“The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” – Albert Schweitzer
This month we’re profiling another nurse recruiter who’s a nurse – Nicole Streich, RN, whose journey to recruiterhood took some interesting turns before arriving at her Tribal Health destination. Nicole has been with us for about a year, and in that time, she has been a bright light in our Scottsdale headquarters culture. Among her many contributions are Wipe-down Wednesday, the Marathon and Wellness Club, Spirit Days, and other activities.
She’s also been a popular recruiter, even hitting the road to visit new nurses in Tucson and Winslow, AZ. She reports having a fantastic time, and she says loved putting faces with names/voices and scouting the areas for lodging options. She also had a delightful tour of the ED and Inpatient units. She says it was great getting to hug her providers and it was amazing to develop a relationship with Tribal Health Leadership at the facility.
So what is it like to work with Nicole? One of her nurses, Debra Wirth, said, “Nicole listened to what I wanted and needed for my first travel RN assignment. She answered all my questions. Encouraged me to extend my contract, which ended up being a blessing. She gave me great pointers on how to approach the interview process, since I hadn’t done one in a while. Great overall experience and a pleasure to work with.”
We talked to Nicole about what sparked her interest in nursing and recruiting.
Nicole, how did you get started as a nurse?
I became a nurse after my middle daughter was born and went into the NICU. She spent 18 days in there and I was floored by how amazing and calm and responsive her nurses were.
At the time, I was working as a care coordinator in the back office of a really busy urgent care center/family practice. I wanted to do what I’d been doing but as a nurse – pulling the strings, getting people in to see specialists or tests really quick. But when I moved back to AZ from Utah, the places where I wanted to work wanted me to have a bachelor’s degree.
So I decided to go back to school. I quit my job, stayed home with the kids in the day, and went to nursing school at night – I started almost a year to the day my daughter was born. That was 11 years ago.
Why did you make the switch to recruiter? Did you ever do bedside?
I did bedside as a NICU nurse; I walked right out of nursing school and into the NICU. I wanted to be a Labor and Delivery nurse but that hospital didn’t believe in having new grads in there – and instead I got a call offering a position in NICU.
Eventually I became a nurse case manager – then a nurse recruiter. I love helping people right down to the smallest detail. These days, I don’t wish to be at bedside anymore but I still get thrilled and excited for nurses who get to do that.
What do you love about recruiting? What’s the biggest challenge?
Finding nurses who still want to be nurses. Supporting nurses and helping them find positions where they feel supported. They’ll give their best to their patients if they’re getting the best from their employer. So I’m going to give them my best.
As far as challenges, I don’t like to say no. I build a relationship with my people so I get fired up talking to my nurses – and if one is turned down because a position is filled, that’s so disappointing.
My favorite part is saying yes to people – “yes, this is working out.” And clicking “active” on the day they start.
What do you think nurses need to know about working in Tribal areas?
That they’re not going in there to save the world or change the tribe. They’re going to meet these people where they are and work with them and for them. They’re there to build trust and plant seeds.
If you were going out on assignment, what would be your dream location?
I’d want to go to Alaska and Hawaii. I love getting to know the places. I’d love to go to all of them.
When you’re not at work, you are…
I spend a lot of time with my family. I’m the mom-bus driver. And of course, I spend a lot of time with my 3 kids and my siblings. I grew up with 2 older sisters, 2 younger sisters, and 2 younger brothers. Between step-siblings and in-laws, I have 25 siblings total!
I love crafting, and I have an obscene amount of craft supplies. I enjoy shopping for craft supplies as much as I enjoy crafting. I see the potential in something: “Hmmm, what could I make out of that?” One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And I also love golfing and reading.
Something that might surprise others about you is….
I’m an open book! But for people who don’t know me…. They might be surprised to hear I wanted to be a theatre teacher.
If you want Nicole’s help in finding your next nursing adventure, you can reach her at:
- Email: nstreich@tribalhealth.com
- Phone: 520-265-1279
