Brianne, a travel psychiatric nurse on assignment with American Traveler in Clarksburg, WV

From Childhood Inspiration to Travel Nursing Adventure: Brianne’s Story

Hi, I’m Brianne! I specialize in forensic psychiatric nursing and I’m currently on assignment in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Over the years, I’ve worked in four different states, and this is actually my second contract in West Virginia.
My journey into nursing started early. As a child, I spent time in the hospital, and the nurses who cared for me were patient and understanding. Those experiences planted the seed—I knew I wanted to be that person for others someday.

A Career Spanning All Ages

I’ve been an RN for over five years now, and in that time I’ve cared for patients of all ages—newborns, children, adults, and the elderly. These days, I work with inmates in a forensic psychiatric hospital. It’s challenging work, but one of my favorite things about nursing is the privilege of serving all types of people.
I would encourage anyone to try different specialties. You might be surprised which kind of unit you fall in love with.

Why I Love Travel Nursing

For me, the biggest perk of travel nursing is flexibility. It’s rare to find a career that lets you:
  • Work in any state
  • Take extended breaks between contracts (or even mid-contract)
  • Maintain strong pay and job opportunities
If you have personal commitments or want extra time off—whether for family, travel, or other goals—travel nursing can be the perfect fit.
I also enjoy experiencing different communities—sometimes big cities, sometimes small rural towns. Each location offers a unique perspective and helps me grow both personally and professionally.

Advice for Aspiring Travel Nurses

If you’re curious about travel nursing, my advice is simple: take the first step and sign up with an agency. It’s free, and you never know when you might want—or need—a job.
Not sure if you’re ready to hit the road?
  • Start with local contracts to test the waters.
  • Try it for a set period of time to save for a big goal, like buying a house.
Travel nursing requires a specific kind of person who is able to quickly adapt to new work environments, and you’ll never really know if that’s you until you try it.

A Different Kind of Stability

Some staff nurses tell me they couldn’t do travel nursing because they love stability. But here’s how I see it: no job is truly guaranteed, whether staff or travel.
As a travel nurse, you’re already connected to an agency, which means if a contract ends, you can line up a new assignment quickly—often faster than going through the traditional interview and hiring process. In my book, that’s a different kind of stability.

Final Thoughts

Travel nursing has given me the flexibility, variety, and security I need, while allowing me to make an impact in communities across the country. If you’re even a little curious, take the leap—you might just discover your new favorite way to nurse.

Last Modified On: Aug 15, 2025

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