Bored with her hospital job and thirsty for challenge and adventure, Karen embarked on her first travel assignment in 1996. After traveling for several years, Karen took a permanent job when all the Medicare changes were happening. Though she loved her permanent job, she always had travel in the back of her mind. Karen missed the excitement of meeting new people and discovering new places. She says, "I found myself dreaming of the intellectual challenges that come with so many travel assignments, the knowledge I gained when I saw things done differently and the easy camaraderie with other travelers."

So she made the decision to get back on the road. Karen happened upon Foundation after the travel company she had been with frustrated her with constant changes. She's been with Foundation for two years now and says that she knows she can rely on her agent to get her good assignments, fair pay and take care of all the details.

Karen loves the diverse practice settings she has been able to work in all around the country, but she has especially enjoyed working in teaching hospitals. She says, "I think the teaching hospital is the place I thrive. It is always busy, I am never bored and I feel like I am learning something new on a daily basis."

From Colorado to Maine, Karen has had great experiences and met wonderful people on each of her assignments. Many of her patients and colleagues have remained friends with whom she shares emails. Karen is looking forward to future assignments in fast-paced cities and on sunny beaches and maybe in Alaska.

For now, she'll soak up all the adventure and experience she can. That's her advice to other travelers as well. She adds, "No assignment will be perfect, but you will make new friends and be exposed to new ideas."