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Shayla J., an OR travel nurse, seizes the opportunity to visit places she’s always wanted to go – it’s what she loves most about travel nursing.

“I get to step outside of my comfort zone,” said Shayla. “I can take on each new adventure and see exactly what I’m capable of doing.”

This veteran nurse is currently on her fifth assignment with FlexCare and has worked in over 20 unique facilities. Shayla shared that her job isn’t for everyone but she’s grateful that she found her calling quickly as a circulator.

Whether you’re preparing for your first gig as a traveler or you’re getting ready to jet across the pond and spend a few weeks on holiday, how and what you pack can make all the difference between enjoying your trip or being miserable because you’re dragging around a bunch of cumbersome gear.

To get you started on the right path, we’ve compiled a list of some great travel gear that will help you get from Point A to Point B in a more efficient and comfortable way. And since it’s Amazon, you can take advantage of these deals no matter where you are. Happy shopping!

For some travel nurses, all their wordly possessions go with them from assignment to assignment. ICU RN, Mark G., is just such a traveler and recently experienced every traveler’s worst nightmare while on assignment in Washington, D.C.

The travel nurse’s cargo trailer with all his possessions was vandalized and all the contents stolen from a secure storage facility. The culprits took everything, leaving Mark with only a few personal items.

An unforgettable patient during his first assignment and endless sights seen throughout his traveler career thus far, oncology nurse Zachary loves the opportunities the travel life has given him.

“I love traveling, seeing different cities and cultures. When you’re there for three months you really get to experience it like a local – not like when you’re on vacation. You really get to know the people and their way of life. Even though you’re traveling within the same country, every city has a different vibe. I like experiencing all of that.”

Bailey C., a Stepdown RN, has been with FlexCare since early 2018 and is currently on her eighth assignment. Her love for travel coincides perfectly with her career as a travel nurse.

CVICU RN, Ryan “Henry” Beseda, has been with FlexCare since 2016 and is currently in Idaho on his twelfth assignment. What’s even more admirable than Henry’s assignment count is the number of medical mission trips he's taken.

As a PACU RN, Henry has been traveling to Guatemala up to three times per year since 2013 on a medical mission to serve the country’s neediest population. His most recent trip took place in early May where he served with Health Talents International.

“Travel nursing made me rediscover my passion and love as a PICU nurse at a time where the flame was burning very low.” Elizabeth, PICU RN                

FlexCare traveler and Pediatric ICU RN, Elizabeth C, took the leap to become a travel nurse and quickly realized the many benefits of this new career and lifestyle.

For this year’s Nurses Week, we received many impressive stories featuring our superhero nurses. Although the celebratory week may be over, we want to continue to share the extraordinary work performed by our FlexCare Family of nurses – starting with this bittersweet story.  

In a time of tragedy, this travel nurse took matters into her own hands to console a patient as best she could – because she knew no one else would.

It’s always difficult to choose our Nurse Hero, and this year was no exception. We had countless stories of travel nurses who saved lives under extreme circumstances, donated their time and expertise to people in need, and inspired us all to be better humans. But one story stood out because of the risk involved in pursuit of a better life for others, and it’s why we chose Paige, ER RN, as FlexCare's 2019 Greatest Nurse Hero.

Paige just returned from a medical mission to Iraq and Turkey, accompanying a physician she met during a recent assignment.