The Perks of Landing a Travel Nurse Job in Newfoundland

Newfoundland, set on the most easterly edge of North America where the sun rises first, has some of the best scenery Canada has to offer. The island is an island filled with a small population who will welcome you with open arms, as they are some of the friendliest people one could ever meet. Add in its rich history, icebergs, whales, mountains, rivers and waterfalls, why wouldn’t you want to take on a travel nurse job in Newfoundland?! 

There are so many places for travel nurses contracted in Newfoundland to explore on their days off. Starting in the capital of the province, St. John’s offers both a sophisticated feel and its own brand of small town charm. You’ve probably seen pictures of the colourful Jellybean Row Houses on your Instagram, which are wedged together along the sides of steep hills. While being a beauty to see on their own, these colourful houses were originally painted in their bright hues as a means of guiding local fishermen home on foggy nights. 

Speaking of fishermen, if you wander just east of St. John’s, you’ll find yourself in Quidi Vidi, which is the epitome of an old fishing village. In this village, you can grab yourself a pint at the Quidi Vidi Brewing Company, or stop into any of the many local restaurants for some of the freshest seafood the east coast has to offer.

For a piece of history, not too far away is Signal Hill, which overlooks the city of St. John’s. It’s a National Historic Site in Canada filled with castle-like structures. 

Have another couple days off? Why not explore Gros Morne National Park’s ancient landscapes, shaped over millions of years by plate tectonics and glaciers. This park, which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has something for everyone. From jaw-droppingly stunning fjords, soaring mountains, panoramic beaches, wildlife (think whale watching, moose, caribou and arctic hare), lighthouses, cliffs and forests, it serves as a perfect backdrop for plenty of outdoor activities, specifically hiking. A travel nurse currently deployed in Newfoundland hiked the James Callaghan Trail located within Gros Morne National Park. This trail winds through forests to a viewing platform at the base of a mountain. 

The next stop on your tour of Newfoundland as a travel nurse could be Fogo Island, the largest island along the long coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The island is home of Brimstone Head, which is a piece of rocky landscape that gorgeously protrudes into the sky. This area, which overlooks the Atlantic ocean, is often referred to as one of the four corners of the Earth.

Only have a day off to explore? Some of the best icebergs can be seen off much of the Newfoundland and Labrador coast, which is never too far to get to. However, the area known most for iceberg sightings is Iceberg Alley, which goes along the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of Newfoundland. Ranging in colours from white to aquamarine, the sheer size of these glacial giants will amaze you. 

Twillingate, known as the iceberg capital of the world, is also known for its scenery and delicious seafood, with the fish coming straight from the water onto your plate. 

Additionally, the world’s largest population of humpback whales can be seen in Newfoundland during late spring and early summer. You can even spot these beautiful creatures from some areas on land, however the best way to experience the size and scale of them is on a professional boat tour. 

Newfoundland is such a vast and beautiful part of Atlantic Canada that we’ve only scratched the surface of all you can see and do on your off days working as a travel nurse in the province. 

If you’re interested in applying for a travel nurse job in Newfoundland with Canadian Health Labs, check out our current positions: https://canadianhealthlabs.applytojob.com/apply/