If you’ve ever tried to build something that didn’t exist yet, you know the ride: you start with conviction, ride the highs, wrestle with the chaos, and—if you’re lucky—you get to see it take on a life of its own.
I’ve been lucky. But I’ve also been restless. And that’s where this next chapter begins.
The Early Days
Back in 2004, I packed up my scrubs and stepped into my first travel nursing contract. No roadmap. No mentors. Just me, a suitcase, and a gnawing feeling that I was walking into something bigger than myself.
It didn’t take long to realize: the travel healthcare industry had a lot of room to grow. And not a lot of guidance for those of us doing the growing.
In 2008, I was part of a five-person crew who came together to co-found The Travelers Conference, now the largest event in the country for healthcare travelers. That same drive—creating community where there wasn’t one—pushed me to launch something more permanent, more accessible.
Becoming The Gypsy Nurse
In 2012, I founded The Gypsy Nurse, a scrappy little website with a big mission: to be a safe place for travelers to learn, connect, and be seen. It was never about going viral (although some of our posts did)—it was about offering what I wish I’d had when I started out.
- Built an online home for thousands of travelers
- Created blog content, job boards, and community forums
- Published viral resources like “Change is Constant” and more
Within five years, that little site grew into a powerhouse. A trusted name. A resource for tens of thousands. And in 2017, I handed over the reins. I sold the company and, for a while, stepped away from the industry.
But something kept tugging at me. Not nostalgia. Not regret. Just the quiet, persistent whisper: “There’s still more to be done.”
Enter: HCTA
In July 2024, I launched something that had been marinating in my head (and journal) for years: the Healthcare Traveler Academy (HCTA).
Why certification? Because no matter how much noise there is online now, travelers still aren’t getting what they need. The industry has evolved, sure—but the education? The recognition? The tools? Still scattered. Still often biased. Still missing.
So I built it.
HCTA is the first industry certification built by a traveler, for travelers. It’s designed to recognize professional excellence in travel healthcare, and it comes loaded with mini-courses, templates, and tools that teach what no one else will—like how to read your contract (without getting burned), what to know about tax homes, and how to vet a recruiter like a pro.
Feedback = Fuel
In September 2024, shortly after launching the beta, I brought HCTA to a major industry conference—not to show it off, but to stress test it. I met with travelers. I listened to what was working—and what wasn’t. I heard their frustrations. I asked hard questions.
What we got back wasn’t just validation—it was direction. That conference shaped the next iteration of HCTA and reminded me why I came back in the first place.
Because this isn’t about me.
It’s about all of us who ever slept on an air mattress, overpaid for housing without laundry, got ghosted by a recruiter, or had to Google “what the hell is a tax home?”
The Full Timeline
- 2004 – Became a travel nurse
- 2008 – Co-founded The Travelers Conference
- 2012 – Founded The Gypsy Nurse
- 2017 – Sold The Gypsy Nurse
- July 2024 – Launched HCTA Certification (Beta)
- Sept 2024 – Attended conference to gather feedback + optimize the program
Final Thoughts
There are easier businesses to start than one that tries to challenge industry norms. But for me, this work isn’t optional. It’s a full-circle return to the thing I’ve always been most obsessed with: helping travelers feel equipped, empowered, and seen.
So here’s to round two.
Here’s to building better.
And here’s to the wild, beautiful chaos of being a healthcare traveler—this time, with a little more support.
Want to follow the journey?
Check out HCTA here, or find me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest @healthcaretraveleracademy.
A Re-Discovered Life 