The COVID-19 pandemic shook the foundations of the healthcare world, forcing countless professionals—especially nurses—to pause, reflect, and reimagine their purpose. It was a moment of reckoning, a time when many asked: What truly fulfills me? For a growing number of nurses, the answer came in the form of freedom, adventure, and a deeper connection to patient care—travel nursing ! Among them was David Assid, RN, who embraced the call for help at the start of COVID crisis and hasn’t looked back from travel nursing career since. His journey is an inspiring testament to resilience, courage, & rediscovering passion. He generously agreed to shine a light on the life-changing world of travel nursing.
Q. So Tell us about your journey from Bedside RN to Travel RN ?
When I first decided to pursue a career in healthcare, combining work & travel was simply a future priority and forgone conclusion. After snagging my professional nursing license the countdown to testing life as a ‘Nomad Nurse’ began. When the ruthless turmoil of the COVID pandemic hit the United States of America, New York City was hit particularly hard and sent out SOS to all nursing community for help. I felt it was time to answer that call for help and I sprung into action. I remember the very chair I was sitting on the 1-West wing of my hosptal when I finally pulled the trigger to a travel career. That was back in April of 2020 and and as I type this up, I am preparing to start my thirteenth travel job contract! It has been a very eventful & fantastic four years.
Q. Thanks for being an early fearless COVID warrior ! What helped you land your first Travel RN gig ?
It was fairly straightforward – I got good information from a travel nurse on my floor then who referred me to Aya – the largest travel nursing agency in USA ! Then it was just a matter of creating an account and being paired with a recruiter. Ella Rubino (is still one of my primary contract sources) acted as both a point of contact for all questions, and a contract search liaison. She sent me a list of open contracts in NYC that aligned with my needs, I chose an opening of my liking and was offered my first contract there. Things moved quickly after that, a series of steps including vaccination, physical exams, cert/licensure confirmation, and pre-employment training. I dusted off my steth, loaded up my car and zipped out to New York to show up for orientation and hoped for the best. A more direct answer to your question— once you establish yourself with an agency, with adequate staff nurse experience you will need little help landing a travel job. The need is high, the pay is good and these travel jobs show no signs of slowing. The hardest part is perhaps making that first leap of faith.
Q. Were you nervous on your Day 1 working as Travel RN ?
Absolutely. It was terrifying to walk into the unknown risks of COVID then yet electrifying to be able to help in a black-swan event crisis which gave me immense meaning & satisfaction as a nurse. Orientation was like drinking from a firehose – a nonstop cascade of new information that I was expected to put into action immediately, or fail. The facility seemed to have been passed over by modern standards, and apparently the joint commission, which added to the feeling of disorientation and performance pressure. The sense of calling however overcame the stress and generated a layer of passion and excitement that brought together all travel RNs there in a way I haven’t seen since. We all stepped up, became each other’s foundation – I might not have made it without this mutual support system. My first contract was unique compared to the rest that followed, and I feel grateful for that experience. It tested me in ways I never expected, but in retrospect I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Q. I am glad you thrived ! Which state did you enjoy the most as a traveling nurse ?
It’s a draw between Charleston, SC, and (surprise) Kona (Hawaii). Charleston was a perfect contract, or as close as it comes. The work was interesting (step-down COVID), the city was great- I spent most of my time on James Island and in the historic district, and made the most enduring friendships. It seemed like one stroke of good luck followed by another from the moment I left home to the day I arrived back. It was truly a beautiful experience and it broke my heart to leave. Hawaii was great for assumed reasons. Slow-paced work, endless adventures, infinite beauty, and the kindest culture I have ever seen. I mean, it’s Hawaii !!
Q. Anything unexpected you learnt about being a Travel RN ?
Probably a sense of perpetual motion. There’s never a time I felt fully settled – the moment I unpacked, it felt like the next job assignement was already around the corner. And while on a contract, it’s a sense of extended work vacation where you never completely feel moved in, and are always anticipating your last day at work for the next trip. It’s a seesaw that never stops oscillating. It can make it hard to feel grounded or integrated but I nevertheless love it. The benefits greatly outweigh the sacrifices and I am everready to hit the road again for my next experience.
Q. Pros & cons of being a Travel RN ?
Covered somewhat above, but aside from uprootedness, it can certainly be a grind in many other ways. Each hospital is different with unique charting expectations, cultures, storage layouts, communication tools/methods, patient ratios, onboarding/training requirements, dress codes, patient populations, charting systems, code cart layouts, blood administration processes, IV pumps, PCT support levels, and so on. You are also expected to hit the ground running after a single orientation shift (two days is exceptional and a courtesy that I typically decline at this point). This rapid fire learning expectation can be daunting, especially when learning to navigate a new charting system but I have grown to enjoy this challenge – though not without some initial growing pains!
Q. Any advice for nurses considering a Travel nursing career?
My biggest advice is – Be prepared ! I could fill a page on this question, but I will note a few things. On your first assignment do not pack light, bring everything you think you MIGHT need to survive in an apartment with only a bed, couch, and bare kitchen, especially if taking your car. In time you will learn what a standard host will furnish their space with. Until then pack your car to the roof and still be ready to live on a thin line. FurnishedFinder.com is your friend for housing (except maybe Hawaii – go for Facebook marketplace or Craigslist there, but be wary of scams). To that point, join travel nursing FB groups such as ‘Gypsy Nurse’, they can be an excellent resource for things you need including vetting contracts and recruiters. A little hack I use is calling prospective facilities directly with my standard list of questions (patient ratios, IV pump brand, scrub color, phlebotomy v/s nurse blood draws, work breaks policy, etc.), since your agency will only give cursory details when presenting you with a contract. Crucial info can also be gleaned by talking directly with a nurse on the floor— I just call the place and have them transfer me to a charge nurse on a unit similar to the one on which I would work; they are always glad to chat. Have a flexible & adaptive mindset. Things will inevitably go wrong so be ready to work around unusual problems. I will aslo add that despite rumors, travel staff is generally appreciated by regular staff. We are there to take weight off their shoulders and most appreciate it – so don’t be afraid of being treated poorly as an outsider or temporary addition ! Like I said, I could ramble on at length, but I will cut it off here.
Q. If not healthcare, what profession would you be in?
In the same month as I was being considered for initial RN at my first job, I was also invited to interview with Full Sail (Florida) for music production. I came very close to choosing this path as my alternative career!
Q. Any fun hobbies & side-gigs?
I did guitar repair and worked on motorcycles/boats/small engines during nursing school, which allowed me to focus on studies job-free. I play multiple musical instruments especially the guitar (including at live music places). I also like to draw/ & paint, hike and all things outdoors, and yoga and travel (outside of work). I thrive on experiencing new places, culture and people. Family and friends are priorities while I am home between contracts, and I spend much of that time decompressing with the people I love.
Q. If you had to choose one superpower, what would it be?
How about teleportation.. with checked bags. Boy would that would make my job assignments easier !
Q. Great superpower for travel nursing for sure ! R ya a Coffee or Tea person?
Tea all the way. I once stayed at a forest cabin in Oregon that had about twenty varieties of tea stocked – that was a good weekend.
Thanks David, this was indeed a exciting read. We wish you the best for all your future endeavours and ambitions. Keep Rocking friend !
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