GettoKnowKyleeNelson-min You may know her by her social media handle @PassportsandPreemies. We’re lucky to also know her as Kylee Nelson, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) registered nurse (RN) and Fusion Medical Staffing travel nursing influencer.

Whether you’ve been around the block or you’re just getting started in your travel nursing career, it always feels good to hear about the experience of someone who’s long into their travel nursing profession. Let’s get to know Kylee and learn more about how she’s helping nurses with her (almost) decade of nursing experience.

Get to Know Kylee Nelson, RN, Fusion Travel Nurse Influencer

Meet Kylee, RN, MVP of travel nurse influencers

Kylee Nelson Organized. Personable. Passionate. These are all strengths that helped Kylee get to where she is in her nursing career.

But before she was one of the most well-loved travel nurse influencers, she was a young woman with an unmatched determination to do good.

If you asked Kylee as an undergrad what she was going to do after graduation, she would’ve told you that you were looking at a future physician’s assistant. However, when it came time to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in biology, she found herself on another path — one that unexpectedly led her to nursing school.

“I wasn’t really sure what to do,” said Kylee. “I applied for an accelerated nursing program at a nursing school in Atlanta and the rest is history! The truth is, I never really knew I wanted to be a nurse, I kind of just ended up here and I’m so glad that I did.”

After graduating from nursing school and updating her resume from “nursing student” to “registered nurse,” Kylee gained experience volunteering and working as a staff NICU nurse before she ventured into travel nursing. After a year into her nursing profession, Kylee began to experience burnout, a feeling too-well-known amongst fellow nurses. Then, in 2016 after two years of nursing, she decided to consider a travel nurse life.

“One of the best parts about travel nursing is the random, fun things you get to do around the U.S.,” said Kylee. “I always think the most memorable travel nursing experiences I have are when I complete an assignment. I generally try to do a big road trip somewhere nearby to check off my ever-growing travel bucket list. When I worked in San Francisco, I spent a week driving down the coast to Santa Barbara and in Boston, I visited Newport, RI. Those are some of my favorite memories.”

In 2017, Kylee built her own website, blog, and social media channels to connect with nurses, advocate for their mental health, and promote the prevention of nurse burnout by traveling, and she’s been doing so ever since. Approaching her tenth year as a NICU nurse, Kylee shares helpful information and insights into making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Kylee’s travel nursing insights

Tips for your first day of an assignment

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how many first days you’ve conquered on an assignment; each one can be nerve-wracking. If you relate, you’re not alone.

“I always have so many nerves!” Kylee shared. “On my first day, I always make sure to arrive extra early and try to bring treats with a note introducing myself. I think this can help set the tone for how your assignment will be and I always like to start out on a good, friendly foot. The first day can be overwhelming no matter how much experience you have.”

Once you get through the tough part of meeting perm nurses and additional healthcare staff, try to find your confidence and repeat some internal affirmations. Remind yourself that you are capable and knowledgeable.

As your day goes on, Kylee recommends asking questions to ensure you know all the important details of your unit like who to contact in an emergency, how to get patient medication, the ins and outs of the facility’s charting system, and other nuances of the hospital. Now, just rinse and repeat until you reach the end of your shift.

Top U.S. cities for travel nursing jobs

When she’s not travel nursing, Kylee can most likely still be found on an airplane, on her way to explore a new destination. An avid traveler (on and off assignment), Kylee’s visited locations across the globe!

But when it comes to her favorite U.S. cities to work as a travel nurse, she narrowed it down to two: Santa Barbara and Seattle.

Santa Barbara_Kylee According to Kylee, Santa Barbara is an underrated destination with its year-round dreamy weather and tons of things to do, like visiting one of the many nearby wineries or having a beach day!

“Santa Barbara is so stunning,” said Kylee. “What other time in your life will you be able to live near a beach like that?!”

A close second is Seattle, WA, where Kylee lived on-and-off for two years travel nursing.

Seattle_Kylee “Seattle has great hospitals,” Kylee beamed. “And there are so many travel nurses in Seattle, you’re bound to find a great community of travel nurses. Not to mention, the city is great and there are tons of outdoor activities!”

