One of the most active clinicians on the platform, Mornique, shares how picking up PRN shifts with Nursa has turned her life around and how other clinicians can follow suit.
Discover what makes Mornique a five-star clinician and what actively picking up PRN jobs with Nursa can bring to your life in this exclusive clinician spotlight interview.
What Inspired You to Become a CNA?
Mornique was working as a hairdresser when COVID-19 turned the world upside down. With the heart of a healthcare worker—even before becoming one—Mornique decided to become a CNA.
“During Coronavirus, it really opened my eyes, seeing how much need was truly there—not just for hairdos but for care as well.”
How Did You Hear about Nursa?
After approximately six months working as a licensed nursing assistant (LNA) in New Hampshire, Mornique got wind of travel assignments and local PRN jobs.
“So, I just packed up and sold everything and went out to Texas, and that’s where my journey actually began working with Nursa.”
When Mornique first arrived in Texas, she worked as an independent contractor on various platforms. Then, a fellow clinician told her about Nursa.
What Sold You on Using Nursa to Find PRN Shifts?
Mornique quickly became a loyal Nursa user.
“I have such great pride and passion and love and support for Nursa because honestly, I got the chance, and I’m just running with it, and I wouldn’t be here without Nursa and without the support.”
Here are some of Nursa’s selling points according to Mornique:
Competitive Pay Rates
Mornique soon realized that she was making significantly more money with Nursa than with any of the other platforms:
“If you just looked at like the statements, like it was just like, ‘Phew!’ [makes a gesture like a plane taking off] So, with Nursa, I feel it really is separate from other independent contractor platforms…When I found Nursa, it was life-changing…the fact that I was getting compensated at the right wage and made it livable and really get to experience that freedom and ‘travel nurse’ experience where it’s like I really do have the freedom to go places. And last year, in May, I left Texas and came to Colorado, and the pay I have been making is incredible!”
Mornique is not the only one who is happy with her Nursa paychecks:
“I’ll never forget the time when I was working an overnight shift and there was four Nursa clinicians on the floor—there was no in-house besides the nurses…We were in a resident’s room…we were in there literally hopping around just chanting ‘Nursa! Nursa! Nursa!’ with the resident because they were just like so pleased and happy that Nursa’s there. And I just love it—I really do—because when you go into these facilities, and there’s multiple platforms there, no one will bat an eye or look twice if you say you’re with this platform, but if you say you’re with Nursa, it’s all eyes wide and cheering because it’s like if you’re on Nursa, we know we’re all making money like we’re in the right place on the right platform, so it is nice.”
Support and Transparency
Aside from the financial incentive, Mornique values the support Nursa offers clinicians.
“There’s just a different vibe to it: more welcoming and ‘stand behind you’ compared to the cold world of independent contracting. [The support] is really what kept me going back to Nursa. That honestly is it…It’s really nice that Nursa tries to be more involved with the clinicians.”
Flexibility and Control
In addition, Mornique appreciates the flexibility, streamlined communication, and ease of picking up PRN jobs with Nursa. “Another thing I love about Nursa is the freedom and flexibility of truly being able to create your own schedule and communicate with the facilities through the inbox.”
In What Way Does Nursa Help You Build the Career You Want?
Mornique truly does not shy away from hard work. For her, Nursa offers the flexibility to choose as many shifts as she wants, allowing her to reach financial goals.
“Honestly, my journey with Nursa has been truly incredible. Like I said, it started in Texas, and I had been with Nursa for 44 weeks. I worked 237 shifts, and it placed me in the top 25 out of all clinician users on the platform. It really allowed me to strive, and the flexibility—like I said—it really gives me the power to work as much as I want.”
A PRN CNA Nominated Employee of the Month
Even though the high hourly rates Nursa offers have motivated Mornique to pick up so many PRN shifts, financial aspirations don’t even come close to telling the whole story. Once she sets foot in a facility, she is as committed a caregiver and team player as any internal staff member—perhaps even more so. In fact, she was once nominated “Employee of the Month” while working as a PRN CNA.
“I was nominated for employee of the month. It was so funny. They were literally filling it out in front of me, and I asked them, ‘What’s that?’ And they were like, ‘We’re nominating you for employee of the month.’ And I found I had worked a hundred and one shifts there, and that’s where they got so familiar with my face and seeing me…”
When asked what prompted her nomination for “Employee of the Month,” Mornique shared a heart-warming story of how she had gone the extra mile at work, bringing joy to a resident.
