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It doesn’t matter if you are considered to be a large healthcare system, a community hospital or a solo practitioner. What really matters is what sort of things attract and keeps healthcare talent happy. And, when it comes to career happiness, healthcare professionals want to work in winning hospital communities. 

Here’s a look at nine of the most important characteristics of a great hospital community, according to the the job board, Monster.com:

1) Positive values. All great organizations have a mission statement that clearly outlines goals, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to quality and reflects a positive spirit. 

A positive mission statement reflects a company’s values, which, over time, inform every action and permeate every action. 

2) Relaxed atmosphere. Healthcare is a serious business, but that doesn’t mean the people charged with delivering it can’t look forward to coming to work, feel appreciated once they get there and treat one another with respect throughout the course of their shifts. 

As a 2013 story in The New York Times pointed out, people who work in a relaxed atmosphere perform better. 

3) A shared commitment to excellence. Excellence surrounds itself with excellence. A rising tide lifts all boats. Winning is more fun. These cliches might be a bit tired, but they are also true. When a hospital commits to excellence and accepts nothing less, everyone performs better, has more fun and the hospital community thrives. 

4) Communication. It has been said that there are no secrets to success. And, while there are a lot of ways to interpret the axiom, it’s probably most accurate to infer that organizations that succeed share information in open, authentic and consistent ways. They don’t keep secrets and they actually try to over-communicate. 

5) Empowerment. Employees who feel empowered help build a winning hospital community. The are more likely to make smart decisions and act autonomously, but with respect for the organization’s values when necessary. They are also more likely to go the extra mile, help their colleagues and put the organization’s best interests before their own. 

6) An appreciation for humor. Employees who laugh are less stressed, more productive, willing to be creative and collaborate and also more analytic–if you believe an article published in the Harvard Business Review that quotes researchers out of Wharton, MIT and the London Business School. 

7) Compassion. Hospitals that are committed to treating their employees with the same level of compassion they expect their employees to show patients perform better. It’s as simple as that. Employees–whether physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners or physician assistants–are more likely to go above and beyond for organizations that treat them with respect and compassion. 

8) Recognition. To those who do not work in healthcare every day, working in a hospital seems to come with unlimited rewards. Babies are born, broken bones are healed, cancer is treated. But for physicians, nurses and others, it is still a job–an important job, but still a job. And, everyone who does any job wants to be recognized for exceptional performance. The truly healthy hospital community is the one in which recognition is given to those who do great work. 

9) Balance. Work-life balance is a big topic of conversation in healthcare. With the shortage of physicians, nurses, physician assistants and other hospital employees, everyone seems to be asked to do more. Mandatory overtime, extra shifts and short staffing take their toll on hospital employees. That’s why the hospitals that truly have winning cultures take care to ensure a healthy work-life balance. 

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Elliot Health System is a community hospital that is its own hospital community. Apply to join us.

Well, that didn’t take long. 

Five years ago there were about 600,000 apps available for download in the Apple App Store–and maybe a couple dozen for nurse practitioners. Today, Apple offers nearly 2 million apps, of which there are hundreds that you could use to be a better nurse practitioners. 

Too bad your smartphone doesn’t have more memory!

Yes, there are a lot of great apps out there that can make you more more effective and efficient. But, you won’t be able to use them all, so take a look at this list of the top healthcare apps for nurse practitioners:

The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy

When you need clear, concise, current and reliable information about an infectious disease, you need the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. The long-trusted reference has commonly been used in its textbook form, but the app is every bit as reliable–and it’s updated monthly to make sure that the latest research findings are only a swipe away. 

Learn more about the Sanford Guide and why it is one of the top healthcare apps for nurse practitioners. 

The Electronic Preventive Services Selector

Leave it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop one of the top healthcare apps for primary care providers who need to find the right screening, counseling and preventive medication services for patients. But, that’s exactly what the Electronic Preventive Services Selector does–and it does it well. After all, it does come from the government agencies responsible for protecting the health of all Americans. 

Learn more about the app and how it lets you search based on specific patient characteristics such as age, sex and risk factors. 

UpToDate

It’s a clinical practice guide, medical calculator, drug interaction checker and research resource all wrapped up into one easy-to-use app. It’s UpToDate, and it’s a must-have for any nurse practitioner working in a busy hospital or clinic. It also includes links to more than 1,500 printable patient-education handouts. 

