What to Expect: Travel Nursing Jobs in Ohio
We gotta admit, we’re a little partial to Ohio, mainly because one half of our travel nurse agency is in Ohio. Triage has an office in Loveland, which is near Cincinnati and your travel nurse recruiter might just be from Ohio. Talk about an advantage if you’re looking for travel nurse jobs in Ohio!
But if you’re working with an Omaha based recruiter, don’t worry. We’ve still got you covered with what you can expect from travel nurse jobs in Ohio. Learn about the Buckeye State and why you shouldn’t miss an assignment in Ohio.
About Ohio
Ohio is the 34th largest state by area and the seventh most populated. Some of Ohio’s biggest cities are Columbus (also the state capital), Cincinnati and Cleveland. About half Ohio’s population lives in those three metropolitan areas, with another couple million in Dayton, Akron and Toledo.
If you’re interested in taking a tour of Ohio’s biggest cities, make sure that you plan ahead. A drive between Cincinnati in the southern part of the state and Cleveland in the northern part of the state can take about 4.5 hours, and Columbus is nearly right in the middle. The drive is an easy one though, get on I-71 and just drive.
Ohio is warm in the summer and cold in the winter, so depending on when you’re there, you’ll need to adjust your wardrobe. Highs in July are well into the 80s, while highs in January are mostly in the 30s. Summers are definitely humid though.
In the spring and summer, tornados may occur, but they’re not terribly common. In 2021, there were 33 tornados across the state, with one direct injury and no fatalities. More common is snow in the winter. The area known as the snowbelt starts in Cleveland and averages 54 inches of snow a year. Bring those snow boots if you’re planning a winter assignment in Ohio!
Why Ohio
Why would someone look for RN travel jobs in Ohio? Well, there’s likely something for everyone in Ohio. Like to hike? You can hike around the entire state on the Buckeye Trail, a 1440 mile trail that circles the entire state. Is a bike trail more your thing? Consider a trip on the Ohio to Erie Trail, a bike trail that can take you from Cincinnati to Cleveland. It’s a 326 mile trail that will take you through country roads and urban streets with a stop in Columbus.
Is music more your thing? Cleveland is home to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and Ohio is also known for its amusement parks. There’s something for everyone in Ohio.
Hospitals in Ohio
There are nearly 300 hospitals in Ohio, with a mix of both urban and rural. Nineteen hospitals have been ranked as meeting high standards by U.S. News and World Report. These hospitals include:
- Cleveland Clinic
- Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
- Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital
- Christ Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic Akron General
- OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
- Miami Valley Hospital
- ProMedica Toledo Hospital
- Kettering Health Main Campus
- Aultman Hospital
- Bethesda North Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital
- University Hospital Ahuja Medical Center
- Summa Health-Akron Campus
- University Hospitals Parma Medical Center
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center
- Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital
Most of these hospitals are in Ohio’s largest cities of Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland, but Miami Valley and Kettering are located in or near Dayton, ProMedica is in Toledo and Aultman is in Canton. Triage typically has hundreds of jobs available in Ohio and some of our travelers favorite places have been in Ohio.
Ohio Travel Nurse Pay & Contracts
Like everywhere else, the pay for Ohio travel nurse jobs can vary by facility, specialty and even time of year. Before you sign a contract for Ohio travel nursing jobs, work with your recruiter to understand exactly what your contract includes. Things like pay, time off, and even which shift you’ll be working should all be spelled out in your travel nurse in Ohio contract.
Getting a License for Travel Nursing Jobs in Ohio
Before you can take a travel nursing job in Ohio, you need a license. In 2021, the Ohio legislature voted to join the Nurse Licensure Compact. Although Ohio has voted, to join the compact, the Ohio Board of Nursing started issuing multi-state licenses on January 3, 2023. This means after January 2023, you can practice nursing in Ohio as long as your primary home is within one of the states that currently recognize the NLC.
However, if you’re reading this before January 3, 2023, or are from a state that doesn’t participate in the NLC? You will need to apply for a license on the Ohio Board of Nursing website. Are you a veteran or military spouse? You can check a box on your application and your license will be fast-tracked. You can also receive a temporary license in just 1-3 business days.
