Meet Redeat, An O.R. Nurse Who Lives to Travel Part II

An inspirational RN tells us how she chose her specialty, how travel nursing helps her see the world and grow her creative side. Sound good?

Redeat W, is an Operating Room nurse with American Traveler. In addition to being an RN, Redeat is a talented photographer and blogger. We asked her to share her experiences with us and tell us about how she got started nursing and why she chose the specialty she did. We think you’ll be inspired -- and impressed!

My name is Redeat -- pronounced “Red8.” Most of my co-workers call me “Red.” I am an Operating Room RN, currently on assignment in Boston, Massachusetts. This is my third assignment with American Traveler. I am originally from Ethiopia, but I grew up in Chicago.

Read Part 1 of Redeat's story

Who were your main influences and inspirations?

My family HIGHLY encouraged me to be a nurse. Now that I look back, I'm glad they did. It turned out that I love it. (Also, I am now totally over being grossed out by blood.)

When did you start your nursing career?

I got my nursing degree at Georgia Southern University. I was a bit of an unusual student in the sense that I was a few years older than my classmates, but it didn't deter me. I just focused on what I was doing and getting used to the challenges of nursing school. I saw it as an opportunity for growth.

Why did you choose to work in the O.R.?

After nursing school, I went back to Ethiopia for vacation. I was not sure what kind of nurse I wanted to become but I needed a break before I got a full-time job. A friend invited me to volunteer as a translator with Operation Smile during a surgical mission for children with cleft lip and palate.

It touched me profoundly. Witnessing a patient’s entire life being transformed by surgery was the moment I decided to be an operating room nurse. I wanted to contribute my skills to help make others’ lives better through surgery.

How has travel nursing prepared you to meet future goals?

Earlier in my career I sometimes felt like I wasn't being challenged enough. Travel nursing changes that. Every time I go on a new assignment, I pick up new procedures, meet new people and learn new systems.

But it’s not just the learning … the flexibility of this lifestyle has opened doors for me to travel for leisure also. I can take time in-between assignments to learn other things that I am passionate about.

What are goals you wish to accomplish while traveling?

My goal is to take my creative side more seriously. For a long time, I was busy with academics and abandoned my creative side. My plan is to take trips to places where I can develop my creativity. For example, I lived in Rome for two months and learned how to cook Italian food. It was great!

In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between being a travel nurse and staff nurse?

As a travel nurse, you have an opportunity to choose where and when to go. The biggest difference for me is the opportunity travel nursing gives me to do what I'm passionate about outside of work. I've been able to travel freely, spend quality time seeing my family, and take time to learn skills I'm passionate about.

What is your advice for other nurses looking to take on travel nursing?

Just do it! There are some misconceptions about traveling; but don’t be overly cautious about giving it a chance. True, traveling is not for everyone, but If you've been thinking about it for a long time (you know who you are), go ahead and try it.

As always, don't burn your bridges if you leave a permanent position. If you try traveling, and it absolutely isn’t for you, you’ll have plenty of staff positions open to you when you come back, maybe even in the facility you were at before.

Something I've learned the past year as a travel nurse is how resilient I am. I've taken skills from everywhere I've worked. I can honestly say I communicate better, understand other people’s perspectives better and listen better. It’s helping me to be a good nurse and a better human being as well.

Any other information you would like to share about your life as a traveler?

Well, yes! I have a blog where I share stories and travel tips. You will notice a reoccurring theme: the number 8 on my home page. It’s a play on how my first name is pronounced: Red8. Thanks for allowing me to share my story. I hope to inspire others to discover what they are passionate about and pursue it.

Last Modified On: Jun 18, 2018

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