The Gypsy Nurses’ History & Physical. Find out more about me and how you can learn to treat hypertravelosis and begin a career as a Travel Nurse.

Hypertravelosis

Definition of – Hyper (prefix)
1: above : beyond : super-
2 a: excessively <hypersensitive> b: excessive <hyperemia>

>Definition of –TRAVEL (verb)
2 a (1): to move or undergo transmission from one place to another

Definition of – OSIS (suffix)
1 a: action : process : condition <hypnosis>

Hypertravelosis is a condition in which a person travels excessively and unpredictably. Those with hypertravelosis appear to have overactive need and desire to travel. The uncontrollable need to travel can lead to significant life changes, both physical and emotional as well as having major effects on the career.

Who am I and why should you read what I have to say?

You can call me Gypsy. It’s nice to meet you and I hope that we become great friends. If you suffer from hypertravelosis or have any interest in Travel Nursing, I’m here to help. Let me share some of my history with you so you know a little bit about my experience. Check out my Travel Nurse Interview.

My Family:

I came from a hard-working family. My grandparents were farmers and I spent a lot of time on the farm with them. My Mom and step-Dad were hard workers, always doing something. My father was a factory worker and dabbled in all sorts of other business, including real estate. I never experienced riches or comforts in ‘things’. Instead, my life was full of people who loved me and did the best possible to make my life comfortable. Good work ethic, good moral conduct, responsibility for my actions; these are some of the ‘riches’ that my family instilled in me.

How I Became A Nurse

I ended up losing my job as receptionist in a podiatrist office. On facing the fact of having no job and no way to support myself and my two children a very good friend suggested nursing as a fairly quick way to an education and a career with good job stability. I worked with the local job training program and became a LPN.

Early Symptoms of Hypertravelosis

I was unhappy living in small town America, surrounded by mid-western attitude. I wanted something new, something different. I packed up my kids and moved to another small town about 300 miles away from all I had ever known. I was TERRIFIED.

We settled in well and quickly felt at home. I then returned to college for my RN degree and was working locally as a nurse. I worked in a variety of places; several different nursing homes, a brief stint at one of the local hospitals, and home health. This is one of the classic symptoms of hypertravelosis: Frequent job changes.

By the summer of 2004, I was feeling stifled. I wanted a change. I had heard about travel nursing and decided to give it a try. I headed out for a summer assignment in Boston, MA. I loved it. My initial plans to return home after 3 months never materialized. I ended up staying for 8 months. I was hooked.

Treatment of Hypertravelosis: Full Time Travel Nursing

During my Travel Nurse career, I have worked in:

Boston, MA ~ 8 months
Edinburgh, TX ~ 3 months
San Diego, CA ~ 2 months
Cincinnati, OH ~ 7 months
Portsmouth, VA ~ 3 months
Scottsbluff, NE ~ 2 months
Morehead City, NC ~ 5 months
Phoenix, AZ ~ 3 months
New Orleans, LA ~ 3 months
San Francisco, CA ~ 8 months
Seattle, WA ~ 7 months
Elko, NV ~ 5 months

Next came a two-year contract with the DOD working in Germany at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I enjoyed traveling around Europe during my free time (which was never enough) and continued to save for my future traveling. I managed to stick with it for a year…returning to US and travel nursing.

Kansas City, MO ~ 3 months
Providence, RI ~ 3 months
Chicago, IL ~ 3 months

I then took a one-year sabbatical during which time I did some personal International traveling to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico.  During this time the ‘idea’ of The Gypsy Nurse began to form and come to fruition.

Back to the grind now and working in Maryville, TN

Travel nursing has allowed me to work and live in 15 different states throughout the US.

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If you are interested in contacting me directly, writing a guest post on my site or filling out a Travel Nurse or Specialty Interview or simply have a question; please contact me.