Traveler of the Month: Josh Foster

Say hey to Josh Foster, our Traveler of the Month for January 2024! Each month, we take time to recognize one of our Axis Rock Stars that has exceeded expectations in care and compassion for patients, coworkers and the families they work with. Josh is currently working as an ICU/Step Down Nurse in Richmond, VA and has been enjoying his time in Virginia! 

How did you get into travel nursing?

The story of how I got into travel nursing is different from the typical path! I and my wife’s lease was coming to an end on our apartment, so we made the decision that we didn’t want to resign. It just so happened that over a Thanksgiving holiday, we visited family, and they had a camper that the family would stay in.

We loved it so much that my wife and I asked ourselves, “Could we live in a camper??” We decided to give it a try. We bought a camper and gave it a year to see how it worked for us. After living in a camper for a year at a long-term campground site, we realized that we enjoyed it so much, and it was time to take the leap and begin life on the road; that’s when I became a traveler!

What has been a rewarding experience as a traveler?

The staff I have worked with has been great and accommodating to their travelers. Everyone seemed to warm up quickly, making me feel like I was part of the unit from my first day.
Even when I get floated to a different unit, other nurses I might pass on the floor will make me laugh by saying, “I miss youuu!” Even though I will be seeing them again very soon. Having that type of relationship with your coworkers as a traveler prevents you from feeling isolated and makes you feel like part of the team.

What do you do in your free time?

We are open to any adventure. We like to go sightseeing and explore new areas. Our goal is to get out west and visit major landmarks, national parks and museums. We really enjoy a mix of bouncing between the city and being out in nature.

What advice do you have for travelers?

My biggest piece of advice would be to get to know who you are working with. Try to connect with your coworkers and recognize that you’re all there for the same reason. You want to help each other out and remain flexible. Be the support for your team.
The contracts go by faster than you think, so take it day by day and enjoy it. I’ll be honest, I was nervous before starting, but it’s been a fraction of the stress, and I couldn’t imagine not having become a traveler.

What do you enjoy most about your current location?

We have family close to Richmond, VA, so it was nice to have some family nearby as we started our journey on the road. One of my favorite parts of being in Richmond is the trendy shops and markets that fill the city. Richmond has a very modern city feel, and it doesn’t feel very old school like some smaller towns. We’ve been impressed with the dining and shop options! Some of our local favorites include:

• Top spot in Richmond, VA for Authentic Greek Food: Stella’s
• Carytown is a super fun district with restaurants, ships and night life on the weekends

How did you discover Axis?

I came across Axis through online research. I wanted to see what agencies were out there and which ones travelers had great experiences with enjoyed. I really liked all the positive reviews that Axis had. I could sense how personable Axis would be before meeting anyone on the team.

I put in my application online, and not even 15 minutes later, I got a call from Alex Willis, and the rest is history. Alex is easy to work with and genuinely cares about my interests and priorities.

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