On the Clock // Off the Record

Are you a new healthcare professional looking to break into the world of travel nursing? How do you get started?   In the latest episode of On the Clock // Off the Record, our host Rich Smith sits down with a special guest who knows exactly what it's like to navigate the complexities of travel contracts: Drew Jones from The Travel Nurse Guide. In this honest conversation, they discuss how to find the right path, why it is so important to do your research and due diligence, and why accountability is the next big step for healthcare staffing.   Travel nursing can be overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Whether you need a place to ask questions, learn the ropes, or simply find a supportive network, we highly recommend checking out The Travel Nurse Guide on Facebook. You can also connect with Drew on LinkedIn.

Adni Was Built By Nurses, For Nurses The journey to creating Adni started with a simple observation: healthcare workers are saving lives in high-stress environments, yet they are often the least supported people in the room.   Many of you might remember the Lumify uNight Light, a game-changer for night shift nurses. That spark of innovation evolved into what we now know as Adni. The name itself is derived from the Latin word for "support," and that is exactly what the platform provides. It has grown from a single product into a comprehensive one-stop-shop where healthcare professionals can find: high-quality gear, career resources, peer support, and job opportunities.

Home Away From Home: Navigating the Travel Healthcare Housing Maze Finding the perfect place to hang your stethoscope after a long shift shouldn't be harder than the shift itself. In the latest episode of On the Clock // Off the Record, Rich Smith sits down with Michael Schlottman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Extended Stay America, to pull back the curtain on one of the most vital—and sometimes misunderstood—parts of the traveler lifestyle: lodging. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a staffing leader looking to streamline the experience for your team, this episode is packed with insights on how to balance comfort, cost, and the "night shift" reality.

In the latest episode of On the Clock // Off the Record, we had the pleasure of hosting Kristin and John Farnsworth, the dynamic duo behind the YouTube channel No Ordinary Path. Their story is one of adventure, resilience, and a deep connection to the traveling healthcare community.   On the Clock: From RV Life to Recruitment   The Farnsworths spent seven years traveling the U.S. in an RV with their kids while John worked as a critical care travel nurse. Their journey wasn't about the paycheck—it was about adventure, family, and seeing the country. Along the way, they documented their experiences on No Ordinary Path, sharing the highs and lows of life on the road.   Fast forward to today, Kristin has transitioned from being a travel nurse's spouse to a nurse recruiter with Atlas MedStaff. Their love for their recruiter, Natasha, and the Atlas team inspired Kristin to join the agency and help other healthcare professionals achieve their dreams.   The Farnsworths' journey taught them invaluable lessons about the travel healthcare industry. They learned that recruiters play a critical role, not just during the contract negotiation phase but throughout the entire assignment. The industry isn't as simple as it might seem—there's a lot more to it than just bill rates and agency fees.   For travelers, stability is key. While rates and markets fluctuate, having a reliable recruiter and agency can make all the difference. The Farnsworths emphasize the importance of focusing on your "why" and finding a support system that truly has your back.   Off the Record: Memorable Moments   One of their most unforgettable assignments was in Alaska, where they drove from Arizona to the Arctic Circle during the pandemic. It was a surreal experience that highlighted their adventurous spirit and adaptability—qualities they believe are essential for any travel nurse.   Their motto? "We will figure it out." It's a mindset that helped them navigate challenges on the road and one they encourage other travelers to embrace.   Now settled into a permanent home, the Farnsworths have shifted their focus. Kristin is passionate about helping other traveling families create their own incredible experiences, just as their recruiter once did for them.   Their story is a testament to the power of transparency, resilience, and community. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting out, the Farnsworths' journey offers inspiration and practical advice for navigating the world of travel healthcare.   Catch the full episode to hear more about their adventures, insights, and why they believe in the importance of relational support over transactional interactions.

As we wrap up 2025, we're excited to bring you the final episode of On the Clock // Off the Record for the year. This week, we sat down with Holly Bass, the Executive Director of the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO), to discuss the state of the healthcare staffing industry and what lies ahead. This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a look at what's next for healthcare staffing. As we close out the year, we're reminded that the industry is "better together," working toward shared goals for success and patient care.   Listen to the full episode now and join us in celebrating the end of 2025 with this thought-provoking conversation.

Get to know the faces (and the dogs) behind the companies that you work for. Video offers a new level of vulnerability that phone calls, emails, or boring websites can't offer.     Wayward Medical Staffing stands out as the "mom and pop shop" of healthcare staffing, embracing a rebel spirit in an industry often dominated by large, impersonal agencies. Their mission is simple: treat travelers like real people, not just numbers on a chart. This people-first approach is at the heart of everything they do, and it's a message they're amplifying through their growing YouTube channel.     Want to be in the know at the nurse's station? Check out Wayward's newsletter, "5 For The Road", which can be found on their website. They promise it's not your average newsletter. Subscribe to see what makes it different! You can also find valuable information on their YouTube Channel, "Travel Nurse Playbook".   Jordan Tallman is the first agency owner to be a guest on On the Clock // Off the Record. This industry is a complex machine with many moving parts. It is better to have friends who believe in authenticity, transparency, and can share experiences. Thank you for your time Jordan!

