The heart of the matter

There's no question that the scope of the nursing and healthcare profession is increasingly transitional these days, and the end to that isn't in sight. Even though there's the obvious shortage of nurses and nurse/health profession travelers, the more important issue, I think, is that the demands- especially to travelers- just seem to pile on, and flexibility is very key, to the point of feeling like an emotional and professional gymnast!
From a staffing/recruiting standpoint, I can definitely say that the workplace is more saturated than ever, and sometimes (dare I say) I question the motives of recruiters who care more about the short-cycle instant placement without any regard for the satisfaction of their already overburdened client - the RN travel industry has lost valuable employees because of hamhanded car salesman tactics replacing sensitivity and fairness.
At this moment, there MUST be increased emphasis on caring and integrity toward the process and the long-term relationship. (You know, there are allied travelers and travel RN's who have never once worked with me for a mobile assignment, but we still keep in touch over the miles and share our stories. Now, it's not for everyone, but it's that attitude of availability, by email AND telephone that creates an ebb and flow really and keeps recruiting from being just an endless race and transforms our job with travel nurses and allied travelers into something more meaningful and rewarding for everyone, including the industry itself.
Most of all, this travel industry requires flexibility, give-and-take-- we'll meet you 75% of the way. Sometimes there are frustrating changes that take place, so this relationship between recruiter and traveler is so important. After all, if it's the lodging availability, or anything else that rears its' unpredictable head, then after everything sifts out, it's that relationship that separates the wheat from the chaff, the women from the girls-- the men from the boys. Ciao for now!