David Morrison, RN
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I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and my new column—or, more precisely, your new column—Tips from a Traveler. I would like to throw out a simple question: "What information would be beneficial to you,
the reader?"
When discussing the direction of the column, the editor-in-chief of Healthcare Traveler, Mark Kuhar, and I discussed several options, including short pieces on current travel-nursing issues or an advice column.
We settled on something of a hybrid.
If one month we are inundated with your questions, I will do my best to answer as many as possible. The next month could bring
a prevalent question on the minds of travelers, in which case I would devote the entire column to a thorough discussion of
that subject. The following month might just center on a certain aspect of travel nursing or a "hot" topic in the industry.
What we want to do here is discuss the things on your mind. So, once again, "What information would you like to read?"
Since we don't yet have your feedback or questions, I thought I might use this space to tell you a little about myself and
what led me into travel nursing (and if you don't want me to keep boring you with my résumé, you'd better send those e-mails!).
About me
I began traveling back in 1995. I still remember the first conversation I had with my recruiter. I sarcastically stated, "I'm
sure you have never heard this before, but I want to go to Hawaii." About a month later, I found myself on a three-month "vacation"
in the middle of the Pacific. I returned home after 13 weeks because the hospital only had a need for the duration of one
contract. But after that first assignment, I was hooked (winter in Ohio or Hawaii, how much of a no-brainer is that?).
Fast-forward 14 years and here I am, still traveling. In that time, I've hiked in the Grand Canyon; listened to the deafening
silence of the snowfall in Yosemite; completed enough jumps to allow me to skydive solo while in San Diego; plunged 100 feet
below the surface of the ocean to explore the wrecks off Key Largo; fell too many times to count while trying to surf in Hawaii;
took improv classes on the same stage where the likes of Phil Hartman, Will Ferrell, and Paul Reubens ("Pee-wee Herman") got
their start with The Groundlings comedy troupe in Los Angeles; took flying lessons in Santa Monica; played 18 holes of golf
at Torrey Pines; swam with the great-great-granddaughter of Flipper (yes, the dolphin) in Grassy Key; hiked into a dormant
volcano on Maui; hiked across a live volcano on the Big Island; and enjoyed probably about a hundred other adventures that
usually constituted just "another day off" while on assignment.
I have no recollection of the nights when I had to float to other units, take unstable patients to CT scan, give bowel preps,
or take part in all the other activities that usually compose a fairly unpleasant shift. My memory is blocked by all the aforementioned
adventures I have had in my travels.
So, write a book
Last year, I turned my love of writing into a how-to book on the subject of travel nursing. This year I will continue my passion
for both with monthly columns here in Healthcare Traveler. Please don't forget to drop me a quick e-mail to tell me what topics you would like to see covered in future issues, as well
as any questions or requests for advice that you may have. You can e-mail me at
david@travelnursesbible.com
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I look forward to hearing from you and making your new column a valued resource for your traveling needs.
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