Learn more about UpToDate and how it can help make you a better nurse practitioner. 

VisualDx

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when referring to your smartphone during an exam would have been frowned upon. Not anymore, thanks in large part to apps like VisualDx. It was created specifically to be used at the point of care. After you download it, you’ll be able to search by symptom, chief complaint or diagnosis. It’s incredibly useful when it comes to addressing dermatological conditions, reactions to medicine and other symptoms with visual manifestations. 

Learn more about VisualDx and check out the high-resolution images it delivers. 

CDC Influenza

Flu season typically runs from September through May, so an app that provides the most up-to-date information about flu activity up and down the East Coast and across the country is almost always practical. The CDC Influenza app from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will provide you with the latest government recommendations related to vaccinations and antiviral treatments. It also offers videos of national experts providing tips and official information, CDC-designed posters, and handouts to give to your patients. 

Learn more about the CDC Influenza app. 

Download the top healthcare apps today

The pace of innovation seems to increase every day–and that’s a good thing for nurse practitioners. Today, you have the opportunity to download hundreds of apps that can help you perform your job duties in a more efficient and effective manner.

Do it. 

Then keep watching for what might come along tomorrow. Apps may have been a novelty a few years ago, today they are an important part of the job. 

*Elliot Health System does not endorse specific technology highlighted in blogs – all references are for the purpose of awareness of new medical technology only.

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It has been said that the future of healthcare is resting firmly in your hands. And, thanks to physician apps, it just may be true. 

According to a report by the QuintilesIMS Institute, there are currently more than 40,000 healthcare apps available for download from the United States Apple iTunes app store. Some are physician apps that provide easy access to important information and resources. Some are designed to help patients prevent illness and injury. Others are engineered to improve and increase patient communication. 

As physicians know, communication is critically important when it comes to keeping patients healthy. It improves diagnostic accuracy, advances the rate of adherence and leads to increased patient satisfaction. 

And, thanks to certain physician apps, the ability to improve patient communication is resting firmly in the palm of your hand. 

Here’s a look at five of the best physician apps for increasing patient communication:

1) Doctella

It happens every day. A patients walk out of their doctors’ offices and immediately wishes they’d have asked another couple of questions about their upcoming surgical procedures. 

A few may circle back and try to catch you in your office. Some might call and ask a nurse. Most suffer in silence, worrying about questions and concerns that likely could have been easily ameliorated if they had only thought to ask.

Doctella is a mobile app designed to provide patients with a list of questions to ask their physicians before surgeries and procedures. It’s free and effective–and can be recommended to patients prior to procedures. 

Learn more about Doctella. 

2) Touch Voice

As the country’s population ages, more people are living with speech impairments. In fact, nearly 18 million U.S. adults report having problems with their voices each year, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders. 

The Touch Voice app is a medical grade speaking app designed to help patients communicate with physicians through speech synthesis. 

It’s a valuable app for physicians caring for stroke patients, people with ALS or traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, MS, laryngeal cancer, Parkinson’s diseases and other conditions that affect the ability to speak. 

Learn more about the Touch Voice app. 

3) Canopy Speak

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are more than 25 million people living in the country who speak little or no English.

Language barriers in the emergency department can be deadly. Thankfully, there is a physician app called Canopy Speak, which is a mobile library of thousands of medical phrases that can be translated into dozens of different languages. The app also allows for live connections with medical interpreters. 

And it’s free. 

Learn more about Canopy Speak. 

4) VisualIDX

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, especially in the exam room.

VisualIDX allows you to quickly search by diagnosis or drug-induced adverse reactions by medication to find photos of various conditions. It’s a tool that can improve your diagnostic accuracy and help educate patients about their conditions while in the exam room. 

You spend a lot of time and words explaining the condition, but sometimes a picture is simply more effective. 

Learn more about VisualIDX. 

5) Visual Anatomy

Visual Anatony is another picture-based app that is most commonly used by students and can help you educate your patients. Its detailed images are great for helping patients understand conditions, ailments and common injuries involving bones, ligaments and muscles. 

Again, sometimes a picture is worth more than words during exams.  

Learn more about the Visual Anatomy app. 

