First-Time Travel Nurse Recognized For Going The Extra Mile
A big shout-out goes out to AMN Healthcare travel nurse Jessica Munnikhysen, RN. Munnikhysen had only been working as a travel nurse at Saint Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, Virginia, for a few months when her colleagues nominated her for their Superlative Award. Her honor: “Going the Extra Mile.” Considering that it was her first travel assignment, the award was even more significant.
Prior to her assignment at Saint Francis, Munnikhysen had been working in the ER at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center in Virginia. Just a year and a half out of nursing school, she quickly learned that in order to keep up with the demands of the job, she needed to become a team player.
“My last facility focused heavily on the team nursing approach,” she said. “This meant that no matter what happened or how busy we were, we would always be there for each other, helping out in any way we could. This became a part of the way I conducted myself as a clinician. I took this approach with me to Saint Francis and my colleagues seemed to appreciate it.”
Munnikysen originally got into travel nursing when her husband learned he might get transferred to Richmond, Virginia, for his job. She took her first assignment with Saint Francis in June and has just signed another contract extension.
“Travel nursing has had unexpected benefits,” she said. “When I worked at Carilion Roanoke, I had everything I needed, 24/7. Now that I’m at a smaller facility, I’ve had to become more resourceful and independent, which has given me an entirely new skill set. Working in different types of facilities has broadened my perspective and made me a better nurse within a short space of time.”
While Munnikhysen remains humble about the award she received, it actually makes a powerful statement about travel nurses. Her award demonstrates the value that travel nurses bring to every assignment and how they can impact the staff and patient care in every place they work.
Congratulations, Jessica. Keep up the good work!
