Registered Nurse Explorers, mark January 5 on your calendar and start packing your bags! We’ve lined up four exciting and rewarding assignments to kickstart your 2026 travel adventures. From the stunning views of Seattle to the waterfront charm of Charleston, the small-town warmth of South Jersey, and the sunny Gulf Coast vibes of Pasadena, Texas, these assignments offer the perfect mix of professional growth and adventure. It’s the perfect way to start the new year, expand your resume, and hit those travel goals.
Seattle, Washington (Operating Room Registered Nurses)
The Emerald City
Named one of the 50 Best Places to Travel by Travel & Leisure and recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as both one of the best and most walkable cities in the country, Seattle is a destination every Explorer should have on their list. It’s also an excellent place to build operating room experience, ideal for those with at least eighteen months of recent Acute Care Surgery background. Assignments typically include a mix of three 12-hour day shifts and three 12-hour night shifts, giving you plenty of time to navigate the city once you’re off the clock. And that’s when Seattle really shines: breathtaking outdoor adventures, a standout food scene, and a unique culture. If you’re looking for an assignment that elevates both your work and your downtime, Seattle is an easy yes.
Starting January 5, OR Registered Nurses can earn an estimated $2,351 per week, including gross hourly wages and stipends for housing and meals.
Get more details HERE.
Attractions:
From the Space Needle to Pike Place Market, Explorers will have a tough time seeing and doing everything on their travel list during their short time in Seattle. Art lovers peruse famous works at the Seattle Art Museum and Frye Art Museum. One of the best ways to see Seattle is by water. Take a ride on the Water Taxi for amazing views.
Cost of Living: Seattle is 45% higher than the national average for housing, food, and utilities. Rent for a 1‑bedroom apartment is around $2,088per month.
Vineland, New Jersey (Labor & Delivery Registered Nurse)
South Jersey Living
Night owls, this assignment is for you! Explorers with 18 months of recent Acute Care Labor and Delivery (L&D) setting experience, be ready to clock in from 6:45 pm to 7:15 am daily. Vineland offers travel nurses professional growth and small-town charm in South Jersey. When you’re off the clock, you can explore local farms, parks, historic sites, and a growing food scene, all without the crowds of larger cities. Whether you’re looking for a welcoming place to advance your career or simply hoping to kick off the New Year with a peaceful, well-rounded assignment, Vineland is the city for you.
Starting January 5, ER Registered Nurses can earn an estimated $2,748 weekly, including gross hourly wages and expense reimbursements for meals and housing.
Get all of the details HERE.
Attractions:
Catch a classic, retro-style movie night at the Delsea Drive-In Theatre when it opens for select winter weekends, or enjoy live performances and community events at the historic Landis Theater. If you prefer staying indoors, head to the Cumberland Mall provides shopping, dining, and entertainment all under one roof, perfect for cold days. Local wineries and breweries often host tastings and winter-themed events, and for a breath of fresh air, nearby Parvin State Park stays open year-round, offering quiet winter hikes and frosty scenery.
Cost of Living: Vineland is about 14% below the national average for housing, food, and utilities. Rent for a 1‑bedroom apartment is around $1,269 a month.
Charleston, South Carolina (Operating Room Registered Nurse)
Southern Charm and Hospitality Awaits
Last call for night owls. Clock in three nights a week for a 12-hour shift from 6 pm to 6:30 am. The city is home to a range of respected hospitals and healthcare facilities, giving nurses the chance to gain valuable experience in a vibrant, fast-growing medical community. Then you are free to explore the historic and scenic streets of Charleston. Whether you’re here for the outdoor recreation, the coastal views, or the mouth-watering cuisine, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation in Charleston.
Starting January 5, OR Registered Nurses can earn an estimated $1,830 per week, including gross hourly wages and stipends for housing and meals.
Get all of the details HERE.
Attractions:
Rated a Best Food Cities on the Planet by Food&Wine, Best U.S. Cities for Seafood by Traveler, and South’s 10 Best Food Towns by Garden&Gun; if you’re not eating, you’re not living in Charleston. So, hit up some of these local favorites. Get physical with some paddleboarding, then hit the spa and give those muscles the love they deserve before your next shift.
Cost of Living: Charleston is 1% higher than the national average for housing, food, and utilities. Rent for a 1‑bedroom apartment is around $1,797 a month.
Pasadena, Texas (Cath Lab Registered Nurse)
Gulf Coast Vibes
With average highs in the mid-60s to upper 60s, Pasadena is the perfect place to kick off 2026 for Explorers seeking a warmer alternative to the winter chill. You’ll be working 10-hour shifts from 7 am to 5:30 pm. Once you clock out, you can enjoy all the conveniences of the Gulf Coast beaches and nearby Houston. The city is home to reputable facilities like HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast and Texas Medical Center, laying the foundation for a strong and supportive medical community, great for Explorers to gain experience and build ties.
Starting January 5, Cath Lab Registered Nurses can earn an estimated $2,658 weekly, including gross hourly wages and expense reimbursements for meals and housing.
Get all of the details HERE.
Attractions:
Outside of work, Pasadena delivers a little bit of everything; from serene nature getaways at the Armand Bayou Nature Center to flavorful bites at local Tex‑Mex, barbecue, and seafood spots, plus community festivals reflecting the city’s cultural blend of Latino, Vietnamese, Cajun, and Southern influences. With just a short drive to Houston, you’re also within easy reach of major draws like the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and iconic institutions such as Space Center Houston — a powerful mix of art, science, history, and global cuisine. For a travel nurse looking for affordable living, cultural variety, and big-city amenities without the daily stress of urban congestion, Pasadena hits the sweet spot.
Cost of Living: Pasadena is 3% lower than the national average for housing, food, and utilities. Rent for a 1‑bedroom apartment is around $919 a month.