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 June Nurse of the Month, Ursula Ridley.

Name: Ursula RidleySpecialty: Oncology and Infusion TherapyNumber of assignments: 2 (NY with extensions and TX)Number of years with Fastaff: 3 years

Why do you love working with Fastaff?

Fastaff affords me the opportunity to travel to new and interesting locations, as well as meet new comrades in my professional life. Those comrades have become my family away from home. I’ve kept in touch with all of them from every assignment.

What do you love about nursing and what makes travel nursing rewarding for you?

Nursing is more than just a profession to me. It is the calling that God placed on my life at an early age. I am blessed to be able to care for those (patients and families) who need me at a vulnerable period in their life. We never know what our fellow man/woman is going through at that moment. It gives me great satisfaction knowing that even the smallest gesture (a kind word, a gentle hand, a smile) can make the difference in a person's day.  

What makes travel nursing rewarding for you?

The rewards of travel nursing are numerous. I have the opportunity to go to places that I would have never even thought of traveling to and/or working in states that I probably wouldn't have even entertained had it not been for travel nursing. The ability to "vacation" while working is the best!

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

I traveled to Texas for an assignment during the Coronavirus pandemic. When I arrived, I was better prepared for the assignment because I was actually in Bronx, NY during the height of the pandemic. I already knew of donning/doffing PPE safely to prevent cross contamination. What I learned in NY prepared me to be able to care for patients, my family, and myself during the pandemic.

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? 

The most challenging Fastaff assignment I have experienced was my NY assignment when the COVID-19 pandemic started. We didn't know anything about the virus, how it was transmitted, how to control it, how to protect ourselves, etc. Quite frankly, we were all scared because people were dying at alarming rates. There were times that I wanted to give up and go home to my family. But in the end, I chose what I was called to do......to complete the assignment I accepted and to take care of my patients/families the best way I could safely.

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

During the pandemic, Fastaff made sure that I was safe by providing me PPE. My Fastaff Recruiter, Chase Shields and Fastaff Liasion, Karen Fountain, kept in constant contact with me to make sure I was physically, mentally, and emotionally safe. I felt that I was more than just a nurse working for a travel company. I felt that they cared about my wellbeing and that meant that I was more than just a number to the company.

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.)?

Traveling with Fastaff has allowed me more time to enjoy life. I’ve been able to achieve financial freedom by relieving debt, I've been able o take off two months ( June and December) of every year to spend special occasions with my family, and I was able to obtain my Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Certification. I'm currently working on obtaining my OCN certification in 2022.