Congrats to June 2019 Traveler of the Month, Scott B., pictured here with his canine pal, Samson.
Many thanks and congrats to the June 2019 Traveler of the Month, Scott B., and also our Rising Star winner, Lori C.!
Traveler of the Month Scott is an RN specializing in Interventional Radiology who just finished an assignment in Oakland, California. He’s been in nursing for six years (two in ICU and four in IR) and traveling for three years. Scott works with Career Consultant Melissa Barks.
Scott’s favorite location so far is Denver, Colorado.
“I loved Denver — hiking, snowboarding, camping, and a very lively city had everything someone could want,” he said.
Scott travels solo but he has a dog, Samson, and a fiancé who hold down the fort when he’s on assignment. He used Travel Nursing as a way to save money to buy his family a house to move into after their November 2019 wedding
“With this last contract I’ve finally reached my goal and we can be a family together,” says Scott. “Sadly, this means the end of my Travel Nurse career for the time being, but I’m excited to reach this new phase of my life.”
While he’s moving on for now, Scott still loves the connections he’s built through Travel Nursing.
“I love the network I’ve been able to form. I now have friends and job opportunities all throughout the country. Anywhere I want to go to visit or work, I now feel like I have contacts there to help me navigate,” he says.
Scott shared some wonderful advice for new or aspiring Travelers:
1. “Never say ‘At my last facility we did it this way.’ Constructive criticism is great, and being a Traveler we get to see how many units are run so we are in a unique position to help a unit grow, but just because something works at one facility doesn’t mean it will work everywhere.”
2. “Be flexible! Some of my best travel contracts came from being passed over for a position I really wanted. A job or facility may not have been your first choice but with a positive attitude you may find you have a great facility.”
3. “Explore the area while on assignment. Many people use traveling to save money, so I hear of people hermiting themselves in an apartment during a contract scared to spend anything. There are tons of free events in every city if you take the effort to meet new people and find them. And don’t forget to sometimes treat yourself — don’t go overboard, but from time to time its OK to go to that expensive restaurant for an amazing meal or buy that new piece of clothing.”
4. “Have a purpose to travel. I was doing it to save money for a house. Some people are nomads and want to see the world. Some want to settle down but don’t know where, so they want to try a few cities/states out. Whatever your reason for traveling, define it in your mind or life can become searching for the next job/contract and not enjoying yourself.”
Thanks so much for your great advice, Scott. We wish you all the best for a happy wedding and new adventures to come!
Rising Star Lori is a Labor & Delivery RN. She’s been in nursing for 14 years and is now on her second assignment as a Travel Nurse. Lori is currently on assignment in Gainesville, Florida, and works with Career Consultant Michelle White.
Lori travels solo but her husband and kids have come to visit during her assignments and she also flew back home often. Having come from Florida originally, she says she really enjoyed her first assignment in Arizona.
“Coming from Florida I really enjoyed Arizona — no humidity or mosquitoes — plus, I was a short drive from Sedona, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and California.”
Lori loves everything she gets to learn and see via Travel Nursing.
“I love all the places you can go, experiencing different hospitals, and seeing how they do things, exploring new areas, and meeting new people,” she says.
In fact, Lori’s husband says she’s a constant learner — the type who’d be a life-long student if she could get paid for it. Here are some great tips based on what she’s learned so far as a Travel Nurse:
“Most importantly, go in with an open mind,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t compare places — every place has something good to offer and is an opportunity to learn no matter how long you’ve been a nurse.”
Thank you for sharing your story and these helpful tips, Lori!
Congratulations again to the Medical Solutions June 2019 Traveler of the Month and Rising Star. Scott and Lori, we are so thankful to you both for your incredible work!
Could you be the next Medical Solutions Traveler of the Month or Rising Star? Travelers who receive a perfect hospital evaluation are eligible to win these monthly awards — with Rising Star going to newer Medical Solutions Travelers. Click here to learn more and to see if you could be the next winner of a $100 Visa or Amazon gift card as recognition for a job well done!