Nomadic Nurse Diaries

Dear “Could I Be a Landlord in My Off Time?”

I know, I sound dramatic. Cue the eye roll.

But the truth is, I’m in this weird space, juggling personal dilemmas and the allure of staying put. The staff here? Honestly, I like about 90% of them. Nearly every nurse has been great, and management? Totally fine. But here’s the kicker: is all of that enough to make me give up my travel dreams and settle down on the dream property I’ve been drooling over?

I mean, the idea of living on this land sounds amazing. Stella and Watson would love it—running around the farm, happy as can be. So why not just go for it? Buy the land, take the staff job, and settle into this dreamy life? The homestead comes with the allure of stability, and on the surface, it sounds ideal.

But then, my mind drifts. I start imagining all the ways I could still keep my foot in the door of adventure. What if I bought the land but didn’t fully settle? What if I rented out tiny homes or campers on the property? I could create a little slice of heaven for other nomads passing through. Maybe, just maybe, this land could fund my future adventures. Could this be my ticket to traveling through South America and Baja in the winter? My mind keeps dancing with that idea, while simultaneously trying to balance it with the practicality of staying put.

But let’s be real. There’s also this nagging voice in my head, questioning whether I’m battling my own social anxieties more than anything. Am I just struggling to fit in with the staff, or is it deeper than that? Am I really happy here? I’ve realized one thing for sure—I won’t grow much as a nurse if I stay. That’s not to knock corrections, but this job won’t offer the professional development I’ve always wanted.

And let’s not forget about my international dreams. If I take the staff job and settle down, will I ever pursue working overseas like I’ve always envisioned? Probably not. The farm would mean stability, sure, but it would also likely close the door on a huge goal of mine.

Oh, and did I mention I just started travel nursing? Like, two months ago. So, yeah—am I giving up too soon? Yup! The more I think about it, the more I realize this life may not be convenient, but I can get used to it. I love the idea of continuing to explore, but I also crave the stability that buying a home (okay, a homestead) would bring.

So here I am, caught between two dreams—one of staying in a place I love, building a future on that dream property, maybe even making money off it. And the other? Continuing my nomadic life, chasing the next adventure in Baja, South America, or wherever the road leads.

Help me out here—what’s the move? Do I settle down and plant roots, or do I keep the dream of travel alive, letting the possibilities unfold?

Until next time,
Your Dreamy-but-Deciding Nomadic Nurse