Axis Traveler of the Month Doreen Watson

At Axis, we love celebrating our travelers and their journeys. We’re excited to introduce our Axis Traveler of the Month, Doreen Watson! Doreen’s travel nursing adventure is an inspiring story of adaptability and a passion for exploring new locations.

A Passion for Travel Nursing

Doreen’s journey into travel nursing started as a lifelong dream. She had always admired travel nurses and the freedom to explore new places while making a difference in patient care. After raising her children, she was ready to welcome the travel lifestyle. Initially, she accepted a job traveling with a family, serving as their caretaker, but when that opportunity fell through, travel nursing emerged as the perfect next step.

Doreen took her first assignment in a small critical access hospital to get acclimated to the lifestyle. Since then, she has explored multiple states, including Vermont, Washington, Ohio, Nebraska and South Dakota. In some of these locations, she’s been back more than once!

Rewards of Being a Travel Nurse

For Doreen, the most rewarding aspect of travel nursing is being part of new teams and learning about different cultures and diverse populations.

“You learn how to be a people person and how to approach individuals from different backgrounds,” she shares. “Understanding how locations and communities came to be is fascinating. Learning about tribal customs here in South Dakota has been especially eye-opening and rewarding.”

Doreen’s experiences have broadened her perspective and career, making each assignment more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Advice for Travel Nurses

Doreen has valuable advice for those considering a career in travel nursing:

• Know Yourself: Travel nursing isn’t for everyone. It’s important to know yourself well and determine whether you have the personality and adaptability to thrive in different environments.
• Flexibility is Key: “I hardly ever put in a schedule because I know that travelers need to be flexible,” Doreen explains. Being open to facility needs and adapting to different nursing boards’ rules and regulations is required.
• Independence is Important: Travel nursing often means spending a lot of time alone. Being comfortable with solitude and making the most of your free time is crucial.

Loving Life in Rapid City

Currently, Doreen loves life in Rapid City, South Dakota. She appreciates the city’s mix of small-city charm and stunning scenic views.

“Rapid City has everything you need—affordable living, amazing housing, and stunning views,” she says. “I’m lucky to have an apartment where I can see the Black Hills in the distance and the city lights at night—it’s absolutely beautiful.”

Doreen has made the most of her time in South Dakota, exploring the Custer Wildlife Loop, Badlands National Park, Needles Highway and Mount Rushmore. The perfect balance of nature and city life makes Rapid City a fantastic location for travel nursing adventures.

Finding Axis Medical Staffing

Doreen discovered Axis through a travel nurse group on Facebook, where she came across a job posting from Axis Recruiter, Charity Crawford. From the very beginning, she felt supported and valued.

“I always felt like Charity went to bat for me,” Doreen shares. “She genuinely cared about finding me the right assignment, and I knew everything would come together.”

At Axis, we take pride in building strong relationships with our travelers and prioritizing that they feel supported every step of the way. Doreen’s journey is a testament to the incredible opportunities that come with travel nursing and the importance of having a dedicated team behind you.

Join the Axis Family

Are you ready for your next travel nursing adventure? At Axis Medical, we’re an award winning team here to help you find the perfect assignment and support you on your journey. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or your next great destination, we’ve got you covered.

Congratulations, Axis Traveler of the Month, Doreen Watson! We can’t wait to see where your travels take you next.