Healthcare Traveler - May 2008 - (Page 64)

M E M O R A B L E E X P E R I E N C E S AT W O R K O R P L AY The view from the top Julie Anne Eason A aron Stokes, RN, decided he wanted a mobile career when he was in nursing school. An avid surfer, he thought he’d take assignments wherever the waves pounded the shore. But that notion changed after a weeklong trip to Colorado gave him a newfound passion for rock climbing. The first time You’re never fully ready for your first outdoor climb, according to Aaron, a critical care nurse traveler with Dallas, Texas-based Platinum Select Staffing. He worked out on a climbing wall at a gym for ages. Eventually, a friend convinced Aaron that it was time for real rocks. requires dedication, patience, and focus. “Climbing is a confidence booster. It translates well into how I work with my critical care patients.” RN, who regu Denver, Color larly takes co ado, recently ntracts in and climbed to th around e summit of G ray’s Peak. AARON ST OKES, A satisfying arrangement Currently, Aaron is on assignment at The Medical Center of Aurora, an acute care hospital in Aurora, Colorado. The facility is about 15 miles from Denver, the city he considers his new home base. Now, whenever Aaron feels like a vacation, he travels around the country looking for cliffs to scale and waves to surf. “I love taking contracts in and around Denver. The atmosphere is very travelerfriendly, and the facilities I work with are flexible. I usually take a week or two off every month. I let my managers know ahead of time, so I’m able to schedule additional hours to make up the time. It’s an arrangement that works well.” Aaron realized that, much like nursing and traveling, climbing requires dedication, patience, and focus. “My first experience lead climbing— where I was tied into a harness and built protection points as I ascended—was scary. But I made it to the top. Once I got there, my friend, David, suggested I clean the anchors. I had to untie my rope, take out the clips and carabiners, and then tie myself back in and move to the next one. I wasn’t sure I could do it. I was 100 feet in the air, and if I made one mistake, I could’ve ended up on the ground!” Aaron realized that, much like nursing and healthcare travel, the activity what skiers would call a ‘bluebird day’— not a cloud in the sky—and the sunrise from the trail was just spectacular.” Along the way, Aaron met an older climber. They decided to do the summit together and started walking the rest of the way up. “I have a long-time girl friend from Johnson City, Tennessee. It turned out this guy was the Mayor of Johnson City. Talk about a small world!” After scaling Gray’s Peak, Aaron tackled Torreys. “It’s a popular peak, so there’s usually a line to the summit. But I hit it just right and got to spend an hour there all by myself. That was a big thrill for me. As I looked around I thought, This view! That’s what I do this for. I know I’d never experience half the adventures I enjoy if I weren’t a traveler.” More challenges ahead Aaron’s future plans include bouldering in California, hiking in Alaska and Utah, and attending a ukulele-building school in Hawaii. “Thanks to the challenges of my mobile career and my hobbies, I’ve become more self-confident and assertive. I love my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” HT Julie Anne Eason is a freelance writer based in China, Maine. The Fourteeners Colorado is blessed with 54 mountain peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. For a climber, it’s a source of pride to say he has scaled each “Fourteener.” “I remember climbing the twin peaks, Gray’s and Torreys. For months, I planned to do the climb. Finally, a good weather window opened up, and I set out alone. “I woke up early and ascended Gray’s Peak first. It took about 3 hours. It was Copyright ©2008 Advanstar Communications Inc. All rights reserved. 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Healthcare Traveler - May 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes Cardiac Care at the Heart of Many Travelers Careers The Current Economy Clinical Tips Drug Update On Assignment Name It When In Advertisers' Index Good for You Tax Facts Big Deals Contest Rules Starter's Kit Going the Distance Tales from the Road Allied Corner Classifieds

Healthcare Traveler - May 2008

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