Fusion created the Traveling Hearts Award in 2023 to recognize healthcare travelers who are going the extra mile and providing the highest level of care at their assignments across the country. Our 2026 winners both happen to work in long term care, AND they are both currently on assignment in Nebraska improving the lives of everyone they touch.
- What is the Traveling Hearts Award?
- Nicole Dunovsky, LTC RN
- Vicki Allen, LTC Director of Nursing
- ✨BONUS ✨ Frequently asked questions
Meet the 2026 Fusion Traveling Hearts Award Winners
What is the Traveling Hearts Award?
The Traveling Hearts Award is all about celebrating our travelers who truly live out our mission to make a positive impact. Each year, we honor two standout clinicians for their exceptional commitment to patient care. It's our way of highlighting the compassion and dedication that healthcare travelers like you bring to their patients and communities every day!
Award criteria
🏆Extraordinary direct patient care
🏆Shows strong initiative and drive
🏆Empowers others through mentorship and collaboration
🏆Holds themselves and peers to high ethical standards and integrity
🏆Dedicated to Fusion’s core values of being humble, driven, and positive
🏆Advocates for refreshing healthcare
Award eligibility requirements
🏆Must have completed at least one assignment with Fusion
🏆Must be a current healthcare traveler
🏆Travelers can be nominated by recruiters, facility leaders, patients, or themselves
Nicole Dunovsky, LTC RN
With rural roots and a foundation built in 4-H and FFA, Nicole was convinced she would focus her career on Animal Science and in the beef industry. It wasn’t until she felt the pull to do something more that she considered working in assisted living and long term care.
Now with multiple travel assignments under her belt, she says that being a travel LTC RN is so rewarding. We asked her a few questions about her time traveling and what it means to win the Traveling Hearts Award.
What is the best part about being a healthcare traveler?
Most of the time, you are going to a facility that is in dire need of staff. Being able to offer help when needed provides a meaningful impact on whatever community you may be serving. For me, the flexibility and financial independence that traveling gives me allows me to spend more time with my grandpa while still reaching my financial goals. An individual can truly make traveling, however adventurous or unadventurous they would like. Depending on your specialty, you can truly go anywhere. It is also an opportunity to develop your clinical skills by being thrown into many different situations and populations. It gives you the opportunity to network in your specialty and beyond and make lifelong connections. Personally, I have met one of my best friends I will ever have on my current contract.
What does winning the Traveling Heart Award mean to you personally? What about as a professional?
On a professional level, this means the world to me because that means that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing for my residents at a level that is recognizable by management and others around me. I try to provide the best care I can in any given situation, and the fact that someone sees that means a lot. Winning this award means a lot to me personally because often I do not think what I do makes a difference. It is nice to be recognized as a traveler because often travelers do not get anything like this. I appreciate Fusion and everyone who works hard to provide things like this for travel staff.
Nicole takes her calling seriously and does everything she can to take care of residents at the facilities she works in. She says they are part of her life, and being there for them means the world to her.
Vicki Allen, LTC Director of Nursing
With nearly four decades of experience in nursing, Vicki is just one of those people who make everything better. She was nominated to win the Traveling Hearts Award because of her ability to step into situations and make sure all patients are cared for at the highest level.
Vicki’s nominator also happens to be her Fusion recruiter, Laura Pollack. Laura said Vicki is always recognized by the facilities we work with as someone who exudes positivity and a can-do attitude.
“She dresses up in fun costumes to surprise the staff and residents sometimes. She treats everyone she knows with dignity and respect. Her positive attitude and vision for quality patient care make her the model traveler,” said Laura. “Vicki's commitment means the world to me. Every team she works with seems to love her personality, and the management relentlessly begs her to take a permanent position. No one ever wants to lose her, because Vicki truly is the BEST!”
As a seasoned traveler, we were so excited to ask Vicki about her experiences and what it means to win this award.
What's the most rewarding part about being a healthcare traveler?
The most rewarding part is the excitement that no two assignments are the same. Meeting new people is always a plus, too! I have always enjoyed helping people, the traveling was something new and I wanted the adventure. I have met some of the greatest people traveling. Although it can be difficult to leave when an assignment due to making great friends and the residents are always hard to leave.
What does winning the Traveling Heart Award mean to you?
I was honestly just so shocked. It means the world to me that I was nominated by Laura and won. I appreciate this recognition so much, and I just love what I do. I was so excited when Laura called to tell me the news. The recognition is amazing, but I love what I do so much that this career feels like a reward every day.
Frequently asked questions
What do the Traveling Hearts Award winners receive?
In addition to endless bragging rights and well-earned pride, the two Traveling Hearts Award winners receive a $2,000 bonus, a keepsake trophy, and a Fusion swag bag.
When will the Traveling Hearts Award reopen?
Missed this year’s nomination deadline? Don’t lose sleep over it! Instead, mark your calendar for January 1, 2027 — that’s when the award will reopen. Similar to this year, next year’s nominations will be open from January 1 to March 31 with winners announced in June 2026. Stay tuned!
What other awards and scholarships are available to Fusion travel nurses and allied health travelers?
Not only are we proud to reward passionate travel nurses and allied health travelers with the Traveling Hearts Award, but we’re also excited to partner with the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses’ dedication and outstanding service with a DAISY Award.
Recipients of this award are honored at a celebration with their peers, leadership, friends, and family present. Plus, they’ll be recognized with a certificate, a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture, and several other mementos.
The best part is that the DAISY Award submissions are always welcome! The criteria to receive this award include being a licensed registered nurse or licensed practical/vocational nurse and living up to Fusion’s mission of improving lives.
But that’s not all! To further support healthcare travelers, we offer The Compassion in Care Fusion Scholarship, a scholarship for students pursuing either a nursing or therapy degree. Keep your eyes peeled for 2026-2027 scholarship details!
Learn more about last year's Traveling Hearts Award winners!
We’ve been on a mission to improve the lives of others since before making a positive difference was cool. We’re dedicated to being a company that supports the current and future generation of healthcare professionals, as well as our local communities, and one way we accomplish that goal is through special awards and recognition.
Know an extraordinary someone who deserves a little TLC? Nominate them for a Fusion award! Learn more about the Fusion difference.
