Close your eyes and picture this: it’s your day off after a busy week on assignment. You’re standing in a stadium surrounded by 80,000 cheering fans as the Dallas Cowboys take the field. Or maybe you’re lounging on the River Walk in San Antonio, sipping an iced coffee as mariachi music drifts through the air. You could be exploring Houston’s bustling food scene, two-stepping in an Austin honky-tonk, or watching the sun set over the wide-open Texas Hill Country.

This is the beauty of travel nursing in Texas – you’re not just taking a job; you’re stepping into an adventure. Here, every shift is paired with new experiences, every weekend offers a chance to discover something unforgettable, and every corner of the state feels alive with energy, history, and heart.

Texas isn’t just big on the map; it’s also big on opportunity, culture, and community. From top-ranked hospitals, world-famous BBQ joints, watching Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders performing, to enjoying shows in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” your assignment here can be as fast-paced or as laid-back as you want it to be.

And the best part? You won’t be doing it alone. With the right staffing agency by your side, you’ll have support from the moment you accept your contract until your very last shift – so you can focus on what matters most: caring for patients and living your Texas adventure to the fullest.

Travel Nursing in Texas: Big Opportunities, Big Rewards

Texas is home to some of the nation’s leading healthcare facilities. Cities like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio all have top-tier hospitals with high demand for skilled nurses across specialties.

Assignments here often come with highly competitive pay packages, diverse clinical experiences, and the chance to work with some of the best teams in healthcare. You’re not just building your resume, you’re growing your confidence, skills, and career.

A Guide to Texas’ Hotspots for Travel Nurses

One of the best parts of travel nursing in Texas is that each city has its own personality. Wherever you land, you’ll have plenty to explore:

Dallas / Fort Worth

Why nurses love it: A major healthcare hub with a mix of large academic centers and community hospitals.
Don’t miss: A Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium (the atmosphere is unforgettable), the Dallas Arboretum, and the Fort Worth Stockyards for a true cowboy experience.
Food to try: Tex-Mex classics and some of the best brisket BBQ in the state.

Houston

Why nurses love it: Home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, Houston is full of opportunities across every specialty.
Don’t miss: NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the Museum District.
Food to try: Houston is one of the most diverse food cities in the U.S., with everything from authentic Vietnamese pho to award-winning tacos.

Austin

Why nurses love it: A thriving city with a “work hard, play hard” vibe – perfect for balancing tough shifts with plenty of fun.
Don’t miss: Live music on Sixth Street, swimming at Barton Springs, and the colorful murals all over the city.
Food to try: Breakfast tacos (don’t leave without trying them!) and world-famous Franklin Barbecue.

San Antonio

Why nurses love it: A slower pace with rich history and a family-friendly feel.
Don’t miss: The Alamo, a boat ride on the River Walk, and the San Antonio Missions (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Food to try: Puffy tacos and chili con carne.

The Gulf Coast (Galveston & Corpus Christi)

Why nurses love it: Smaller communities, a strong sense of local pride, and the chance to be near the beach.
Don’t miss: Moody Gardens in Galveston, Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi, and days off spent on the sand.
Food to try: Fresh Gulf seafood and shrimp boils.

More Than a Job: A Texas-Sized Lifestyle

As you can see, when you’re off the clock, Texas opens its arms with something for everyone:

Great Outdoors: From Big Bend National Park to Hill Country hikes and kayaking the San Marcos River, there’s certainly no shortage of fresh-air escapes.
Culture & Music: Texas is alive with art, music, and history, in fact did you know – Austin alone has more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.
Foodie Heaven: BBQ, Tex-Mex, kolaches, and sweet tea – we can guarantee you’ll never go hungry!
Sports & Spirit: Football is more than a game – it’s a way of life in Texas. Experiencing a Cowboys game is a must, but Friday night high school lights in small towns are just as unforgettable.

How Staffing Agencies like Ario Healthcare Support You Along the Way

Being away from home on assignment isn’t always easy, even in amazing places like Texas, but remember you’ll never be on your own. Staffing agencies support Travel Nurses from start to finish:

Placement Guidance: Helping match you with the right facility, city, and role.
Relocation Support: From housing to travel stipends, agencies help you feel settled quickly.
24/7 Support: On assignment, things can come up, but agencies are just a call away.
Career Growth: Every assignment is a stepping stone. Agencies line up your next opportunity so you can focus on what matters most – your patients and your adventure.

