💜 The Hardest Part of Being a Travel DONBy Bilquis Ali — YourFavNurseLeader

One of the hardest things about being a Travel DON is the time away from family.

I began my travel nurse career when COVID happened. I did it primarily to keep illness away from my son, who has asthma, and my mother, who is a liver transplant recipient. It was definitely hard — and still is.

The reality is the area in which I live doesn’t offer what I need in terms of growth and stability.

For that reason, I chose to stay on the road and travel to provide for my family. There are times when my children need me, and it doesn’t matter where I am — I’m there. I am grateful to have a family that supports me and my career.

However, there are moments when I pause and ask myself — what am I chasing, and who is benefiting from me trying to secure a better life for us?

After our divorce in 2019, I found myself navigating motherhood and leadership on my own.

While he chose a different path, I chose to rise — to build, to provide, and to show up for my children no matter what. I’m now fully responsible — emotionally, mentally, and financially — and some days it’s heavy.

I’m running a business, working full-time, and trying to keep it all together while still being present for the people who matter most.

Today, my heart ached as my mother called to tell me my daughter needed me.

As she’s talking, tears are dropping like a waterfall — silently. My first instinct was to check flights, ready to book one immediately.

When my mother asked what I was doing, I told her I was checking flights. She gently told me to wait until my assignment is over.

We’re both mothers, but we’re seeing it from two different lenses — she’s protecting me from what she sees as a financial strain, while I’m thinking about doing whatever it takes to give my daughter what she needs right now.

She needs love and reassurance in this moment — not logic, not patience. Instant connection.

After school, I talked to my daughter via FaceTime as I do three to five times a day.

Her smile gave me reassurance that she’s okay — and reminded me that we all have moments when we simply want our mothers nearby.

The truth is, she doesn’t understand that everything I’m doing is for her future — and she shouldn’t have to.

That’s not her role. So, which choice is right? Both.

Meanwhile, I reached out to my oldest son and asked if he would get his brother and sister and spend time with them. No questions asked — just a simple, “Okay.”

Does that replace me? No.

But it keeps that connection alive.

The hardest part of being a Travel DON isn’t the miles — it’s the moments you miss.

But it’s also the gratitude you feel when you realize that every sacrifice, every mile, and every moment apart is part of the bigger picture — the one where your family sees the strength you built to give them the life they deserve.

Lead with love,

💜 YourFavNurseLeader,

Bilquis Ali