NurseChoice Contest Winner Adds to Travel Nursing Memories with Trip to Hawaii
Travel nursing jobs are full of fun and adventure, but traveling for a vacation to Hawaii is even sweeter. Especially when the tab is covered by your travel nursing agency.
Ebony Anderson, RN, BSN, recently had the chance to do just that, as the winner of a five-day vacation to Maui, sponsored by NurseChoice, an AMN Healthcare company.
She stayed at the Fairmount Kea Lani Resort where she enjoyed a number of firsts, including snorkeling and parasailing.
“I wanted to try new experiences while vacationing in Maui,” the NurseChoice travel nurse explained. “Snorkeling and parasailing were two adventures highly recommended and were great experiences.”
She also joined a daylong excursion with a tour group to the Molokini Crater and South Maui. “While at South Maui, I saw an array of turtles and fish of various sizes and colors and along the route were gorgeous celebrity houses set among breathtaking views.”
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A Path to Travel Nursing 
An RN for more than three years, Anderson has flourished as a travel nurse. She likes the travel life and opportunities to learn new ways of doing things through various travel nursing jobs.
Her decision to travel with NurseChoice was influenced by a friend who had traveled with the company and raved about the travel nurse benefits, employee support and opportunities to work in the best hospitals across the country.
“NurseChoice is a good company to work for,” Anderson said, adding that she has especially appreciated the support and communication with her recruiters.
“Best of all, traveling is a great way save money as my goal is to advance my education.”
Variety and Growth from Travel Nursing Jobs
“I am a seasoned travel nurse with five travel assignments under my belt,” Anderson asserted. “During each assignment, I’ve worked with some of the best, hardworking RNs and CNAs in the country who were very welcoming and always willing to lend a helping hand. They made my job a delight.”
“It was amazing to watch as nurses worked together during a code or rapid response as they all knew their particular roles and not one panicked while executing each step to ensure patients’ survivability.”
“The hardest part of completing an assignment is saying goodbye,” she said. “I have learned so many valuable lessons which I use daily.”
Tips for New Travel Nurses
Anderson points out that travel nurses can quickly get to know their fellow nurses and make a contribution to the healthcare team.
“I have always felt part of the team, never an outsider, and I enjoy being a part of nursing social events,” she said.
She added that flexibility, cooperation and good communication skills are essential for success as a travel nurse.
“I always make it a point to talk with and help nurses and do my best to assist CNAs whenever possible; I also do my best to respect others and their opinions.”
Some aspects of starting a new travel nurse assignment – such as encountering new doctors, learning new policies and finding your way around the hospital – can be intimidating, Anderson noted, but it doesn’t take long to start feeling comfortable.
It helps to have a good travel nursing agency to provide support while you’re on assignment.
“Always research travel nurse companies and hospitals where you’ll be assigned thoroughly and ask other travel nurses about their experiences,” she advised. “As far as contracts are concerned, never assume; get everything in writing.”
“And check in with family or friends regularly if traveling alone,” she added.
Staying Connected to Home
Anderson appreciates the flexibility of travel nursing and how it allows her to do many of her favorite things. Among other things, this Mississippi native enjoys attending family events, meeting new people, trying new foods and going to the movies.
Anderson’s first travel nursing job with NurseChoice was in Memphis, Tenn., where she worked night shift on a cardiac step-down unit. “The Memphis assignment was perfect for me mainly because I had family nearby,” she said.
Currently home for the holidays, Anderson is employed at an area hospital on a per diem basis and plans to return to travel nursing in January. She is looking forward to starting the new year with another travel nurse adventure.
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