Fastaff nurses are rewarded and recognized for the experience, skills, and dedication they bring to each travel nursing assignment. This nurse is someone who exemplifies the Fastaff values. Read below to learn more about the October Nurse of the Month, Catherine Williams.

Name: Catherine WilliamsSpecialty: M/S TeleNumber of assignments: OneNumber of years with Fastaff: Five months

Why do you love working with Fastaff?

I have an awesome recruiter, Jenny, who makes is easy and keeps it straight with me, that’s important. I tell her what I’m looking for and she works hard to get as close as possible to my request. Fastaff has an awesome team from payroll to benefits. I have no complaints. 

What do you love about nursing?

I have known I wanted to be a nurse since the sixth grade. Having the opportunity to empower patients and their families with knowledge is an awesome feeling. 

What makes travel nursing rewarding for you?

It’s very rewarding to explore different places and cultures. I enjoy the flexibility to work as much or as little as I want. 

Describe a time where you felt more valuable/respected because of the experience and knowledge you gained from your Fastaff assignment.

On the assignment I’m working currently, the manager brought me into her office and asked me to extend. She stated that I was not just a traveler, but a part of her staff and that I was a great nurse. This is important to feel part of the team. 

What has been your most challenging Fastaff assignment (a difficult case, surgery, patient illness, etc.) and how did you feel that impacted your worth as a nurse afterwards? 

I received a patient from the Emergency Department but received no report from the ED. The patient was just dropped off in the room with a heparin drip infusing. Long story short it took myself and two staff nurses to figure out where this heparin drip starts. The patient was transferred from another hospital with the drip and the ED never took bloodwork to check the rate. I took a blood sample and sent it to the lab to ensure this heparin drip was infusing at the current and safe rate.

Describe the most miraculous or impressive thing you’ve witnessed or been a part of during your time as a nurse with Fastaff.

A patient was admitted in critical condition. He was on the unit for over 30 days. He was so weak he could not even feed himself. It was a long journey for him, but he walked out of the hospital happy and healthier. Amazing. 

How have you accomplished some of your personal and professional goals by traveling with Fastaff (i.e. family life, financial freedom, more personal freedom, etc.)?

I get to spend more holidays with my family due to the flexible schedule. The increase in pay allowed me to pay my credit cards off and save more. Getting paid weekly is a plus. It’s sure better than getting payed every two weeks.