Axis Traveler of the Month February 2024 Allie Steenkamp

March 5, 2024 | posted by Mackenzie Bolte

Our February traveler of the month might be new to the world of travel nursing, but she was quick to hit the ground running. Meet Allie, our Axis Traveler of the Month February 2024 an ICU travel nurse currently in Richmond, VA.

Allie ventured into the world of travel nursing as soon as she could. Very deserving being names an Axis Traveler of the Month, Allie shares her journey, the most rewarding experiences, and tips for those interested in pursuing a career in travel nursing.

How did you get into travel nursing?

I went into nursing with the intention to be a traveler because I only had a little cultural experience growing up in Rural Arkansas. I worked bedside for two years before travel nursing, floated between ER and ICU. I knew I wanted to experience a lot of different things.

How did you know you wanted to be a travel nurse?

I read a Highway Hypodermics Book about travel nursing and talked to others I knew and worked with about travel nursing to get their opinions.

What I have found surprising is that even if you work for a travel company, it is much easier than working for a hospital staff. I am surprised that more nurses don’t go through a staffing agency, regardless of whether they want to travel or find a permanent role.

How did you get to where you’re at now?

My experience and opportunities lined up with my desire to travel and be a travel nurse. I applied for a bunch of jobs that lined up with my skills and aspirations of what I wanted as my first traveler experience jumping into the industry. I didn’t apply to any specific location.

What do you enjoy most about your current location?

I really enjoy the people that I work with in Richmond, VA. The people are very different from what I am used to in Arkansas. The city is so pretty around Richmond, VA, and there are many really neat districts. I have made good friends with my landlord, from whom I’m renting my housing unit.

What has been the most rewarding experience as a traveler?

I work night shift, and I will try to let my patients sleep. I try to be pretty quiet and only wake them up if I have to. I recently had a patient who did not appreciate me being quiet, but then a week later, I had another patient who was the complete opposite and loved that I respected her sleep and space.

It’s been so rewarding learning more about taking care of patients and how I can accommodate each one specifically to their preferences of care.

What do you do in your free time?

I enjoy listening to audiobooks, and I love plants as well. I am fortunate that my roommate has a lot of plants, so we can bond over that and learn something new together.

Any advice for those looking to travel?

Being flexible is important. Be okay with floating to a different unit, and if you want to avoid floating or doing something specific, be sure to communicate that with your recruiter so your expectations are met.

How did you discover Axis?

I found Axis by researching top travel companies, and I found Alex on Bluepipes. From my first conversation with Alex, I feel like we really bonded quickly. I have been very happy with my Axis travel experience!