My heterosexual life partner

Work Wifey

I knew early on in nursing school that I would somehow, someway do travel nursing. I imagined hitting the road by myself for a year or so to get the travel bug out of my system then head back to North Carolina to make roots, get married and become a staff nurse. Fast forward to current day and age where I am living, working, playing in Los Angeles and various other parts of the world with no plans of stopping. Five years ago I started my nursing residency at Duke University and met my heterosexual life partner, Lia Maiani. We both share a deep appreciation for champagne, ratchet hip hop music and being extra, usually all at the same time. We became quick friends once we found out we had the same type of humour and we've been inseparable ever since. We had a contract at Duke that kept us bound for two years but I made it clear that once my time had come I would be off to start travel nursing. Around the two year mark she got a dog, Douglas Giuseppe Maiani, I was worried she was making roots and not going to come along to Austin. I put in my two weeks notice and soon after so did Lia.....it was Lia, Douglas and I taking Texas...and the rest is history!

I could not be more thankful to have my best friend along for this journey. Going to all of these new hospitals and new cities alone would have been a totally different experience and I'm not sure I would be where I am today without her. I am quite dramatic and extreme while she's more kind and sensible. I have said it once and I'll say it again, I am no joke looking for the male version of Lia to marry one day. We have been through this crazy journey of working, living and traveling together and can still say neither of us would have done it differently. If you can find someone to travel with, DO IT! It makes all the difference in the world knowing a familiar face when walking into a brand new situation, having a support system and a friend could make or break your experience as a nurse on the road. No doubt you'll be meeting new people and friends but having someone in the same boat as you before you set out makes all the world of difference!