On this episode, we brought in a road-tested nurse to discuss how to get started with travel nursing. Special guest, Hannah Quirk, RN, BSN, gave us the full rundown of what it takes to jumpstart your nursing career with confidence, offering her advice on finding the right travel company and recruiter, what to look for in a travel nursing contract, travel interview best practices, and more.

We Discuss

(0:00) An introduction to Hannah and her nursing background
(2:24) Where to get started exploring travel nursing
(15:03) Finding your travel nursing company & recruiter
(21:30) Travel nursing housing options
(28:13) What to look for in travel nursing contracts
(35:49) Travel nursing interviews
(43:05) Hannah’s favorite assignment(s)
(47:49) Hannah’s favorite NICU patient population
(50:03) Advice for transitioning to travel nursing

About Hannah Quirk, RN, BSN
Hannah graduated from the Duquesne University School of Nursing in 2016. She began her nursing career in the Level 3 NICU in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where she worked for two years. She then began her travel nurse journey which brought her to California, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado. She was a travel nurse for 3 years and worked in NICUs of all different sizes and levels. She even met her boyfriend, Eric, along the way and he traveled by her side.
Hannah is now back in Pittsburgh at her home hospital, as her travel journey has come full circle. Hannah loves to hike, ski, spend time in the mountains and in nature, try new food and beer, and meet new friends! You can follow Hannah and Eric online through their travel Instagram, Hannah’s personal Instagram, and her travel nursing blog!

About the Show
Producer – Jonathan Cary
Assistant Producers – Katie Schrauben & Sam MacKay
Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes
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Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

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On this episode, we peek behind the curtain of the locked unit. Joining us to discuss psychiatric nursing was special guest, Sarah Richards, MSN, PMHNP-BC, who has worked as both an inpatient and outpatient psych nurse during her career. Calling on her unique experiences, Sarah sheds light on typical psych nursing patient populations, understanding psych ward codes, the effects of COVID on the psychiatric health community, and more. 

We Discuss

• (0:00) An introduction to Sarah and her nursing background 
• (4:44) The typical patient population for inpatient and outpatient psych nursing
• (10:29) How to address psychiatric patients 
• (18:20) Understanding psych ward codes 
• (22:09) The importance of specialty therapists in psych nursing 
• (25:22) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
• (37:09) Memorable stories from outpatient psych nursing 
• (39:44) COVID effects on the inpatient psych community
• (45:43) The challenges and rewards of being a psych nurse 
• (50:56) Areas of improvement for the psych nursing discipline
• (54:31) Advice for prospective psych nurses 

About Sarah Riggleman Richards, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Sarah Richards is a newly certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has seven years of psychiatric nursing experience, including four years working in an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital setting and three years of community case management. Sarah will be starting the next step of her career at an outpatient community clinic in Boston, where she currently resides with her husband and their three-legged golden retriever, Sydney. You can keep up with Sarah by following her on:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

About the Show

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producer – Katie Schrauben

Assistant Producer – Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes 

Powered by American Mobile

READY for TravCon? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to TravCon 2025

Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

Powered by AMN Healthcare

On this episode, we welcomed special guest, Scott Darrah, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, to share his perspective on being a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and his experience working through the COVID pandemic. Scott brought his career experience into the conversation, discussing the role of a CNS, common misconceptions about the CNS role, finding empowerment in a post-COVID healthcare landscape, and more. 

We Discuss

• (0:00) An introduction to Scott and his nursing background 
• (2:19) The role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) 
• (12:46) Common misconceptions of the CNS role 
• (25:02) Characteristics of a successful CNS 
• (32:38) Working as a CNS during COVID 
• (43:08) Finding empowerment through COVID and beyond 

About Scott Darrah, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG

Scott has been a nurse for 11 years and has bedside experience in Critical Care Medicine and Advanced Practice Experience in patient care transitions to Acute Care General Medicine. Scott leverages his experience prior to nursing school to connect with patients in genuine ways. His clinical passions lie in empowering frontline nurses to connect meaningful healthcare to their patients. Scott helped develop clinical pathways to care for COVID patients over the past year synthesizing frontline needs and interdisciplinary connectivity to produce top-decile outcomes for patients. To keep up with Scott’s life and nursing career, follow him on Instagram!

