Meet Kylie, BSN CEN, also known as The Wandering Nurse! Kylie is a trauma/emergency nurse who has been all over the country – from a level 1 trauma center in northern Illinois to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis to Massachusetts General in Boston to the University of Iowa Hospital to the Pacific Northwest. We recently asked Kylie some questions about her life on the road as a travel nurse. Check out the interview below!
How long have you been a travel nurse and what made you want to give it a try?
I have been a travel nurse on and off since 2017! Travel nursing is something I had always wanted to do since going into nursing school as I have always loved to travel and explore new areas. After graduating from nursing school in 2012, I immediately began working in a level 1 trauma center’s emergency department where I stayed for almost 4 years. By that time, I was ready for something new and headed to Tennessee to work in pediatric oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I loved my time there but found my heart to truly be in emergency medicine so after a year and a half, I took my first travel assignment.
What makes you want to take a specific assignment? Location, the challenge of the position, etc.?
As an emergency/trauma RN it is always a HUGE factor to me whether the facility will allow travelers to care for trauma or other critically ill patients. Some hospitals do not allow travelers to care for STEMI/stroke/trauma/codes which is my favorite part of emergency medicine! Location is also a huge factor in where I choose to go as my travel bucket list gets longer and longer!
Tell us about an assignment that you absolutely loved. What made it so wonderful?
My absolute favorite assignment that I have done so far was at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. This was the most incredible hospital with the most knowledgeable, experienced, smooth operating staff I’ve ever experienced. It was an EXTREMELY active level 1 trauma center and they allowed their travelers to care for any patient that came through the doors. They trusted us and treated us like one of the team. There were a plethora of incredible nurses who had so much knowledge and experience to give which, as I get further into my career, I tend to find less and less of (turnover in the ER is crazy and novice nurses often staff nearly the entire department). The medical residents at that time were also the best I’ve ever worked with and often came out of patients’ rooms to consult the RN regarding the plan of care which made the entire team dynamic that much better. Every single code, trauma or critical situation was treated with the same organization and calmness from the entire staff; we were always well-staffed, and everyone knew their role which made the entire place run so smoothly. I’ve never experienced a place like it before or since!
Have you ever been on an assignment that was less than desirable?
YES! The one time I took an assignment based on location and prestige alone, I regretted it from day 1. The ER was always very unorganized and chaotic including the moment I arrived for orientation and no one knew I was coming; this is always so disheartening and makes for a less than great start. Travelers at this hospital were not allowed to care for anyone critically ill which meant I cared for substance abuse patients, headaches, abdominal pain complaints and other very basic issues exclusively (necessary but not at all why anyone goes into emergency medicine). The nurses were very inexperienced (all the experienced ones worked in the critical care area of the ER which was completely separate) which also led to mass chaos if a patient suddenly decompensated. The ER itself was very dirty and the patient population was verbally and physically abusive to staff regularly (actual armed police officers always staffed the ER). Nurses were not supposed to speak to staff physicians, and I had to correct medical residents’ orders often as they were incorrect medication dosages or completely inappropriate orders. I didn’t pick up a single extra hour during this assignment and I truly could not wait to leave. I speak a little to this exact scenario on my blog because, at the time, I had no idea what my options were or how to properly handle the situation and a little guidance would have been extremely useful! The possibility that a travel assignment can go "bad" is very real but, overall (and thankfully!), fairly uncommon.
When you travel, what type of housing do you prefer?
Most assignments I have used Airbnb at first and then moved into someone’s home who was renting a room that I met through work if I extended. My latest assignment, however, my boyfriend was able to come with me, so he bought a travel trailer and we lived in that! It was a completely new kind of experience!
What is something you can’t travel without?
My favorite pillow and my Kindle! I’m a huge reader and I love to sleep, especially if I’m on night shift!
You write your own blog called The Wandering Nurse, which is amazing! What made you want to start a blog?
How do you choose the topics you write about?
I have a MASSIVE list of subjects that I have written down over the last year or so of topics that I think would be interesting. Some of them have been suggested by other people in healthcare and some have been requested by friends or family members. Whenever I think of a new topic, I log it down in my phone, so I won’t forget! Then when I want to write a post, I look at that list and see which one jumps out to me the most.
As a travel nurse, you have a lot of options when it comes to working with recruiting firms. What are some of the top things you look for when deciding to work with a recruiter?
There’s a lot to consider when signing up with a recruiting company! Some are much more corporate based with tons of contracts but not a lot of personalization; you’re more of a number/assignment instead of a person. This works well for some people! I have chosen to work primarily with a still-large company but with slightly fewer assignment options and a lot more personalization. If it is important to you that your recruiter know you well (your goals, family situation, future plans, etc.) then I would suggest going with a slightly smaller company. The biggest thing you should look for are positive reviews from other travelers! There are SO MANY shady companies and recruiters out there that prey on inexperienced travel nurses, so you have to be really careful! The seemingly highest paying contract is not always the best choice and if an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is! Be cautious and find a reputable company to work for. At the end of the day, remember that no matter how “close” you get to a recruiter or how much they seem like they’re doing you a favor, they are still making money off you. Make sure all decisions you make are benefiting YOU because if this assignment isn’t checking all your boxes, there are plenty more that will!
How do you manage relationships with family and friends while on the road?
I am very close with my family and friends so when I’m on the road I make sure that I take time to call or Facetime someone every day. This helps me feel less homesick and it helps me to adjust better in my new environment. The best scenario is to arrange a visit or two a couple weeks into your contract so you have a piece of home to look forward to and also have a little bit of time to figure out the best places to take your visitor!
If you could give one or two pieces of advice to a new traveler, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice to travel nurses is to not jump into traveling too early. One of the most insightful things anyone has ever told me about travel nursing is “Once you understand the WHY of everything you’re doing, you’re ready to be a traveler.” There’s a huge difference between blindly following protocols at the hospital you’re currently at and knowing exactly why you’re carrying out each intervention and what the likely outcome will be and what you need to do next. Knowing how to anticipate what will happen next and why you’re doing an intervention is invaluable as a successful, skilled travel nurse. Once you fully understanding the ins and outs of exactly how to take care of the really big things and exactly why you’re doing what you’re doing (for the ER: stroke, STEMI, blood transfusions, cardiac meds, traumas, burns, codes, seizures, overdoses, etc.), you can manage those patients in any hospital setting.
The second piece of advice is to be flexible! There are different ways of doing the same thing so get ready for policies and procedures to be slightly different from hospital to hospital and don’t be stuck in how your last hospital did XYZ. Also be flexible in your personal life—say YES to experiences you may not normally seek out and don’t be afraid to essentially invite yourself when coworkers are talking about their plans/hobbies! You are the newbie which gives you permission to break social norms a little bit and tactfully insert yourself into others’ plans. This has honestly led to the most lasting relationships and best experiences I’ve gained during my time traveling!
Thanks so much, Kylie, for taking the time to speak with us! To learn more about Kylie and her adventures as The Wandering Nurse, check out her website and be sure to follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.