Let’s face it: Your work in a nursing job is tough stuff.
It’s well known that a career in nursing can take a heavy toll on your physical and emotional well-being. Of course, it’s the health and well-being of others that attracted you to your nursing job in the first place; but happy, successful nurses know that taking care of yourself better prepares you to take care of your patients.
Nursing literature and other reports are chock-full of advice for nurses on maintaining their wellness, from ergonomic ways to watch your back to selecting an employer that shares your values and making the most of your time away from your nursing job. The what, why and how of wellness for nurses have all been covered. Yet another important factor that can influence your quality of life is typically absent from the discussion: The where.
Research shows that geography can have a profound impact on individual happiness. Where you live might affect your overall contentment as much as other socioeconomic factors, such as your employment status or income. While intrinsic variables (innate optimism, positive social relationships, and a sense of purpose, for example) contribute to life fulfillment, some research demonstrates climate can affect self-reported satisfaction, too.
It seems sunshine on our shoulders really can make us happy. If weather woes bring you down, perhaps it’s time to consider a change of place.
A place like Palm Springs.
An oasis in the Southern California desert, Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley bask in sunshine 350 days a year. Endless blue skies make the area a shimmering playground for wellness-boosting, year-round outdoor activities. Plus, a resort-like atmosphere, complete with spas and natural hot springs, offers abundant opportunities for busy nurses like you to relax and renew.
If all that sun and fun sounds to you more like a vacation than your current work-life situation, you’re probably right. But who says you have to spend your days living for vacation rather than living like you’re on one? Why can’t you have a successful career and live a healthy, vacation-like lifestyle that supports your general wellness?
You can in the Palm Springs area. Here’s why:
We’ll Help You Get Here
First thing’s first: Let’s talk money. As enticing as sun-soaked living can be, all the rays in the world won’t help you make a move if it’s a financial strain for you to relocate or you simply can’t afford to stay.
Eisenhower Medical Center, a world-class healthcare organization and leader in the Coachella Valley, offers $15,000 in relocation assistance for nurses in select positions, including critical care, emergency, and perioperative nursing. (Not currently working in those specialties? Check out our tips for making a change.)
Once here, you’ll find living in the Coachella Valley surprisingly affordable. The cost of living in the Palm Springs area is lower than the California average, and housing prices remain reasonable by state standards. Of course, your overall wellness depends, in part, on your financial health. Eisenhower Medical Center offers nurses competitive compensation and a generous benefit package, including a matching 403(b) retirement plan.
You’ll Find a Vast Playground
All work and no play will make you a stressed-out nurse. Surrounded by dramatic mountain and desert scenery, the Coachella Valley offers boundless opportunities for recreational activities practically right outside your door.
Explore these activities to get a feel for Coachella Valley’s fun in the sun:
- Hiking
With more than 140 trails within a 60-mile radius of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley offers spectacular, diverse topography that attracts hikers from around the world. See a top-10 list of recommended trails here.
- Wildlife Walks
If a full-on hike isn’t your speed, put The Living Desert on your list of regular must-do’s. The 1,200 acre zoo, wildlife preserve, and botanical garden lets you experience the serenity of the desert on easily traversed trails.
- Biking
Bike-friendly Palm Springs offers several touring routes, including a 13-mile citywide loop, a 4.5-mile circle around the famed Indian Canyons Golf Resort, and a three mile-plus trek through captivating residential streets.
- Golfing
Speaking of golf courses, the Coachella Valley boasts some of the finest links in the U.S. Spectacular scenery and service make the area’s more than two dozen courses highly coveted destinations for avid and recreational golfers alike.
You’ll Say “Ahhhhhhhhhhh”
With its world-class resort reputation, there’s no shortage of ways in the Palm Springs area to relax and unwind after time spent outdoors or a busy day of work.
Get your “me” time with these experiences:
- Spas
Get away for the full luxury treatment at several area resorts, or indulge in bliss at a variety of day spas.
- Tram Ride
Sit back and take in the breathtaking vistas as you ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating tram car in the world, to Mt. San Jacinto State Park and an elevation of more than 8,500 feet. Pass on the available hiking trails (at least once) to relax in a restaurant or on the observation deck, or take a leisurely stroll through the natural history museum before embarking on a soul-stirring ride down the awe-inspiring Chino Canyon.
- Wellness Institute
Make a solid investment into your health by taking advantage of the individualized guidance and integrated care programs at the Eisenhower Wellness Institute. Membership is free to Eisenhower Medical Center employees!
You’ll Enjoy a Hot Spot With a Cool Vibe
Long known as the ultimate escape for Hollywood glitterati (think Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin), Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley radiate vintage Rat Pack charm but with a laid-back, natural feel. The area celebrates uniqueness with an eclectic mix of people and places that accommodates everyone from hipsters and a thriving LBGT community to families and retirees.
Here’s a sampling of the Coachella Valley’s vibrant culture:
- Music
The annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (affectionately known simply as “Coachella”), featuring an array of music genres and art installations, has attracted top-name talent and festival goers worldwide since 1999. Another don’t miss event for country music enthusiasts: The Stagecoach Festival.
- Film
The acclaimed Palm Springs International Film Festival generates red carpet excitement with the screening of more than 200 films each year.
- Art
Galleries, museums, and theaters pepper the Palm Springs area. Modernism Week showcases Palm Springs’ famed midcentury modern aesthetic, while the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum highlights its storied roots. Avoid the crowds during tourist season by getting your art fix at the Backstreet Art District or at frequent art fairs in city parks. Palm Springs Villagefest, a street fair held each Thursday night featuring food, entertainment, and arts and craft booths, is a local favorite.
- Food and Fun
No matter your taste, you’ll find an active restaurant, lounge, and café scene throughout the Coachella Valley. With such great weather, alfresco dining is a thing here. And since pizza is known to define a city, you should know that wood-fired is the signature approach in Palm Springs. For fresh, locally grown produce, check out Coachella Valley’s Certified Farmers’ Markets.
Location might be affecting your well-being, so why not make yours a happy one? Learn more with this helpful relocation guide, and ask about our relocation assistance program when you apply for a nursing position at Eisenhower Medical Center.
Originally posted on 15/3/2017