Explore every episode of the podcast Travel Nursing & Allied Life

What happens when your career takes you far beyond the hospital walls?

In this episode, we sit down with travel occupational therapist Kaylee Earll to talk about her journey from working across the U.S. to serving aboard Mercy Ships, where she helped provide life-changing care to patients in underserved communities.

Kaylee shares how she first discovered Mercy Ships, what it's really like living and working on a hospital ship, and how her experiences have reshaped both her career and her perspective on healthcare. From unforgettable patient stories to practical advice for anyone considering medical missions, this conversation offers an inspiring look at how healthcare professionals can use their skills to make a global impact.

Whether you're a travel healthcare professional, someone interested in humanitarian work, or simply looking for a story that reminds you why you chose healthcare in the first place, this episode is for you.

About Our Guest

Kaylee Earll, OT, is an occupational therapist with a passion for bringing healing to underserved communities around the world. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and her Master of Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. For the past nine years, she's worked as a traveling occupational therapist, building diverse clinical experience while pursuing opportunities to serve.

Kaylee has volunteered multiple times with Mercy Ships, serving aboard both the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy in the Rehabilitation Department. Outside of healthcare, she enjoys photography, hiking, and exploring new places with friends.

TravCon is often called the traveler’s conference—but it’s just as valuable for recruiters. In this episode, I sit down with Scott Sutarik, an Allied Health Recruiter with TotalMed who’s spent nearly a decade in the industry and attended TravCon six times.

We talk about what makes TravCon unique, why face-to-face connections are so powerful in a virtual industry, and how the event bridges the gap between recruiters and clinicians. You’ll also hear insider tips for first-time attendees, favorite TravCon memories, and what keeps both sides of the travel healthcare world coming back year after year.

Whether you’re a recruiter, clinician, or just curious about the travel healthcare community, this conversation is packed with insights, stories, and reasons why TravCon is the place to be.

👉 Don’t miss out—join us at TravCon 2025! Get your ticket here: https://events.travcon.org/2025/begin?ref=TravSocial

Join Christina Johnson, Division Vice President of Coverage Nursing at AMN Healthcare and TravCon's Online Community Manager Rachel as they dive into all things TravCon 2025—happening September 21–24 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas! From the high-energy Traveler Success Bootcamp and AMN’s 40th anniversary celebration to tips for first-time attendees, keynote highlights, and can’t-miss networking opportunities, this episode is your inside scoop on the ultimate event for travel healthcare professionals. Discover how to make the most of your experience, explore AMN’s booth festivities, and hear why TravCon is more than just a conference—it’s a celebration of you.

Get $75 off your TravCon ticket from your friends at AMN with code AMN75.

https://events.travcon.org/2025/begin?ref=TravSocial

Christina Johnson serves as the Division Vice President of Coverage Nursing, bringing years of leadership experience and a strategic vision to workforce optimization that supports flexible, high-quality coverage within AMN’s nursing division. Based in San Diego, she works closely with high-performing teams across several departments, always focused on delivering exceptional service. Christina is known for her collaborative leadership style, data-driven decision-making and a passion for empowering others. She’s is dedicated to making the travel nursing experience more rewarding, more connected, and consistently excellent—no matter where care is delivered.

TravCon 2024 had an Allied attendance of 22 Percent! Travel Therapy, Travel Radiology, and all allied continue to grow every year. Join Dylan Callier, DPT as he discusses which professions grew and which are the top attending allied travelers of The Travelers Conference 2024. Find out more about TravCon 2025 at travcon.org

Dylan Callier is a doctor of physical therapy and has traveled for over 7 years. He has worked in a range of settings and now primarily works in home health. You may recognize him from his work on the New Medical Nomads Podcast. Dylan currently services as a TravCon Committee Member and Allied CE Planner. He continues to help other clinicians navigate through the world of travel healthcare and has a personal goal to travel and live on all 7 continents.

Get $50 off your TravCon 2025 ticket with code TravConPod. Just visit events.travcon.org/2025/begin?ref=TravSocial to register and save.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on everything that goes into building the educational experience at TravCon! Joining us are Melissa Kynbel, TravCon’s Director of Education, and Jackie Neilly, our Nurse Planner & Speaker Engagement Specialist.

Melissa and Jackie share their passion for empowering healthcare travelers through high-quality education, give us a sneak peek into how this year’s sessions are shaping up, and spotlight the incredible speakers—many of whom are travelers themselves!

We also chat about exciting new offerings like TNCC certification, sessions designed for veterans and small biz owners, the ever-popular Dream Destination Series, wellness tracks, and enhanced networking opportunities.