Why Travel Nurses Love Texas

Ask any Nurse who’s experienced travel nursing in Texas, and you’ll hear about the warmth of the people, the unforgettable food, and the way Texas becomes a part of you, giving you stories and friendships that last a lifetime.

So, if you’re ready for a new adventure, consider making Texas your next destination. With rewarding clinical experiences, endless things to explore, and a lifestyle that’s as bold as the Lone Star State itself, you’ll feel right at home. Embark on an enriching assignment in Texas with Ario Healthcare, guiding your journey the entire way. To find out more, text us on +1 347 943 3443, or drop us a message via WhatsApp.

The research is in!

Recent research from WalletHub took a close look at the nursing industry across the United States. Some of these parameters are exactly what we look for when searching for locations that are great for travel nurses. The research information sheds light on the current employment environment. This information could be useful for your journey as a travel nurse.

Two key dimensions were examined using 14 relevant metrics.

— Opportunity & Competition

— Work Environment

The Top 5 in several categories are:

Most Nursing Job Openings per Capita

More nursing jobs means locations that are great for travel nurses to start looking.

District of Columbia
New Mexico
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Alaska

Highest Annual Nursing Salary (Adjusted for Cost of Living)

It’s important to note that just because a location has a high annual salary, it’s not necessarily translated to locations that are great for travel nurses. Sometimes the travel pay isn’t commiserate with the staff pay.

Nevada
Wyoming
Idaho
Michigan
Texas

Most Healthcare Facilities per Capita

Wherever there are a lot of healthcare facilities, there are bound to be nursing shortages and thus, locations that are great for travel nurses.

Oregon
Maine
Minnesota
South Dakota
Iowa

Top 5 Nurse-Friendly Hospitals

More research from Top RN to BSN, lists the most nurse-friendly hospitals in the United States. Who wouldn’t rate a location with one of these top 5 nurse-friendly hospitals as a great location for travel nurses!

Winners of the top 5 spots are:

Schneck Medical Center – Seymour, Indiana
Johns Hopkins Hospital – Baltimore, Maryland
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital Of Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
Baptist Medical Center – Jacksonville, Florida
West Virginia University Hospitals – Morgantown, West Virginia

Other Considerations

Reports also note that travel nurses frequently request assignments in places where many people want to vacation. Hawaii, New York City, California, Florida, Alaska, and Las Vegas are popular picks. Therefore, it’s the opportunities for time spent outside of work that makes these areas especially attractive.

Above all, when you contact your agency, talk honestly about what you are looking for in an assignment. Therefore, let your recruiter know what activities you enjoy. Clarity in your needs will only help the travel nurse agency find you the right contract. Be upfront about the types of places you would like to go.

Most importantly, it’s essential to understand the licensing requirements of different states. What are the costs to obtain necessary licensing and who will cover those expenses? The lead-time to start an assignment is also important. You will need adequate time to give notice to any current position. As you evaluate options, be careful not to assess only the salary. While some areas offer an above average salary, the cost of living can be very high and quickly offset any gains in your paycheck.

Are you looking for a travel nurse job at one of these locations? Did you know that you can search our Job Listings for specific hospitals, cities, and by specialty?

Check it out and find your perfect travel nurse contract today!

Hurricane Harvey has pulled on the heart strings of our Gypsy Nurse community. An outpouring of posts offering nursing assistance has literally flooded our group feed. We here at The Gypsy Nurse have been working to find and provide all of our community a place to find any/all pertinent information.

*This post will be updated as new information is received. Most recent additions, 9/06/2017

Crisis Intervention of Houston 713-HOT-LINE
24/7 phone lines answered for people who need to talk to someone when in distress.

Nurse Relief (and Volunteer) Resources
It’s important to note that relief staffing can take some time to deploy. If you have registered to assist, please exercise patience as deployment can take some time. There will be continued needs in the evacuation areas for some time to come.

