May-August, 2023.

This was the first time I took a travel nurse job for the location over the hospital and pay. In the past, I’d prioritized high acuity, large teaching centers where I would grow and advance as a pediatric critical care nurse. However, while I love taking care of really sick children and their families, it does take a toll on me. Travel is a great way for me to recover both physically and emotionally from 12 hours of intense nightshifts. Down shifting to a lower pressure job would also help. To prevent burnout I thought someplace where I could really enjoy the surroundings plus work at a lower acuity facility might be a nice break. Kalispell, MT has a very small PICU and children’s hospital which advertised new travel nurse jobs right when I started looking for my next position after Seattle. Small hospitals can be their own type of scary due to lack of resources but thankfully I was pleasantly surprised with Logan Health Children’s Hospital.

First stop in Montana was Glacier National Park. It is stunning and I would have loved to go every week. The peaks, crystal clear lakes, and forests are spectacular. I camped here twice, and I loved hiking in different areas of the park. Sadly, once tourist season started, it got very crowded and harder to visit.

Not a national park, but Garnet Ghost Town was a highlight of my time in Montana. It is outside of Missoula in an abandoned mining town. Visitors are allowed to walk around and explore the buildings. People left so much behind. There were stoves, bed frames, clothes and even dishes. I was the only person when I visited, and there were no guides or staff there. I really felt like an explorer as I walked around.

In late June, I drove to Yellowstone National Park in the northwest corner of Wyoming. The geothermal activity is incredible, and I loved walking around the different geysers and pools. It was a different experience than my usual mountain hikes, since traffic and crowds were present. Part of me loved that so many people wanted to experience the natural wonders our country has to offer, while another side of me hated having so many people around since it disturbs the wildlife and delicate landscapes. Hopefully, the educational side of the parks will instill a love for the outdoors and encourage conservation for generations to come.

Yellowstone had so much more than the geothermal activity. I adored seeing bison with their babies, herds of elk, a grizzly mama and her two cubs, tons of birds, deer, and lots of small mammals like picas and ground squirrels.

Next was Grand Teton National Park, also located in Wyoming just south of Yellowstone. I’d seen pictures but nothing had prepared me for the grandeur of the Tetons. They rise up from the prairies without any foothills. Then there are canyons and lakes just teeming with life. I saw my first bear while hiking but missed out on seeing a moose. Grand Teton National Park felt like summer camp. You could swim in the lake, get ice cream from the local general store, learn from the rangers, or go for scenic hikes. Still busy but nothing like Yellowstone.

My last major adventure was hiking Mt. Aeneas at sunrise. It is only an hour or so from Kalispell but felt so remote. Huckleberries lined the trail and mountain goats joined me at the top (plus a few other hikers). I find a special serenity in alpine lakes and meadows in the morning.

I’m so glad to have had the opportunity this summer to work with great coworkers in a supportive environment, while also taking advantage of time outdoors absorbing the beauty of our planet.