Travel Nurse’s Guide to Dallas-Fort Worth
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the abundance of travel nursing opportunities found throughout the state. From Amarillo to Corpus Christi, and everywhere in between, Texas is an excellent place to gain valuable travel nursing skills. However, the lion’s share of the travel nursing jobs in Texas can be found in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Widely known as the economic and cultural hub of North Texas, Dallas–Fort Worth is also referred to as DFW (the local airport code) or the Metroplex. A total of 7,637,387 people call the Dallas–Fort Worth–metropolitan area home, according to the 2020 U.S. census, making it the most populous metro area in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States.
Travel nurses can take advantage of this growing area with a wide variety of assignments that can expand their clinical skills and provide help where it is most needed. DFW is home to a number of award-winning healthcare institutions that rely on the assistance of travel nurses to maintain excellent patient care and achieve the best outcomes.
Of course, it’s not just about work! Nurse travelers will find so much to do here. From the lively rodeo scene to botanical gardens and museums, and from famous barbeque joints to upscale dining and shopping, DFW has something for everyone. Read on to discover more about living and working in Dallas–Fort Worth as a travel nurse on assignment.
Lifestyle Benefits of Travel Nursing in Dallas–Fort Worth
Whether you are seeking city living in a high-rise apartment or want to embrace a more rural lifestyle, the Dallas–Fort Worth area has the best of both worlds. The area is essentially split into two distinct areas by Interstate 35, with the Dallas side on the east and Fort Worth on the west. Travel nurses can live in either area and still easily commute from Dallas to Fort Worth or vice versa. Arlington is also included in this area, sitting almost directly in the middle of the two cities.
Data from Payscale.com shows that the cost of living in the area is just two percent higher than the national average. Travel nurses can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in this region, especially since they can take advantage of generous salaries, travel reimbursements and their choice of free accommodations or a housing stipend offered by many major travel nursing agencies, including American Mobile.
It’s no surprise why people are flocking to Texas to enjoy all of the benefits of a life in the Metroplex. Dallas-Fort Worth ranked on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Places:
- #2 in Best Places to Live in Texas
- #37 in Best Places to Live
- #75 in Best Places to Retire
So what’s the difference between Dallas and Fort Worth? The locals will tell you that the two cities are vastly different. Some have described Fort Worth as more casual and easy-going than Dallas, with less traffic and it is easier to navigate. Dallas tends to be more expensive, urban and busy. Most visitors don't have the same “Texas feel” in downtown Dallas as they might in Fort Worth. All in all, the area has a lot to offer.
Both cities have distinct neighborhoods and districts with their own vibe and attractions. As a travel nurse on a typical 13-week assignment, you have plenty of time to explore and find your own favorites.
Facilities for Travel Nursing Assignments in Dallas–Fort Worth
There’s no shortage of prestigious accolades and awards when it comes to Dallas–Fort Worth’s thriving healthcare scene, and American Mobile consistently has a variety of opportunities available for travel nurses throughout the Metroplex. One of the area’s facilities was even recently ranked No. 1 in the world among healthcare institutions in biomedical sciences.
State data from 2017 listed about 90 hospitals in the area with a total of about 14,000 beds, meaning travel nurses in acute care can find assignments across all nursing specialties and contract lengths. Opportunities can also be found in primary care, urgent care, long-term care and even home health.
American Mobile has travel nursing jobs in the following types of facilities:
- Major hospitals / medical centers
- Children’s hospitals and pediatric clinics
- Teaching hospitals
- Outpatient clinics and medical practices
- Rehabilitation and long-term care facilities
- Home Health Companies
No matter what your preference for workplace settings, our recruiters can help you find an assignment that allows you to gain valuable experience and build your nursing resume.
Things to Do in Dallas & Fort Worth
From sports and rodeos to live music and outdoor activities, the DFW area is absolutely booming with things to do -- almost too many to list. Here are some of the best things to see, do and dine on in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Fort Worth
Activities & Experiences
- An assignment in Fort Worth wouldn’t be complete without a trip to their world-famous Stockyards Historic District and weekly rodeo. You’ll find historic buildings, saloons, livestock and so much more. Must-sees: The Fort Worth Herd, the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive and the weekly Stockyards Championship Rodeo.