Temporary Staffing Jobs – A multitude of staffing agencies are working with the hospitals in the evacuation areas to provide relief staffing. Please reach out to these agencies directly.
Check out the Job listings in TEXAS by searching the Gypsy Nurse Job Listings
FEMA Administrator Brock Long, urged those who want to help to go to the website of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster – at www.nvoad.org.
Dallas Convention Center – They have specific instructions for volunteering and donating via several relief agencies.
The George Brown Convention Center in Houston. They need supplies and medical personnel.
Red Cross seeking Health and Mental Health Volunteers
Sign up to volunteer with the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry.
From NJSNA (New Jersey State Nurse Association)
The former CEO of RWJUH Stephen Jones’s son ( Stephen Jones, Jr.) is the CEO of a 150 bed hospital on the Texas coast. They have called us looking for volunteer nurses for one to two weeks to fly down (private jet leaving Newark Thursday morning) and be able to give their staff some relief. They’ll be happy if they can stay the week, ecstatic if they can stay two weeks. All expenses paid, but no salary (volunteer). They will cover cost of flying back here. Just need your license – they will cover malpractice under their plan. Please share this information and anyone who is interested, email NJSNA. They need 30 ICU nurses, 30 ED nurses and 30 med/surg/telemetry nurses. Thanks for spreading the word! To volunteer, please contact Judy Schmidt, NJSNA CEO at judy@njsna.org

Donate

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, housed by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
American Red Cross Hurricane Harvey relief. You can also pitch in by texting HARVEY or REDCROSS to 90999.
The United Way of Greater Houston has launched the United Way Relief Fund to support the community in the aftermath of Harvey. You can specify funds go towards Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, or Waller County, or wherever they are most needed.
Jewish Family Services of Greater Houston has a JFS Staffed Crisis Hotline, at 713-364-5021, answered by a local therapist for weather-related anxiety. Please leave a message if no one answers. Give to the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to support efforts to get food, water, and shelter to local families.
Donate to Communities of Color (via Colorlines)
CNN’s Public Good donation portal will split funds between these organizations: Convoy of Hope, Samaritan’s Purse, Americares, Direct Relief, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corps, Salvation Army, and Save the Children Federation.
Global Giving has a $2 million fundraising goal for a fund that will provide relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild. All donations to this fund will exclusively support local relief and recovery efforts from this storm.
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief’s Hurricane Harvey efforts.
Texas Diaper Bank needs donations to provide diapers to families affected and displaced by the hurricane. Diapers can be dropped off at their location at 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, TX 78238

ANIMALS

SPCA of Texas’s specific hurricane relief page shares that they are accepting in-kind donations in Dallas and McKinney, as well as monetary donations
San Antonio Humane Society is sheltering animals while their owners are displaced. Although they are not specifically asking for donations, I’m sure they won’t turn away.
Austin Pets Alive has transported almost 250 animals to their shelter so far. They need funding, long-term fosters, and items from a wishlist of in-kind donations.
Lost Dogs of Texas is maintaining several active Facebook pages documenting pets they’ve found amid the storm. Here is some information (with photos included) on animals found along the Coast Bend area and those in the Houston area.

Food Donations

Feeding Texas is a central organization that helps to meet food needs throughout Texas. Most food banks request monetary donations during critical need times like this, as they can be used directly and require less manpower in sorting. The best material donations include canned meat and fish, powdered milk, cereal, canned fruit, fruit cups, peanut butter and jelly. Cleaning supplies like bleach and paper towels are also accepted.
Houston Press has a list of all local food banks.
Houston Food Bank is closed due to the storm. Their Harvey-specific donation page is live. $100 will cover 300 meals.
San Antonio Food Bank is the official coordinating agency in partnership with the City, County, and other nonprofit organizations for the donation of money and supplies in support of Harvey relief work in their region.
Central Texas Food Bank will distribute emergency food boxes to the affected regions.
The H-E-B grocery store chain has donated $100,000 towards Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, and has an in-store campaign for customer donations. All Houston area H-E-B locations are currently closed.

Public Safety, Shelter, and Health Care

Find an open shelter near you by texting SHELTER and your zip code to 4FEMA (43362). You can also use the FEMA mobile app.

City of Houston Emergency information.
Houston’s Coalition for the Homeless is updating available space in shelters here.

Following reports that several Texans are missing in midst of the storm, the Red Cross is encouraging people to list themselves and their families as safe by clicking here. You can also receive disaster assistance from the Red Cross by calling 877-500-8645, or find a list of open shelters here.

Shelter is available at the George Brown Convention Center in Houston. They need supplies and medical personnel.
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas is operating as a “mega-shelter”. They have specific instructions for volunteering and donating via several relief agencies.

