Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Bertasavage.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I was a ball sports athlete in Pennsylvania, never had much exposure to the outdoor lifestyle. In my early 20s, I took my first cross-country road trip and quickly became obsessed with how beautiful the west was. It sparked my interest in outdoor sports and recreation. A few years into my nursing career I decided to become a travel nurse and moved from a small town in PA to Seattle, Washington. COVID had just started around that time and left me with some hardships to face as a new travel nurse. 3 contracts later, I ended up scoring a contract at The University of Utah in the ER and quickly learned Salt Lake was a place I never wanted to leave. The access to the mountains was my biggest draw, being so close to easily snowboard, climb, mountain bike, hike, etc whenever I wanted was appealing. I am currently still a travel nurse, but keep my home base in Salt Lake and plan to never actually leave this beautiful place.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Far from a smooth road. When I started travel nursing, COVID had brought with it many obstacles, including finding a job for a while as so many people were afraid to come into the hospital, let alone the ER. The need for nurses had dropped, leaving me thousands of miles away from home trying to find a job. Finally finding a stable job in a place, I loved felt soul-filling during my time of living and working in Salt Lake full time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, I am a traveling ER nurse specializing in emergency medicine and trauma. I thrive in situations that would terrify most people. I take assignments for hospitals that have staffing needs which usually last 13 weeks. I love getting to explore new places and the ways in which different hospitals run. I’ve worked in hospitals ranging from 60+ beds that are Level 1 trauma centers, to small town critical access hospitals with only 7 beds. This diversity allows me to learn the different ways in which nursing can change depending on what resources you have available.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
With the amount of traveling I do, I’ve made a lot of connections in different places. If it weren’t for everyone I’ve met along the way, from growing up, to college, to every hospital I’ve worked in, and all of the teams I’ve been a part of, I wouldn’t be the nurse and person I am today. Sports have helped me to learn many valuable life lessons. My coaches and teammates have shaped me into who I am and what values I hold. My parents have always held me accountable to holding a higher standard for myself and pushed me to find that in sports which is a lesson I’ll forever cherish.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/sammyjammy9
