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Nursing UnchartedAuthor: AMN Healthcare
Welcome to the Nursing Uncharted Podcast, where raw and real stories of nurses are told. Join us as we navigate the uncharted territories of nursing, together. We delve into candid conversations covering travel nursing, career advice, nurse empowerment, unique nursing experiences, and some of the technologies that are driving nurse satisfaction and engagement. Tune in for laughter, learning, and discovering new aspects of the incredible profession of nursing. Welcome to our show, where every nurses story finds its voice. Language: en Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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How Travel Nursing Changes You: Confidence, Community, and Finding Your Way
Episode 116
Tuesday, 18 August, 2026
Travel nursing does more than change your zip code. It changes how you carry yourself into a new unit, how you build relationships from scratch, and how you define what matters most in your life and career. In this episode of Nursing Uncharted, Audrey T., manager of recruitment at AMN Healthcare, sits down with two travel nurses, Ilana and Paige, who are living that transformation in real time. Best friends from Phoenix who met as PACU coworkers, Ilana and Paige are now on assignment together in San Diego. But their paths there looked different: Ilana has been traveling for a year and a half, while Paige is just six weeks into her first contract. Together, they open up about what actually shifts when you take the leap into travel nursing, the confidence, the friendships, the priorities, and share the advice they wish someone had given them on day one. Key Takeaways Confidence comes from trusting your existing skills. You already know how to care for patients. The unfamiliar policies and procedures at a new facility are details you will figure out, not evidence that you are unprepared. Asking questions is a sign of strength, not weakness. Ilana's go-to phrase when starting a new assignment, "How do you do this here?", shows experience while demonstrating respect for each facility's way of doing things. Community does not happen by accident. Plugging into something outside of work, whether it is surfing, church, or a volunteer group, gives you a low-pressure way to build a life in a new city. Relationships become your anchor. Distance often makes friendships and family connections more intentional, not less meaningful. Flexibility is a mindset you can practice. Learning to sit with the unknown, not knowing your next contract or location, becomes easier when you stay grounded in who you are. Your identity should not depend on your zip code. Knowing your values and purpose before a big transition helps you land on solid ground, no matter where the assignment takes you. Episode Chapters 00:00—Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters 00:42—Meet Ilana and Paige: From PACU Coworkers to Travel Partners 03:57—What Excited Them Most About Travel Nursing 04:57—Family Reactions to the Big Move 08:05—Overcoming Early Challenges on a New Unit 10:23—Building Community in a Temporary Home 11:08—How Travel Nursing Shapes Personal Identity 14:26—Shifting Priorities: Relationships, Rest, and Purpose 17:06—Making Friends as a Travel Nurse 22:37—Clinical Confidence and On-the-Job Growth 26:17—Advice for New Grads and Future Travelers Guest Spotlight: Ilana and Paige Ilana and Paige met at their first PACU job, one arriving from the ICU, the other from the ER, and became fast friends despite their departmental rivalry. Both are lifelong Arizona residents and four-year nurses who decided that experiencing new places did not require giving up the community they love back home. Ilana has been traveling for a year and a half and describes herself as a proud PACU travel nurse who has learned to embrace flexibility, both in her career and in life. Paige, an ER nurse with PACU experience, is only six weeks into her first assignment but already speaks with the clarity of someone who has done the work to stay centered through big change. Now on assignment together in San Diego, they bring a rare, honest perspective on what it actually feels like to build a new life one contract at a time, and why leaning on each other has made the transition easier for both of them. Connect With UsIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to our show on your favorite podcast platform. You can also find show updates and nursing opportunities on our Instagram at @AMNnurse. About AnnAnn King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13+ years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 5+ years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing. Connect with Ann on Instagram: @annifer05 Are you interested in coming on as a guest? Send us a message at podcasts@amnhealthcare.com Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! Do you know a nurse looking to get into travel? Refer a friend to AMN today! 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