Healthcare Traveler - July 2008 - (Page 37)

PAT OWEN, RN, and her husband, Dave, enjoyed horseback riding along Shaver Lake when she was on assignment at a facility in nearby Fresno, California. Interestingly, the Owens have carved out a pattern in their travel selections: From May to November, Dave battles wildfires as a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter pilot. “He heads west during the fire-suppression season and has been doing so for the past 12 years,” explains Pat.“During these months, I look for opportunities that will keep me near him, usually somewhere in Northern California. Fresno is a central location.” In the remaining months, Pat accepts contracts closer to her primary residence in Florida. “Dave and I still pull the fifth-wheel to these assignments,” she explains. “But on my days off, we return to our home.” Currently, the clinician is between opportunities. Staying at various campgrounds and parks has allowed Pat and Dave to form tight friendships with fellow RVers. “We’ve found that most people who travel in RVs are amiable and very accommodating,” she says.“They are fun, open, and friendly. Also, it is not unusual to encounter other mobile professionals living on the grounds. At one park, for instance, I met three other healthcare travelers. We ended up carpooling to work because we discovered we were all scheduled to work the same shift!” Pat even relies on the advice of fellow RVers she meets through various website forums.“I find a lot of important issues discussed in these blogs,” she offers.“What’s more, I have received some very helpful tips from them, like how to deal with different weather conditions, which is crucial because you can run into snow driving cross-country even if your final destination never sees a single flake. I also like to find out what others think of various motor home parks. There are good ones and bad ones, so I read the online reviews.” One of the features Pat always concerns herself with is security.“Because I spend a lot of time by myself while my husband is working, I take a careful look at the safety aspects of a park,” she explains.“I want well-lit areas, for example. Some places even have around-the-clock security personnel on duty, which is wonderful.” » July 2008 Healthcare Traveler Circle Career Card No. 612 37 http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - July 2008

Healthcare Traveler - July 2008 Editor's Desk Contents By the Numbers Paws for Thought In a Flash Field Notes California Love Affair Taking Your Home on the Road Drug Update Clinical Tips Cityscape Advertisers' Index Name It When In... Good for You Big Deals Tax Facts Going the Distance Contest Rules Starter's Kit Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - July 2008

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