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Today, Maisie works within Vanguard Health’s credentialing and workforce coordination team, supporting nurses as they prepare for placements across Australia.
But before stepping into the office, she spent years working on the road herself, experiencing the realities of travel nursing firsthand.
That lived experience now shapes the way she supports every clinician she works with.
Finding a Place That Felt Supportive
Before joining Vanguard Health, Maisie was working full time while looking for opportunities that would allow her to travel and expand her experience.
Like many nurses exploring agency work for the first time, her search started online. What stood out to her about Vanguard Health was not just the work opportunities. It was the people behind them.
“I liked that they were a small business. They took care of me and I felt really valued.”
That sense of support became a defining part of her experience as a travel nurse.
Life on the Road as a Travel Nurse
Over the next 12 to 18 months, Maisie worked placements throughout Queensland and New South Wales, experiencing the unique lifestyle that comes with rural and remote healthcare.
Some of her favourite placements were in Northern New South Wales, particularly Bonalbo and Nimbin.
“Bonalbo was probably one of my favourites because it was such a disconnect,” she said. “You basically didn’t have Wi Fi or phone service, but I loved it because the people were just so lovely.”
The slower pace of rural life and the strong sense of community left a lasting impression.
Similarly, Nimbin stood out as an ideal location, Maisie stayed in an Airbnb where the host brought guests together for dinner every night.
“She introduced me to so many different people. It was really cool.”
Accommodation varied between placements, ranging from Airbnb’s to shared staff housing. While every experience was different, Maisie says many of the connections she made became some of the most memorable parts of travel nursing.
“Most of the time, you’d finish your shift and everyone would head down to the pub together. A lot of people really took you under their wing.”
The Reality of Rural Placements
While travel nursing offers adventure and flexibility, Maisie is honest about the challenges that can come with stepping into unfamiliar environments.
“Nine out of ten times, you’re going somewhere you’ve never been before, working with people you don’t know, and you’re expected to hit the ground running.”
For nurses arriving in rural or remote locations, preparation can make all the difference. Maisie believes one of the biggest gaps across the industry is the lack of practical information some nurses receive before starting placement.
“A lot of agencies will tell you where you’re going and when your shift starts, but that’s about it,” she said. “You’re kind of left in the dark.”
Her own experiences taught her the importance of asking questions before arriving onsite.
“I’ve flown into places thinking accommodation would be fully set up, only to realise there were no pillows, blankets, cookware, or basic supplies,” she explained. “Eventually I started travelling with tubs full of kitchen stuff, mini air fryers, pots, pans, everything.”
Her biggest piece of advice for nurses entering their first placement is simple.
“Research. Research. For the love of God, research.”
From Nurse to Workforce Coordinator
After spending time in the field, Maisie built a strong relationship with her consultant at Vanguard Health. Eventually, she decided she was ready for something new and reached out to ask whether there were opportunities within the business itself.
That conversation led her into her current role in nursing coordination and credentialing.
Today, she helps nurses prepare for placements by managing compliance, paperwork, onboarding, and the countless small details that can otherwise become overwhelming.
“I do everything I can for them without them having to worry,” she said. “The easier it is, the less stress on them. They’ve already got enough stress as it is.”
Because she has personally experienced life as a travel nurse, she understands exactly what clinicians are navigating emotionally and professionally.
“Knowing the different personalities and challenges within nursing definitely helps me connect with people better.” she explained.
Supporting Nurses Beyond the Paperwork
Credentialing is often one of the most time consuming parts of agency nursing, especially for clinicians moving between multiple health services with different requirements.
Maisie takes a highly hands on approach to helping nurses through the process and walks Vanguard nurses through credentialing. It is this practical support that helps many nurses feel more confident heading into placement.
Behind every contract and every roster is a team working to make sure clinicians feel supported before they arrive onsite.
Understanding the Impact of Rural Nursing
Having worked placements herself, Maisie knows how important travel nurses are to rural communities across Australia.
“The most rewarding part of my job is knowing the impact our nurses are going to make,” she said. “We have quality nurses who fly in, do spectacular work, and genuinely change people’s lives.”
She describes rural and remote nurses as “unsung heroes” who often step into high pressure environments to ensure communities continue receiving safe healthcare access.
Now, instead of working those placements herself, she plays a key role in helping other nurses succeed and enjoy their placement!
Why Vanguard Health Stands Out
For Maisie, the difference comes back to the culture of support she experienced from the beginning.
“Vanguard is a small business and we genuinely care,” she said. “We’re here to look out for you and make your travel nursing experience as rewarding as possible.”
Her own career journey reflects that philosophy. From working and travelling throughout regional Australia, to now supporting clinicians behind the scenes, Maisie understands every stage of the process because she has lived it herself.
For nurses considering travel nursing for the first time, her advice is clear.
“Just bite the bullet and do it.”