Axis Spotlight Danielle Orchard

Give us a little history of how you got into the Travel Healthcare Industry!

I have been in the relationship business in a variety of roles for more than 20 years.  I was a Mental Health and Oncology Social Worker (for one of our clients!) for 6 years; then I was a professional fundraiser for 16 years – many of those years for a College of Nursing and a children’s healthcare system.  Life happened for so many people, COVID-19 really rocked my world and my husband and I re-evaluated what is important personally and professionally.  I wanted to continue working in a relationship business, but I also wanted to be more present to my family – the transition to the travel healthcare industry meets all of those needs for me.  I made a change in March of 2022 and haven’t looked back.

Are there any locations you have found to be a favorite Travel Healthcare Spot?

People seem to like the Pacific Northwest.  They also like Florida – but as someone who lives in Florida, that one is a hard sell for me!  After 10 years here I’m still not used to the humidity, snakes, and flying cockroaches.  I do see the appeal of the ocean though.

What do you enjoy most about working with Travel Healthcare workers?

I love to have a strategy for how I can help travelers achieve their goals.  My favorite relationships are the ones where I understand the motivations individuals have for traveling, where they want to go, and the experiences – professionally and personally – that they hope to have and we use that information to develop a multi-step plan for how to approach their travel journey.

Integrity is the most important quality to me in relationships with travelers – some of the hardest and BEST conversations I have had are with travelers who really want to be at a facility we don’t staff, so I refer them to a different agency.  It is more important to me that the travelers accomplish their dreams than keeping them with Axis for a position they aren’t thrilled about . . . and inevitably they end up working with us again because they know I will always be transparent.

Share a piece of advice with those looking to travel!

Be nice.

What would you say is your favorite U.S. Location?

Milwaukee, WI is the most underrated city in the country.  It does help that I lived there for almost 20 years and saw the transformation of the city first-hand – but there really is no better place to enjoy food, outdoors, music, sports, history and architecture.

What are the top 3 activities on your bucket list?

That’s a good question.  I live a pretty indulgent lifestyle and have been fortunate to have a lot of amazing experiences, so I don’t know that I really have a bucket list.

I really want to remodel our straight-out-of-1989 bathroom complete with an orange garden tub – does that count as bucket list?

What Movies or Shows would you recommend to your travelers?

The Wire on HBO is hands-down the smartest television show ever created.

Tell us about the most memorable vacation you’ve taken!

My sister and I take a trip abroad every year, and each of them is memorable in its own way.  The uninterrupted time with my sister is invaluable.  And the time away from my family helps us appreciate each other more – I really miss my husband and kids while I’m gone, and they have a renewed appreciation for everything I do for our family when I get home.

What have you found that makes Axis different from the rest?

I really enjoy the people I work with and appreciate that Axis Medical allows me to focus on travelers as human beings with lives, families and responsibilities – instead of just being concerned about adding numbers to our roster.  This attitude really allows me to do my best and always to do right by our travelers.

Let’s start your journey as a travel nurse with Axis today! Search our available jobs here!