by Beth Harner | May 29, 2026 | Uncategorized
From a solo nurse in an Alaskan critical access hospital to anchoring a brand-new facility partnership, Kimberly has redefined what it means to be a Uniti Med travel nurse with purpose and to care without limits. Here dedication has earned her Uniti Med’s DAISY award for April 2026.
What is the DAISY Award?
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is a nationwide recognition program created by the DAISY Foundation, an organization founded in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of an autoimmune disease. Moved by the compassionate care Patrick received from his nurses, his family established the award to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere for the extraordinary difference they make in patients’ lives.
DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The award honors nurses who demonstrate outstanding clinical skill and compassionate care — going above and beyond what patients and families expect. Recipients are nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, making each honor a direct reflection of real-world impact. Learn more about the DAISY Foundation here.
Why Travel
Some nurses travel for the adventure. Some travel for the pay. Kimberly travels because of the work itself, the patient beside her, the team around her, the community she steps into that deserves her very best. It’s a philosophy that has earned her recognition from colleagues and facilities alike, and now it has earned her the Uniti Med DAISY award for April 2026.
Kimberly joined Uniti Med as a travel nurse in the summer of 2025, bringing with her a depth of experience across both acute care and long-term care settings. But what has set her apart isn’t just what she knows, it’s how she shows up.
Her first assignment placed her in rural Alaska, often as the sole nurse in a small critical access hospital. Rather than being daunted by the challenge, Kimberly leaned in asking thoughtful questions, learning building policies from the ground up, and building trust with the facility team before her first shift was even complete. She was quickly asked to extend her contract but chose to return home for the winter to be near her family, including her daughter, who is currently on her own LVN-to-RN journey. Like mother, like daughter.
Her second contract brought its own set of challenges — the demanding rhythms of a busy long-term care setting, high patient ratios, and limited support staff. Kimberly excelled anyway. Her recruiter noted that in their weekly calls, Kimberly never wavered in her commitment to going above and beyond for her patients, always remaining professional and focused on what mattered most.
“She remains professional and always maintains that she goes above and beyond for her patients’ needs. Kimberly is a true reflection of Uniti Med — working from the heart.” – Ally Beck, Recruiter
Brand New Partnership
Her third assignment may be her most impactful yet. Kimberly played a key role in helping Uniti Med secure a brand-new facility partnership, worked closely with management during the opening of a new wing, and has since been asked to extend. Facilities don’t just request her back; they advocate for her.
What makes Kimberly truly exceptional isn’t any single moment, it’s the consistency. Consistent care for her patients. Consistent communication with her recruiter. Consistent willingness to meet a new environment with curiosity rather than resistance. Across three very different assignments, in three very different settings, the feedback has been the same: Kimberly is extraordinary.
Congratulations, Kimberly. The Uniti Med DAISY Award recognizes nurses who embody compassionate, extraordinary care, and you have earned it in every corner of the country you’ve called home. We’re honored to have you as part of the Uniti Med family.
by Krystyna Duduka | Apr 13, 2026 | Uncategorized
At Uniti Med and GQR Healthcare, supporting clinicians goes beyond filling roles. It is about building relationships, creating meaningful experiences, and helping nurses navigate their careers with confidence.
We sat down with Chris Sund, President and Chief Operating Officer, to get his perspective on what truly defines a great travel nurse experience, how to prepare for success, and what clinicians should expect in today’s evolving market.
Candidate Experience & Support
What differentiates a great travel nursing experience from an average one?
The difference is in the details. Clear communication, realistic expectations, and consistent support before, during, and after the assignment all play a role. At Uniti Med and GQR Healthcare, we focus on the human side of the experience. It is not just about filling a job. It is about understanding what matters to each clinician and aligning opportunities to that.
Travel nurses step into new environments and are expected to make an immediate impact. When they feel heard, prepared, and supported, the experience becomes something they want to repeat, not just complete.
What should nurses expect in terms of support before, during, and after an assignment?
Before an assignment, nurses should expect transparency and preparation. That means understanding the facility, the unit, and the details of what they will be walking into. The more clarity they have upfront, the more confident and comfortable they will feel on day one. During the assignment, support should feel consistent and accessible. Our teams stay close, check in regularly, and make sure any issues are addressed quickly. No one should feel like they are on an island.
We know our clinicians are stepping into situations that can be challenging. The least we can do is make sure they feel prepared, supported, and genuinely valued every step of the way. After the assignment, we stay engaged. Whether it is helping line up the next opportunity or simply checking in on how the experience went, the relationship does not end when the contract does.
Preparation & Success
Chris also shared what separates clinicians who thrive in travel roles from those who struggle early on.
What should nurses prepare for before their first travel assignment?
Professionally, it’s about being confident in your clinical skills and adaptable in new environments. Every facility operates a little differently, so being open and flexible is key. Personally, preparation is just as important. Travel nursing comes with change, new cities, new teams, and new routines. Going in with the right mindset and being ready to embrace that change makes a big difference.
The most successful travelers combine strong clinical ability with a willingness to step into the unknown and grow through it.
Transparency & Trust
How do you ensure the right fit between a clinician and a facility?
The right fit goes beyond a resume. It starts with understanding the clinician, what they value, how they like to work, and the type of environment where they will do their best work. We also spend time understanding our facility partners, not just their needs, but their culture, expectations, and what success looks like for them. When both sides are clear, we can make better, more intentional matches.
The goal is simple. The client is excited to have them, and the clinician feels proud of the impact they make.
How do you build trust with candidates from day one?
Trust is built through honesty, even when the answer is not perfect. We are upfront about pay, the details of the role, and what the nurse can expect walking into that environment. That includes both the positives and the challenges. When expectations are clear from the beginning, you avoid surprises later. That is one of the biggest ways we build long-term trust.
At the end of the day, our clinicians are trusting us with their time, their career, and where they show up every day. That is not something we take lightly.
Career Growth & Long-Term Value
How do you help nurses think about their careers long-term?
We want nurses to see travel as more than a short-term opportunity. It can be a powerful way to build skills, expand into new specialties, and create financial flexibility. Our teams have conversations beyond just the next assignment. We talk about where they want to go, what they want to learn, and how each opportunity can move them forward.
Leadership Perspective & Industry Insight
How has the travel nursing landscape evolved?
The market has become more balanced and more competitive than it was a few years ago. There is more focus on long-term sustainability, both for healthcare systems and staffing partners.
For nurses, that means being thoughtful about opportunities, working with partners they trust, and focusing on the overall experience, not just one aspect like pay. The fundamentals still matter. Strong relationships, clear communication, and the right fit will always win out.
What advice would you give to every travel nurse?
Stay open and stay engaged. Every assignment is an opportunity to learn something new, meet new people, and grow both personally and professionally. The more you lean into the experience, the more you will get out of it.
Closing Thoughts
What continues to inspire you about supporting travel nurses?
What inspires me is the impact travel nurses have every single day. They step into new environments, often at critical times, and make a difference immediately.
At the end of the day, this is about people who show up and care for others in some of the most important moments. If we can support them in doing that, we are doing our job the right way. Our role is to make sure they feel valued, prepared, and supported so they can focus on what they do best. The impact we hope to have is simple. We want every clinician who works with us to feel like they had a true partner in their journey, not just a company they worked through.
Explore Your Next Opportunity
At its core, travel nursing is more than a series of assignments. It is a career built through experiences, relationships, and the environments you choose to step into.
Having the right support along the way can make all the difference. Not just in how each assignment goes, but in how your career grows over time.
Ready to take the next step in your travel nursing journey?
👉 Explore open travel nursing jobs today