Austin Convention Center is currently an American Red Cross headquarters, and is expecting to offer space for 7,000

Make a cash or diaper donation to the Texas Diaper Bank, which is providing emergency diaper kits to displaced families.

Trusted World operates three shelters in Dallas and is serving people displaced by Hurricane Harvey, including at the Dallas Convention Center.
Donations being accepted include: New underwear, Socks, Warmups, Toiletries and personal Hygiene products

Baby Items: formula, wipes, diapers, bottles
- Drop off is at 15660 N. Dallas Parkway, just north of Arapaho on the north side of the Parkway. The donations center will open from 3-8 p.m. daily.
Austin Disaster Relief Network will hold a Community Survivor Donation Drive on Wednesday, August 30. You may also donate online or text AUSTINRELIEF to 444999.
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund has been set up through the Austin Community Foundation by the Austin Disaster Relief Network to provide for the immediate and long-term physical needs of families impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Housing Assistance

FEMA Transitional Shelter Assistance and Disaster Recovery Individual Assistance
Baker Ripley offers community-based services in 70 locations, including community centers, across Houston.
People needing shelter or wishing to offer it can use Air BnB. Service fees are waived through September 1.

There is nothing like a day off. And while it’s tempting to run off to the mall or splurge a little, almost every nursing professional has to adhere to some form of a budget. Thanks to tourtexas.com, we’d like to highlight some favorite things you can do in Dallas at no charge. So, after long days of caring for patients and helping others, take that money you’ll save and treat yourself to a favorite coffee or herbal tea.

5 fun (free) things to do when not at work

Fountain Place:

Water dances and leaps skyward at Downtown’s Fountain Place. At the base of this dramatically sculpted, 1.2-million-square-foot office tower of green reflective glass you’ll find an oasis of colorful flowers, waterfalls, 172 bubbler fountains, and a central fountain. Location: 1445 Ross Avenue at Field Street

Klyde Warren Park:

This 5.2-acre urban deck-park is a popular, lush green space in the heart of downtown that connects Uptown with the Arts District features a large children’s playground area, a concert stage, free lawn games, an outdoor library, free Wi-Fi, footpaths, a dog park, free exercise classes, water fountains, food trucks, and two restaurants. Location: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy.

White Rock Lake:

Located in the middle of central Dallas this man-made water and park area was built in 1911. A 9.3-mile paved path around the lake is perfect for running and biking, and scenic views lend themselves to picturesque picnics. For those looking to get onto the water, paddleboarding, canoeing, rowing and sailing are great options for a fun day at the lake. Location: 8300 East Lawther Dr.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s lobby and outdoor plaza:

There is a fee for admission to the renowned Perot Museum of Nature and Science, HOWEVER, its outdoor plaza, lobby, and café are free and offers free Wi-Fi. The plaza features a one-acre urban forest filled with native plants and a hands-on musical forest with oversized xylophones and chimes. The main lobby has an iconic, 35-foot Malawisaurus fossil on display, and there is a roof deck nearby that overlooks the museum’s sustainable features. Location: 2201 N. Field St.

Mary Kay Cosmetics:

Take a walk through history and experience a dream that began when Mary Kay Ash set out to build a company that would give women unlimited opportunities. The cosmetics headquarters offers a free museum that showcases the accomplishments and business ideas of Mary Kay Ash and includes a theater and Hall of Honor. Location: 16251 Dallas Parkway, Addison

When you’re in a new City, finding the ‘Best’ things to see or do takes a bit of research.

Avoid the time-consuming research by taking these suggestions for Things to Do in San Antonio from one of the Network group members, Deana.

Restaurants

Kimura – Ramen downtown by pecan street and Riverwalk (Great food)
Rita’s On the River- Riverwalk, Great food and Pitchers of Margaritas less than $30
Vegeria – vegan tex mex (didn’t try)
Mi Tierra’s – off the market square (awesome experience and great food)
La Margarita’s – also off the market square. Liked Mi tierra’s better
Green Vegetarian Cuisine – Pearl District, Didn’t try
LaGloria – Also in Pearl District, didn’t try, but it gets rave reviews
Bun n barrel –didn’t try
Roberto’s taco shop-didn’t try
El Chapparal- In Helotes off of Bandera Rd. – Live music in the evenings, wonderful atmosphere and food.
The Grist Mill in Gruene is great!
There are quite a few restaurants off the riverwalk. Joe’s crab shack is one, Dick’s bar is another. Sometimes there’s coupons in the current magazine.
Big Lou’s Pizza- Awesome pizza. Has wagon wheeled size pizza for around 99 bucks. Get a much smaller one if there’s just 2 people. Will feed an army.
Lots of chains – Whataburger started in Corpus Christi, Taco Cabana is a san Antonio starter, Las palapas is great!
Umai Misa is an awesome Asian restaurant. There’s a few shops in the little shopping center too. Also has a painting class similar to Pinot’s Pallette, Latin Dance Lessons, and a cool coffee shop.
Chocolateka off of 1604 is a chocolate bar!

