By Susan Schneider, NurseZone contributor
Janet Sonderman’s passion for fishing hooked her on travel nursing.
Sonderman, RN, speaks with the enthusiasm of a fisherman who just reeled in
dinner for four. Her love of her nursing lifestyle and the professional and
personal adventures she has had as a travel nurse are readily evident.
"I started with assignments away from my hometown, but still in Illinois,"
she said. "Then I took this assignment in Tucson, Arizona. Now I know I love the
lifestyle and can't wait to experience more parts of the country. I am making a
list of places to go that are known for great fishing."
Sonderman travels with her four-pound Yorkshire Terrier, Bee-Bee. She said
having a dog means she always has company on the long walks she loves to take to
discover her new surroundings. Bee-Bee loves car travel too, and the two buddies
had a great time on the three-day drive from Illinois to Arizona last year.
American Mobile Healthcare, the company Sonderman works for, finds apartments
for her that are dog-friendly. It has never been an issue.
"I love my recruiter and appreciate her friendship and how she helps me with
things like finding an apartment that suits Bee-Bee too," she said. "I tell her
my goals. She knows I dream of visiting Alaska because of the great fishing up
there."
"I have been a travel nurse for over two years now," Sonderman said. "I was
with the Air National Guard in Illinois, but when I retired from that realized I
still wanted adventures. I read about travel nursing in journals and decided to
try it.
Sonderman also likes working in different hospitals. She said if you are
outgoing, confident in your skills and assertive, new colleagues take you
seriously and are very welcoming.
"I love my current hospital, United Medical Center [in Tucson, Arizona],"
Sonderman said. "The teamwork here is great. And working in oncology is very
rewarding."
Sonderman said that between work, walks, fishing, reading and the Catholic
Church she has found that offers adult education classes she has enrolled in,
life is good.
"Bee-Bee and I are very happy travelers."
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