“Some may call it a midlife crisis,” however, Travel Nurse, Cliffton Conatser declares, “It is a mid-life adventure in caring.”

Conatser, Seminole County native, took a career changing leap into the unknown. After more than fourteen years in public and private education including teaching and administration, he took a 14-month hiatus from education to study and complete course work in Practical Nursing.

If one knows Cliffton Conatser, they know he does not jump into any decision lightly or without intensive study.

In 2015 not long after his terminally ill father passed from lung cancer, Conatser moved to Orlando, Florida area to take a teaching position which accorded him better salary, benefits and ocean air which does wonders for his allergies. While he loves his family and friends in Oklahoma—the decision to work in an area without “red cedars” was quite compelling he says.

In 2017 he came back once more to help care for his mom, who likewise, had cancer. During this stay, he decided to make the career change.

While teaching at a Seminole County school, he began taking classes at Gordon Cooper Technology Center and completed his nursing degree with honors among the top of his class, May 2019.

He headed back to Florida in November 2019 after his mom was declared to be in remission.

While in Florida he worked in specialized medicine areas of a local hospital gaining various new skills and information.

He, like, many other health care workers, have faced effects of the dreaded COVID19 up close and personal with the passing of his aunt from the virus in August 2020.

The need to help and serve others is so great, but never greater now than during this time of pandemic, he says.

Recently, he joined with a Travel Nursing company and took his first assignment at Elk City. He took the assignment at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. He enjoys his colleagues there. When asked what they enjoyed about Travel Nurses working along side them, they shared:

Alex T., new to nursing says “ I love it because they (travel nurses) give us other ideas and insights from other parts of the country.”

Angela P., 14-year veteran nurse, notes she “loves to meet new nurses and people.”

Dawn S., fellow travel nurse of 11 years, remarked she “likes being able to meet other travel nurses.”

With the pandemic, the need for travel nurses and health care workers are in high demand.

At the end of last month, Conatser surprised his mom and step-dad by hand delivering “late Christmas present” in person at their home in Holdenville. Unfortunately, just a few hours back in Oklahoma and his allergies were already acting up again.

His mom noted, “We were so shocked to see him standing at the door!” She tells she even forgot to open the door. Her husband said “Well, open the door and let him it.”

“What a joyful and tearful surprise!” she said.

“We are glad he’s working this 13-week stint in Oklahoma as we get to see him more often,” she says.

The family notes they are proud of him and his decision to pursue this career opportunity and travel the various 34 states which honor and accept his credentials.

“Besides, when he’s in between assignments,” mom smiled and said, “we can visit him in Florida.”

“And with the Oklahoma winters—being a snowbird in Florida—is not such a bad idea!”