From tips and tricks ranging from the best time of year to travel to Seattle to finding travel nurse housing to navigating Seattle’s public transportation, you can read all about it on Kylee’s blog!

Achieving work-life balance as a travel nurse

When you’re moving around as often as you do, it can be tough to find a sense of work-life balance. Kylee’s advice? Take breaks between your assignments.

“It doesn’t have to be after every assignment,” she said. “But I would say that every travel nurse needs a decent break between every two-to-three assignments.”

Whether you take time off to veg out on the couch and catch up on your fave Netflix series or travel abroad to live out your European adventure, time between travel jobs can not only enhance your job satisfaction but also decrease your stress levels and promote overall wellness.

In addition to time off, Kylee’s remedies for work-life balance include “a hot bath, wine, and takeout.” Add in yoga for times that she’s feeling “extra motivated.”

The importance of support

Having a strong support while on assignment can make or break your experience as a travel nurse. For Kylee, it’s important to get facetime (both IRL and digitally) with her loved ones.

“I’m lucky to have a really great support system,” said Kylee. “Every assignment I take, at least one friend or family member visits me for a weekend. However, if that’s not the case for you, FaceTime dates are your best friend!”

No matter where your travel nursing jobs take you, it feels good to know that your loved ones are rooting for you. In-person or virtually, schedule time to connect with your friends and family, and lean into the warmth and love.

Kylee 🤝 Fusion Medical Staffing

While there may be loads of healthcare staffing agencies to choose from, the truth is that not all of them have what we have, and that’s deep appreciation and care for you as a person.

“I’ve worked with several companies as a NICU nurse, and I feel so, so lucky to have ended up with Fusion Medical Staffing!” Kylee said. “Both the company and my recruiter Jess Casper made me stay in travel nursing a lot longer than I think I would have.”

In shopping for travel agencies, Kylee prioritizes transparency, competitive pay, a recruiter who feels like a friend, and the trust that she’ll be treated like a person (not a paycheck) — these (and more) are what made Kylee choose us.

Here, she met Travel Nursing Recruiter Jess, and it was a true match made in healthcare. Kylee describes Jess as “fun, relatable, and reliable.”

“I can always be honest with Jess, and she never makes me feel bad,” she said. “Jess is my number one choice!”

If you’re interested in a travel nursing career, consider traveling with us! As Kylee said, we’re “reliable, transparent, human-focused, and that tells you all you need to know.”

Frequently asked questions

Does Fusion staff travel nurses and allied travelers internationally?

It’s true that Kylee’s worked travel nursing jobs all around the world, but no — we don’t staff travel nurses and allied travelers internationally.

At Fusion Medical Staffing, we’re focused on placing healthcare professionals in rewarding positions right here in the states. That way, we can offer you more personalized support and ensure you’re always in the loop about the latest job opportunities and healthcare trends close to home.

What are the benefits of traveling with Fusion Medical Staffing?

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Traveling with us isn’t just about finding your next assignment, it’s about joining a culture of compassion that really supports and cares for you.

With dedicated Traveler Experience and Clinical teams, as well as a personal recruiter, day one insurance benefits, traveler paid time-off, referral bonuses, and then some, we ensure you’re supported every step in every state.

Read more about our comprehensive traveler benefits, plus perks and programs available to Fusion travelers!

I’m new here. Where do I apply for travel nursing jobs?

You’ve graduated alongside your fellow nursing students. ✅ You have nursing education. ✅ You have experience in a variety of healthcare facilities. ✅ You're ready to tackle all things nursing and live your best life alongside other nurses and nurse influencers. ✅

All that’s left to do is fill out the form on this page. From there, a recruiter will be in touch, and you’ll be one step closer to adding “Fusion Medical Staffing Travel Nurse” to your resume. 😎

Trade in your usual routine for a whirlwind of new experiences and start calling the shots in your career. Experienced and aspiring nurses alike can heed Kylee’s advice and “go for it!” Apply for travel nursing jobs with Fusion Medical Staffing and take your nursing career beyond hospital walls.