My name is Sheila Ticknor. I've been
a travel nurse for over three years. Burnout, hospital politics, as
well as the need for adventure were my main reasons to start
traveling. I've always enjoyed my profession, and still do, but I
didn't enjoy the politics that went along with a regular staff
position. At the time I was home-schooling my daughter Ashley
through high school and my family was spread all over the country.
By taking travel assignments fairly close to family it afforded me and my
daughter the ability to maintain close relationships with everyone without
wearing out our welcome.
My family and grandchildren have eaten
seafood on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, Chicago hot dogs on Navy
Pier, cheese in the Wisconsin dells -- all while they played in all the
fabulous museums, water, and amusement parks. They are still hoping
I take an assignment near Disneyland, and look forward to their visits.
After my daughter died while I was on
assignment, my grandsons joined me and became my copilots. They
traveled with us from Arizona, California, Florida, and Illinois. At
ages five and seven they became really good at reading maps, road signs,
and real life geography lessons. We all enjoyed primitive camping in
the mountains of Arizona, the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas,
swimming in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as Lake
Michigan. All this in three and one-half years!
Ashley has now graduated and returned to
Florida. I have given all my children roots and wings and I'm
presently traveling alone. I'm now enjoying the freedom to explore
my needs and interests between their visits. My choice to do travel
nursing has kept me healthy, young, and positively motivated in my
profession -- with constant challenges. New friends are gained on
each assignment as well as new stories to tell. I am currently
enjoying the purple, orange, and bright yellow sunsets and rich culture of
New Mexico.
My favorite part of traveling with Travel
Nurse across America is the people and the high standards they set for
themselves. My recruiter, Donna, has been the glue that has kept me
together. She has held me up through the death of my daughter (on my
birthday) and many other family crises. She has also helped me
retain my sense of humor through home-schooling and traveling alone with
small children and a teenager. The Housing Department has always
found us wonderful, safe places to live with plenty for all to do. I
have enjoyed every one of my assignments they've placed me in, and felt
welcomed and appreciated from the first day. The company has spoiled
us and shown support and constant appreciation for what I do. Thank
you everyone, especially my recruiter, Donna (who I know I have given many
new gray hairs to!).
I have worked for other agencies who
promise a lot and in the end don't follow through. With Travel Nurse
across America you are in control and with the help of your recruiter you
pick your assignments. After your telephone interview with the
hospital, it's still up to you whether you will take the assignment or
not. Everyone at TNAA offered me support and direction through each
step of the way and I could not be happier with the choices I have made.
Hometown:
Zephyrhills, Florida; 
