For Tamara Richards, nursing isn’t just a job—it’s a deeply personal calling rooted in a powerful, life-changing experience. Although she’s been a travel nurse since 2021, her current assignment marks her first contract with ARMStaffing. With nine years of nursing experience, Tamara continues to bring passion and purpose to every shift she works.
Her journey into nursing began when she helped care for her grandmother during hospice. “My career as a nurse started after helping care for my grandmother when she was home on hospice. I knew I wanted to help people, just didn’t really get it until watching the nurses with her and being able to help.”
“I had initially started college as a pre-med major and realized quickly I didn’t want to do that.” After graduating from nursing school, she found her place almost immediately in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “My primary specialty right out of school was NICU and remains as such, even though I still work with adults as well. Something about the premature infants that can’t fight for themselves—that really fuels my nursing fire!”
Taking the Leap into Travel Nursing
Tamara’s journey into travel nursing began when a trusted leader decided it was time to move on. “My first travel contract was to UVA in Charlottesville, VA, and I decided to do that when my favorite manager in Norfolk said she was retiring. I knew it was my time to also fly in a different direction!” That moment gave her the push she needed to explore new opportunities—and stepping into travel nursing opened the door to flexibility, new experiences, and personal growth.
Being a Part of the ARMS Family
Even though she’s still on her first contract with ARMStaffing, Tamara has already found a sense of belonging with her recruiter and the ARMS team. “My experience with ARMStaffing has been amazing! My recruiter is on point and I tell him all the time, he’s stuck with me lol.” Building that kind of connection and trust early on can make all the difference for a traveler—and for Tamara, it’s made her first experience that much more rewarding.
Advice for New Travel Nurses
Tamara offers heartfelt and practical advice for new travelers: “Just breathe. Keep your mind open. Look at being floated as a chance to learn something new.” She emphasizes the unique opportunities nursing provides to grow and evolve. “That’s the great thing about this profession—we can go and do anything.”
What’s Next for Tamara?
Looking ahead, Tamara isn’t planning to go far—at least not geographically. “I’m staying in Pennsylvania! I love it here,” she says. But with her passion for NICU nursing and a love for the travel lifestyle, her journey is just getting started. Tamara’s dedication, perspective, and strength serve as a powerful reminder of why nurses choose this path—not just to care for others, but to continually grow themselves.
Thank you, Tamara, for bringing your passion and positivity to the ARMStaffing family. We’re proud to be part of your journey.
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