Photo: Getty Images/Michæl McCloskey/Photodisc

When the hospital where she practiced was sold and she no longer felt in tune with the larger facility's philosophy, Eraina knew the time had come. "By then, my son, Quinton, was in college and a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. And I realized I was ready for some new adventures of my own."

A medical/surgical nurse with experience in oncology, neurology, and the emergency department, Eraina has been accepting contracts with Miami, Florida-based National Healthcare Staffing for the past 3 years. She is currently on assignment at Union Memorial Hospital (UMH), one of the top specialty facilities in Baltimore. "I feel fortunate to have such a close relationship with my recruiter, Lori Press-Vidal," she conveys. "She knows the types of assignments I'm interested in and always comes through for me."

At UMH, Eraina has met other healthcare travelers in orthopedics as well as nurses who work at the facility on a per diem basis. This is her second assignment at the 350-licensed bed academic facility. "I chose to take another contract here because it is convenient to my house in Pennsylvania," she says. "Plus, the hospital offered me an advantageous arrangement." Since Eraina lives 2½ to 3 hours away, she stays in an apartment provided by her travel company while working three 12-hour shifts a week. Because of the flexibility afforded by the contract, she is on duty every third weekend and able to go home once or twice a month.

Within the Old Line State

Eraina limits her contracts to facilities within Maryland. So far, she has taken assignments in Silver Spring and La Plata, and on the Eastern Shore, including Easton and Cambridge. "This is the twelfth assignment I've had with my staffing agency," she says. "I think everyone at UMH—both supplemental and regular staff—gets along quite well. The hospital is very receptive to healthcare travelers. I've even been offered a staff position here." While Eraina is appreciative and flattered by the proposal, she enjoys being a mobile provider too much to stop traveling just yet. What's more, she likes the opportunity to meet patients from a variety of locales.

"Generally, I have a memory of at least one patient from every place in which I've worked," she says. "With some people, there's an instant connection, as if you've known them for years and can talk about everything and anything. I remember one patient who, when she knew I was on duty, didn't want anyone else around her but me. And my supervisor here has told me that patients have said great things about me, which is always wonderful to hear."