If you’re not a veteran or a military spouse, you can expect your license to take a couple weeks. Your license will be verified and you’ll need to pay a fee for the license before you can start your new position in Ohio. This can all be done online at the BON website.
Things to Do in Ohio
As we alluded to earlier, there’s so much to do in Ohio. IF you’re in Cleveland or close to it, you shouldn’t miss the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Each year the Hall of Fame inducts a select few members of the music community, but not all of them would be considered “rockers” so there’s something for everyone at the museum. Musicians from other genres, such as country, jazz, R&B and folk are all included.
If you’re an animal lover, Ohio is a great place to check out the zoos. Both Columbus and Cincinnati are known as excellent zoos. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium houses animals such as grizzly bears, African elephants (including an elephant calf, lions, Mexican wolves and artic foxes. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the sixth oldest zoo in the U.S. and has been ranked as the top zoo in the country in 2019. In 2017, the zoo welcomed a baby hippo, named Fiona. Fiona was the first birth of a hippo at the zoo in 75 years and you can still find merch featuring Fiona, who now weighs more than 1600 pounds.
Do you love to shop and find unique items? Check out the West Side Market in Cleveland. This market is full of one-of-a-kind vendors that feature baked goods, local products, meats, gourmet coffees and ready to eat foods like crepes, gyros, hot dogs, calzones and more. The market is open five days a week, and closed Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Are you a thrill seeker? Ohio might be your jam. Ohio has two major amusement parks and plenty of smaller ones to hold your interest. The two major players, Cedar Point and Kings Island have nearly 30 roller coasters between the two parks and plenty of things to do for thrill seekers of all ages.
Places to Eat in Ohio
If you’re coming to Ohio, come hungry. If you’re in Cleveland or Columbus, check out The Melt Bar and Grilled for a grilled cheese. These aren’t any normal grilled cheese sandwiches though. Melt Bar and Grilled has 16 different sandwiches to choose from, featuring everything from a classic grilled cheese to one stuffed with macaroni and cheese. If you’re really hungry, consider taking on the “Melt Challenge,” a monster grilled cheese stuffed with 13 different cheeses, 3 slices of bread and a pile of fries and cole slaw. It’s over 5 lbs of food and the challenge was featured on the Food Network’s Man Vs. Food. Few have defeated the Melt Challenge.
If you’re in Cincinnati, make time for Primavista. It’s been named as the best Italian restaurant by Cincinnati Magazine’s readers and is known for its excellent food, as well as its stunning views of the city. The menu isn’t large, but is full of classic Italian dishes like spaghetti and veal meatballs, penne cionni, ravioli, and gnocchi. Prices are what you’d expect with dishes ranging from $21-$46. While you can stop in, reservations aren’t a bad idea.
If you’re near Lima, don’t sleep on Kewpee Hamburgers. This unassuming hamburger chain has been serving fresh burgers and fries since 1928 and you might think their prices are from 1928 too. A cheeseburger, side of fries and a malt is less than $7. There are three locations in Lima, but be aware that Kewpee is not open on Sundays.
Though it’s not a restaurant in Ohio, you can’t leave the Buckeye State without sampling one of its most famous dishes—the buckeye. While real buckeye nuts are poisonous, Ohio cooks have created their own made out of butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar and chocolate. The first three ingredients are mixed together and formed into balls before being dipped in chocolate. A small circle of peanut butter is left uncovered, giving these candies their traditional buckeye look.
Finding Housing in Ohio
Finding housing when you’re working travel nurse jobs in Ohio can be challenging or easy, depending on where you are. Bigger cities, like Columbus, Cleveland or Cincinnati can have plenty of housing. Check into an extended stay hotel, an Airbnb or even renting a room in someone’s home if you’re staying in a big city.
Small communities might have fewer housing options, though you won’t have to worry as much about the traffic situation. If you’re going to be working in a small town, make sure you look into housing before you sign a contract, or at least talk to your recruiter to see if they have any options and ideas for you. Most recruiters will have a few ideas or they can reach out to their network to see if other travelers have a suggestion on where you can stay.
Is a travel nurse assignment in Ohio right for you? If so, chat up a Triage recruiter to see what your options are in the Buckeye State.
