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13 nursing jobs in Westerly, RI

Westerly sits in southern Rhode Island near the Connecticut border, offering nurses a small-town coastal lifestyle with sandy beaches along the Atlantic. Watch Hill and Misquamicut provide summertime charm, while downtown Westerly retains a classic New England feel. A quieter pace for those seeking relief from big-city hospital commutes.

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Find a nursing job in Westerly

Hiring here: Yale New Haven Health (7) · BAYADA Home Health Care (1) · ECHC New London (1) · Hartford HealthCare Medical Group (1) · Maxim Healthcare (1) · Smilow Cancer Hospital (1)

Yale New Haven Health

7 open roles

Working and living in Westerly

· 13 open roles

Living costs

Median gross rent
$1,260/mo
Rent and tenant-paid utilities
Median household income
$95,207/yr
All local households, not nurse pay

Census ACS 2024

Open to new grads

0 postings explicitly welcome new grads.

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New to our board this week

0 current postings first appeared here in the past seven days.

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Credentials accepted

  • RN12
  • LPN1
  • CNA1

One posting may accept more than one credential.

Shifts listed

  • Days4
  • Nights2
  • per-diem1

Postings may list several shifts or leave the shift unspecified.

Living in Westerly

Positioned on Rhode Island's southwestern edge along the Pawcatuck River and Block Island Sound, Westerly combines coastal resort beauty with authentic small-town living.

More about life here

For relocating nurses, the town offers a tranquil seaside escape alongside practical access to healthcare facilities across South County and southeastern Connecticut. Year-round residents enjoy a vibrant downtown featuring local staples like Ritacco's Market, Ella's Food and Drink, and Grey Sail Brewing, alongside the peaceful green pathways of Wilcox Park.

Outdoor life is anchored by world-class coastlines, from the windswept wildlife habitats of Napatree Point to the sandy expanses of East Beach and Misquamicut. The primary tradeoff comes with the calendar: summer transforms Westerly into a bustling tourist hotspot with heavier coastal traffic and packed beaches, while winter brings a much quieter, slower coastal rhythm.

For healthcare professionals seeking a safe, picturesque New England coastal town with deep community pride, Westerly offers an exceptional place to call home.

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As of Sep 16, 2026
Neighborhoods

Westerly encompasses distinct coastal villages and inland residential pockets. Watch Hill is the town's premier shoreline enclave, distinguished by grand historic shingle-style estates, private associations, and luxury landmarks like the Ocean House.

Weekapaug provides a quieter, scenic coastal alternative set along Quonochontaug Pond with private beaches and historic cottages. Moving inland toward the Pawcatuck River and Connecticut border, Downtown Westerly offers walkable neighborhoods surrounding Wilcox Park, featuring historic Victorian and Colonial homes within walking distance of local restaurants, while the Misquamicut district serves as the town's bustling summer beach hub.

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Housing

Westerly's housing stock reflects its maritime history, with classic New England architecture including Cape Cod cottages, historical Victorians, and traditional Colonials alongside mid-century ranches. High-end real estate is concentrated along the oceanfront and barrier peninsulas of Watch Hill and Weekapaug.

More practical residential options for medical professionals are situated inland near the town center and surrounding residential corridors, where single-family homes with established yards make up the bulk of year-round housing.

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Getting around

Healthcare workers in Westerly rely primarily on personal vehicles, as local public transit coverage is very limited throughout southern Washington County. Driving locally to medical facilities and community clinics is straightforward during the off-season via Route 1 and regional connectors linking across the Pawcatuck River into southeastern Connecticut.

However, during the peak summer months from late June through Labor Day, influxes of beachgoers and vacationers create significant traffic delays along coastal thoroughfares leading toward Misquamicut and Watch Hill.

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Food and dining

Westerly boasts an impressive culinary footprint ranging from neighborhood institutions to upscale coastal dining. Downtown favorites include fine dining at Ella's Food and Drink, specialty sandwiches and Italian provisions at Ritacco's Market, craft beers at Grey Sail Brewing, and morning stops at Old Man Joe's or Knead.

In Watch Hill, the historic Olympia Tea Room and dining rooms at Ocean House cater to seaside visitors, while family-run spots like Vetrano's serve traditional pizza and comfort fare.

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Outdoors

Outdoor recreation revolves around extensive ocean frontage, tidal ponds, and protected green spaces. The downtown core is anchored by Wilcox Park, an open-space arboretum circling a central pond that offers paved walking paths and quiet botanical gardens.

Along the coast, hikers explore the protected dunes and wildlife sanctuary of Napatree Point, while beachgoers flock to East Beach, Fenway Beach, and Misquamicut State Beach. Quonochontaug Pond provides prime waterways for boating, kayaking, and coastal paddleboarding.

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Arts and culture

Westerly pairs deep maritime and granite-quarrying history with a lively coastal arts and entertainment culture. Watch Hill features the historic Flying Horse Carousel and scenic walks to Watch Hill Lighthouse overlooking Block Island Sound.

The summer calendar is highlighted by community concerts such as the Tunes on the Dunes series on the beach and open-air cultural events in Wilcox Park. Meanwhile, local establishments like Grey Sail Brewing serve as neighborhood gathering hubs hosting community events throughout the year.

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Seasons and weather

Residents experience four well-defined New England seasons dictated by the Atlantic coastline. Summer brings lively resort energy, warm beach weather, and an expanded seasonal population that animates the shoreline.

Autumn delivers crisp maritime air, dramatic fall foliage across South County, and uncrowded coastal trails. Winter brings quiet, freezing temperatures and occasional coastal storms, during which the town settles into a peaceful, small-town rhythm until spring reawakens waterfront businesses and beach access.

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For families

Westerly offers a quiet, family-oriented atmosphere with well-maintained residential streets, a high degree of neighborhood safety, and access to the regional public school system. Families frequent Manfredi Farms for seasonal activities, while downtown's Wilcox Park provides expansive open lawns and shaded paths suitable for children and strollers.

The coastal setting allows kids easy access to calm tidal waters, barrier beaches, and perennial family attractions like the antique Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill.

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What locals say

Residents praise Westerly for its exceptional coastal scenery, safe and well-tended neighborhoods, vibrant community events, and preserved historic charm. Locals value having pristine barrier beaches and historic walking parks directly in town.

The most frequently cited drawbacks are the dramatic seasonal swing in population, heavy summer congestion around the shorelines, and the premium cost of real estate in premier coastal enclaves compared to interior Rhode Island and neighboring Connecticut.

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