We are so excited for this week’s Stability Healthcare featured nurse – Maria. With over 20 years of experience under her belt, she has some wisdom to share. Keep reading to learn more about Maria:
What is your current specialty?
Emergency Room
What is your favorite part of travel nursing?
To have the opportunity to travel while doing your job and a feeling like a tourist at the same time.
The ability to choose an area or areas that you have never been to.
36 hrs shifts or 48hrs your choice.
What is a place on your bucket list for a travel nursing job?
More than a few …
Mt. Shasta
Catalina Island
Kauai
Big Bear
Visalia
Alaska
And rural hospitals, remote areas.
Tell us How did you become a travel nurse?
I became a nurse in 1998, started with geriatrics, home health, and urgent care. My goal was to be an Emergency Room Nurse. I was very blessed on doing Emergency room/Urgent Care for 20 years.
My first travel nursing experience was in a nurse volunteer capacity on medical missions, primarily in Central America. It was a 2-week assignment once a year.
My interest in travel nursing was something I always wanted to do. Amongst other nursing career interests.
Finally, when my only son graduated from high school and went to college, I knew it was important for me to seek those interests in my Nursing Profession that had been on the back burner. I felt it was my time to listen to that voice inside me. I made the changes necessary to embark on this new area of nursing.
Which I did. And currently on my second contract.
Travel Nurses must take a leap of faith and be open to the unknown. But don’t let fear paralyze you.
Have you found any sort of community while travel nursing?
There are many communities or groups that you can be a part of. Such as hiking groups, sports fans, book clubs.
The key is to stay open, and at this point, I enjoy and have found ways to entertain myself by going out exploring the areas. Asking your work community for advice. And of course, doing a little research on your own.
I think socializing is very important. I do believe quality vs quantity is key for me.
What are some of your favorite hobbies and activities outside of work?
Hiking
Nature outings
Sunset moments near the ocean.
And of course sunrises 🌅.
Reading I enjoy it much.
Foodie, like to explore restaurants especially those family-owned and or local businesses.
I like to explore thrift stores, there are always some treasures to be found.
What do you always pack?
Toiletries
Mask (very important nowadays)
My hiking or jogging shoes
Sun Hat
Phone charger
And of course a nursing first aid kit with OTC meds. Always comes in handy.
Any advice for future travelers?
Research housing options early on.
Don’t chase the money, focus on the balance between areas that you truly want to work around, where you can be the best nurse you can be, self-care, and be enthusiastic about this new travel nursing journey.
The money is always important and a bonus.
But if you only focus on that.
Chances are you might miss on the bigger purpose.
Stay flexible, curious, creative, and never forget no matter how many years you have been a nurse.
There will always be room for self-improvement and as we know nursing is dynamic and ever-changing. Say no to stagnation