*Elliot Health System does not endorse specific technology highlighted in blogs – all references are for the purpose of awareness of new medical technology only.

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Has there ever been a better time to be a physician assistant? 

It’s a rhetorical question because everyone’s circumstances and situations are different. But, there’s no doubt that right now that it is a great time to be seeking physician assistant employment. 

Take a look at these pieces of information, recently taken from from popular headlines:

• “Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant Salary Grew in 2016“
  – RevCycleIntelligence.com
• “Role of Physician Assistants Expanding in Hospitals and Beyond“
  – The Baltimore Sun
• “Physician Assistant Demand Rivals that of Primary Care Doctors“
  – Forbes

Yes, physician assistants are making more money, adding more value and are in higher demand than ever. So maybe it wasn’t a rhetorical question. Maybe the answer is a clear: There has never been a better time to be a physician assistant. 

Especially if you’re working in the family medicine field. 

Family medicine is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, the country will need more than 20,000 primary care physicians in 2020. 

That means they’ll also need more physician assistants. 

In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physician assistant employment opportunities were expected to grow by a whopping 30 percent between 2014 and 2024. That’s much, much faster than the average for all occupations–and much of the demand was expected to be driven by the need for preventive care (family medicine). 

Physician assistants are in such high demand that 75 percent of them get multiple job offers, according to the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

So, yes … now is a good time to be seeking physician assistant employment. And, it’s an every better time to work in a family medicine setting. 

Here’s a look at three key reasons why you should consider using your skill, experience and expertise in family medicine:

1) You get to do it all. One of the nice things about being a physician assistant in a family practice setting is that you never know what type of case is going to walk through the door. 

From rashes to common colds to symptoms of serious illness and disease, physician assistants are on the front lines of diagnosing and directing the care for a wide variety of cases. 

In family medicine, your job can include diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, making hospital rounds, managing chronic conditions, ordering and interpreting lab tests, performing minor surgical procedures and an array of other activities. 

2) Independence. While there is a lot to be said for working as part of a team, autonomy can be equally as awesome–and physician assistants who work in a family medicine setting tend to have a lot of it. 

In fact, the AAPA reports that about 54 percent of all physician assistants working family medicine work in solo or group physician practices. This means they have a greater level of independence when it comes to diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses. 

3) Connections. Being a physician assistant in a family medicine setting is like being a small-town doctor. You will likely have a panel of patients for which you provide primary care, address urgent care issues and manage chronic diseases. 

You’ll build lasting connections with your patients that allows you to have a deep and meaningful influence on their short- and long-term health. Many physician assistants find that the connections they are able to forge with patients in a family medicine setting is the most rewarding aspect of the job. 

Now is the time

It’s possible that there has never been a better time to be a physician assistant–especially in a family medicine setting. Apply to Elliot Health System now and make the most of the opportunity.   

An impressive resume may get you in the door for your dream job, but you’ll still have to ace the physician job interview. The best first step is to list out your ideal position pay, benefits, location, practice type, patient load, and philosophy. From there, using the following tips will help you demonstrate that your skills and experiences make you an ideal fit for the given hospital or medical facility.

Prepare

Many candidates assume their resumes speak for themselves, but interviews give potential employers a sense of who you are off the page. So, as The New England Journal of Medicine pointed out, you should prepare well ahead of time in order to ensure that you portray yourself effectively. Showing up early and talking with office staff or noting interesting photos or honors will help spark conversations later. Both show initiative and engagement, and you can also take that extra time to review your resume and rehearse responses.

Be Consistent

In order to learn more about you recruiters tend to utilize performance-based and behavioral questions, like those provided by CompHealth. Employers hope to see whether you have the compassion and quick-thinking skills to handle working in their facilities. At the same time, any inconsistencies between your interview and your resume can lead to questions about your suitability for the position. So, be sure to regularly update your CV and proofread it before submitting. Then, during your interview, keep a copy on hand for your own reference.

Speak Honestly

You should also answer questions honestly during the physician job interview. Admit when you don’t the answer, and use it as an opportunity to explain your beliefs or highlight your background. Interviewers may ask a variety of tricky questions, as Health eCareers noted, but those about past work experiences are especially difficult. You should avoid badmouthing previous employers and instead use such questions to describe specific difficulties and how you overcame them – showcasing your skills and abilities instead.

