As the Uniti recruitment team grows, we gain more stories, experiences and insights to better match travelers with awesome assignments. And we are so excited to share these stories and experiences with you—our Uniti community.

Justin Jacob is a newer member of the Uniti recruitment team, with eight years of travel nursing experience under his belt to inform his travelers and curate the best job options for them. We sat down with Justin to discuss his career, his recruiting philosophy and his incredibly unique travel adventures.

So, tell us a bit about your nursing career and journey to becoming a recruiter.

I started working as a nurse about 10 years ago, when I took a job at an ICU in Rapid City, South Dakota right out of school. In the two years I spent in South Dakota, I gained a ton of experience and got to work with a really diverse patient population. That job definitely prepared me to take the leap into travel nursing two years into my career.

I was a travel nurse for eight years, and worked primarily in ICUs and emergency rooms. A job like that is always intense, but caring for people in the ICU was my job and I loved it.

As I started looking for my next career step, I talked to my long time recruiter, Elsa, and she offered me the chance to start recruiting for this new agency called Uniti. So I made another pivot in my career and worked as a travel nurse and recruiter for a few months before switching to full time recruiting.

Now, I’ve been full time with Uniti since March 2021. It’s strange for me to not be bedside, but it’s cool to help people in a new way by setting medical travelers up with awesome assignments.

What was your favorite assignment location when you were a travel nurse?

That’s a tough one—each location has been so different. But my very first assignment was in Brownsville, Texas and it made a big impact on me. Though the hospital environment wasn’t ideal, I got to live on the absolutely beautiful South Padre Island. On days off, I’d take my dog to the beach and go kayaking out in the ocean. I caught so many fish and spent so much time outdoors while living there. From there, I told my recruiter Elsa that I needed places to have outdoor adventures and she took that request seriously.

I bounced around through Texas, Nevada and Colorado before ending up on assignment in Sitka, Alaska. Sitka completely blew me away. I bought a boat and a piece of land there and started building a cabin I can go back to whenever I want. I’m actually about to go back soon, and my Uniti team members are going to visit at some point. Alaska is certainly an adventure, and I don’t know if I ever would have found this place I love so much without a great recruiter like Elsa.

What makes an excellent medical travel recruiter?

The three key qualities of a great recruiter are trustworthiness, honesty and availability. We genuinely listen to a traveler’s wants and needs then use our knowledge to find job options they will love. Making travelers feel understood and showing them they’re in good hands is so important.

And I make a point of being very forthright with travelers. I was a nurse for 10 years, so I know exactly what they’re heading into. I won’t send a traveler anywhere I wouldn’t go—city or hospital. I’m not going to sugarcoat anything because I want to get to the heart of what my travelers really seek and value. This mutual relationship of trust and honesty is what lets me find the best options for each traveler.

Uniti is honestly unlike any agency I’ve ever seen. The expertise on our team is off the charts. I get to work alongside brilliant recruiters like Elsa, Mike, Kimberly, and Mackenzie, who all bring a different skill set to the table, making Uniti so special. We’re here because we’re passionate. And we believe travelers deserve the best.

Ready to discover your next favorite slice of the world? Reach out today and Justin and his team members will help you find your perfect assignment.

Just for a second, close your eyes and picture yourself feeling the cool springtime air as you look up at Mount Rushmore for the first time. You never thought you’d be here, looking at the monument that cost $989,992.32 and took 14 years to finish.

But, that’s what is possible when you live the adventurous life of a traveler, isn’t it?

Close your eyes again.

This time, you’re caving at the Land of Fire & Ice in the New Mexico desert, or dipping your toes in Lake Winnebago or kayaking over the Portland shipwreck lying in shallow waters in Bell Bay.

All of that is right at your fingertips when you choose the lifestyle of a travel nurse. At Uniti, our goal is to land you in the right spot for your next assignment, no matter where or what you’re looking for.

You should always consider the kind of weather you want to work in, job availability in your specialization, your current goals and priorities and your overall travel plans.

We understand that this process can be overwhelming, but our experienced team will help you filter down the best travel options based on your needs to make sure you land the best possible assignment for spring adventures.

