When adventure calls you

When adventure calls you, what do you do?

I have been thinking of travel nursing since my last assignment in 2016. Life has gotten busy in the last three to four years. I have done lots of things and achieved things but I missed doing a travel nursing contract. I think that life is a journey in itself. A call to adventure can be exciting and life-changing. I feel that there is always time with everything.

The adventure was calling me and I was hesitant at first because I thought why I am doing it again although I know in my heart that I want another travel nurse contract. I started the conversation in January this year with my agent and asking for a May assignment. Then I connected in June when the COVID-19 travel ban remained active and I was supposed to go home in the Philippines to visit my family. I worked on some of the paperwork in July when I was contemplating going. There were offers in Terrace, Haida Gwai, Prince Rupert and Campbell River. I had to decline some assignments due to the ER component of the work. Finalized stuff in August and I am not sure what my thought process was during the time but I was excited to do it again. The last assignment I did was in 2016 which was in Goose Bay, Labrador.

Summit Peak at Stone Mountain Provincial Park

The emotions involved in the decision-making process to make everything happen was difficult in the beginning. There were times that I did not want to do the necessary documentation because I find them tedious. Also, I was anxious because I have not done a lot of bedside nursing in the last 3.5 years. I was scared but fear will not make me move forward. I questioned myself why am I doing it but I do not want to regret not being able to do it again.

I had to shift my brain not only to doing acute care but also to being a staff nurse versus being an in-charge/team leader. Part of the job is also being in a new place. I have never been up north but part of the thrill is being in a new place. It was calling me in 2017 and I gladly answered this year. I am fortunate enough to be able to travel during this pandemic but I chose to only stay in the province. I would not be doing this if there is no pandemic, I would be enjoying the sunshine and the white sands in the Philippines. I would be dancing and enjoying my brother's 30th birthday. I would be surprising my niece on her birthday. I am sad that I am not able to visit my family back home. On the other hand, I am grateful for the opportunity to get back to my old world. I have missed it.

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” - Pat Conroy

I have listened to the OLD (Optimal Living Daily) podcast and it was from Kat Medina and she said talked about an openhearted curiosity approach to adventure and I find that very much applicable to the steps I did. My openhearted curiosity made me work on the requirements and finalize everything which includes a criminal record check, a TB test, and others. Shifting to a traveller's mind was not hard to do. I am a Sagittarius. Some of you probably believe in their zodiac sign. I am an explorer and adventure seeker. Travelling does not intimidate me. At times it does, but hey, I went to Europe all by myself and I came to Canada on my own. Not a bad feat for this girl. So, one of the things I looked at before coming to Fort Nelson was what are the hikes that I can do in the area. I did some research on what the area looks like and yes it is very isolated. The hike that I did yesterday at Summit Peak located at Stone Mountain Provincial Park was gorgeous.

I know I am not done with my assignment yet but I am happy to be here and be able to interact with other nurses. Plus, I have Newfoundland and Labrador magnet where I have been meeting all these Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in this small town. Fascinating to meet new people, overall. The move to do travel nursing again is transformative. The little break from the busy schedule I had and be able to explore the province. Some mind shifts that I am doing is helpful mentally.

So when adventure calls you, do you answer?