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes TravCon education so valuable—and why 2025 is going to be our most impactful year yet.

💸 Use code TRAVCONPOD to get $50 off your General Admission ticket: https://events.travcon.org/2025/begin?ref=TravSocial

In this special Nurses Month episode, we’re celebrating the heart and soul of travel nursing—live from YouTube—with a dynamic panel from AMN Healthcare. 💙 Tune in to “Passion with a Purpose” as we explore what drives nurses to take their careers on the road, the tools that help them thrive, and the inspiring stories that keep them going.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Building strong, supportive recruiter relationships
• Navigating your career with the AMN Passport app
• Real-life stories from nurses living their purpose and making an impact

👥 Featured Guests:

• Saundra Vild – AMN Healthcare industry expert sharing insider knowledge
• Julius - Traveler
• Brooke Strachan – From medical assistant to RN Strike Recruiter, now helping nurses find career-defining roles
• Ann King – NICU nurse & host of Nursing Uncharted, with over 5 years of travel nursing experience through AMN

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just curious about the lifestyle, this conversation is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and real stories to empower your journey.

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQpT_J_zsDk

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Roxanne Alexander Jones, Vice President of Global Programs at Global Care Force, to explore how this extraordinary nonprofit is transforming lives across the globe through medical volunteerism.

Born from the crisis of COVID-19, Global Care Force now deploys dedicated healthcare volunteers to underserved communities in Ukraine, Egypt, Jordan, Mexico, and beyond—bringing critical care, medications, and most of all, hope.

Roxanne shares firsthand stories from the field, including the organization’s mobile medical teams in Ukraine, serving thousands of civilians in war-torn areas. We also dive into the rising need for medical aid in refugee communities in Egypt and Jordan, and how Global Care Force is stepping in where few others can.

Whether you're a healthcare professional looking for meaningful ways to serve or someone who believes in compassionate care without borders, this episode will inspire you to take action.

🌐 Learn more or volunteer: www.globalcareforce.org

In this inspiring episode of TravCon’s Travel Nursing & Allied Life Podcast, host Rachel Altum sits down with Tracey Long, founder of BridgesforHealth.org, to explore the life-changing impact of international medical missions. Tracey shares how her organization empowers nurses, students, and allied health professionals to provide compassionate care in underserved communities around the globe.

Tune in to hear what a typical mission looks like, how destinations are chosen, and what kind of support volunteers receive. From heartwarming patient stories to lessons in cultural sensitivity, Tracey gives a candid look at what it means to serve others through healthcare. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or someone searching for more meaning in your career, this episode will show you how to make a global difference—one mission at a time.

FREE 2 Nursing CEs online self-paced course "How to Prepare for a Successful Medical Mission" course. 

 How to Prepare for a Successful Medical Mission

Is serving a medical mission on your bucket list?

Bridges for Health invites nurses, nursing students, and allied health professionals to join us on meaningful international medical missions to Central and South America and Africa. These life-changing trips are immersive experiences that expand your clinical, cultural, and global health skills.

🔹 What’s Included?

• Hands-on humanitarian service
• Medical Spanish immersion
• Training in tropical medicine and community health
• Cultural competence workshops
• Global health education
• Lifelong memories and friendships
• 30 Nursing CE's for 1 week trips or longer

📅 Trips are 1–2 weeks in length and prices range from $1,495–$2,500, depending on destination and duration.

👉 Learn more or apply today at:  Bridges for Health

For questions or group inquiries, contact: Dr. Tracey Long longforhome@gmail.com

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Schlottman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Extended Stay America, to explore how ESA has become a trusted housing resource for travel healthcare professionals across the country.

Michael shares details about ESA’s exciting new partnership and their availability on the Marketplace, making it easier than ever for travelers to find reliable, comfortable housing while on assignment. He also reflects on ESA’s 9-year legacy at TravCon—as the first hotel chain to ever exhibit—and why the company continues to show up for the traveling healthcare community year after year.

We also dive into what makes ESA a great fit for travelers, including flexible stays, nationwide locations, and traveler-friendly amenities like full kitchens, on-site laundry, pet accommodations, and more.

Stick around for a fun “This or That” rapid-fire round to get to know Michael on a more personal level—and find out whether he prefers early check-in or late check-out!

🔗 Resources & Links:

👉 Book your next stay or explore ESA on the Marketplace: index | Extended Stay America

👉 Learn more about TravCon: https://events.travcon.org/2025/begin?ref=TravSocial

Finding the perfect stay as a travel healthcare professional just got easier! The Gypsy Nurse is thrilled to welcome Engine as our newest preferred housing partner. In this episode, we chat with Ellis from Engine about how their platform helps travelers find safe, flexible, and hassle-free hotel stays. Learn what makes Engine different, how to book confidently, and why travel healthcare workers are loving this solution. Tune in and discover how Engine is changing the game for travel housing! 

