Trust, Tech, and why “Recruiter” is an Outdated Term with Mary Beth Burns

In this episode, we sat down with one of Atlas MedStaff’s cheerleaders, big sister, and educator: travel nurse recruiter Mary Beth Burns (aka MBB). Mary Beth brings a refreshing, unfiltered, and deeply empathetic perspective to the table.

If you want to work with Mary Beth Burns or get to know more about her, CLICK HERE to go to her bio.
Phone: 770-313-1605 Email: mbburns@atlasmedstaff.com

Bill rates are a hot topic in the travel healthcare world and there are a lot of misconceptions on the world wide web. For MBB, however, it’s rarely a hurdle because she establishes a foundation of total trust the very first time she speaks with a traveler. Mary Beth wants to squash the toxic “what are you getting vs. what am I getting” mentality that circles the internet.

With technology growing rapidly in the staffing industry, many agencies are using AI to chase the same pools of talent. Some travelers think the best strategy is to work with multiple recruiters to see who bites first. But in a fast-moving market where speed and consistency are key, is that actually best practice?

MBB doesn’t think so. Working with one recruiter whom you trust completely is far more effective. In fact, Mary Beth guarantees she will be faster than any automated algorithm. Furthermore, AI cannot build relationships. At Atlas, the strong human connections our recruiters have with our client managers and hospital systems are just as vital to landing a job as the relationships they have with the travelers themselves.

It’s easy to get blinded by a massive paycheck, but a high-paying contract isn’t always a healthy fit. To help travelers navigate this, MBB always starts by asking them to unpack their “Why.”

Hospital reputations are highly subjective—what is a terrible environment for one person might be a dream assignment for someone else. By figuring out the core motivation behind the travel assignment, she helps travelers protect their peace, not just their bank accounts.

When asked what she wishes healthcare decision-makers understood about travelers, Mary Beth admitted she gets “Mama Bear” real quick. Travelers are real human beings. Instead of an industry that rushes to “cancel” a traveler or penalize them the second something goes sideways, MBB urges industry leaders to empower these good, hardworking people who simply want to help patients.

Mary Beth actually has an extensive background in education. However, after having her first baby, she knew she needed a career change so she could be the best mom possible. Her original plan was to stay at home for a year—but the cosmos had other plans. Right as she made the transition, the pandemic hit, and her husband was unexpectedly let go from his job. Needing employment quickly, a timely referral brought her to the doors of Atlas MedStaff, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Transitioning from teaching to recruiting wasn’t as crazy of a leap as it sounds. Education is an incredibly emotional field, and MBB says managing those emotions over the years translates easily to the highs and lows of recruiting. It has made her stronger, allowing her to lean directly into uncomfortable, complex situations with empathy and help her travelers find a clear way forward, no matter what obstacles they face.

If you ask MBB, the title “Recruiter” doesn’t actually fit what she does on a daily basis. Most people outside the industry assume the job is purely about making placements, but that is a tiny fraction of it. The term is outdated because the modern role is a blend of career coach, logistics coordinator, therapist, cheerleader, friend, and advocate.

To wrap things up, Mary Beth left us with a simple, powerful philosophy on how the entire healthcare ecosystem could be improved. The healthcare industry would be a better place if all decisions, from staffing to corporate policies, were made with a singular focus: the patient.

Want to hear the full conversation, including Mary Beth’s take on building long-term traveler relationships? 🎧 Listen to the latest episode of On the Clock // Off the Record on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch the full segment on our YouTube channel!