Featured Traveler: Sherri

Her REAL Specialty is “Do-All!”

Meet Sherri J.  She has been a nurse for over 27 years. During that span of time she has held competencies in ALMOST every facet in nursing, making her REAL specialty “do-all!”  Sherri is a serious adrenaline junkie, having spent 10 years in Medical ICU which includes CCU, SICU, Trauma, and NICU.  She lives in Mississippi and is currently working in Arkansas. Her last Convergence assignment was in Charleston, SC. Instead of writing an article, we decided to let Sherri speak for herself. We know you will enjoy her story just as much as we enjoy working with Sherri!

I had never heard of Convergence Medical Staffing until 2016.  I decided to go back to travel nursing after 20 years.  I loved being a traveler and with a grown son who is a highly responsible Senior in high school, I thought I would get back into traveling. I put my resume on-line as an interested travel nurse, listed my experiences and waited.  The wait was not long.  A recruiter named Grady King called me and was giving me his “pitch”.  He seemed nice enough.  I then spoke with his boss, Greg Allen, -again a nice enough guy.  BUT I was also talking to three other “nice guys (OK… one was a nice girl)” at the same time.  I made my decision on Convergence because Grady and Greg had their act together.  They were very quick, yet thorough, in verifying my credentials, references, and getting my skills check lists and tests.  They asked me what I wanted and where I wanted to go.  All this before even one of the other companies even checked my references.  Drug screens, flu shots, and all of the other requirements before you start an assignment were made easy.  And how did my assignment go?  I LOVED IT!  As far as walking the talk, Convergence REALLY DOES CARE ABOUT THEIR NURSES.  THEY GO WELL ABOVE AND BEYOND.

As a traveler, I enjoy meeting new people, getting to work in a place that needs me, and making a difference in people’s lives without having to get caught up in the politics. I want to see some of the USA.  Having been a wife for 25 years and a mother for 21 years, I wanted to get out and see some of the country but without being too far away while my son is still home.  I admit that it is a little anxiety provoking to go to work in a place where I know no one, but Greg and Grady made that oh so easy.  They found a safe and secure apartment, got me set up and made daily calls to me to check on me for the first two weeks then weekly calls.  Of course they were always right there if I needed them.  I also appreciated having two points of contact; however, reaching either was never a problem.  They made it so easy and my first assignment was nine hours away from my home!!  The “Little Mississippi Girl” who never worked further than Memphis TN was now in CHARLESTON SC.  I was never worried because I had Convergence behind me.  To date, they have not placed me in any facility where I felt threatened or fearful of my license being revoked, I am paid accurately and on time, and they are easily approachable about anything. I had one issue one time and Grady had it resolved before I was able to stew over it.

Okay, so you know we are not supposed to discuss pay.  BUT……. I have talked with several nurses from several other travel agencies and I was shocked at what I found out.   For example, did you know that Convergence, as a whole, is paying as much and even more that some of the larger companies?   One nurse stated, “Oh, I get about $150 more per week than you do” but then he found out that I also have paid medical, dental and life insurance and wanted to know who to call.  I even had to use my dental insurance and had no problems.  Great coverage!!  My medication coverage is better than when I was full time at the hospital.

So, WOULD I recommend Convergence Medical Staffing to other travelers?  You bet I would (and do)!  I FREQUENTLY AND CONSISTENTLY recommend Convergence Medical Staffing to nurses who are interested in finding a company where trust, pay and response are their top priorities.