- Check out some live music in the state’s first designated “music-friendly city,” so named by the Office of the Governor’s Texas Music Office. Fort Worth is known for its musical roots across a variety of genres, which means you’re sure to find something to fit your taste.
- Known as the museum capital of the Southwest, Fort Worth houses a variety of noteworthy museums. The Cultural District features five museums and a beautiful park.
- With more than 230 days of sunshine a year, Fort Worth offers plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. There’s sporting events, a speedway, trails, and fly fishing. Don’t forget about a trip to the botanical gardens or the Fort Worth Zoo.
Best Places to Eat
- So much more than BBQ, Fort Worth features culinary delights with flavors and infusions from across the globe. Here are a few of the city’s most raved-about restaurants:
- Rise Fort Worth - This cute French eatery is known for its soufflés and marshmallow soup (tomato bisque with goat cheese cubes). Luckily, there is also a Rise Dallas location if this one isn’t close to your assignment housing.
- Reata Restaurant - This upscale downtown staple is a perfect choice for a night out; be sure to enjoy the gorgeous views from the rooftop.
- Ellerbe Fine Foods - Situated in a former gas station, Ellerbe’s is the well-executed junction of fine dining meets farm-to-table.
- Lili’s Bistro - Known for its global cuisine, diners can enjoy a fancier dinner or a more casual lunch on the outdoor deck.
- Heim BBQ - Of course, we had to list a classic barbeque joint! The Heimburger is a must-try.
Dallas
Activities & Experience
- Museum and art lovers rejoice! You found your place in Dallas. Travel nurses can spend leisurely days off exploring the masterpieces found throughout the Arts District. The Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Museum of Asian Art are two favorites to consider.
- The GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower offers stunning views of the city from 460 feet in the air! Locals call the icon “the Ball” and it's been a staple of the skyline since 1978.
- A visit to “the Big D” isn’t complete without taking in the sights at the world’s largest domed structure; visitors can tour AT&T Stadium, which is home to the Dallas Cowboys.
- If a little retail therapy is what you’re seeking after a long shift, Dallas has you covered. The Galleria Dallas, the Shops at Park Lane, and Highland Park Village are just a few of the places where you’ll find big-name department stores, small boutiques and local designers.
Best Places to Eat
From super-fancy candlelit restaurants to little diners, Dallas has a unique restaurant scene that offers something for every palate.
- Petra and the Beast - Charcuterie boards, cured meats and delicious pastas are the all-star menu items from this East Dallas eatery.
- Tei-An - This establishment arguably features some of the best soba and sushi in Texas. Any top restaurant list in Dallas mentions this gem.
- Keller’s Drive-In - Go back in time to this drive-in that features carhops and a menu with nothing over $5! Be prepared to eat the best burger of your life.
- E-bar Tex-Mex - Dallas features a ton of yummy Tex-Mex joints, and this one deserves to be at the top of your list to try. Go for the carne asada and queso and stay for a spicy margarita.
Getting Started as a Travel Nurse in Dallas–Fort Worth
If you’re eager to experience the Texas lifestyle firsthand, American Mobile’s recruitment team has the opportunities and the expertise to get you started. We’ll focus on your priorities, find the ideal assignment, take care of the details of your licensing and onboarding, and support you throughout your assignment. Texas is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which helps streamline the licensing process for nurses from more than 30 compact states.
In addition to the competitive pay and free housing, our travel nurses also enjoy countless other benefits when they work with the industry leader. In fact, our travel nurses and their families gain access to premium PPO and HMO optioned health benefits. Moreover, we provide health insurance, life insurance, vision insurance and disability insurance for our nurses as well as their families.
American Mobile travel nurses also enjoy access to the largest clinical support team of all staffing agencies.
Customer service and support is taken extremely seriously here and we provide 24/7 clinical support to each one of our healthcare professionals. That means if you are on assignment in DFW and you have an issue, support is just an email, text or call away—regardless of the time of day or night.
There are few places where you can ride a horse one day, work a 12-hour shift at one of the nations’ top facilities the next, and then cap off the week getting dressed up for a fancy night on the town. Dallas–Fort Worth is a travel nurse’s dream come true!
Take the first step
Interested in working as a travel nurse in the Dallas–Fort Worth area? Visit American Mobile’s job search page to find an assignment that’s a great fit for you. You can also apply online or contact one of our friendly recruiters to get started right away.
