Mark Zabludovsky | On the Clock // Off the Record | Atlas MedStaff

In our latest episode of On the Clock // Off the Record, Atlas MedStaff Co-Founder and CMO Rich Smith sits down with Mark Zabludovsky, Director of Nursing & Recruitment at ARMStaffing. Before diving into the industry topics, the guys paid homage to the old Beer with Atlas podcast days. Mark brought along a pour of E.H. Taylor bourbon, while Rich enjoyed a Spotted Cow beer—generously delivered to our Omaha office by one of our traveling ICU Duos! With a little liquid courage to shake off the nerves, Rich and Mark jumped right into what it means to truly put clinicians first. On the Clock: The Realities of Travel Healthcare Mark brings a unique perspective to the staffing industry because he used to be a ICU travel nurse himself. Because he has lived the bedside life, he has a deep understanding of what recruiters and facilities often miss. The emotional side of nursing doesn't magically turn off when a shift ends. Mark notes that as an ICU nurse, you start getting numb to things you never thought you would. If a traveler just survived a "shift from hell," they need time to decompress before they can even think about getting back to their recruiter ASAP about their next assignment, a pay package, etc. Recruiters, don't take this the wrong way, but remember that you might just be an afterthought to a stressed traveler until you prove your value. Make sure you are organized and have your ducks in a row for when you get the traveler on the phone. Being a staff nurse can sometimes feel restrictive, especially if you find yourself on a unit where there are cliques among the staff. Have you hear the phrase "nurses eat their young"? Travel nursing offers the ultimate freedom: the ability to choose where and when you work without getting mixed up in facility politics. Mark also dropped a great piece of advice for travelers who get floated to other units. Don't look at floating as a curse. Look at it as an opportunity to build your skills. You are there to fill a need, and adapting is part of the journey. Change your perspective and you might actually have fun being floated! What "Clinician First" Actually Means A good recruiter isn't just trying to fill a job; they are trying to find a sustainable, good fit for the clinician and the facility. However, travelers should remember that recruiters don't hold all the power. As Mark perfectly phrased it, recruiters are often "advocating within restraints." The industry needs more transparency and recruiters shouldn't dress up a red flag just to push a deal through. If a facility isn't a good fit for a nurse, it's better to be honest and walk away. A Message to MSPs and Facilities When asked what he would tell vendor partners and MSPs, Mark was brutally honest. While MSP margins stayed high after COVID, clinician rates dropped back to reality. It's time for those margins to match the current rate realities. "Nurses are tired of being praised publicly and dismissed operationally." Nurses today are highly informed and want control over their careers—they aren't lacking commitment. If facilities simply paid clinicians what they are actually worth, patient care would improve, patients would be happier, clinicians would be happier, and the entire hospital ecosystem would operate more smoothly. Off the Record: Mark’s Winding Path to Healthcare Mark wasn’t always in healthcare. His career actually started in the tech industry, right up until the "dot-com boom" in 2001. He then pivoted to the mortgage industry, which went well until the 2008 housing market crash. Eventually, his family convinced him that healthcare was the way to go because there will always be a need for medical professionals. He earned his BSN and became a nurse, a move that eventually led him into recruiting. Drawing from his tech and mortgage background, Mark realized he was perfectly suited to help his fellow nurses navigate their careers. He uses his role to help travelers pay off debt, secure mortgages, and have incredible life experiences while growing professionally. Today, Mark's proudest accomplishments are earning his BSN, advancing his career, and most importantly, his wife and kids. Celebrate all wins, no matter how big or small. Ready to hear the full conversation? Catch the complete episode of On the Clock // Off the Record on our YouTube channel or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about Mark and ArmStaffing https://www.armstaffing.com/   / markzab   [email protected] 610-467-9513 #ARMnurse #ARMstaffing #travelnurse #alliedtravel #traveltech #travelnurseadvice #UnapologeticallyHuman #OntheClock #OfftheRecord #patientcare #clinicians #HealthcarePodcast #AtlasMedStaff #ABeerWithAtlas