Taxes can be confusing for travel healthcare professionals, but Joseph Smith from Travel Tax is here to break it all down! In this episode, we dive into essential tax tips for travelers, common misconceptions about tax laws, and how recent changes might impact you. Plus, Joseph shares a sneak peek of his TravCon 2025 session, where he’ll provide even more in-depth tax guidance. Whether you're new to travel healthcare or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you navigate taxes with confidence!

Dating as a travel healthcare worker comes with unique challenges—frequent moves, demanding schedules, and long-distance connections. In this episode, Rachel from The Gypsy Nurse and Brandy Pinkerton from Travel Nurse 101 break down the ins and outs of finding love while on assignment.

They discuss:

• The best places for travel healthcare workers to meet potential partners
• Common dating challenges and how to overcome them
• Red flags to watch for when dating in a new city
• Tips for maintaining long-distance relationships
• How to stay safe while dating on the road

Whether you’re looking for a serious relationship or just curious about dating while traveling, this episode offers practical advice and real-world insights to help you navigate love on the go. Tune in now! 🎧❤️

Are you ready to lock in your fall and holiday travel assignments? Join us for an exclusive podcast with AMN Healthcare’s panel of experts, as they share insider tips on securing assignments, using the AMN Passport App, and building a successful travel nursing career. Whether you’re new to travel nursing or looking to expand your knowledge, this episode is packed with guidance just for you!

Bio: Saundra is the Divisional Vice President of Training for the Nurse Division at AMN Healthcare. Through her ability to connect with her clinicians and give guidance and support, she grew quickly and soon transitioned into a leadership role. She has continued to contribute to the success of the organization by training recruiters on how to build connections with nurses and grow their own desks.

Kendall Jacobs, Director of Coverage, Nursing

Bio: Kendall has had the pleasure of being part of the AMN team for 6 years now! Currently, she is the Director of Coverage in Account Management and Recruitment, where I get to do what I love—supporting our incredible clinicians, clients, and local communities. I call Denver, CO home, where I live with my wonderful fiancé and our mischievous dog, Stella, who keeps us on our toes! When I’m not working, you can usually find me with my nose in a book, running around the lake, hitting the trails, or attempting to conquer the slopes as I learn to ski.

Molly Gilkison 

Molly has been with AMN as a recruiter for a little over four years and absolutely loves it! Her favorite part is working alongside talented healthcare professionals to find them the perfect fit and build long-lasting relationships. Trust and transparency are so important to her as a recruiter. She also shares the love of traveling with our AMN Healthcare nurses, and she has lived in Louisville, San Diego, and St. Petersburg. Molly is a huge animal lover as well! She has a 5-year-old pom-a-poo and a 4-month-old kitty. Molly can’t wait to answer any questions and provide support during this live Q&A!

In this episode, we sit down with Zac Shephard, a seasoned ICU travel nurse and Aya Healthcare's Nurse Fellow, to explore his fascinating journey from bedside care to his new role enhancing the clinician experience at Aya. With nearly 30 assignments across 20 hospitals, Zac shares his valuable life lessons from the road, how travel nursing shaped his personal and professional life, and the challenges he faced during the pandemic. Tune in as Zac discusses the evolving landscape of travel nursing, why Aya’s flexibility is a game-changer, and his advice for those embarking on their first travel assignment.

In this episode, Fusion Medical Staffing showcases how they are reshaping the traveler experience. Members of their Traveler Experience team share their approach to collecting valuable feedback and providing personalized support to travelers on assignment. Get a sneak peek into Fusion Medical Staffing’s upcoming Pathfinder Perks loyalty program and learn how their new app will streamline job searches and enhance engagement. Tune in to discover how Fusion Medical Staffing is listening to their travelers to help build a stronger, more connected community.

Podcast Participants:

Alyx Smeal, Digital Customer Experience Analyst at Fusion Medical Staffing

Thea Circo, Director of Traveler Experience at Fusion Medical Staffing

Shanna Shore Matthews, Director of Client and Vendor Experience at Fusion Medical Staffing

Leah Kemple, Senior Public Relations Strategist at Fusion Medical Staffing

In this episode of our podcast, Steve Curtin, CEO of TravCon and The Gypsy Nurse, sits down with Jeff Shaffar, CEO of Ventura MedStaff, to explore the essential housing resources available for traveling healthcare professionals. With over 15 years of healthcare staffing experience and a passion for supporting travelers, Jeff shares valuable insights into navigating the challenges of finding housing on the road.

