November Traveler of the Month Spotlight: Grace L., SLP
Every month, we celebrate a standout healthcare traveler who goes above and beyond in their role. This November, we’re thrilled to highlight Grace L., a dedicated and inspiring School Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Grace’s incredible work ethic and passion for supporting children’s communication growth have earned her rave reviews and a well-deserved reputation as one of our exceptional travelers. Her recruiter shared these wonderful words about Grace’s impact:
“After 9 years with the company, including 3 years working with me, she has proven to be an exceptional traveler. She’s easy-going, dedicated, and consistently goes above and beyond for the children she serves. Schools always provide glowing feedback, noting what a wonderful therapist she is. Her professionalism and commitment have made her a valuable part of our team, and her contributions have not gone unnoticed. We truly appreciate the hard work and positive impact she’s made throughout her time with us.”
Earning AMN Healthcare Traveler of the Month: A Journey to Excellence
Now, let’s get to know more about Grace’s inspiring career, her approach to success, and her advice for aspiring school travelers.
What does earning Traveler of the Month mean to you?
Grace humbly expressed her gratitude, noting, “It means a lot to me! I have put a lot of effort into improving myself as an SLP, and I appreciate that being recognized.”
What inspired you to pursue a career as a School SLP, and how did you get started as a traveler?
Grace’s love for working with children shines through in her response. Initially drawn to the medical side of speech therapy during graduate school, she discovered her true passion while exploring both pediatric and medical settings. She shared,
“I realized that working with children and helping them communicate with the world was where my heart really lay. I actually didn’t realize that traveling was an option until I saw some booths at the ASHA convention, and once I did, I was hooked on the idea! Pursuing traveling has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
What are your keys to success in your day-to-day job and overall career?
Her recipe for success is refreshingly simple yet powerful. Grace stressed the importance of staying organized, which helps her balance her responsibilities and work effectively.
What is one fulfilling student experience that has shaped your career?
Grace’s profound connection with her students is central to her work. She shared a heartwarming story about a young girl she had been working with for nearly a year.
“Most of that time, she was nonverbal and uninterested in interacting with others. I’d tried several different kinds of AAC with her, but nothing was clicking. Finally, about a month ago, I brought a voice output device to work with another student in the same classroom, and on a whim, I decided to try it again with her. Something about this interaction finally got through to her, and she made eye contact with me for the first time and started attempting to communicate with me! Since then, she’s had an explosion of language and is now using verbal language to communicate. It’s been such a joy to see her engaging with adults and showing interest in her peers.”
This breakthrough moment has left a lasting impact on Grace’s approach to her work and reinforced the difference one dedicated professional can make.
Grace’s Secrets to Thriving on the Road
How do you stay organized and motivated while moving from one assignment to another?
For Grace, the excitement of change is a driving force. She shared, “I actually really enjoy change, so staying motivated and organized has never been a problem in moving from one place to another.”
When asked about her favorite assignments, she admitted it was hard to choose just one. “Each place that I’ve been to has had unique positives and challenges that have led to incredible experiences, but I would say it would either be Alaska or New Mexico.”
How do you build relationships with your teams during assignments?
Collaboration is at the heart of Grace’s approach to building connections. She explained,
“I work very hard to be collaborative with regular education teachers and special education teachers, as well as PTs and OTs. This helps to create a good working relationship, and there is also the added benefit that I’m learning from all of these professionals, some of whom have been in the field for years and have a lot of wisdom to offer.”
Her ability to build strong teams has profoundly impacted her professional growth. “Every team that I work with impacts how I approach working with children and gives me new insights into how I can adjust my practice to better serve my students. I would not be the therapist I am today if I had not changed placements so often and been exposed to the teams I worked with.”
Advice for New and Aspiring Travelers
Grace concluded the interview by offering an invaluable piece of advice for those just beginning their career journeys as allied healthcare professionals or school travelers.
“I will pass on something that my first schools supervisor said to me: everything is communication, so have fun with it!”
This lighthearted reminder underscores the joy of helping children express themselves and grow in their abilities.
Celebrating Excellence
Grace’s passion for her work, dedication to her students, and collaborative spirit make her a standout School SLP and a deserving recipient of the November Traveler of the Month award. Her story serves as an inspiration for healthcare professionals everywhere, proving that through hard work, adaptability, and a genuine love for what you do, you can make an incredible impact wherever your path takes you.
If you’re dreaming about becoming a school traveler and making a difference like Grace, don’t hesitate to explore your opportunities. Start your travel career today, and who knows? You could be our next Traveler of the Month!
