Access Nurses Weekly Nursing Without Borders

Volume 16 Number 1 - June 20th

Nursing without Borders

In her first nursing experience outside the U.S., former travel nurse Kathy W.H. journeyed to Iraq, where she works as an Occupational Health nurse.
Kathy W.H.’s nursing skills go beyond the borders of the United States. After working in healthcare as an LPN, RN and travel nurse for nearly 30 years, she’s taken her nursing skills overseas to Baghdad, Iraq.Now, she works as a civilian contractor for Comprehensive Health Services (CHS), a leading independent workforce health management company, doing Occupational Health. She is one of four medical personnel with CHS to administer physicals to Iraq citizens.“This is a major accomplishment here in Iraq because medical care is not the greatest for the Iraq citizens,” said Kathy, a 50-year-old mother of two from Chattanooga, Tenn. “The citizens are so grateful for this medical care and express their appreciation for each and everything we do for them. They never forget your name or the kindness that you have showed to them.”When a friend encouraged her to apply for the job, Kathy took a chance and submitted an application online. After being accepted, she spent a week living in barracks training with the military through the CRC, including instruction on what to do in case she is taken hostage. Armed with the bare essentials—a six-month supply of medicine, basic toiletries and the CHS-issued uniforms—Kathy began her journey.

“Every day I pray and ask God to help me in this new venture and to help make it successful,” said Kathy. “In my heart, something told me it was meant to be. I wanted to see how things were handled in a time of war, especially medical care.”

A typical day for Kathy starts at 8 a.m., when she comes to the office to set up before beginning the physicals. For Iraqis who pass a written and oral language test and the security CI screening, Kathy gives a complete physical exam, including drug screenings and blood tests. She works 12 hours a day, six days a week, plus she’s on call 24 hours a day.

“It has been really interesting [being] a part of getting everything set up. We walked in with only the supplies CHS had for us. Starting from the ground up was a great experience…something that will help me in my career on down the road.”

Kathy has worked in a variety of nursing specialties, but this is her first time working as an RN outside the U.S. Her contract is for a year, and she plans to extend for another year before returning to work as a travel nurse for Access Nurses.

“I only worked with Access Nurses for six months, but it was a great six months,” she said.

Until then, Kathy is grateful for her current situation and her experience thus far.

“This has been one of the most rewarding jobs in my career,” she said. “Always meeting someone new and with a different story to share with you—stories of happiness and sadness—but ones that will always be with you the rest of your life. My heart only gets larger every time I hear one of those stories.”

Special Delivery on NurseTV
Go inside the NICU at Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas and watch the dedicated nursing staff care for newborn triplets.

Travel Nursing in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a booming metropolis, packed with many world-class museums and restaurants. Chicago is not only Illinois largest city, it s the third most populous in the nation. With big cities come a variety of entertainment and diverse culture. There are dozens of comedy clubs, music venues and performance theatres. Be sure to check out a sports game; after all, Chicago has four major professional teams to choose from (Bears, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox).
Weather: Summer: High: 76, Low: 56 Winter: High: 44, Low: 28
Population: 2,873,790
Nearby Cities: Evanston, Wheaton, Geneva

Travel Nursing Hot Jobs Contact your recruiter or call Access Nurses at 1-866-687-7390 to inquire about the following jobs!Chicago, Illinois
Cath Lab
Shift: 12-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Rancho Mirage, California
Open Heart Recovery
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Brooklyn, New York
Endoscopy/GI Lab
Positions: Eight
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Anaheim, California
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Charleston, South Carolina
OR
Positions: One
Shift: Variable days
Start Date: ASAP

Augusta, Georgia
Burn ICU
Positions: Four
Shift: Two days and two nights, with rotating
Start Date: ASAP

Englewood, Colorado
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Taos, New Mexico
OR and Med Surg
Positions: Two
Shift: Flexible 12-hour
Start Date: ASAP

Westminster, Colorado
Neuro Trauma ICU
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Peach Springs, Arizona
Ambulatory Care and Out Patient
Positions: One
Shift: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Start Date: June 27

Pinion, Arizona
ER, Urgent Care, Ambulatory and Out Patient
Positions: Three
Shift: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Richmond, Virginia
Case Management and Utilization Review
Positions: Two
Shift: 8 and 10-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Orlando, Florida
OR and CVOR
Positions: Three
Shift: 8-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Redlands, California
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Homer, Arkansas
OB/GYN
Positions: Two
Shift: Nights
Start Date: End of June

Kansas City, Missouri
NICU
Positions: Four
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Atchison, Kansas
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Featured Forum Topic

Travel Nursing with a Family

I am a fairly new nurse thinking about travel nursing to find just the right place to settle down with the family. We want to move somewhere warm. Any ideas?