Recruiter Spotlight: Sara Kirkendoll, Travel Nurse Recruiter
Many of you may know Sara as your Rock Star Axis Recruiter, working with her as she diligently finds your next great travel nurse assignment. And you may know just as much about Nancy Drew “ND”, her 4 year old Corgi/Husky mix who roams the Axis office from time to time. You can often find her snuggled up next to Sara, or protecting the office from any potential solicitors. 🙂
But on top of being a leading proponent of a @dogsofaxis campaign, she’s also an amazing Travel Nurse Recruiter and an even better person. We’re lucky to have her as a member of the Axis team!
So let’s get to know her better now!
1. What are some hobbies or interests you have outside of work?
My Pets, although not sure that counts as a hobby or interest. I may be biased but my pets are the best and I love spending quality time with them.
The outdoors! Whether it is in the mountains hiking and camping or going to a park or the beach to hang out with my friends and of course my pup Nancy Drew.
Wine Tasting, in any shape or form of it!
2. It’s a Friday night in Seattle, and you must pick one restaurant to go to. Where do you go and why?
Seattle is a foodie’s paradise so it’s too hard to pick just one! But my Friday night go-to is Tamarind Tree in the International District. All their food is amazing, and I love their Lychee martini.
3. What do you like most about Seattle?
There is so much to love about Seattle! In no particular order I love the abundance of coffee shops, the food scene including some of the best Pho, Sushi and Raw Oysters I’ve ever had, Pike Place Market (during the off season), Kerry Park which in my opinion has the best view of Seattle. Out of all of that, what I like most about Seattle is its proximity to the endless outdoor opportunities. Head 30 minutes east of Seattle and you are immersed in some of the best hiking and camping spots in the state. Or take a ferry and head west for endless miles of untouched coast line.
Kerry Park
4. Best vacation you have ever taken?
My trip to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. When I travel to Mexico I prefer to stay in smaller towns away from the tourists and resorts. Zihuatanejo has amazing beaches, restaurants, and plenty of day excursions. We hired a local fishing guide who took us deep sea fishing where we caught some Tuna, then he took us to a private beach where we snorkeled while he cooked us lunch using the fish we had just caught. It was one of the best days of my life!
5. If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?
Explore Buenos Aires, hike around the Andes and go wine tasting in Mendoza!
6. Dog or Cat person?
Both!
7. I’m happiest when
Those around me (family, friends, animals and sometimes strangers) are happy. My friends lovingly (?) call me the helicopter mom of the group. I want to make sure everyone is happy, healthy and safe always and will do whatever needs to be done to make that happen.
8. What are three things you couldn’t live without?
My Pets
Beverages: Coffee/Wine
True Crime Podcasts
9. You win a $5k shopping spree to a store of your choice. Which one is it?
I should probably pick something practical, but I am going to go with Nordstrom!
10. Hike, bike or run?
Hike!
11. Facebook, Instagram or Snap?
My Dogs Instagram – @citytailswithnancydrew
12. I’d rather be: In a ski lodge or on a beach?
Beach! I grew up in Denver and am not a fan of the snow.
Axis’ 2018 President’s Club location – Cabo San Lucas
Looking for your next travel assignment? Search our gigs here.
13. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
While on a backpacking trip in Norther California I once jumped off a cliff (thanks to some liquid courage aka Tequila) into an Alpine Lake. I swear I felt my heart skip a few beats and not in a good way. The combination of having alcohol in my system, my adrenaline pumping and jumping into what felt like -1000 degree water was probably not the smartest thing I have ever done but definitely the craziest.
14. Biggest Fear?
This changes almost daily due to all the true crime podcasts I listen to…
15. What’s playing on your Spotify right now?
Fleetwood Mac
16. What are you currently watching on Netflix?
The Great British Baking Show
17. Favorite movie of all time?
It is a tie between The Neverending Story and Cruel Intentions
Whoa Sara 🙂
18. What was your favorite TV show when growing up?
Law & Order SVU
19. You recruit Travel Nurses for assignments throughout the country. What’s your favorite part about your job?
Making connections with my nurses and getting to hear about their travel adventures! I love when my nurses send me photos of them out and about exploring and pictures of their pets! Send me all the animal photos.
20. How would your Travel Nurses describe you?
While the Travel Nursing industry has a lot of perks, if something seems too good to be true it probably is. While I want everyone to be happy and to have fun, I also want to make sure my nurses know exactly what they are getting themselves into. By doing this I am confident I am setting my nurses up for success.
You may also like: Best Travel Nursing Companies of 2018 – Axis Achieves Rock Star Status Again!
21. What’s something your nurses would be surprised to know about you?
I am a CNA and have always wanted to be a nurse myself!
22. If you could offer one piece of advice to a Travel Nurse, what would it be?
COMMUNICATE, communicate, communicate. While I do have many talents, one talent I do not have is mind reading. I want to make sure that I am doing my best job to find you your next best contract. The more information I have the better and with this information I will be able to find you your next best contract.
You’re in good hands. Here’s a sample of what travelers think of Sara:
I have worked with Sara ever since I got into travel nursing. She has worked super well with my crazy schedule and requests. I’ve been able to find great contracts and feel like Axis takes great care of me. I would recommend this agency and this recruiter. They advocate for you as a nurse and make it easy to be a travel nurse! – Arlyn M.
Great group of people to work with. My wife and I have worked with Sara K. and she has been a great resource. She made it easy for us to not stress about the travel process. Sara and the team at Axis is always honest and available to help. – Eric and Ingrid K.
23. What do you like best about working at Axis?
How many people get to say they enjoy going to work every day? Well I do! I work with an amazing team. Everyone brings something different to the table and everyone works hard. I work with some truly talented recruiters which in turn makes me a better recruiter. We also take the saying work hard to play hard very serious around here.
Thanks, Sara! We are beyond lucky to have you as part of the Axis family.
Want to work with Sara? Who wouldn’t?! Easy enough, fill out the information below and she’ll reach out!
We're not your average corporate "big box" staffing company. We're not sleazy business people in bad suits pushing around resumes, lying or overselling positions. We're not a tiny, inexperienced company either, we have the same amount of nationwide travel nursing jobs as those giant, corporate staffing companies. We've been placing top talent in adventurous careers since 2004 and we can prove we're different from the rest.
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