5 Travel Nursing Hot Spots in Ohio

At Health Carousel Travel Nursing, our team of recruiters is proud to call the Buckeye State home. With years of experience serving travel nurses on assignment in our own backyard, we’ve had the chance to not only get to know the medical facilities around Ohio, but also to better understand the experiences travel nurses have in the state. Through conversations with the nurses we work with, feedback from facilities, and a splash of our own local knowledge, we’ve put together a list of the top travel nursing hot spots in Ohio.

1. COLUMBUS

The state capital is the travel nursing destination most often requested by those looking for assignments in Ohio. There are a few reasons why, but the centralized location within the state and the hospitals located there are two key factors. Located in the middle of Ohio, Columbus is a vibrant city with lots to offer both native Buckeyes and those who call another state home. Columbus is the 15th largest U.S. city in terms of population, and is home to The Ohio State University, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Franklin Park Conservatory. What’s more, Columbus’ location gives you relatively quick access to other major cities, with Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Lexington all under a 3-hour drive from the city’s center. Many of Columbus’ hospitals are regarded as the best in the state, and HCTN is proud to have built strong relationships with these facilities.

2. DAYTON

Known as the “Birthplace of Aviation,” the hometown of Wilbur and Orville Wright has a lot to offer travel nurses. The team at HCTN consistently sees a high volume of travel nursing jobs out of Dayton, and at higher bill rates than is typical of most other Ohio hospitals. Again, our team has built a solid relationship with medical facilities located in Dayton, and has a firm grasp on the benefits of working in the area. Just a short drive north from neighboring Cincinnati, the city has great amenities to offer, a family-friendly appeal, and unique attractions like the U.S. Air Force Museum and the Oregon District.

3. CINCINNATI

The Queen City is yet another travel nursing hot spot it the Buckeye State. A vibrant river city with a strong German heritage, Cincinnati is a surprising Midwestern gem for most first-time visitors. While the city may be best known for it’s chili or as the birthplace of professional baseball, it’s unique traditions (like the world’s largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, as well as the annual Flying Pig Marathon), many nurses have found Cincy to be the perfect fit for travelers. HCTN is proud to say that our agency is typically one of the quickest to submit nurses for jobs in this region. In terms of location, travelers in Cincinnati have incredibly quick access to Kentucky and Indiana—both are passed through when traveling I-275, the complete beltway around Cincinnati.

4. TOLEDO

Home of the Rockets and Mud Hens (seriously), Toledo climbs into the No. 4 position among our list of Ohio travel nursing hot spots. Just behind Cincinnati in terms of population (and just ahead of Dayton), Toledo is similar to Cincy in that our recruiters are typically some of the quickest to submit travel nurses to jobs in the area when they become available. A relatively short drive from Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan (about an hour to each), Ohio’s northernmost “major” city is a great option for nurses interested in the Buckeye State. With the Toledo Museum of Art and access to Lake Erie, the city has attractions for nearly everyone without losing it’s Midwestern appeal.

5. CLEVELAND

Possibly better-known by sports fans as “Believeland,” Ohio’s second-largest city rounds out our top-five travel nursing hot spot list. Boasting major healthcare facilities and great amenities for residents and visitors alike, Cleveland is yet another attractive option for nurses considering an assignment in the Buckeye State. Outside of work, the Cavaliers, Browns, and Indians provide year-round athletic entertainment at the professional level, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a must-visit for anyone new to the city. Continuing with the sports theme, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is just an hour-long drive south from downtown Cleveland in Canton, Ohio.