An obvious force and influencer in the industry, Thomas Piper II isn’t only outspoken on behalf of all the travel RNs out there, but he's also a catalyst for change and impact outside the industry; using his platform to help with good causes like the Organization for Autism Research. Hearing some of this in his own words, we couldn’t help but share, so everyone out there got to know him on a personal level a bit more. What drives him. Why he does what he does, and a few of the simple things in life that keep him going through all the late nights and long shifts; like breweries, hot spots to eat at each location he takes an assignment at and of course, his two "whys" in life; his wife and daughter. We love reading about influencers using their spotlight to help create change in the world, we do it with our own internal-ran fundraising committee, Rise & Kind by OneStaff, so we can truly appreciate what he’s doing here. We hope you appreciate reading a bit more about him as well.
Cheers, Thomas. Keep it up...
WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM? Ohio
WHAT’S YOUR “WHY?” (WHAT INSPIRES YOU? ANY PASSIONS/ DISLIKES/ HOBBIES) I have simple desires. I want to give my daughter a better life than I had growing up. I feel like I am already doing so. I also want to be able to help people in need. This is why on my website, companies who want to advertise donate directly to the Organization for Autistic Research (anyone can donate here). On a personal level, I enjoy golf and visiting different breweries (full listings for all travelers here) to taste different beers. I enjoy sours the most, but try everything from lagers to Stouts. I am not a big fan of IPAs though. I am also an active member in my local parish with my family. I enjoy spending time with them as much as I can.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A TRAVELING RN? My wife and I had moved from Ohio to Indiana for her job. She took a different job back in Ohio, and moved back before me, so I was alone in Indiana. I looked into traveling, started from there, and never looked back.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE CONFERENCE (HEALTHCARE TRAVELERS TAKE…)? I wanted a conference that traveled the country like we do. It was really that simple. I talked to people from TravCon, and they stated that it was not an option for them. I asked around for help and got some great people to help me get it started.
WHAT’S YOUR VISION OF THE EXPERIENCE? My vision is to keep it growing, travel the country as a conference, and help those who need it. I want to be able keep the conference intimate, while giving smaller agencies an affordable way to reach more travelers. For travelers, I want to give them the opportunity to visit different places without taking a contract there, networking, and educational opportunities. I want to give them an outlet to be able to sit and talk with recruiters, agency owners, etc., and meet up with all their travel friends.
WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED FOR IN NASHVILLE? EVER BEEN? BUCKET LIST ITEMS? I am most excited to see everyone! As for Nashville itself, I am looking forward to Hattie's Hot chicken. I would also like to check out a couple breweries that are listed on my ScrubSquad1978 (all details here), Bearded Iris Brewing, Southern Grist, and New Heights Brewery. All have some pretty tasty sounding sours listed on their websites. Bucket list items are simple. I would like to visit Hawaii, fill my wife's bucket list item by taking her to Italy, and walk my daughter down the aisle some day.
For more details on the upcoming “Healthcare Travelers Take Nashville” (April 19-21, 2020) OR TO REGISTER (here), and see us there, check out their full site (here)
...If you have a non-profit organization that our Rise & Kind could also help with, we’d love to hear from you! Hit us up at RiseAndKind@onestaffmedical.com, and give us some details on how we can help, we’ll be in touch; from local volunteer staff to donations, we are trying to be the change we want to see in the world.