About the Show

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producer – Katie Schrauben

Show Notes – Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes 

Powered by American Mobile

READY for TravCon? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to TravCon 2025

Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

Powered by AMN Healthcare

On this episode, we had the amazing opportunity to talk with an acute care nurse practitioner about her experience in the field of neuroscience nursing. Special guest, Katherine Dale Shaw, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, CNRN, discussed what goes into preparing for a career in neuroscience nursing, what life looks like as an acute care floor nurse, how the nursing field has changed throughout her career, and more in this packed episode. 

We Discuss

• (0:00) An introduction to Dale and her background as an ACNP
• (5:22) Specializing in neuroscience nursing during school 
• (14:22) A look at a typical neuro patient population 
• (22:49) Life as an acute care floor nurse
• (31:46) How the nursing field is changing over time
• (39:11) Nursing education rounds 
• (52:45) The most gratifying aspects of being an acute care NP
• (54:33) Characteristics of a successful ACNP

About Katherine Dale Shaw, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, CNRN

Dale Shaw has been a nurse since 1980. Her nursing career began in a Neuro Intensive Care Unit. Her nursing career included Neurosurgery acute care, research, and outpatient at academic hospitals. She has been an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner since 1999 working with adult acute care Neurosurgery patients. She was one of the first ACNPs in the University hospital where she continues to work. To keep up with Dale’s nursing journey, follow her on Instagram!

About the Show

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producer – Katie Schrauben

Show Notes – Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes 

Powered by American Mobile

READY for TravCon? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to TravCon 2025

Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

Powered by AMN Healthcare

On this episode, we took a walk down memory lane with special guest, Shannon Benesh, NPC, reminiscing about the highs and lows (and laughs) from nursing school. Shannon reflected on her nursing school experience both in undergrad and grad school, comparing the lifestyle differences in each, discussing the practical applications of nursing school, laughing about some funny moments, and more. 

We Discuss

• (0:00) An introduction to Shannon and her nursing background
• (2:18) A Day in the life of an outpatient nurse practitioner
• (7:26) Life in nursing grad school
• (17:26) Life in undergrad nursing school
• (32:17) Finding balance in nursing school
• (34:50) Practical applications from nursing school
• (45:16) Funny moments from nursing school
• (56:48) An evolving perspective on the nursing field
• (1:04:42) Advice for current and future nursing school students

About Shannon Benesh, MSN, RN-BC, NP-C

Shannon has been in the nursing profession since 2014, working in a variety of intermediate care units in academic and trauma centers up the east coast. She started off her career working in a neuro/stroke step-down unit in DC and then completed a travel nurse contract in a cardiac step-down unit in Philadelphia. She then went on to work in respiratory step down in three well-known institutions in NY. She has a lot of experience in intermediate care and is a certified progressive care nurse (PCCN). 

Shannon went back to school and graduated in 2019 with her master's degree and is currently a certified adult geriatric primary care nurse practitioner. She currently works as an NP in a pulmonary outpatient clinic in New York. Outside of nursing, Shannon loves to run, read, and bop around breweries and vineyards on her days off. To see what Shannon is up to next, follow her on Instagram!

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producer – Katie Schrauben

Show Notes – Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes 

Powered by American Mobile

READY for TravCon? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to TravCon 2025

Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

Powered by AMN Healthcare

On this episode, we had the incredible opportunity to speak with a 20-year Navy veteran who became a travel nurse! Our special guest, Boyce McClellan, CCRN, reflected on his transition from perm ICU nursing to travel nursing, sharing his experience starting out during the early stages of COVID, his time on assignment in Austin, TX, the most important things to ask for in a travel nursing contract, and more. 

• (0:00) An introduction to Boyce and his nursing background 
• (12:20) Starting a travel nursing career during the pandemic 
• (15:26) Dealing with uncertainty in the COVID ICU
• (27:21) The travel nursing experience in Austin, TX
• (30:42) A lightning round of nursing questions with Boyce
• (36:32) The most important things to ask for in a travel nursing contract 
• (41:12) Strategies for finding housing as a travel nurse 46:14
• (47:16) Boyce’s next assignment 

About Boyce McClellan, CCRN

Boyce McClellan is currently an ICU Travel nurse. He has been a critical care nurse for six and a half years. With experience in just about every adult ICU setting, Boyce has spent the last year, like many people, working primarily in and around COVID. After spending 5 years as a staff nurse, he transitioned to travel nursing right before the pandemic shut down the country in 2020. In addition to Nursing, Boyce is a 22-year veteran of the US Navy and a father to an 18-year-old daughter. When Boyce is not at work, you will find him riding his mountain bike or seeking calm waters under his paddleboard. To see where Boyce is off to next on his travel nursing adventures, follow him on Instagram!

