Honoring a Nurse, a Mother, a Mentor: Kay Epi Slane’s Life of Purpose and Impact

Author Brandy Pinkerton interviewed Kay Slane’s son, Kalen Weldon, to make this tribute to her life and legacy. All images have been provided by Weldon and are used with permission.

Kay Faith Slane was a beacon of light in every sense of the word. Long before travel nursing had its own playbook, she was out on the road creating one, blending compassion, curiosity, and courage into a life that touched thousands. As the founder of Highway Hypodermics and a beloved mentor in the nursing community, Kay made it her mission to guide others with the same fierce faith and dedication she lived by.

But to her only son, Kalen Weldon, Kay was much more than a nurse pioneer. She was a devoted mother, a lifelong learner, a woman of deep faith, and someone who lived a full and meaningful life, one unforgettable experience at a time.

On April 27, 2025, Kalen shared privately with his friends and family on his Facebook,  “It is with a breaking heart that I say yesterday my world imploded. My momma passed away in her sleep.”

In a tender interview with me shortly after her passing, Kalen reflected on one of his mother’s favorite sayings, “She always said it’s about the dash—the one between the day you’re born and the day you die,” he shared. “And she lived that dash beautifully.”

Kay Slane and son, Kalen Weldon, wearing Sooners gear to represent their favorite team

The Nurse Who Took the Leap

In 2003, Kay took what many saw as a risk—she left behind her small-town nursing job to enter the world of travel nursing. At the time, there were no books, websites, or step-by-step guides. “She knew it was her calling,” says Kalen. “And she didn’t let fear stop her.” She packed up her courage, her scrubs, and her son—and jumped.

That leap would become the beginning of Highway Hypodermics, a platform that went on to mentor thousands of nurses, help them navigate contracts, and inspire them to pursue travel nursing with confidence. But it also became a way of life for Kay, her late husband John, and Kalen, who were not just moving across the country—they were building memories in every place they landed.

From celebrating his 16th birthday in Key West to visiting Gettysburg, the White House, and Pearl Harbor, Kalen says travel nursing gave him a childhood filled with adventure, education, and unforgettable moments. “She showed me the world,” he says. “And she showed me how to live without limits.”

Kay Slane holds her infant son, Kalen Weldon, after graduation

A Love Story Worth Writing About

Before Highway Hypodermics, Kay began her writing career under the pen name Epistein LaRue, a name that honored her family heritage. Her first book, Love at First Type: An Online Romance, told the true story of how she met her late husband, John, online—a story of faith, connection, and modern love.

“She and John had something really special,” Kalen shares. “He stepped in as my dad when I was just seven and was her biggest cheerleader every step of the way; he loved and supported her through everything.”

Her second book, Crazy Thoughts of Passion, continued her exploration of romance, purpose, and life’s emotional journeys. These early writings showed a different side of Kay—creative, vulnerable, and deeply rooted in her personal experiences.

She also helped raise John's daughter, Brittney Slane, and the two shared a special bond. Together, they traveled to dog shows to support Brittney’s multi-award-winning show dog—yet another way Kay poured herself into the passions and dreams of those she loved.

Of Kay and her late husband, Kalen said, “John was my mom’s biggest cheerleader in life!”

Humble, Faithful, and Fiercely Compassionate

Despite her growing influence in the nursing world, Kay remained grounded and humble. “She never truly realized how many lives she was changing,” Kalen says. “She just knew this was what God called her to do.”

Kay's love for nursing was matched by her passion for teaching. With a degree in education, she homeschooled Kalen while taking travel assignments—a decision she hoped would show other parents that combining family and career in travel nursing was not only possible, but life-changing.

“She made it work,” Kalen says. “And because of that, I grew up seeing battleships, Mardi Gras parades, deep-sea fishing trips, and so much history firsthand. Those experiences shaped who I am.”

“Kay loved fishing and golfing,” said son, Kalen.

She also never stopped learning. Kay advanced from LPN to RN and became a sought-after speaker at events like TravCon, where she empowered nurses of all backgrounds to pursue their goals and elevate their careers.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Kay Epi Slane, also known to many as Epstein LaRue. Kay was a force of nature—an unwavering advocate for the travel nurse community, a fierce and friendly competitor, and an inspiration during the early days of my first startup,” The Gypsy Nurse, Candy Treft, wrote on her Facebook Tuesday afternoon.

A fixture in the travel nursing community, Kay was a sought-after public speaker

Rooted in Faith, Family, and Oklahoma Pride

Kay was born in Oklahoma, a place that stayed close to her heart throughout her life. She was a lifelong Oklahoma Sooners fan who lived by her mantra: “Boomer Sooner—win, lose, or tie, I’m a Sooner till I die!”

That fierce loyalty and spirit carried over into everything she did—from nursing to parenting to mentorship.

She also gave generously to the community she called home in her later years. In Grace, Idaho, she quietly funded local charities and supported causes close to her heart. Known for putting others first, Kay was a behind-the-scenes activist who took care of everyone around her—not just through words, but through action.

“This is one of her favorite photos,” Kalen reminisces, “with her and her dad playing ‘Gin Rummy Out in the Country’ as we called it.”

Her Legacy Lives On

As her husband’s health declined, Kay shifted her focus to family, but never stopped giving. She envisioned Travel Nursing University as the next evolution of Highway Hypodermics, expanding resources and guidance for future generations of nurses.

“She believed education could change lives,” Kalen says. “And she built something that will continue to do that long after she’s gone.”

Today, Highway Hypodermics remains a trusted source for travel nurses at every stage of their journey. It is currently the #1 best-selling book on Amazon about travel nursing, a testament to its practical value and the legacy behind it. Whether it’s a first-time nurse Googling how to pick an agency or a seasoned pro looking for contract tips, Kay’s voice and vision continue to guide them.

What Would Kay Say Now?

“What would she say if she could see all of this?” Kalen pauses. “I think she’d cry. I think she’d be in awe. She didn’t start out expecting to have this kind of impact. But now she can see it from above, and I know she’s proud.”

To see her honored by the nursing community is deeply emotional for her family. “It makes me want to break down and cry,” Kalen says. “She was my mama. I knew how incredible she was. But seeing the world recognize it—it’s beautiful. Her legacy will help shape the next generation of nurses. She was one of them. She understood.”

Kay understood what it meant to skip lunch, to work 12 hours without a break, to give everything you have to the people in your care. Her legacy isn’t just a website or a book. It’s a light that will continue to guide, support, and inspire nurses for years to come.

• Visit Highway Hypodermics (www.highwayhypodermics.com) to learn more about Kay’s work.
• Read Kay’s books on Amazon under the pen name “Epistein LaRue.”
• Follow Highway Hypodermics, now owned by Atlas Medstaff, on Social Media @highwayhypodermics.
• Watch on YouTube.

Services for Kay will be held in Grace, Idaho. Details to be announced.

🤔Do you have kind words for Kay’s family or about the impression she left on you? Comment below to share your stories and thoughts in honor of the light she brought to the nursing world.