At AB Staffing, we love sharing stories from our team including our Recruiter Spotlight. It’s a great time to be a healthcare recruiter. This month the spotlight is on Chelsea who has been with our agency for five months. She shares why she chose to be a recruiter, why she loved her work, and how she came to be a dog mom.
Recruiter Spotlight
Chelsea thought she wanted to become a nurse like her mom. She went to school for nursing but after shadowing her mom, realized nursing wasn’t for her. She graduated with a degree in Health Science. She knew she wanted to be near the nursing industry, so she is working as a healthcare recruiter. Before AB Staffing, she was an Olympic bodybuilder and in the bar and restaurant business in Phoenix and Boise.
What is your favorite part about being a Healthcare Recruiter?
My favorite part about being a Healthcare Recruiter is when I can place someone in the job of their dreams. It is so fulfilling to know that you helped them get there. These nurses are away from their family and friends for an extended period of time, and I love being the one that they can talk to and make it all worth it for them. I pride myself on connecting and building relationships with every individual I work with and getting to know them personally and their lives outside of being an RN. It makes all the hard work worth it.
We tell all of our travelers their recruiter is their point person, and they can call anytime. We love that Chelsea is as enthusiastic about building relationships as we are!
What do you like about working for AB Staffing?
I love that I get to work with the people I do, while making others’ dream jobs come true. The environment here is so uplifting and encouraging. We cheer each other on and are invested in each other’s success.
Our Recruiter Jessica told us related stories in her Recruiter Spotlight.
What advice would you give a provider that is new to travel nursing?
My advice would be to be flexible. You are there to help, so they have to realize that they may be floated to other floors in their scope of practice. I also would say to make sure you soak up as much of the experience as possible. Adventure, meet friends, check out the town. You are there to do your job.
There are times when nurses may be asked to float during a travel assignment. It’s part of the reason facilities are in need.
What advice do you have for a traveler looking for a recruiter?
My advice would be to ask questions and make sure that your beliefs line up with your recruiters, and that your beliefs line up with the company. Do your research and make sure that you mesh well, as you will be spending 13+ weeks talking and getting to know and work with that person. We are in your corner and want the best for you and want you as comfortable as you can be in a new environment. We know that it is a chance to travel out of their element, and we are their point of contact for x number of weeks and hopefully after!
What advice would you give someone that is interested in becoming a Healthcare recruiter?
My advice would be to be prepared to be always readily available and put in the work. Obviously, you need “you” time and to take time off from this crazy work life, but there is no “off” when you have double digits of people who depend on you and are their point of contact. It is A LOT of work, and you have to be passionate about what you do. There will always be hard days because this job is a rollercoaster of emotions, but the most rewarding.
We value Chelsea and all of our recruiters for their passion and drive, and of course the long hours they dedicate to supporting our travelers.
Do you have a success story about a time that you were able to help a provider or place someone somewhere that they really wanted to travel?
My provider that I have working in Montana was one of the first providers I ever placed, and this was her first travel assignment. We presented numerous places, ran into so many hiccups, and finally were able to place her in an area she “kind of” wanted to go that was thousands of miles away from home. She has been there now for 13 weeks and is extending. She has been able to see national monuments, found a group of friends she now lives with and is enjoying everything about her assignment. The greatest part is that she trusted me being so new and put all her faith in me and has loved her first assignment! I can’t thank her enough for taking the chance with me!
We can’t thank Chelsea enough for working with our provider to find a match. Though not initially her first choice, it sounds like it has worked out well!
Share anything you’d like to mention about your family/pets that would be fun for your providers to know?
I am obsessed with my dog Kota. I rescued Kota a little over a year ago. I found him roaming the street and he came to me when I had food. My friend and I went up to the owner’s house, offered to take the dog and they said okay because they were going to surrender him. He now lives the best life, goes with me everywhere, and is my little baby.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to hang out with my friends, Kota, and go on adventures. I’m a big foodie so I love to go to new restaurants or fun places! I love to always be doing something!
If you were a traveler what would be your #1 destination to work?
I think I would love to go work in Nashville for an assignment. I love country music and Nashville has been on my bucket list.
What is your favorite place that you have traveled to and why?
My favorite place would probably have to be Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I have been to the Bahamas, Martinique, Mexico, France, almost all 50 states, and still Steamboat Springs is my favorite place.
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
To be invisible!
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
ANY fruity flavors.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
My fun fact was that I was an Olympic bodybuilder for five years and have competed in 24 bodybuilding shows! My mom is still a professional bodybuilder, and we were the first mother daughter duo to compete as pros on the same stage.
Thank you, Chelsea, for being part of the recruitment team at AB Staffing and for taking the time to chat with us.
