Nurses Crossing Borders

Kat is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She started travel nursing within Canada and then made the switch to travel nursing to the United States. Although not an expert, because what exactly is American travel nursing for Canadians anyways?

…One part immigration, one part accounting, two parts actual nursing, another two parts HR and negotiating... You get the idea. All of these other areas might explain why it is such a daunting and uncomfortable process for everyone. After undergoing the painful process, Kat has created a facebook group specific to U.S. nursing for Canadians and a 'how-to' guide for aspiring Canadian nurses looking to head to the United States called the ‘Canuck to Yankee Travel Nurse Guide’.

In her spare time, when Kat isn’t travelling, she is an author and can usually be found with a cat in her lap, cup of tea in one hand, and either a book in the other hand or working on a book of her own.

I stepped into travel nursing after more than a decade in critical care with a desire to grow beyond what was familiar — to experience healthcare across Canada, challenge myself in new environments, and continue doing what I love: caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable.

What began as an opportunity to travel quickly became one of the most transformative chapters of my nursing career. Every assignment has introduced me to different communities, healthcare systems, teams, and ways of thinking.

Travel nursing has taught me adaptability, courage, independence, and the importance of staying CURIOUS. More importantly, it has shown me that growth often happens when we are willing to step outside our comfort zones.

I continue to travel because nursing has given me the incredible opportunity to serve where I am needed while creating a life filled with learning, connection, adventure, and purpose.

My vision now extends beyond my own journey. I want to help nurses recognize how many possibilities exist within this profession and feel empowered to build careers and lives that live to their FULLEST potential.

Through the travel nursing community, I hope to support nurses in sharing knowledge, mentoring one another, advocating for our profession, and approaching their careers with greater confidence and intention.

I have also become increasingly interested in financial health and financial literacy for nurses, because caring for others should not mean neglecting our own futures. Whether it is professional growth, personal development, or learning to make informed decisions about our financial well-being, I believe empowered nurses are better positioned to create choices for themselves and continue making a meaningful difference for others.

For me, travel nursing is no longer simply about where I get to go; it is about who I continue to become, who I can help along the way, and how we can BUILD a STRONGER nursing community together.