Dr. Travelsted is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at Western Kentucky University. She earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (2004), Bachelor Degree in Nursing (2006), Master of Science in Nursing (2008), and Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (2014) from Western Kentucky University. She also earned an Associate Degree in Physical Therapy (1994) from the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Travelsted began her career as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 1994 with experience in out-patient, in-patient, rehabilitation, and home care. She transitioned to nursing in 2004 and as a Registered Nurse, she worked in the Coronary Care Unit. In 2008 Dr. Travelsted received her Family Nurse Practitioner certification. She has worked as a nurse practitioner in walk-in care, occupational health and primary care in the office and in the home setting.

Dr. Travelsted holds several leadership positions at WKU and in the professional community. She is the chair of the Academic Quality Committee in WKU Faculty Senate, the Succession Chair for the Kappa Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, and the chair of the Interprofessional Education Workgroup for the College of Health and Human Services at WKU. She also serves as vice president of the KNA Reach Chapter of ANA. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives, KNA Reach, and Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society-Kappa Theta Chapter.