'Traveler’s Journey' Video Contest Winner: Loving the Travel Nursing Lifestyle
By Melissa Wirkus, associate editor*
September 21, 2011 - For Seth Snowden, RN, travel nursing has become more than just another job--it’s a way of life.
Snowden proclaimed his love for travel nursing and emerged as the winner of Travelnursing.com’s and American Mobile Healthcare’s user-generated, Traveler’s Journey Video Contest which was featured on social media sites Facebook and YouTube.
Snowden has been a medical surgical nurse for more than four years and a travel nurse with AMN Healthcare’s travel company, American Mobile Healthcare, for nearly two years.
“After I got married my wife and I wanted to see the United States together and knew travel nursing was an option for us to do just that,” Snowden explained about the launch of his traveling career. “Plus, I was looking for a new challenge so I could enhance my skill set and become a better nurse.”
The winning video was shot by Snowden’s wife, Brooke, who travels with Seth and narrated the Q&A-style travelogue. The video was filmed over a 2-day period, highlights the perks and benefits of his chosen profession, and ends with a playful scrapbook of travel images taken all across the country. As he points out, Snowden’s 13-week nursing contracts allow the couple flexibility to choose a schedule and locale that works for them (summer in the idyllic mountains of the Pacific Northwest, for example).
Travel nursing has not only allowed the Snowdens to explore the country together, but it has also allowed Seth to take his career to the next level and grow as a nurse.
“While traveling I am able to take care of such a large variety of patients with different (diagnoses) and treatments,” he said. “I can't help but learn.”
Most experienced travelers like Seth would agree that travel nursing does provide the perfect setting for continuous learning, including the opportunity for some career “firsts,” like the one he recalls while on assignment at a facility in Washington.
“I can actually say that I was the first person, period, to administer a trial medication at the University of Washington. I believe it had only been given to about 40 patients in the research setting.”
In addition to getting the opportunity to learn new skills, techniques and ways of doing things with every new assignment, travel nursing has also offered Seth some memorable experiences that will stay with him throughout his nursing career.
“When some of my patients ask me to pray for them and little old ladies tell me they love me--those are the most memorable and rewarding experiences as a travel nurse.”
Throughout his travels to California, Connecticut, Florida, and Washington, Seth and his wife have had many memorable experiences together and make the most out of each new assignment by taking “mini trips” around the state to ensure they see everything each new destination has to offer.
“We really enjoy being able to do activities weekly that many people only have the opportunity to do on vacation...in a few days we are going to Crater Lake National Park!”
“Each place has offered many wonderful trips and something that we can say ‘is the best.’ For example, California had Yosemite, Connecticut had the best pizza, and you can't beat the Dry Tortugas in Florida..and then Washington's REI headquarters with the bargain barn!”
Seth’s recruiter, Tina Goodwin, recruitment manager for American Mobile, is also excited about the contest win and the exciting possibilities that travel nursing has to offer in the future.
“Congratulations Seth! It’s been a pleasure and privilege to work with Seth and his wife Brooke! Reading their blogs remind me of why I come in everyday. Their video story ending brought a tear to my eye,” Goodwin said. “I want to thank them for taking time out of their adventures to create this moving mini documentary that will inspire healthcare professionals to get out and enjoy all that travel nursing has to offer. Aloha to our next adventure!”
Visit American Mobile’s YouTube channel to view Seth’s winning video and check-out the semi-finalists!
About the “Traveler’s Journey” Video Contest:
The unique video campaign was sponsored by AMN’s flagship travel nurse company, American Mobile Healthcare, and leading travel nursing website, TravelNursing.com. During the contest, nurses were invited to share their experiences, adventures and stories about travel nursing in a two minute video. The top finalists represented a diverse demographic makeup specializing in many areas of nursing. The common thread they shared was an adventurous spirit, eagerness to share their skills and a love of travel nursing. In August, 10 semi-finalists were posted on the American Mobile Facebook page, where the public was invited to cast their votes. The successful campaign counted more than 1,700 votes cast; Grand Prize winner, Snowden, has won an iPad 2 and a $500 gift card.
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