contract is only 13 to 26 weeks this shouldn't be a major problem. Ferry travel between the islands is the primary method of travel. Air travel between the islands is also available. Because Hawaii is a U.S. state there is no requirement for a passport to travel there. Of course, if you plan to work as a travel nurse in Hawaii you will need a nursing license. A good travel agency can help navigate the process of acquiring a Hawaiian nursing license. If you can get the agency to pay for the license fees be sure to include that in the contract. Other clauses you want to be sure are included in the contract are round trip transportation costs and housing. Expect the cost of living in paradise to be higher than average as virtually everything that cannot be raised or produced in Hawaii has to be imported by ship or air transport. Average gas prices run about $1 more than the mainland. On May 3 2010 gas in Hawaii was as high as $3.95 vs $3.11 per gallon in California. Texas was $2.78. The average cost for a T-bone steak in Hawaii is $10.73 and a dozen eggs will cost you $3.32 per dozen vs $1.84 in Boise Idaho. So, be sure that the wages you are being offered are high enough to offset the higher cost of living. Of course, you probably won't be buying a house in Honolulu for $750,000. This is one of the major cost of living factors with the average mortgage or apartment rent being considerably higher in Hawaii than on the mainland. Plan your trip to Hawaii well and you should be able to see all the major sights and enjoy the beaches and the sun. In fact, you may return from a 13 week contract in Hawaii tanned and relaxed...almost as if you had been on vacation. Some useful links to help with your Hawaii travel nursing experience: |