Can a new grad start as a travel nurse

Nurses New Nurse

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So I posted my resume on some of the career search websites and I got a job offer to be a travel nurse!!!!:eek: I have no experience what so ever...is it safe to start working as travel nurse right out of nursing school:)?

Specializes in Geriatrics.

I have been a nurse for over 17 years but only in one field: geriatrics. IMHO, it would be like taking your license into your own hands. I have little to no hospital experience...no experience with not being oriented to anything new.

I'm always telling new grads: go work in a hospital for a few years! Work, if they allow, in as many departments in that hospital as you can. Then, with that experience, decide what you want to do long-term and do it. If I had it to do all over again I would have definitely followed my own advice! Very few hospitals would hire me now with no experience...heck, I'd be even worse than a new grad for as long as I've been out of nursing school!

Blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in Pediatric.
So I posted my resume on some of the career search websites and I got a job offer to be a travel nurse!!!!:eek: I have no experience what so ever...is it safe to start working as travel nurse right out of nursing school:)?

what travel company did you get hired with???

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

By definition, a travel/agency nurse needs to have enough experience to hit the ground running on any assignment.

In addition, I think it's important for new grads especially to understand what being "hired" by an agency means. It means ONLY that you are in their pool of "available" nurses to be considered for assignments with their clients. In other words ... it in no way guarantees that you'll ever actually be placed in an actual contracted assignment for which you are paid.

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Specializes in Trauma/Critical Care.
So I posted my resume on some of the career search websites and I got a job offer to be a travel nurse!!!!:eek: I have no experience what so ever...is it safe to start working as travel nurse right out of nursing school:)?

NO. Taking into consideration everything a new grad has to learn and assimilate with the help of a preceptor, still mistakes are made. Being a traveler (provided that any hospital is "desespate" enought to take you) will not provide you with that guidance and support. I can't think of a faster way to loose your hard earned license.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

We hired a travel nurse last month. She received 2 orientation shifts and was then working alone. She has 18 months experience, and she's doing fine. 18 months is a far cry from zero. As a new grad, you need to be mentored. They will expect you can function solo as a travel nurse.

What everyone else said....NO. Don't do it.

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