Tips-Join a Sports League
The best advice I can give to nurses coming into a new city on assignment is to join a league or some type of activities club in the area. I joined a basketball league when I went assignment up in Portland, and now that I am in San Diego I participate in Vavi Sports-which is a local social sports club. You make local friends easily, plus get some exercise and invitations to social events.

Quick Licensure
For me, when I want to make some money (fast) I always get an assignment with a state that either has a compact license with a state I already have a license in, or I go on assignment in a state where I can do a walk through to get a license.

States with walk throughs that I know of include: California, Maryland, Arizona, Washington D.C., South Carolina, Missouri and Hawaii.

resource tip
i use yelp.com to get tips on restaurants, salons, entertainment venues, bars, outdoor activities, etc.....

I really recommend it. Better than most city guides out there.

Travel Nursing Tip
Right now considering the nursing job market is no bueno, I would say my best tip is be open to anywhere and everywhere. Flexibility is going to be key for you to get a nurse job. Best of luck to all the travel nurses out there!

soccerrules,

what do you mean by a walk through license?

Walk through license
Walk through refers to a state which allows a nurse to go to the board of nursing office at that state with the proper paperwork filled out and will issues the license as quickly as 1 day or 3 weeks.

I have to agree that being open is the best tip. My first assignment was one of the last places I thought that I would ever want to go. It was the highest paid so I took it. It was the most beautiful and the most exciting place I have ever been and so far it is my favorite.
Be open.... and open minded, relaxed, and have fun.