Her success story exemplifies why millions of people choose to work as temporary and contract employees for U.S. staffing firms: choice assignments, valuable training, and scheduling flexibility.
For over 10 years, Joni has worked as a nurse on both day-to-day per diem shifts, and longer-term traveling nurse assignments. While she specializes in telemetry—monitoring patient heart conditions with the latest technology—she also has expertise in medical–surgical, orthopedic, neurosurgical, pediatric, and postpartum nursing. Eager to develop additional nursing specialties, Joni says she’s still “got a lot more to do.”
“Her experience in many areas allows her to provide an added value to the facilities where she works,” says Corey Shepard, who, as assistant manager of the travel nurse services department of Favorite Nurses, based in Overland Park, KS, nominated Joni for the distinction. “She adapts so well that clients tend to view her as a core staff member. Most clients request extensions to her contracts.”
For Joni, the flexibility of her temporary assignments is what she values most. She can spend quality time with her son, explore new destinations, and still pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing through Washington State University’s Web-based program.
Joni’s next step: she has applied to help in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as a volunteer nurse with the Red Cross. “I want to help, as do many nurses I know.”
“We salute Joni and the two and a half million temporary and contract employees who are on assignments every day making a contribution to the U.S. economy and American society,” says Richard Wahlquist, president and CEO of the American Staffing Association. “They are a vital and growing part of our work force.”
The 2005 National Staffing Employee of the Year is sponsored by Esprit Capital Advisors, providing merger and acquisition, restructuring, strategic planning, and corporate finance services.
The American Staffing Association promotes legal, ethical, and professional practices for the $91 billion U.S. staffing industry. ASA members account for 85% of U.S. staffing industry sales and operate more than 15,000 offices throughout the nation. Three million Americans go to work for America’s staffing companies every business day.