This week on On the Clock, Off the Record, we're thrilled to welcome Lindsey Lawson, a traveling PCU nurse, to the podcast. As a staffing agency, we believe in transparency, and what better way to showcase that than by giving a travel nurse the mic to share her perspective on the industry?   For nurses and allied healthcare professionals considering travel, Lindsey is a must-follow on TikTok (@lindseys_leisures). She's a source of guidance, humor, and real talk in this wild industry. Her content reminds you that you're not alone, no matter how chaotic things get.   Accountability is key in this field, and Lindsey embodies it. Thank you, Lindsey, for taking the time to join us (and for washing your hair) for the occasion! We're grateful for your insights and for being a voice of honesty in travel nursing.

In Episode 7 of the podcast, we're joined by Brian Vesce, Co-Founder of RefAssured, to dive into the critical role of reference checks in the staffing industry. Brian's journey from recruiter to building a platform focused on reference checks, offers valuable insights into improving trust and efficiency in hiring.

In general, people are more likely to share a negative review or experience than a good one. But one could argue that a negative review is better than absolutely no feedback at all. In Episode 6 of the podcast, Rich sat down with Adam Conrad, Founder of Great Recruiters, to dive into the vision behind his groundbreaking platform and the cultural impact.   Just like in sports, you wouldn't wait until the end of the season to give feedback to a player. The same goes for recruiters. By collecting feedback continuously, companies can identify strengths, address weaknesses, and create a culture of constant improvement.   "When you know who's the best you don't need the rest." If a company claims that they don't need Great Recruiters then they don't believe in their recruiters. It's a bold statement, but one that underscores the importance of investing in people and processes.

In this episode of On the Clock // Off the Record, we sit down with Oliver Feakins, CEO and President of TrackFive, to dive into his 17 years of experience in the staffing industry. Oliver shares insights on transparency, growth, and the human side of staffing that are sure to resonate with professionals across industries.   Oliver emphasizes the importance of breaking out of the healthcare staffing echo chamber. While it's easy to focus solely on your niche, there's immense value in exploring other types of staffing industries. By learning from their successes and challenges, we can identify what to improve and what to leave unchanged.     At the heart of Oliver's message is a simple yet powerful idea: "Better together than we are apart." Whether it's in the workplace or the staffing industry, collaboration and connection are key to success.     Tune in to hear more from Oliver Feakins on how to think bigger, grow smarter, and build a better future for staffing. Connect with him on LinkedIn and check out his businesses.   travelnursesource.com alliedtravelcareers.com locumjobsonline.com trackfive.com

Have you ever written something down on a sticky note and then lost the sticky note only to find it two weeks later? Sometimes structure and better organization methods are a good thing!   In this episode of On the Clock // Off the Record, Rich Smith sits down with Mark Hummel, Co-Founder of Toro, to explore how correctly storing data is reshaping the staffing and recruiting landscape. Atlas is prioritizing actionable insights that drive efficiency and improve outcomes. No more lost notes about travelers! Mark explains how this approach not only saves time and resources, but also builds stronger, more meaningful connections with candidates. Which is something Atlas has always strived for since the very beginning.   Tune in to hear more about how Toro is shaping the future of staffing analytics and why prioritizing quality over quantity is a game-changer in today's competitive market.   Want to be in an episode or have a topic you want us to talk about? Reach out to Rich directly. 402-212-3877 // [email protected]

An Excel Spreadsheet might be great for a lot of things, but is it the best way to manage all of those referrals?   In the second episode of On the Clock // Off the Record, we sat down with David Folwell, President of Staffing Referrals, to dive into the story behind the company and it's impact on the staffing industry.   At Atlas, referrals are more than just a process—they align with our values and our commitment to creating meaningful relationships with our travelers. By leveraging tools like Staffing Referrals, we've taken our referral program to the next level. It's not just about driving numbers; it's about fostering trust and ensuring that everyone involved feels valued and rewarded.   Learn more about the challenges Staffing Referrals set out to solve and how they're making a difference in the staffing world. Want to be in an episode or have a topic you want us to talk about? Reach out to Rich directly. 402-212-3877 // [email protected]

What is the most difficult behind the scenes aspect of healthcare staffing? Is it building pay packages? Was Tony Stark in the illuminati?   The healthcare staffing industry is ever evolving, and technology is at the center of it all. Rich sits down with tech savvy Chief Information Officer at Atlas, Joel Wiersma, to discuss how these tools are reshaping the way agencies operate. Automation might streamline processes within the company, but does it improve the process for the traveler? With great tech comes great responsibility—how do we ensure trust remains at the core of what we do?   Whether you're a healthcare professional, recruiter, or just curious about the industry, this podcast is for you.   Want to be in an episode or have a topic you want us to talk about? Reach out to Rich directly. 402-212-3877 // [email protected]

The healthcare industry is one of the most dynamic and rewarding fields to work in.     At Atlas MedStaff, we're all about connecting people, sharing stories, and diving into the heart of what makes the healthcare staffing industry tick. That's why we're thrilled to introduce our brand-new podcast, On the Clock // Off the Record. Hosted by Rich Smith, this podcast is your backstage pass to the real stories, challenges, and triumphs of the staffing world.     Each episode, Rich sits down with the people who know this industry best—agency owners, recruiters, vendors, and friends who've lived it, built it, and sometimes barely survived it. These are the insiders who've seen it all, and they're here to share their unfiltered truths. Who knows, maybe we will have YOU on an episode!     So, grab your headphones and join us as we explore the stories that shape the healthcare staffing industry. Stay tuned for updates and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Let's get started.