From Nursing to Luxury Travel: Why I Traded Scrubs for Suitcases

Ending My 30-Year Healthcare Career for Something New

I've been a nurse for over 30 years. It's been rewarding, demanding, and—on some days—downright exhausting. But it's also a profession that constantly pushed me to be my best. From the nursing school I chose, to my very first job, and every role since, I've always sought out the very best each area had to offer. I've never wanted my name attached to a second-rate institution.

One of the greatest gifts of a nursing degree is its flexibility—it opens countless doors without requiring you to start over. Adults, children, or preemies? Sales, home health, insurance, or even law firms? Teaching? The possibilities are endless, and each role offers a completely different experience. For much of my career, I worked multiple jobs at once—sometimes for financial reasons, sometimes to challenge myself in a new direction. What I learned quickly was that if I was going to juggle more than one role, they needed to be vastly different to keep me inspired and growing.

My Career Change to Travel Agent: Searching for the Next Chapter

Fast forward thirty years of schooling, residencies, training, and growing, and once again I found myself searching for a new challenge—but this time, with a different approach. I made a list of everything I loved about my past roles, along with the things I knew I wanted to avoid at all costs. Then I stepped back and asked myself what I truly wanted the next chapter of my life to look like.

I wanted to continue caring for people—but not in a hospital anymore. After thirty years of ducking in and out of hospital rooms, I needed to venture out into the world. I needed to travel again.

While researching what it might take to build a career in travel, I came across a Forbes article describing how a new host agency, LuxRally Travel, was taking the industry by storm—completely reimagining how things had always been done. David Eisen was upending expectations by banning his agents from charging fees, something that the travel industry strongly frowned upon. But that framework was allowing his agents to focus on doing what they love: creating experiences and caring genuinely for their clients before, during, and after their trips, with no strings attached.

Then I learned about Fastbook, the host agency's proprietary booking engine, and I knew there was no looking back. The ability to pull so many rates and access everything needed to book a hotel in minutes was truly game-changing. This was a career I could make my own, and LuxRally Travel's host agency structure gave me the tools and freedom to start building this new career from scratch.

LuxRally Travel: The Best Host Agency Model Out There

It became clear very quickly that LuxRally was the best of the best—creating a new path and developing technology that streamlined the entire booking process. I remember the first time I used Fastbook to pull real-time rates across dozens of luxury properties in under a minute; it felt like going from a paper chart to an electronic health record overnight. Add in the supportive camaraderie, the high expectations, and the intense training, and it was simply amazing. I knew the learning curve would be steep, but I also knew that if I was willing to put in the work, LuxRally would give me everything I needed to get there.

Even knowing how intense the training would be, nothing fully prepared me for what came next. There were moments I thought, "Nope, this isn't happening," but those moments only pushed me to work harder. My Type-A personality simply wouldn't allow me to fail.

LuxRally is the best for a reason. They expect excellence from their agents and provide every tool needed to succeed. Now, I've found my rhythm. While each trip I plan may be to a new destination, I have the expertise to curate hotels and experiences that perfectly align with my clients' wishes.

I've spent my career taking care of people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Now, I get to walk alongside them in a completely different way - helping plan some of the best moments of their lives.

Luxury Travel Planning: A Different Kind of Caregiving

So why did I become a luxury travel advisor? I've spent my career taking care of people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Now, I get to walk alongside them in a completely different way: helping plan some of the best moments of their lives. I get to help coordinate family celebrations, weddings, honeymoons, and even babymoons. The joy in their voices after they return home reminds me why I made this leap. I switched careers to champion time with friends and family, meaningful experiences, and memories that last long after the trip ends.

Whether a client loves planning their own travel or would rather hand everything over, I meet them where they are. If you enjoy doing the research, I'll step in to make sure you're getting the best rates and added perks. If planning vacations feels overwhelming, I've got you covered from start to finish. And what do I get out of it? Complete flexibility and the constant challenge of creating the perfect trip.

Travel Advocacy, Exclusive Perks, No Fees: A Win-Win-Win

Even better, thanks to LuxRally's industry connections, I'm often able to save my clients money—and I never charge planning fees. Clients often ask how that's possible. The answer is simple: as a luxury travel advisor, I'm paid commission by hotels, cruise lines, and tour companies out of revenue they would keep regardless. You pay the same (or less), and get expert travel planning guidance along the way. It's truly a win-win.

Planning a trip of your own? Whether you're planning a milestone celebration, a family reunion, or simply your next great escape, I can help you get there—with better rates, exclusive perks, and none of the stress. Contact me below to start chatting.

If you're considering a career change or are curious about how to become a travel advisor, you've come to the right place. Explore the Journal for more information and industry insight, and apply directly on the LuxRally travel website.