The Impact of Travel Nursing on Mindset and Faith: A Personal Journey

Travel nursing for me has been one of the biggest blessings on both a professional and personal level. It has allowed me to grow and expand beyond myself in ways that I did not expect. As a planner and what some would refer to as a “Type A” personality, typically defined as a “measured, organized and an intentional planner.” Naturally as a nurse, working from a home hospital, you establish a rhythm working with the same co-workers, in the same facility, and follow through with the same procedures - it's easier to anticipate the day; even though patient assignments are not always known until getting into work, there is an organized structure to manage the potential chaos of the day. The addition of travel nursing brings another layer of uncertainty; working in a facility you’re not used to, minimal orientation days, meeting and working with new people all in a new environment can be very stressful. But to be honest, regardless of what we plan on a day to day, not one of us knows exactly how the day is going to go. It's important to keep an open mind to new experiences; they help us to discover aspects of ourselves we didn’t know were there, creates durability and helps to develop a trust in that “still quiet voice” within even more, helping one to experience this beautiful life we were given. This is something I've had to learn, let me tell you what I mean.

Professionally, travel nursing has increased my insight into the knowledge gaps and health disparities of many individuals across Canada. Observing aspects of these disparities has helped to better my nursing practice by seeing a well rounded picture of a person and them as they relate to their community. This helps to change my lens and consider other barriers and challenges when working with patients even when I’m back in my hometown. It's important to note this because as a travel nurse when we become aware of these barriers, it helps us to better strategize and collaborate with the healthcare system in meeting the patient’s needs.

Travel nursing has greatly solidified my nursing “gut intuition”- its a real thing! Over a period of time from starting as a new grad until now, my nursing intuition has greatly developed. Traveling nationally between provinces introduced me to new and unusual situations, so my experience grew in a short space of time. There are times that I’d be by myself, navigating a situation and I’d really have to lean and depend on God to help me, whether it was a patient  hemorrhaging or an infant not doing well, all it would take is a quiet prayer of “God help” and He’d always come through. So the combination of nurse's intuition, sharpened critical thinking skills, nursing competency and faith definitely helped to create a more confident and resilient nurse. Trusting that regardless of the situation, you’ve been trained for this and are more than capable of ensuring successful outcomes. Especially in working in the trenches with nurses you just met, speaks to the unspoken bond we have as nurses to get through a situation and shift together. #NursesUnite

Personally, travel nursing has stretched me enormously. Highlighting strength and capabilities that were in me, but was not aware of. If I didn’t venture out and take a step of faith amidst the fears, doubts, questions and uncertainties, it would have never happened!  

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 ESV

There are experiences that I did not think I’d ever be a part of. From kayaking to seeing bioluminescent phytoplankton light up at night to whale watching, to going on my first 10K hike ever - the list truly goes on. Encountering these aspects and beauty in life allowed me to see God’s faithfulness. Faithful to answer prayers (travel nursing was always a dream of mine), to answer the quiet desires of the heart and to be present in times of being alone; and the joy these experiences brought are immeasurable.

Moments of solitude on these contracts allowed for periods of reflection and let God to work on aspects of my heart I didn’t know needed to still be worked through. You see when you’re around people all the time, there is a constant stimulation of thoughts with interactions in addition to the hustle and bustle in life. When you’re alone, you learn how your mind processes, acknowledging emotions, habits, the things you like and don’t like about yourself. In those moments, if you allow, the Lord uses that to heal, grow and prune those aspects of yourself, you’d be amazed as to what fruit in your life it produces.

Trust God with the big dreams, the big goals, and the beautiful heart He has given you. 

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:1, 13-14 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6 ESV

I hope this was of some encouragement to you!

Until next time,

Peace & Love

Sarah