Employee Stories

Travel Nurse Stories: Nurse Friends, Travel Pair of 6 Years

Nurse Friends, Travel Pair of 6 Years
January 2, 2007
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3 min read

Meet Charlene Colbert, RN & Mary Ferguson, RN

This month we have chosen to recognize a pair of travelers! Charlene Colbert and Mary Ferguson are best friends and have been traveling together with TotalMed since 2002. They have completed over 10 assignments from Florida to California, Kansas to Georgia, and Maine to Arizona. While often the sights and surroundings are new to them, they always have each other as a constant in their lives. We have appreciated their attitudes and enthusiasm, and want to thank them for the outstanding way they have represented TotalMed throughout the years!

Charlene Colbert, RN – “What a surprise! Thanks to everyone at TotalMed. As most of you know, Mary and I have been traveling together since we started six years ago. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, but the twitch in my right eye is down to maybe 2 to 3 days a week now instead of 24/7….Just kidding!!! It’s very nice to have someone to travel with, and we have had a great time! I thought about doing travel assignments for 5 years before I finally talked myself into giving it a try… and what a dope I was for wasting that much time! It’s so exciting to be able to travel to places that I probably would never have the opportunity to go to otherwise. I have been an RN for a LONG time and have seen a lot of changes over the years, and I would not trade anything for my experiences as a travel nurse. The only downside that I can think of is that sometimes if my assignment is too far away, I don’t get to see my family as often as I would like. I have a son, Chris, a daughter-in-law, Amber, and three wonderful grandchildren: Cole, Griffin, and Olivia…but hey, we manage. So, once again, thank you TotalMed! And a special thanks to you, Donna Dickson, for being a great recruiter, as well as my shoulder to cry one…you’re the best!”

Mary Ferguson, RN – “I am so honored to be chosen as Traveler of the Month! It was a pleasant and very special surprise. I have been traveling for the past six years, most of that time with TotalMed. I have been across the United States from North Carolina to California and from Maine to Florida. It has been a fulfilling and exciting six years. TotalMed has enabled me to see the country while working in a profession I dearly love. I have been in nursing for the past 30 years and have worked in the Operating Room most of that time. I have two wonderful sons and a beautiful granddaughter who lives in Florida. I think the most unique aspect of my traveling experience is I have a dear friend, Charlene, who is also a nurse, and we travel together. I always have someone there who is familiar, even when the experiences are new. We are able to accept assignments for two as I scrub and Charlene circulates. We are currently on assignments in St. Petersburg, FL at All Children’s Hospital and we both just love it. I am really close to home and see my family often. Thanks again for this honor. It is exciting to be recognized by one’s peers.”

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