Using Travel As Motivation to Work

This nurse shares how she stays in the right headspace to work full-time by prioritizing travel

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses, for nurses. This week, one nurse shares how a rejection from an OR residency led her to a pre-op role where she found her favorite specialty yet — and how prioritizing travel keeps her motivated to show up every shift. Plus, we're covering the headlines you need to know: nearly 82,000 baby monitors just got recalled, states are restricting HIV drug access amid federal funding cuts, and Johns Hopkins made history with its first all-Black trauma team. All that and six new nursing jobs worth applying to, below.

But first, that feeling when...

Featured Jobs

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Clinical Research RN - Research Projects, St Joseph Hospital-Orange

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Nurse Spotlight: Kamile Demesa, RN, BSN

What I do for work

I work in a multi-specialty department that includes pre-op, PACU and cath lab. I’m mainly in the pre-op area where I prep patients before they go to surgery and make sure they have things ready before procedure such as confirming their NPO status, starting their IV, and checking paperwork. Plus, last year I made the jump to start training to work as charge nurse and I really love the department and my crew I’ve found here.

How I got here

After I worked on medical-surgical floor, I knew I wanted to get into an OR residency program. I got accepted for a recorded video interview but was rejected at first. A coworker shared that the hiring team felt they couldn’t hear my personality in the interview recordings, so I tried to reach out to follow up and clarify. When I never heard back, I found a pre-op position and applied as I was interested in working more OR adjacent. I didn’t hear anything for 2 months and decided to take a trip to Thailand and planned to reassess my next move when I came back. When I was home and back in the rhythm of work a month later, I had already assumed I didn’t get the job, but got a call back after a month and was offered the position!

Headlines in Healthcare

Nearly 82,000 baby monitors recalled

About 81,800 Babysense Max View baby monitors have been recalled because the parent display unit can overheat, posing a fire risk. At least 11 reports of incidents, though no injuries have been reported as of early March 2026. These devices have been sold online at Amazon, Walmart, and Babylist from January 2023 through December 2025.

Budget cuts cause states to limit HIV drug access

States are being strained from health funding cuts, leading to restrictions on HIV care and prevention programs, including the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. This program is known as the nation's safety net for HIV and has historically been funded by discretionary federal appropriations, state dollars, and more. It has provided grants to states, including for their AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, which provide HIV treatment and insurance assistance for people with HIV.

First all-Black trauma team makes history

For the first time ever, the Johns Hopkins University hospital’s trauma and acute care surgery team is led by an all-Black team across the five residents and fellows in charge. Not only is history being made at the hospital, but to the field at large where Black surgeons are underrepresented, with only 5.6% of surgeons in training being Black compared to the 13.4% U.S. Black population.

More on Kamille

A day in my life

I work in the early shift block where we can start between 4:30-6am, but I personally like to be there 5am-5:30pm. Since I’m hired to mainly work pre-op, my role is to coordinate with anesthesia, surgeons and the patient. I provide education and post op instructions to the patient, making sure they feel ready to go into the OR while helping them calm their nerves and clarify their expectations after surgery. I’ve found this specialty feels very different than being with the same patients for 13 hours a day on the floor Here I spend maybe only 40 minutes with each patient in pre-op, but after 3 years here, I’ve decided this is my favorite specialty I’ve worked in so far.

What I do for fun & to relax

I like to travel, it’s my motivation to work. I love to see the world and take advantage while I’m still young. In my down time I like to read and am currently in my romance novel era. I recently bought a Kindle and it’s been my trusted side kick. I’ve been decorating it with stickers to help relax me and match the design to the book I’m currently reading. Before and after work, I listen to music to get me motivated and in the right headspace. At night I have a skin care routine to help me wind down.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

An image of author Katie Scoggins is pictured.

Meet the author:
Katie Scoggins
(RN, BSN & Health Writer)

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