Things to do

Riverwalk – There’s riverboat tours until 9pm.
TheMissions including the Alamo- there are 5 I think. Takes all day to see every one.
Visitor’s center on the Riverwalk close to Alamo has lots of pamphlets.
The governor’s palace is downtown.
There is also a church downtown that is awesome.
Pearl Brewery District.- The brewery has been closed for a while but they are building a nice hip area with shops and food. There’s a cool coffee shop down there.
The Buddhist temple by mission ranch is Chua Phuoc Hue, 6292 Lockhill Road, San Antonio it has an awesome garden with statues
There is a Japanese Tea Garden next to the Zoo.
Of course Sea World and Fiesta Texas (six flags are here) they may have some Christmas stuff going on.
If you want to learn salsa, Arjon’s Dance Studio is a nice little Cabaret. Sundays for $5 cover from I think 7-9 there is salsa lessons. Drinks are $1. This was a cool activity for me and another travel nurse.
Incarnate Word put their Christmas lights up last week. I haven’t been able to go yet.
Tejas Rodeo Awesome!! Rodeos run from March to early November. Dancing included.
Tons of festivals are usually going on somewhere.
New Braunfels and Gruene are nice little towns. Live music in Gruene. There’s also 2 wineries there.
There is Floor country store dance hall in Helotes close to El chaparral.
Cowboys dance hall has concerts, dancing and other stuff like pbr going on.
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels in the summer- biggest Water Park I’ve seen.

Shopping

The shops at La Cantera are good.
Ingram mall
There is a couple of shopping centers down Huebner. Take a right onto Huebner from Babcock.
Past HEB and around I 10 there’s a Walmart, Sam’s, Specs (Nothing but liquor) and some other chain favorites. There is also a couple of small Walmarts on Bandera on the way to Helotes.
Ingram Mall I think that’s the one on 410 has a decent mall.
Market Square on Commerce-Like Little Mexico, Can Barter with shop owners.
Buc-cees’- New Braunfels, Biggest Gas Station Ever!

Movies

Alamo draft house (you can order food and drinks from your seat in the movie).
Paladium has a nice bar and restaurant in it. Alvin and the chipmunk statues are there.
Bijou Cinema- similar to Alamo draft house, but has independent films.

Bars

Little Woodrow’s-on Babcock. Nice sports bar.
Moses Roses Hideout next to jimmy john’s on Houston by the Alamo- awesome burgers
There’s chains like Bar Louie’s and Stone Werks and YardHouse and some others that are pretty nice to go to.
There is a bar in the Tower of America’s. Like the space needle. $8 cash to park in their lot. They have a happy hour.
Friendly Spot is downtown and is family and pet friendly.

Parks (Dog Friendly)

Phil Hardberger Park, There are two Sides.
Spend a weekend morning at one of San Antonio’s dog parks. Come on out and meet puppies, dogs, and people of all breeds.
Great way for both you and Fido to make lasting friends! See a full list here: http://www.sanantoniodoglife.com/dog-parks

A Huge “Thank You” to Deana for sharing this list. Do you have other suggestions for san Antonio? Have a similar list for another city? Please share! If you would like to have your City To Do list published, get in touch!

Travel Nursing in Texas: Big Opportunities, Big Rewards

A Guide to Texas’ Hotspots for Travel Nurses

Dallas / Fort Worth

The Gulf Coast (Galveston & Corpus Christi)

More Than a Job: A Texas-Sized Lifestyle

How Staffing Agencies like Ario Healthcare Support You Along the Way

Why Travel Nurses Love Texas

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Fountain Place:

Klyde Warren Park:

White Rock Lake:

Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s lobby and outdoor plaza:

Mary Kay Cosmetics:

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