How To Turn Your Job Into Your Dream Vacation: Boston Edition
Welcome to your assignment in Bahston, where the people tell it like it is to your face, street performahs are on every cornah, the Lobstah rolls are being devourahd, and American history has yet to fade away. Ok that’s enough with the accent, but don’t worry it grows on you.
Any of the hospitals in Boston will surely upgrade your resume as there are many busy level 1 trauma centers associated with top medical schools, innovative medical practice, and rated in the top hospitals in the United States. Find the hospital that best fits you.
| Hospital | Level | Beds | Ages | Teaching? |
| Mass General | 1 | 950 | All Ages | Harvard |
| Boston Children’s Hospital | 1 | 404 | Birth – 21 yrs | Harvard |
| Beth Israel Medical Center | 1 | 651 | All Ages | Harvard |
| Brigham & Women’s Hospital | 1 | 741 | All Ages | Harvard |
| Trident Medical Center | 1 | 415 | All Ages | Tufts |
| East Cooper Medical Center | 1 | 547 | All Ages | Boston |
Where to Live
When taking an assignment in Boston, it’s important to consider where you’re going to live, whether you need a car, where you’ll park, and how long it will take to get to the hospital with public transportation. Almost all of the hospitals do not provide on site parking so you will need to learn to use The T (metro), bus, trolley, or cabs. Don’t feel intimidated, it was my first time having to use public transportation and it was very easy to get around.
Short term furnished housing in the city will run you around $2,000-$3,000/mo. Remember that when you are negotiating your contract. Depending on where your assignment is, consider these areas for cheaper rentals: Jamaica Plain, Charlestown, or Waltham.
Start your adventure now! Travel nurses are in high demand.
Boston Bucket List
Boston offers a larger variety of tourist attractions and hidden gems that I will share with you below. I completed two assignments and still did not check off everything on my bucket list. Strap on your walking shoes and time hop back to the Revolutionary War period. Get a glance into our nation’s path to becoming a free country.
New England Aquarium features a 116,000 gallon tank, has a penguin exhibit, seal exhibit, and you can sign up to go on a whale watch tour.
Sam Adams Brewery offers tours and tastings. You’ll find it in the Jamaica Plain district.
Sports
TD Garden opened in 1995 and is where the Boston Celtics (NBA) shoot hoops on the basketball court and the Boston Bruins (NHL) hit the puck around in a game of hockey.
Fenway Park is the home of the Red Sox (MLB). The stadium has been open since 1912 and still holds some of the original seats. Don’t forget to grab a ballpark dog!
Gillette Stadium is home to the New England Patriots (NFL). Located in Foxboro, MA, thousands flock there for football games.
Take A Step Back in History
The Freedom Trail is a free 2 1/2 mile guided tour walk that offers a great lesson in American History. You will follow a guide dressed in a colonial outfit starting at the Boston Commons. They will passionately explain what happened at the site of the Boston Massacre, stop at the Statue of Benjamin Franklin, and step foot at the famous Paul Revere’s house. If you see a group walking around, feel free to jump in at any time.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Return to the site of American defiance that sparked a movement towards freedom from Great Britain. We all learned about the political protestors who snuck aboard a ship and tossed taxed tea into the ocean. Go to the museum to see a reenactment and memorabilia from that time period.
Old South Meeting House is where the Boston Tea Party started in 1773. People would gather there to voice their protest against British rule. Go here to learn more about the American rebellion that resulted in the Revolutionary War.
Beacon Hill was known as the highest point in central Boston and was used to warn residents of invasions from the British. Walk around the park and see some of the statues of people who are famous in history. Located in the same area is the Public Garden where you can see swans that nest in that area, blooming flowers, willow trees, and take a swan ride on the water.
Shopping and Food
One of my favorite places to shop was Newbury Street. There are many restaurants, high end boutiques, cafes, salons, and street vendors in this area. The street goes on for several blocks so it might take a couple visits to get through the entire street.
The Prudential Tower is a huge mall for some spendy shopping, but it houses one of my favorite restaurants Top of the Hub located on the 52nd floor of the tower. Be sure to make a
reservation in advance to get a great view of the city.
Faneuil Hall has been a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743. Walk the halls of the building that are lined with locals selling handmade items or grab food to go from one the many food stands. Take your meal outside and watch the street performers or just enjoy the sunshine.
Little Italy is great area for pasta and pizza, but my favorite are the pastries! Check out the famous Mike’s Pastry, although the line is down the street, it moves very quickly. Also, stop at Modern Pastry which is on the opposite side of Mike’s Pastry and down the street a block. Do a taste comparison to see which place you prefer.
Neptune Oyster is where all the locals go to get there “lobstah” rolls. It is a tragedy that I am allergic to shellfish, but try this place out and let me know what I’m missing!
Cuchi Cuchi was my all time favorite girls night out restaurant located in Cambridge. Servers are dressed in burlesque outfits, the drinks are on point, and the tapas dishes are delicious! With so many places to choose from, I still found myself at Cuchi Cuchi multiple times.
I saved the best for last. Get dolled up in your fine dining outfits on and head to The Verve Crowne Plaza- Natick. Meet Australian born executive chef and food and beverage director, Alastair McLean. Taste one of his creation inspired by his travels around the world while also using locally sourced ingredients. He has been featured on the Food Network and local new channels. You might also work with his wife who happens to be a CRNA at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Photo Courtesy of Aly McLean
This is just scratching the surface of the numerous things to do in Boston. Don’t forget to look into weekend trips out to Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Portsmouth, Provincetown, or Salem (home of the historic witch trials).