About the Show

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producer – Katie Schrauben

Show Notes – Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes 

Powered by American Mobile

READY for TravCon? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to TravCon 2025

Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

Powered by AMN Healthcare

In the first official interview on Nursing Uncharted, we were incredibly excited to welcome Sam Reddington BSN, RN, CCRN, as our special guest. Sam and Maggie reflected on their own real nursing experiences, discussing what life looks like as a nursing preceptor, stories from the pandemic, fighting burnout, understanding mortality, and more.

Our Sponsor

This show is made possible by American Mobile. If you’re interested in a travel nursing career, visit: https://www.americanmobile.com/ to learn more about the nationwide opportunities they have to offer!

We Discuss

• (0:00) An introduction to our very first interviewee, Sam Reddington BSN, RN, CCRN
• (1:33) How was Sam’s last shift?
• (8:37) Life as a nursing preceptor during COVID
• (14:32) The weight of a nurse’s role
• (24:02) Stories from nursing during COVID
• (30:42) Finding moments of hope during COVID
• (43:35) Discussing mortality in uncertain times

About Samantha Reddington BSN, RN, CCRN

Samantha (Sam) graduated from Radford University’s nursing program in 2014 and has been a critical care nurse for the past 7 years. For the past year, Sam has predominately been working in the COVID ICU.

She currently lives in Virginia with her fiancé and dog Sylvester—they are *finally* getting married in June after having to postpone the wedding twice because of COVID. To follow Sam on her nursing journey, make sure to follow her on her Instagram!

About the Show

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producer – Katie Schrauben

Show Notes – Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes 

Powered by American Mobile

READY for TravCon? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to TravCon 2025

Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

Powered by AMN Healthcare

Welcome to the first-ever episode of Nursing Uncharted! In this inaugural show, our host, Maggie Reichard, BSN, RN, CNRN, introduces herself to our listeners and provides the heartfelt message surrounding its creation. Maggie is incredibly excited to discuss the Nursing Uncharted mission statement, her personal journey with nursing, words of encouragement to all the hard-working nurses out there, and more. Join us every other Tuesday to hear about important topics from our amazing guests and don’t forget to subscribe!

Our Sponsor

This show is made possible by American Mobile. If you’re interested in a travel nursing career, visit: https://www.americanmobile.com/ to learn more about the nationwide opportunities they have to offer!

We Discuss

• (0:00) Introduction to the show and its goals for our listeners
• (2:17) Maggie’s nursing journey
• (11:48) Words of encouragement for nurses everywhere
• (14:26) Where to subscribe and join the Nursing Uncharted community

About the Show

Producer – Jonathan Cary 

Assistant Producer – Katie Schrauben

Show Notes – Sam MacKay 

Music & Editing – Aidan Dykes 

Powered by American Mobile

READY for TravCon? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to TravCon 2025

Meet Ann & the AMN Healthcare Team at Booth #545

About Ann

Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13 years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 4.5 years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing.

Connect with Ann on Instagram @annifer05

No Better Place than CA! Book your assignment in the Golden State Today! 

Level up your career today! Find your dream travel assignment! 

Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. 

Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! 

Ready to start your next travel assignment in the Golden State? Browse CA Jobs! 
 

Episode Sponsor:

We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare.

Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! 

Join Our Communities: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Facebook

Powered by AMN Healthcare

The Nursing Uncharted podcast is a space to share the raw and real stories of nurses from across the healthcare industry. Each episode, host Maggie Reichard, BSN, RN, CNRN talks to nurses from a variety of specialties and settings—discussing travel nursing, career advice, nurse empowerment, and unique stories from nursing life. Join us each episode to laugh, learn, and discover new aspects of our incredible profession. 

EPISODE SPONSORS

AMN Healthcare
Become a Travel Nurse at: https://www.amnhealthcare.com/
 

AMN Passport
Download the app at: https://www.amnpassport.com/

FIND US ON

Website – https://www.amnhealthcare.com/podcast/nursing-uncharted

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/nursinguncharted

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/amnnurse

Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nursing-uncharted/id1570694185

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/1btLYaMHoabT3icqGUgesB

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/amn-healthcare/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/amnhealthcare/

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