New York City is one of the largest and deepest healthcare markets in the country.
Major systems and hospitals include:
- NewYork-Presbyterian
- NYU Langone Health
- Mount Sinai Health System
- NYC Health + Hospitals
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Montefiore
- Northwell Health facilities across the broader metro
For travel nurses, the opportunity is enormous.
So is the cost of housing.
The best NYC assignment is usually the one where the hospital, subway line and housing all make sense together.
Affiliate disclosure: Suitcases & Scrubs may earn a commission from qualifying bookings, referrals or purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Shopping for travel nurse guide to new york city?
New York City at a Glance
| Factor | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Healthcare market | Massive |
| Main challenge | Housing cost |
| License | New York is not an NLC state |
| Car | Usually unnecessary in Manhattan and much of the city |
| Transit | Excellent |
| Housing | Expensive, often shared |
| Weather | Four distinct seasons |
| Airport access | Excellent |
Major Hospitals
NewYork-Presbyterian
NewYork-Presbyterian has major campuses including:
- Weill Cornell Medical Center
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center
These are in very different parts of Manhattan.
That means housing strategy should begin with the exact campus.
NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone has a major Manhattan presence plus facilities across Brooklyn and the broader region.
If your assignment is at Tisch/Kimmel in Manhattan, neighborhoods along the East Side transit corridors can make sense.
Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai operates multiple hospitals across Manhattan, including the flagship near East Harlem/Upper East Side.
Do not assume every Mount Sinai contract means the same commute.
NYC Health + Hospitals
The public system operates facilities throughout all five boroughs.
This can create assignments in:
- Manhattan
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- Bronx
- Staten Island
The exact borough matters far more than the city name on the contract.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oncology nurses should pay attention to Memorial Sloan Kettering, one of the most prominent cancer centers in the country.
New York Nursing License
New York is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Travel nurses generally need a New York nursing license before practicing there.
Start the endorsement process early.
Do not wait until the contract appears to begin licensing.
Best Housing Strategy
For NYC, our housing priority order is:
- Exact hospital
- Subway line
- Commute time
- Housing cost
- Neighborhood preference
A smaller room with a 20-minute subway ride can be far better than a larger apartment requiring multiple transfers.
Manhattan Housing
Possible areas depend on hospital location.
For East Side hospitals:
- Upper East Side
- East Harlem
- Midtown East
- Murray Hill
- Kips Bay
For Columbia/NYP:
- Washington Heights
- Hamilton Heights
- Upper West Side
- Harlem
Brooklyn
Brooklyn can work beautifully for hospitals in Brooklyn or lower Manhattan.
But a trendy neighborhood is not worth a two-transfer commute after night shift.
Queens
Queens can offer better value than Manhattan for selected hospitals and subway corridors.
It can also make sense for airport access.
Bronx
If your assignment is at Montefiore or another Bronx facility, living closer to the Bronx may be dramatically easier than commuting from downtown Manhattan.
Do You Need a Car?
For most Manhattan assignments:
no.
A car creates:
- Parking expense
- Alternate-side parking hassles
- Traffic
- Garage fees
For outer-borough assignments, the answer depends on hospital and housing.
Subway Strategy
Before signing housing:
- Find your hospital entrance
- Find the nearest station
- Check whether your line runs overnight
- Check how many transfers are required
- Test the route at shift-change hours
Night-shift workers should pay special attention to overnight service changes.
Housing Cost
NYC housing is expensive enough that shared housing can be the most sensible option.
A private room near the hospital may beat a full apartment far away.
Search:
- Furnished Finder
- RotatingRoom
- Sublets
- Extended-stay options
- Monthly furnished rentals
Housing affiliate link — Furnished Finder
Safety
Neighborhood conditions vary.
Research the exact route between:
- Subway
- Housing
- Hospital
especially if you commute at 5 a.m. or after midnight.
Winter
Pack real winter gear.
Expect:
- Cold
- Wind
- Snow
- Slush
- Icy sidewalks
Useful:
- Waterproof boots
- Warm coat
- Gloves
- Hat
- Layers
Summer
NYC summers can be hot and humid.
Air conditioning quality in temporary housing is worth checking.
Groceries and Daily Life
One advantage of NYC:
You can live without driving for almost everything.
Depending on neighborhood, you may have:
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies
- Laundry
- Restaurants
- Transit
within a short walk.
Laundry
In-unit laundry is not guaranteed.
Ask whether the apartment has:
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Building laundry
- Nearby laundromat
This matters when you’re washing scrubs constantly.
Airport Access
Major airports:
- LaGuardia
- JFK
- Newark
Transit convenience varies by neighborhood.
Travel Nurse Housing Checklist for NYC
- [ ] Exact hospital campus confirmed
- [ ] New York license ready
- [ ] Subway commute tested
- [ ] Overnight transit checked
- [ ] Laundry confirmed
- [ ] Air conditioning?
- [ ] Utilities included?
- [ ] Safe walk from transit?
- [ ] Early-cancellation clause?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City good for travel nurses?
Yes. It has enormous hospital depth and nearly every specialty imaginable.
Is New York a compact nursing state?
No.
Do I need a car?
Usually not for Manhattan assignments.
What is the biggest challenge?
Housing cost and choosing the right commute.
Our Verdict
New York City can be an exceptional assignment if you build it around transit.
The right formula is:
hospital + subway line + housing
not:
cheap apartment + hope.
In NYC, a shorter, simpler commute can be worth paying more for housing.