3 months, 13 weeks, and 91 days.
If you’re a travel nursing newbie, you’re probably wondering how much can really change in one assignment. The answer? Everything. It may not seem like a long time in one place, but wow, I have grown more in that snapshot of time than I ever expected. As many travel nurse newbies will tell you… It flies by! ✈️
This was the start of my career as a traveling ER nurse, and let me tell you, it was a leap of faith into a whirlwind lifestyle.
Leaving Home, Gaining Perspective 🚗
I left my home of 26 years, sold 80% of my belongings, and packed the rest of it in my 2006 Acura. Destination? Northern California. I felt adventurous, excited… and absolutely terrified. Most days I still wake up wondering, “How did I get here?”
But it was once just a dream to be a travel nurse, and here I am, living it.
👋Hey There, Newbies
I’m ReyAnn Moya, a 27-year-old nurse with 5+ years of experience, a love for solo travel, music festivals, and nature. Born and raised in Santa Fe, NM (which I miss every day), I took a chance on travel nursing and I’ve never looked back.
⛰️The Highs, Lows, and Everything in Between
Travel nursing has had its ups and downs, and it is a truly unique lifestyle we sign up for. Some days I’ve gone home crying, while others I’ve felt on top of the world. It’s taken my Type A personality through the wringer and back. But that’s the beauty of growth, it’s never really how we expect it to look, but it’s always exactly what we need. I’m pretty excited to say that I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning from ER nursing or travel nursing (insert nervous laugh here), and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I’m all about working smarter, not harder, and being the most efficient I can be (I guess that’s the ER nurse in me). That pushed me to share my experience in the hopes of helping my current and future travel nurse community. These are the things I wish I knew when I first started. And if you’re a travel nursing newbie like I once was, I hope this list offers some clarity and courage as you take the leap. Just like many other posts helped guide me into this lifestyle, maybe this one will help guide you, too.
📝13 Things I’ve Learned as a Travel Nurse Newbie
(from one newbie to another 💛)
1.💪 You’re More Resilient Than You Think
We’re wired to adapt, but it still blows my mind how strong we become when pushed. You’ll surprise yourself, promise.
2.🚫 It’s Not for Everyone… and That’s OK
Yes, it’s glamorous. But it also takes flexibility, grit, and courage. If it’s not for you, that’s perfectly valid.
3. 🌊Expect the unexpected
Stuff will go wrong. And you know what? That’s where the magic happens. Ride the wave instead of fighting it.
4. 😰 You WILL doubt yourself!
Let me repeat, YOU WILL DOUBT YOURSELF!! No matter how many experiences you have, this is so normal with any major transition or change in life. But don’t trust negative self-talk. You know what you’re doing, and things will progress and get better with time.
5. 😵💫💫Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
Ohhhh, how this is such a game-changer. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Repeat it like a mantra: It’s happening FOR me, not TO me.
6. 😔 Loneliness Will Creep In
But it won’t stay forever. Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. It’s a cruicial part of this journey.
7. 😌Not Everyone Will Like You
In life and the workplace. Stay kind, stay true to yourself, and let the rest go.
8. 🧯Don’t Burn Out
12-hour shifts aren’t the time to “do it all.” Give what you can, do your best, and rest.
9. 📚ALWAYS have a learner’s mentality!
I learned this from my dad at an early age. It’s so important to be a student in all aspects of life, even when you think you know something like the back of your hand. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
10.🎉 Work hard and play harder! (But Recover)
Balance is key. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so take time to reflect and reset.
11. 📆Build a Routine
Routine= grounding. Whether it’s journaling, walking, or weekly calls with friends, give yourself some solid footing.
12. 🌈Go With the Flow
Seriously, this one is golden. Things won’t always go your way, and that’s the beauty of travel nursing. Be open to new ways of doing things. You might even like them better!
13. 💖Know Your Why
Before you jump in, write down why you’re doing this. That “why” will evolve, but it’ll always be your anchor when things get hard.
🌟Final Thoughts for Travel Nursing Newbies
It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be so worth it! If you’ve got a dream or a pull toward something more… DO THE DAMN THING! ✨
2 thoughts on “Insights for Travel Nurse Newbies: 13 Key Lessons Learned”