Dress Respectably

Interviewees should dress professionally, as noted by the American College of Physicians. Avoid busy, tight, or revealing clothes – as they can lead to questions about credibility. Other guidelines include:

• Business suits, with skirt and/or tie
• Neatly trimmed or styled hair to avoid distraction
• Subtle make-up, with any visible tattoos covered
• Well-trimmed nails with no wild nail polish
  
• Little to no jewelry, generally limited to one ring and non-dangling earrings

It is also important to handle yourself respectfully; be polite, smile, look the interviewer in the eyes, and shake hands firmly. For group interviews, scan the room, holding eye contact as you speak.

Ask Questions

One of the most important ways to impress your interviewer is to ask the right questions, as a recent article in Medscape pointed out. To start, research each facility so that you can craft informed responses to questions about your fit with their mission, goals, etc. Then, create a list of potential questions, and use them to show your interest in joining each institution’s team. You could even focus on the top three reasons that physicians leave positions, namely culture, group decision-making, and supervisor attitudes and expectations.

Knowing what you want from your future position is essential to succeeding at the physician job interview and overall search. However, you should also remember that medical facilities are not looking for the ‘best’ physician – but for the one that best aligns with their institution and culture. You can always boost your odds by sending a thank-you letter, though, usually within 2 business days of your interview, as this shows your continued interest in the position.

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If you’re like most physicians, you’re busy. 

So let’s not waste any time introducing you to the 10 best apps for physicians on-the-go:

1) Doximity. It’s like an ultra-secure social media site for physicians. Connect with colleagues across the country or around the world. Receive the latest medical journals on your smartphone. And send HIPPA-secure data to patients–all from the palm of your hand. 

Download Doximity. 

2) Read by QxMD. It’s a one-stop shop for finding new research, exceptional topic reviews and answers via PubMed. One convenient and easy-to-use interface allows you to create your own personalized medical journal populated only with articles on topics which you are interested in. 

Download Read by QxMD.

3) Figure 1. It’s the app designed for on-the-go physicians who find themselves facing hard-to-diagnose disorders. Figure 1 allows you to research rare conditions, novel treatments and teaching cases from near and far. It also allows you to connect with more than 1 million verified healthcare professionals who can provide instant feedback. 

Download Figure 1. 

4) Medscape. It’s been said that the best things in life are free, and that’s certainly the case with Medscape. This app is quickly becoming ubiquitous because of its “Drug Reference Tool,” which allows you to meare proper doses and manage many different medicines. 

Download Medscape. 

5) My Chart. This is one of the best apps for physicians as well as one of the best apps for patients. My Chart allows patients to schedule appointments, ask questions and pay bills. It allows physicians to review lab results, update patient information and proactively contact patients. 

Download My Chart. 

6) Epocrates. Physicians like this app because it makes it easy to review drug prescribing and safety information, find dosage data and research pharmacology. But they love it because Epocrates also allows them to connect with other physicians for consults and referrals. 

Download Epocrates. 

7) NEJM This Week. The New England Journal of Medicine has been using the United States Postal Service to deliver physicians the best biomedical science and clinical practice research for more than 100 years. Now it uploads it directly to your smartphone. NEJM This Week makes sure you have in your hands the latest research findings as well as videos of interesting medical procedures. At this time though, it’s only available on iOS. 

Download NEJM This Week. 

8) Isabel. It’s full name is the Isabel Differential Diagnosis (DDx) Generator, but most physicians simply refer to it as “Isabel.” It’s one of the 10 best apps for physicians because it provides a proven way for doctors to double check their diagnoses against results validated by peer reviewed studies. Isabel includes more than 6,000 disease presentations and symptoms as well as the ability to search by age, gender and even travel history. 

Download the Isabel Differential Diagnosis (DDx) Generator. 

9) DynaMed Plus Mobile. If you are a fan of Dynamed Plus, you will love DynaMed Plus Mobile because you’ll be able to bring it with you wherever you go. the Dynamed Plus mobile app provides an enhanced search function, intuitive web design, seamless updates and simple navigation. It also allows you to access content when you are offline, bookmark frequently used data and favorites, and write and save notes on topics of particular interest. If you use Dynamed Plus, you’re going to want to download the mobile app. 