Listeners will learn about the evolution of housing support from staffing agencies, the current options available, and the biggest hurdles travelers face, such as finding affordable and pet-friendly accommodations. Jeff introduces Ventura MedStaff's "Housing Toolkit," offering tips and resources to help healthcare professionals secure the best housing for their assignments. From furnished accommodations to hotel-style living and apartment-style housing, Jeff provides a comprehensive guide to the resources available, including pro tips for making the housing search more manageable.

Steve and Jeff also discuss strategies for avoiding housing scams, the importance of local insights, and advice for those traveling with pets. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or new to the world of healthcare assignments, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you find your home away from home.

Tune in to discover how Ventura MedStaff is positively changing lives by supporting healthcare professionals every step of the way. For more details, visit their blog "Traveler Housing Resources" at venturamedstaff.com, or reach out to one of their recruiters for personalized assistance.

In this episode, we sit down with Bridget Donahue, Director of Recruiting at Prolink Staff, to explore the growing demand and rising pay rates for Allied travelers. Bridget shares her expert insights into the most sought-after skillsets and locations for Allied professionals in today’s market. She also offers valuable advice on certifications and strategies that can enhance your appeal as an Allied traveler, according to Prolink’s clients. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting out, this episode provides the tools you need to thrive in the competitive world of Allied health travel.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Shannon McPeek, a dedicated neonatal ICU nurse and the visionary founder of Operation Happy Nurse. Shannon shares her personal battle with work-related anxiety, a struggle that many nurses face but few openly discuss. Her experience inspired her to create a supportive community aimed at combating the mental health challenges within the nursing profession.

Tune in as we explore Shannon’s journey from overwhelmed nurse to mental health advocate. Learn about the mission and growth of Operation Happy Nurse, the current challenges in nursing, and strategies to improve mental well-being in healthcare. Shannon also reflects on her past experiences at TravCon and offers valuable advice for nurses navigating the pressures of the job. Discover how you can connect with Operation Happy Nurse and become part of this empowering movement.

Join host Rachel Altum as she chats with travel nursing experts Reva Lewis, Natalie Dobrijevic, and Brandy Pinkerton about their top five must-have items to pack for TravCon this year. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, these tips will ensure you're fully prepared for the ultimate travel healthcare conference. From essential gear to unexpected items that might surprise you, this episode is packed with valuable advice to help you make the most of your TravCon experience.

About the Guests:

Reva Lewis:

Reva Lewis began her nursing career at Mississippi’s only academic medical center as an adult medical surgical nurse. Realizing her true passion lay elsewhere, she quickly transitioned to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where she currently practices. Seeking better opportunities beyond Mississippi, Reva discovered travel nursing, which opened the door to fulfilling her career aspirations. Her journey in the NICU and as a travel nurse has provided her with unique insights she shares in this episode.  (@revamoments)

Natalie Dobrijevic:

With a decade of nursing experience and four years in travel nursing, Natalie Dobrijevic has completed ten assignments, always choosing destinations that offer stunning mountain views or serene ocean landscapes. When not on the road, Natalie enjoys wine tasting, boutique shopping, and relaxing with a bath bomb. This year, she’s excited to attend TravCon in Las Vegas, ready to connect with other professionals and share her packing secrets. (@natdee_xo/)

Brandy Pinkerton:

Named Nurse.Org’s Most Inspirational Nurse of the Year in 2023, Brandy Pinkerton is a Nurse Educator and Mentor at Travel Nurse 101 with over 21 years of experience. Her extensive background includes neonatal and pediatric ICU, critical care float pool, flight nursing, and travel nursing across various states. Outside of nursing, Brandy is an avid traveler, hiker, and outdoor enthusiast, bringing a wealth of practical advice to this episode on preparing for TravCon. (@travnurse101)

Get ready to elevate your Las Vegas experience at TravCon 2024! In this must-listen episode, join Steve Curtin, CEO of TravCon and The Gypsy Nurse, and Online Community Manager, Rachel Altum, as they sit down with Timothy Glanzer, Chief Elevation Officer of Elevated Meeting Solutions. With over 28 years of leadership experience at MGM Resorts International and a successful track record in event management, Timothy shares insider tips on making the most of your time in Vegas during TravCon.

Explore why Las Vegas remains the ultimate destination for TravCon year after year, discover must-see attractions and activities, and learn how to take your TravCon experience to the next level. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with valuable insights that will help you maximize your time in the Entertainment Capital of the World.