Stories from the Road – May 30, 2019

Meredith and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. We met on the first day of grade primary when we were just 5 years old, and continued our education side by side until graduating high school at 18, where we then went our separate ways for 2 years attending different universities studying non-nursing degrees. 

While catching up over the holidays, we found out that not only were we both switching programs into nursing, but we would soon be back going to school together, attending the same university. After our 2 year hiatus, you can imagine that we were ecstatic! After 4 (long) years on our journey to becoming nurses, Meredith started her career in ER nursing, and I started my career in ICU nursing at the same hospital. 

We had always expressed our desire to travel with each other and our inclinations in experiencing other hospitals, but it wasn’t until the winter of 2017 that we decided to make some major decisions. 

Having both grown up in Nova Scotia and both having an undeniable passion for the outdoors, we quickly settled with no hesitation to becoming travel nurses in BC, together. What was unique to our situation and desires was that we didn’t want to do short contracts, we instead aspired to do back-to-back contracts and remain on the west coast. We also had a particular additional request, we were making the move with my other half… my dog, Sadie. 

After careful planning, and tearful goodbyes, packed up our lives in as few suitcases as possible, and loaded them into my Jeep, and the three of us headed for ‘the west’! 

Driving westward was a great success for our merry band. Meredith and I had always wanted to explore the ins and outs of Canada. What a perfect opportunity we had to do so on our way to BC, and although Sadie hates all forms of transportation, she remained very complacent and snug in the comfort of my familiar Jeep . Meredith and I seemed to have outgrown our post at home for now, and as we’ve aged our friends have also left home moving far and wide. We took this opportunity of travelling coast-to-coast to visit some of dearest friends that we were passing on our way. Throughout our 12 day drive, we both agree that our highlights were Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Banff, and Jasper.

We have now been in BC since October and have not gone home yet. While we miss our friends and family back home with all of our hearts, beginning our travel nurse career has opened so many doors and presented countless opportunities.

We’ve made amazing new friends, and reconnected with old ones, we’ve networked with our fellow travel nurses, we’ve made friends out of wonderful colleagues, we’ve travelled across Canada, we’ve explored Las Vegas, and even managed to afford and fit in the most incredible trip to Asia for a month between contracts. 

Being a travel nurse is more than just doing quick contracts. We’ve learned to adapt to every new environment and situation we’re been thrown into. Above all else we’ve learned that a nurse is a nurse, and no matter where you go, your patients will always be your top priority. You can single handedly be the world of a difference for them in an incredibly strenuous and stressful situation, making it comforting, familiar and maybe even enjoyable.

Meredith and I can honestly and confidently say that we’ve been living our lives to the fullest. Solutions Staffing has been a remarkable company in accommodating our unique situation and needs, and kept us together for the past 9 months. 

We can’t wait to see where our travel nursing career takes us next!