Download Dynamed Plus Mobile. 

10) Virtual Practice. It’s a safe and HIPPA-secure way for you to allow patients to consult and follow up with you online. It comes with a patient portal and custom domain, video chat and remote patient monitoring. 

Download the Virtual Practice App. 

*Elliot Health System does not endorse products that are featured in blogs. They are merely awareness pieces that feature new medical technology.

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First, do no harm. 

It’s the oath by which you swear to abide. But, what about when it comes to taking care of yourself? 

Physicians as a whole are notoriously bad at taking time for themselves. They’ll work double shifts, walk rounds until blisters form and legs fail, and give everything they have to every patient … and then remember that they forgot to eat lunch. 

But, abiding by the Hippocratic Oath should also apply to self care, and self care is at least partially about making sure you’re enjoying a high quality of life. 

Here’s a look at three newish physician tools designed to help you improve your quality of life–both in and out of the healthcare setting:

1) SERMO

It’s a virtual doctors lounge, therapy couch and professional conference all wrapped up under one URL. It’s SERMO, the top social network for physicians in the United States and around the world. 

Just what you need right? Another social media platform where people with no actual knowledge about a topic spout off with ill-informed opinions?

Well that’s not SERMO.

SERMO has 600,000 verified and credentialed members, so you’ll only be interacting with other doctors. And, you’ll get to discuss whatever you want, ask any questions you need to or commiserate around any topic–because all of the conversations on SERMO are confidential. 

It really is one of the great physician tools for finding balance, because it lets you blow off some steam, ask sensitive questions, seek counsel on a difficult case or simply get something off your chest. 

Learn more about SERMO. 

2) Motiv

Finally, a fitness-tracking device you’ll actually want to wear. 

Sure, Fitbits and Apple Watches are fantastic tools, but they can be a bit bulky and cumbersome–especially for physicians. 

Now there is Motiv, a ring-sized activity tracker, heart rate monitor and sleep sensor that simply slips onto your finger and delivers form, fit and function without being obtrusive. 

It’s made from ultralight titanium, so it’s durable. It’s waterproof. It’s equipped with a battery that lasts up to five days. And, it comes in slate gray or rose gold.

But, most importantly, the Motiv measures your active minutes, active heart rate, calories burned, distance you’ve walked, sleep duration and resting heart rate. It’s one of the physician tools that’s small enough not to be noticeable, but powerful enough to have a big impact on your overall health and wellness. 

Learn more about Motiv. 

3) Nuheara IQbuds

The problem with most truly wireless ear buds is that they don’t deliver exceptional sound quality. Sure, you may be free from the cords that are always snagging buttons, briefcases and purse straps. But, what good is that if you can’t hear what you want to hear? 

Introducing: Nuheara IQbuds. 

These wireless ear buds have been making big noise in the industry over the past few months, racking up award after award at conference after conference. 

Not only do they deliver high quality high fidelity sound, but they also allow you to amplify speech, selectively tune out the world around you thanks to super-intelligent noise cancellation technology and blend the best of your digital music with the sounds around you to make sure you have absolute situational awareness. 

And, they do it all without those pesky cords. 

Nuheara IQbuds are one of the rare physician tools that can improve the quality of your life both in and out of the office. 

Learn more about them. 

Do no harm … to yourself

Taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of patients. Use these tools to make sure you’re at your best.  

*Elliot Health System does not endorse specific technology highlighted in blogs – all references are for the purpose of awareness of new medical technology only.

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Bedside medicine relies on practitioners’ quelling the fears that each patient brings into the exam room. The art of medicine is thus an empathetic bedside manner. Yet, as a Family Medicine study shows, medical students are trained to avoid emotion. Even today, though, empathy is essential to practicing medicine in patients’ best interests.

1. Prepare for Stress

By its nature, clinical training leads to exhaustion and loss of empathy, as shown by Bellini, Baime, and Shea. Accordingly, a 2011 study in Academic Medicine found high burnout rates among residents. So, the first step in addressing patients’ anxiety is to recognize your own. Pay attention to your body’s signals, from a fast heart rate to tense muscles or indigestion. Then, practice patience, and take deep breaths before talking or taking action.

