Finally Seen: How Komrad Health is Changing the Game for Nurses Like Me
December 21, 2024. By Kaycee, BSN, RN
Ten years at the bedside will do a number on you. I’ve seen it all: the 3 a.m. code blues, the endless nights of juggling six patients at once, and the emotional whiplash of saving a life one moment and comforting a grieving family the next. But what truly broke me wasn’t the work itself—it was the system. Chronic understaffing, dismal pay for the life-or-death stakes, and the constant reminder that nurses are replaceable cogs in the healthcare machine. It’s no wonder nearly 800,000 nurses are projected to leave the profession by 2027.
When I first heard about gig nursing apps like CareRev and ShiftKey, I was intrigued. Their slick marketing promised freedom: “Work when you want! No midnight calls! You set the schedule!” As someone who loves yoga with my friends and spending time with my lazy cocker spaniel, Dilly Bean, I was tempted. But as I listened to my nursing friends who had tried them, my intrigue turned to disbelief—and then anger.
One friend described driving an hour to a shift only to be canceled as she pulled into the parking lot. Another was forced to care for 30 patients during an overnight nursing home shift, with zero orientation and no idea where basic supplies were kept. One even had her pay docked for not staying late when she was already stretched to her breaking point. These apps tout flexibility, but the reality is closer to chaos. Workers have to bid against each other for shifts, often driving wages below what’s livable. Meanwhile, companies hide behind their algorithms, refusing to offer accountability when things go wrong.
The risks aren’t just financial—they’re physical and emotional. Nurses like me already walk a tightrope, balancing patient care with the need to protect our own licenses. But gig apps throw us into unfamiliar facilities with no backup and no support. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own. That’s not just dangerous for nurses; it’s dangerous for patients.
For years, I stayed in critical care because I loved it. There’s something addictive about being the calm in the storm, the person who keeps the ventilator running and the family informed. But after so many years of giving everything to a system that gives nothing back, I was ready for a change. My husband and I want to start a family, and the stress of hospital work made me question if I’d even be healthy enough to carry a pregnancy to term. I needed something different, something better.
That’s when I found Komrad Health.
To be honest, I was skeptical at first. Komrad Health’s model sounded similar to the apps my friends had warned me about. But then I learned that this wasn’t just another gig platform.
For one, Komrad Health is run by nurses who actually understand the work. They prioritize safety by training nurses on specific protocols for each partner company. They also value transparency—there’s no bidding wars, no hidden fees, and no mystery about what you’ll earn or where you’ll work.
I’ve only just started working with Komrad Health, but already it feels different. For the first time in years, I feel seen—not as a cog, but as a professional with skills that matter. I’m cautiously hopeful that this could be the balance I’ve been looking for: meaningful work without sacrificing my mental health or future.
I’ll be sharing more about my journey with Komrad Health in the coming months, but for now, I’ll leave you with this: Nurses deserve better. We deserve workplaces that value our time, our safety, and our expertise. The gig economy has no place in healthcare as it stands. But maybe, just maybe, there’s a way to do it right.
Stay tuned.