Here are some of our favorite springtime prompts and locations to get you brainstorming:

1. Rapid City, SD

Do you have a bucket list? (Of course you do, you’re a traveler!)

If so, then you’re in luck if you travel to Rapid City for your springtime assignment. You can cross Mount Rushmore off your bucket list then bask in the scenic drive down the breathtaking Needles Highway. But that’s not all this destination has to offer.

The Black Hills of South Dakota burst into life in the springtime, offering endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and the lovely Rapid City community. In your free time, you’ll take a stroll around Rapid City’s Main Street Square to see the magnificent granite sculpture—The Passage of Wind and Water—and visit the fun local shops. Just outside the city, there are miles of hiking trails in the Black Hills National Forest.

Hidden Gem: Start your day by grabbing a coffee with freshly made almond milk at Harriet and Oak. After your caffeine fix, head out to Founders Park and hike through the history of Rapid City and take in the sights of Rapid Creek and the beautiful hills. And be sure to set your reservation at Kathmandu Bistro, so you can settle right in to the best Indian food around after a day of hiking.

2. Albuquerque, NM

Are you tired of winter?

If yes, look no further than spring in New Mexico, where you are almost guaranteed perfect weather. The sun shines 310 days per year in Albuquerque, the desert climate gets very little rain and in spring, the extreme heat of summer is months away. Begin your desert adventure at one of Albuquerque’s many outdoor dining options, and peruse the shops along the city’s stretch of Route 66. Then, escape to nature at the Rio Grande Nature Center where you can spot hundreds of species of birds and walk the tranquil hiking trails.

Hidden Gem: Located on the Continental Divide, New Mexico’s Land of Fire & Ice features two self guided trails: one into the Bandera Volcano and the other into the perpetual Ice Cave. You can walk through the twisted old-growth Juniper, Fir, and Ponderosa Pine trees; over the ancient lava trails; down into the cave; and into a dormant volcano. (An ice cave? Sign us up!) Hungry on Route 66? Hit up Tia B’s La Waffleria for some of the best waffles in town. And if you want to escape for a day or two, you can hop on the Rail Runner train to Santa Fe. The trip only takes an hour and a half and opens up a whole new part of New Mexico to explore.

3. Chilton, WI

Do you need a getaway that features little noise and less distractions?

If you’re looking to escape to a town right out of Gilmore Girls, then Chilton is the destination for your spring assignment. This cozy small town on the edge of Lake Winnebago is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and contains a welcoming, lively community. Local festivals are a frequent occurrence in Chilton, and several state parks are just a quick drive away. For an outdoorsy weekend trip, drive an hour and a half north to Door County, Wisconsin. This area is a unique peninsula surrounded by Lake Michigan and is reminiscent of a quaint oceanside town, with plenty of waterside activities to enjoy.

Hidden Gem: You can get the best cup of coffee in town at Terra Verde, which encapsulates the small town feel with its atmosphere. And who is going to complain about from-scratch bakery and mouth watering paninis, to their bottomless cups of coffee, which is roasted on site? (Hint: Not us).

4. Alpena, MI

Are you looking for something to take your breath away?

Then stop what you’re doing and find an assignment in Alpena, often referred to as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes. At Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the cold, fresh water of Lake Huron has preserved a nationally significant collection of nearly 200 historic shipwrecks in and around the sanctuary that you can explore.

The adventure doesn’t stop there.

You can find dozens of unique natural wonders to explore here, including beaches, forests, fossil beds and sinkholes. Take a day to kayak along the rivers, hike through the trees or tour the multiple lighthouses on the shore. And as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, the community of Alpena will always welcome you back from a long day with a good meal and comfortable lodging.

Hidden Gem: Overlooking beautiful Hubbard Lake, Churchill Pointe Inn has been serving high quality and fresh cuisine and offering comfortable lodging in the best traditions of Northern Michigan hospitality since 1927. The Inn ranks No. 2 in all of Michigan in waterfront dining and is the perfect place for a sunset view.

This spring, work hard and embrace your free time in the great outdoors. Uniti will help you find the location and assignment that works for you, and you take the adventure from there. To find your next assignment today, reach out to the Uniti recruitment team.