2. Mind Your Manners

In a 2008 article from the New England Jounral of Medicine, Kahn argues for Etiquette-Based Medicine. Studies show that good manners in bedside medicine lead to greater empathy, curiosity, and compassion. To that end:

• Enter the patient’s room only after receiving permission.
• Introduce yourself with your ID upon entering.
• Shake hands with the patient.

As a study in Hospitals and Health Networks shows, practitioners overestimate their politeness. So, err on the side of caution, and use these gestures to build a calming relationship.

3. Listen to Patients

Communication remains key in patient-centered care. Therefore Epstein argues for the core competencies of interpersonal communication and professionalism.

• On the one hand, practitioners should listen attentively to anxious patients.
• On the other, you should ask patients how they are feeling and how to help them.

In the process, practitioners should rely upon open-ended questions and patient-centered methods. Smith et al. shows that the end result is a stronger foundation for collaborative bedside medicine.

4. Empathize

When engaging with patients, put yourself in their shoes. Look at situations through their eyes, and beware your assumptions about their experiences. These biases may be conscious or unconscious, so it is important not to judge peoples’ behavior too harshly or too quickly. An International Journal of Caring Sciences article shows the results, with patients of empathetic doctors more likely to follow treatments, control conditions, and be satisfied with care.

5. Heal with Humor

While inquiring about patients’ lives is a good start, you can also use humor to defuse anxiety. Making jokes narrows interpersonal gaps by showing that both patient and practitioner are human. Furthermore, as Bennett notes, humor relieves tension by allowing for patients to express their frustrations. So, although jokes should be used with care, laughter is yet another therapeutic tool for addressing anxiety.

6. Show; Don’t Tell

Avoid telling patients to relax; instead, ask how to help. Then, demonstrate relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. As shown by Michiyo, Haruko, and Sayoko, the latter can be used to both decrease tension and improve physical symptoms. You can also create calming conditions by dimming lights, asking visitors to step out, or offering tea or a warm blanket.

7. Coordinate Care

Last, but not least, the many hand-offs of contemporary medicine make communication failures the cause of most errors. Such issues also fuel patients’ fears of this unfamiliar environment. Practitioners, however, can comfort patients by explaining each individual’s role on the healthcare team and each step in terms of the purpose behind it. In this way, coordination reassures patients at each step of care.

These methods are all oriented around the foundation of bedside medicine: empathy. Addressing patient concerns in this way ensures the success of treatment. So, you can use theses techniques to supplement support and ensure successful overall care.

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Snow melts, streams flow and baby bunnies appear to remind the world that another long winter has been put to bed.

Spring has reemerged in Southern New Hampshire, and there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. From festivals to fishing, hiking to seaside hotels, there is much to do see and and explore on the south side of the Granite State. 

Here is a look at 10 reasons people love spring in Southern New Hampshire:

1) Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and the crack of the bat

No, this area doesn’t have a major league baseball team, but it is home to the Southern New Hampshire Penmen. Swing by the on-campus stadium in Hooksett and get your hardball fix. 

2) Golf

For many in the Granite State, springtime fun can be summed up in one word: golf. Southern New Hampshire offers a variety of great courses for golfers of all competitive levels, including the Manchester Country Club and Candia Woods. 

3) Fishing

New Hampshire is known for its world-class fishing in large part to the quality and quantity of its lake trout–and the trout ponds open the fourth Saturday in April. 

4) Outdoor Dining

Spring is a fabulous time for foodies. It’s when the weather begins to warm and the restaurants open their patios for the outdoor dining season. Find out when your favorite patios are planning to open this year. 

5) Hiking

When it comes to hiking, Southern New Hampshire is sometimes overshadowed by the better-known trails up in the White Mountains. But the south side of the Granite State offers several hikes that are often overlooked by the masses, meaning you might have them all to yourself. 

6) Biking

When it comes to springtime outdoor activities, New Hampshire truly offers something for everyone–especially when it comes to biking. From recreational paths to untamed trails, you’re sure to find the right bike route for your family. 

7) Farmers Markets

Is June considered spring or summer? Either way, it can’t come soon enough for fans of the Manchester Farmers Market. It runs from 3 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday starting in June through October. It’s also the perfect place to get your locally sourced fresh produce, meat, cut flowers, baked goods and more. 

