Job hunting in the healthcare field? Looking for an interim assignment or travel nursing placement? We keep our ear to the ground for available healthcare jobs all over the country. One of the hottest spots right now? Maine. Not literally, of course. We just checked the weather and it’s a little chilly, but don’t let that scare you away. If you’ve never considered working in the northeastern most state in the union, here are some reasons you might want to.
Maine borders New Hampshire to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and Canada to the north and east. The coastline is gorgeous and there are over sixty historic lighthouses along the Atlantic coast to visit and tour. This is a unique Maine experience that you should check out even if you are just visiting. Another must-do is sailing in the Penobscot Bay, which has some of the most beautiful sailing waters in the world with views of evergreens and rocky cliffs, and all those lighthouses. Regular lobster shacks and sandy beaches await when you need a rest.
Sailing is not the only outdoor activity available. Not by far. Maine is home to Acadia National Park and over thirty state parks. Evidently, nature conservation was a goal of former governor Percival Baxter, and the state has hundreds of thousands of acres dedicated to being “forever wild.” The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument are highlights of the state. Mount Katahdin is the highest point in Maine and the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the park that include a climb to Mount Katahdin’s summit.
If you want to hit the water you can do white water rafting in Kennebec Gorge or the Penobscot River. If you want to hit the snow, you’ve reached winter sports heaven: Ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing abound in the state. If you don’t have enough energy for all of that, try wildlife watching with moose tours in Baxter State Park or whale watching tours available up and down the Atlantic coast.
If that all sounds like too much nature, try the Maine Art Museum trail, which includes nine museums and 80,000 works of art within 350 miles. (If you’ve got a 13-week travel nurse placement that should fill up all your free time!) Learn about Maine at the Maine State Museum in Augusta, or head to Searsport, which was settled in the 1750s and has multiple historic districts and the Penobscot Marine Museum, which can teach you about Maine’s storied maritime history.
After you’ve hiked and skied and seen beautiful art and learned some things, it’ll be time to have some fun! Head to Saco, and Funtown Splashtown USA, which has the biggest rides in New England. Or drive to the Bridgton Twin Drive-In Theater for some entertainment and nostalgia. After that it’s time to eat! Portland is considered a foodie haven, and there are multiple food festivals throughout the state and the year that celebrate local cuisine. Some of the standouts are Eastport’s Salmon and Seafood Festival, Pemaquid’s Oyster Festival, and Rockland’s Maine Lobster Festival. Happy eating!
Have we sold you on Maine? If not, give us a call at 877.699.STAT and we’ll tell you some more great things about it. If we’ve succeeded, check out available jobs on our job board. Nurses can get licensure info at the Maine State Board of Nursing website.