Imagine waking up each morning to a new, breathtaking landscape just outside your window. For Melissa, a travel nurse living the van life, this dream has become a reality. As she crisscrosses the country in her converted Sprinter van, she balances work, adventure, and personal growth, all while staying connected with friends and family. In this exclusive Trailblazers interview, Melissa shares her experiences, insights, and advice for those who might be considering a similar journey.
Overcoming Fear and Embracing Adventure
Melissa had always felt the itch to explore the United States in a van, but fear had held her back. “I was always too scared to take the plunge,” she admitted. However, when the COVID pandemic hit and Melissa experienced burnout as a staff nurse, she realized that life was too short to keep putting her dreams on hold. That’s when she took a leap of faith and started looking into travel nursing positions, which led her to the life-changing decision to live in a van while working as a travel nurse.
“I became burnt out and realized that life was too short to say ‘one day.'”
Learning New Skills and Building a Home on Wheels
“The whole process of converting a Sprinter van into a home on wheels was hard, and it still is today!” Melissa said, laughing. “There are daily trips to Lowes and Home Depot. Things are going to break, and you just have to be able to roll with it and fix it. I learned so much about electrical, plumbing, and construction, and have to say that I love power tools! But overall, the experience is totally worth it.”
Melissa’s enthusiasm and never-ending sense of wanderlust serve as an inspiration for anyone who’s ever dreamed of packing up their life and hitting the open road. She shared that balancing work and travel while living on the road has its fair share of logistical challenges. “For example, I have to prioritize sleep and hygiene since I am going into a hospital. I have to set aside times to find a shower and plan that into my day,” she explained. However, despite the challenges, Melissa has found a way to make it work, emphasizing the importance of having a clean and organized space to unwind and recharge after long shifts.
Challenges on the Road
One of the biggest challenges of van life for Melissa has been being away from her loved ones. “While I love being alone in the van, there are days that I wish I had someone with me enjoying the experiences I am having,” she shared. But thanks to technology, Melissa is able to stay connected with friends and family through FaceTime and social media. “Social media plays a huge part in my van life journey. I hear from friends every day that they love seeing my travels and experiences that I post. I feel that it allows them to be a part of my journey, and I truly enjoy sharing that with them.”
Finding Beauty in Nature and New Destinations
When asked about her most memorable experience on the road, Melissa’s enthusiasm came through clearly in her response. “My favorite experience in the van thus far was at The Badlands in South Dakota. Being able to sleep between the beautiful landscape and see the stars is what living in a van is all about. There’s something about opening up the windows and doors and being in nature. There truly isn’t anything like it, and it really is my favorite part of living in a van.”
Finding new places to visit and explore while on the road is a mix of planning and spontaneity for Melissa. “I get recommendations from co-workers and hit the road. I find it exhilarating to go explore somewhere I have never been. Part of the adventure is figuring out where to park that night and what beautiful spot I get to wake up at,” she said.
Travel Nursing and Van Life
Her career as a travel nurse has enabled her to integrate her van life seamlessly. By working with a travel nurse agency called Host Healthcare, Melissa finds jobs on the road without the hassle of searching for housing in different locations. “Being a travel nurse and living in the van is exactly what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to have to worry about finding housing everywhere I went, and having the van has allowed me to take assignments in areas where finding traditional housing is a nightmare,” she explained.
Living the van life also offers Melissa plenty of opportunities to engage in her favorite outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and being on the water. She makes it a priority to get outside and explore her surroundings whenever possible. “If it’s nice outside, I make it a priority to get out and do something. It’s easy to want to just cuddle up and stay in bed, but living a travel lifestyle is really about seeing the area you are in, so I make it a priority,” she emphasized.
“Being a travel nurse and living in the van is exactly what I wanted to do.”
Maximizing Comfort and Efficiency
In order to make her living space more comfortable and efficient, Melissa shared some of her van life hacks and DIY projects. “Initially, my van had a shower in it, and I found that I never used it, and when I did, it used way too much water. So I ripped that out and created a storage bench to house my toilet and fridge. I feel that this created a more open and living-friendly space. I also expanded my bed to make it huge!” she said, proudly.
“I feel that this created a more open and living-friendly space. I also expanded my bed to make it huge!”
Exploring the West Coast and Life Lessons
When it comes to future travel plans, Melissa is excited to explore more of the West Coast, including coastal Oregon, Northern California, and even Alaska. She plans her routes and destinations based on where she can find a travel contract, which adds an element of surprise and excitement to her adventures.
Living on the road has significantly changed Melissa’s perspective on life and the world around her. “I feel that many people live their lives with the mentality of ‘one day.’ We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and being on the road has shown me the importance of grabbing adventure by the horns and doing it! Don’t wait for someone else to start living your life,” she advised.
“Don’t wait for someone else to start living your life.”
Resources for Van Lifers and Advice for Aspiring Travelers
Melissa’s favorite resources for finding campsites and boondocking spots include apps like iOverlander, the Dyrt, Harvest Host, Vanly, and HipCamp. She also places great importance on staying safe and respecting the environment while camping.
For those considering the van life but feeling hesitant or overwhelmed, Melissa shared some words of wisdom. “The most important lesson that van life has taught me is to follow your heart and gut. I was scared to take the leap, but I knew that it was calling me. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t travel in my van,” she said, encouraging others to take the plunge and pursue their own adventures.
“The most important lesson that van life has taught me is to follow your heart and gut.”
Gratitude and Anticipation for What’s Ahead
As we wrapped up our conversation, Melissa reflected on the impact her journey has had on her life. “I’ve met so many amazing people on the road and had experiences I never would have had if I hadn’t taken the leap,” she said. “I’m grateful for every moment, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
“I’ve met so many amazing people on the road and had experiences I never would have had if I hadn’t taken the leap.”
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to speak with Melissa and gain insight into her extraordinary van life journey. We wish her the best of luck in her future explorations and look forward to following her ongoing adventures.
To our readers, we hope you enjoyed hearing Melissa’s inspiring story as much as we did. Don’t forget to follow her on social media to stay updated on her journey. Stay tuned for more exciting stories and experiences from remarkable people like Melissa in our Trailblazers series. If you or someone you know would make a perfect Trailblazer, please let us know! We would love to hear from you and feature your story next.
Here’s to embracing life’s adventures and exploring the unknown together!
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