travel nurse covid vaccination

Travel Nurse COVID Vaccine Stories: Optimistic in the OR

Travel Nursing
In this series, read the inspiring stories of some of Emerald’s own travel nurses about their experience receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, and their words of hope for the future.

Travel Nurse Katie H. – “We all have the desire to lift each other up and work together.”

or travel nurse vaccineEmerald travel nurse Katie has been a nurse for 10 years, an operating room nurse for five years, and a travel nurse for two years; the kind of resume that gives hiring nurse managers chill bumps. Her Emerald recruiter, Melanie Gibson, has worked with Katie since she became a travel nurse two years ago.

By nature of the job, recruiter and traveler often go without ever meeting one another in person, making it all the more special when these dream teams do have a chance to come together. Recruiter Melanie had the privilege to meet Katie and her mother while the pair were road tripping through Texas enroute to the next assignment.

Melanie describes Katie as “truly a caring person, not only in her profession but in her personal life as well.” This positive, happy, flexible and understanding attitude propels Katie through times like these, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by the facilities she has traveled to.

When she’s not in the OR, Katie participates in causes such as “Dressember”, a campaign to bring awareness to the cause of dismantling human trafficking by wearing a dress every day for the month of December. When it comes to representing Emerald’s core values, Katie brings her A-game.

Here is what she had to say about her experience receiving the COVID vaccination while on travel nursing assignment:

When did you receive the vaccine?

I found out I’d be able to receive the vaccine during orientation for a travel nurse assignment back in January. I was very excited to know I’d be able to receive the vaccine!

What advice would you give someone who has not received the vaccine yet?

I would advise anyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine, but is hesitating or waiting, to stop waiting and get the vaccine.  We as healthcare workers always strive to do all we can to protect our patients and our families, and this vaccine (along with wearing our masks!) is a key way to do that.  There is a lot of reputable research stating that this vaccine is safe and effective, and that it was not rushed but simply fast-tracked through the red tape most vaccines must go through. It’s totally understandable to be wary of something new and unknown, but this vaccine is a vital step forward in our struggle against coronavirus – but vaccines work best if everyone who can get it does get it!

Despite everything, what gives you hope in 2021?

In spite of this past year, I still maintain hope for our future.  I believe that people are inherently good, and that we all have the desire to lift each other up and work together to help each other make this world a better place.
vaccine travel nurse jobs
Epic Travel Staffing is seeking interested RNs, LPNs, Pharmacists, and Pharmacy Technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines nationwide starting in early May 2021.