By Sarah Wengert and Jennifer Stewart
Medical Solutions is SO lucky to employ talented, highly skilled, dedicated travel nurses and other healthcare travelers. With our high-quality standards, we hire only the best in our mission of connecting care countrywide. So, of course, we are not at all surprised to see our travelers showing up in incredible ways for patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you, COVID-19 healthcare heroes!
To celebrate you, and the thousands more like you on the frontlines, we are highlighting some of your stories.
Erin is an ER nurse in northern California who is steadfast in everything she does. Her recruiter says she is “strong, smart, capable, and confident in a way that still portrays humility. She knows what she wants and she doesn’t hesitate to work hard for it.” Erin was recently recognized at her hospital for fostering a patient’s dog while he sought the care he needed. Talk about going above and beyond the call of duty!
Heather is a travel nurse working in South Dakota. She has made a ton of sacrifices to help fight the pandemic, especially being a single mom of twin daughters. Much like most of us, she has to figure out how to juggle homeschooling her kids, staying healthy, and working in an environment that exposes her daily. Healthcare hero by day and supermom by night!
Bianca is a travel nurse in an observation unit in Arizona. Bianca’s recruiter says she admires Bianca greatly! “She is who I want to be when I grow up,” says her recruiter, Jennifer Stewart. “She is classy, well-spoken, caring, and makes the most of her travel. Her Instagram page is full of amazing adventures and pictures you would see in a travel ad. She truly knows the meaning of work hard/play hard. Bianca has been asked to extend at every hospital I have had her work with me at which speaks to her positive attitude and on-point clinical skills.”
Tonya is a travel nurse working on a unit designated for caring for COVID-19 patients. In addition to providing patient care, she has been researching the characteristics of COVID, how it affects iron levels, and feels like she has started to be able to predict when someone is on the upswing in their recovery. Tonya’s recruiter says she “takes nursing to a whole new level. She looks at every patient as a whole. She puts so much effort, care, and love into each person she comes across. She never fails to amaze me.”
Celeste is a travel respiratory therapist helping out in New Hampshire. She is a very easy-going personality who seems to find the silver lining in everything. The start to her travel career had a few pretty big bumps in the road but she persevered, had a successful contract, and was even asked to stay longer than expected.
Lisa’s recruiter says Lisa is one of her favorite people in the world. She is currently working in Los Angeles, California, maintaining her constant focus on other people, her selfless mindset, and her dedication to hard work.
Connie is a long-time employee and a lifelong learner, currently on assignment in Pennsylvania with her next assignment cued up in Arkansas. She first started traveling with us as an LPN and has since worked her way up as an RN who can flourish in just about any unit, including rehab, med-surg, tele, ICU, and more.
Elizabeth is currently working an ER travel job in Nebraska to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s sacrificing time away from her kids and family to help fill in the staffing gaps where she is needed. Liz continually has an attitude of gratitude no matter her circumstances.
Rebecca is currently working in an ER in Newton, Massachusetts. To help herself destress she’s making time for hiking on her days off, re-watching her favorite movies, and indulging in the occasional long nap. Rebecca says she’s been deeply touched by “all the help coming in from the general public — mask donations, face shields, meals sent for the department … The last shift I worked, the day shift charge brought in a whole mess of scrub caps someone from her church had made, and each and every one had a little piece of paper saying ‘Thank you for choosing to be a nurse. Never doubt your patients truly appreciate the care, compassion, and comfort you provide. God bless you and keep you healthy.’ It just about brought me to tears.”
Christy is an ER travel nurse working in Oregon. Her picture shows the toll a 12-hour shift in PPE can take on a person — but nothing keeps her down! Christy’s recruiter says that Christy is a great nurse, a loving mother and grandmother, and has proven that she’s incredibly adaptable and able to roll with every single punch that’s been thrown her way over her years of traveling.
Charlotte is a travel ICU RN working in Virginia. What we love about Charlotte is her giant heart. Even when she’s facing her own troubles, she always takes the time to ask how others are doing, and she genuinely cares about their answers. Her recruiter says that “she is a great nurse with a ton of ICU experience. I would trust her with my own family any day!”
Laorence is a travel ER nurse working in the heart of Los Angeles, California. His recruiter says he is probably the busiest man she knows. This husband and father to fur babies works full time, goes to school full time, and does his NP clinicals. His recruiter nicknamed him “Sunshine” because she says that’s the feeling he gives off every time she talks to him. “I’m sure his patients are grateful to have such warmth in this cold and difficult time,” says his recruiter.
Emily is a travel nurse working in Washington. Like many others, she’s faced periods with a shortage of protective personal equipment. Despite the tough circumstances, Emily always finds a way to make light of a situation. Her recruiter says Emily has a talent for always making her laugh. We thank Emily for her hard work, dedication, and ability to laugh no matter what!
Keydi is an ICU RN working in northern California. This is her first travel contract and she has really had to roll with the punches. Despite recently recovering from the flu, she’s been ready to do whatever it takes for quality patient care. Keydi has a positive attitude at all times and continues to impress everyone with her adaptability and flexibility.
Sierra is a travel respiratory therapist working in Oklahoma. She has pushed through the challenge of being exposed to COVID-19 positive patients and has kept a positive attitude throughout the process. Some feedback we got from the hospital from her most recent assignment was: “Sierra has been an invaluable asset and is welcome back to work with us anytime.”
Wanda is a travel CNA currently working in Iowa. She gave up a dream vacation to stick around and help the hospital in its time of need. Wanda’s recruiter says that Wanda has gotten an incredibly high amount of praises and extensions on her first travel assignment. Wanda is a wonderful CNA and her recruiter says she’d trust Wanda to care for any one of her own loved ones. “I know that every patient she interacts with feels the warmth she gives,” says her recruiter.
A major, heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to these healthcare heroes and the thousands more out there putting themselves on the line to protect public health and heal their patients. We appreciate all of you, and are especially grateful to those out there representing Medical Solutions so well.
If you’re ready to join Medical Solutions in the fight against COVID-19, apply now and get started!