8) Lilacs

There is a good reason the lilac is New Hampshire’s state flower. It’s hardy character symbolizes the wonderful people who founded the Granite State. That and the beautiful flower is ubiquitous across the area–and it blooms in the spring. It doesn’t really matter where you go in the south side of the state, you’re sure to see blooming lilacs if you’re traveling in during that time. 

9) Hampton Beach

If you’re like a lot of people, you’re ready to breathe in some of that salty air after a long, snowy winter. There’s no better place to take in the sites, sounds and smells of the Atlantic than the Hampton Beach boardwalk. There are restaurants, attractions and tons of fun things to do–making the boardwalk well worth the drive. 

10) Grilling and Backyard Games

You know it when you smell it. The smell of briquettes burning beneath a grill. The searing sounds of steak sizzling over an open flame. Horseshoes clanging, bottles clinking and frisbees flying through the air. That’s right, when spring swings through Southern New Hampshire, it’s time to get back to grilling and games with friends and family. 

There’s a lot to love about the south side of the Granite State–especially when the warm spring winds swing in from the west.

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Physicians – are you looking for more adventures to go on during your next free weekend? Check out our free adventure guide.

Manchester is northern New England’s hidden gem. As the largest city in New Hampshire, it offers world-class dining, skiing, arts, and culture. From its settlement in 1722, New Hampshire’s Queen City has gone from a renowned mill town to one of the nation’s best and most affordable metropolises.

1. Central Location

One of the main reasons to move to Manchester is its central location within New Hampshire and northern New England. You can easily road trip to the neighboring states of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont, and Boston is less than an hour’s drive away.

2. Doorway to Nature

Manchester is also central to New England’s natural attractions, including nearby Uncanoonuc Mountains, the more distant White Mountains, and Atlantic seacoast. The city itself contains around 900 acres of beaches, pools, playgrounds, and other park lands, including sailing and running at popular Lake Massabesic.

3. Fun in the Snow

With around 60 inches of annual snowfall, the best approach to winter in south-central New Hampshire is to enjoy the white stuff. Follow locals to McIntyre Ski Area for skiing and snowboarding. For a winter getaway, head to the White Mountains, and enjoy some of the nation’s best skiing, tubing, hiking, and other activity areas.

4. Accessible Transportation

Interstates 93, 293, and the F.E. Everett Turnpike make it easy to get around – both in the city and around the region. The city’s Transit Authority provides bus service, and major airlines run through Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. A commuter rail is even expected in the near future.

5. Arts for All

The city’s arts scene is on the rise, as shown on the trolley-based Open Doors Manchester tour. The world-class Currier Art Museum cannot be missed, including New England’s only public Frank Lloyd Wright House. Alternatively, head out on your own, and sample the city’s poetry at Slam Free or Die.

6. Fantastic Food

Head to the local Farmers Market to experience fresh meat, produce, and baked goods from June through October. Even during the colder months, this city offers a surprising range of cuisines, including some of the best Nepalese, Mexican, and Brazilian food in New England.

7. Booming Breweries

The Granite State has a growing reputation for craft brewing, and Manchester is home to some of New England’s best breweries and pubs. For instance, Strange Brew Tavern has received acclaim from Esquire Magazine and others for its 100 plus draft beers and delicious pub grub.

8. Educational Opportunities

Each year, the 11 academic institutions in Manchester bring in around 8,000 students. They can choose between Granite State College, Southern New Hampshire University, or New Hampshire Institute of Art, among others. Meanwhile, residents enjoy the many events and opportunities that these schools bring to the city.

9. A Healthcare Capital

Opportunities for healthcare professionals abound in Manchester. In particular, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that Central New Hampshire has a high concentration of healthcare jobs and some of the highest wages in the country.

10. High Quality of Life

Manchester has consistently ranked among the USA’s top places to live. This is due to low crime rates, strong transportation, and growing technologically-oriented economy. The city is also one of fastest-growing and most affordable places to live, according to CNN Money.

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Manchester provides all the benefits of living in the big city with the charms of a small town. From vacations at the beach to getaways in the mountains, you can experience the best that New England has to offer in this growing metropolis.

Would you like a provider career in Manchester? Consider Elliot Health System.