“So I was working on a floor with a bed-bound resident, but we were able to get them up in the chair, and I had finished my tasks and assignments. So, I decided to take that resident on a field trip down the elevator to their big Welcome Center, where there was a piano. And I pushed the resident up, and…he was just playing the piano, and it really got the attention of passersby, employees, like really seeing the resident like just out of bed and interacting.”
Although Mornique associates this event with her nomination, it was not the only example of the facility’s high regard for her knowledge, skills, and work ethic:
“Even at that facility, they had the military coming in to do their clinical hands-on experience, and they had me do the…post-mortem care, like be the teacher. So it’s just myself in the room with about eight other students like that are in part of the military, just learning to get their LPN or RN, and I had to demonstrate how it’s properly done. So the confidence that they had in me instead of their own in-house staff…”
Has Working as a PRN CNA Been Hard?
Mornique doesn’t sugarcoat the hard work of a CNA. Nevertheless, she knows the value of the care she provides and feels supported by Nursa.
Plus, being fairly compensated doesn’t hurt. “How can I not go in there with a giant smile on my face, ready to take on my assignment, even if it’s difficult, because you’re paying me this much money?”
Would You Ever Consider Accepting a Permanent Job?
This CNA has had plenty of job offers. However, for Mornique, no offer has been attractive enough to draw her away from PRN jobs with Nursa.
“So that was a thing in Texas where a lot of those facilities kept trying to offer me a job and, realistically, it is not worth it. I have my freedom.”
Words of Wisdom for Clinicians Interested in Nursa
Mornique typically gets the PRN shifts she requests. This has a lot to do with her being a five-star clinician on Nursa, which is the result of her hard work and commitment to providing quality patient care. Thankfully, Mornique’s generous heart extends to fellow clinicians as well as to the patients she cares for.
Here are some of Mornique’s tips and advice for getting the PRN shifts you want and achieving your career goals with Nursa:
1. Spend Time on Your Profile
“The facilities want to see people who put an effort, not just ‘Oh, I’ll put an effort when I get there.’ It’s like, no. I’ve been putting in an effort…Take time and work on your profile: Upload a picture, go get those little credentials, and upload them because everyone has their CPR and TB tests, so it helps the facility see that you’re putting in effort, that you’re a real person, that you’re not just going in to dilly dally and get out, that you’re responsible, and you’re proud of your work.”
2. Give 100 Percent Each Shift
“I truly go in there and give my best. You can slack, or you can ride as hard as you want, you know. Like I said, you make it what you want it to be, and it’s really inspiring when I go out there, and I meet other Nursa clinicians just like myself where, you know, we’re here for the residents. We all have one job. It’s to take care of these people. And no matter how challenging or difficult the day is, I really do leave work feeling purposeful. Like I made a difference.”
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Out
“Get involved. Don’t be afraid to say ‘Hi.’ Like, you don’t want to go in there with your head poked down because then you’re gonna be overlooked, and they’re not gonna remember, ‘Oh, what about her made them stand out? Why would we want her back?’ It’s like really just give your all.”
4. Take Initiative
“And Nursa has shown me...how to truly take control and be my own boss and advocate for myself. Like I said, the support is unbelievable with the courage that it’s given me and the confidence to go into the facilities or just using the platform to get their phone number and call them and just say hello and introduce myself so they can hear my voice and know that it’s not just a picture with a bunch of credentials. It’s like, ‘I’m real, and I’m here for you.’”
5. Don’t Give Up
Until facilities get to know you or you have the chance to get high ratings, it may be harder to pick up shifts. However, once facilities know you and your work, they may be the ones calling you to pick up shifts.
“Don’t give up. Honestly, it is very tough. I know that it is very tough to get in here. But sometimes the facilities are on that whim where they need to just take a risk and get the first person they can, so don’t give up just because they’re not selecting you every time.”
Final Thoughts
Are you still on the fence about trying PRN shifts? Here’s what Mornique wants you to know:
“It’s just I want people to know that it’s worth trying out, honestly. Nursa is growing. I’m very excited to see the journey, and I’m very grateful for the…opportunity to share my story.”
Would you like to read more stories like Monique’s? Learn about Faith Harvey, a Las Vegas-based LPN.
