considering OR traveling

Specialties Operating Room

Published

Asking advice from any of you seasoned OR RN travelers -- I'm a circulating RN, have not scrubbed in my OR career. I've worked for 2 different hospitals in the OR for 5 yrs and am getting the urge to travel. A few ?'s:

- Is it difficult to find travel OR jobs for circulators only?

- Any specific things one should ask/ be wary of for first time travel assignments?

- Do travelers typically start taking call right away?, or even better...

- Are there positions out there with NO call?

- Any other previous related posts one can refer me to?

Any advice greatly appreciated! :rolleyes:

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I would think that most agencies would want someone who can scrub and circulate.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

We did have one traveler come in that only Circ and it was difficult at times to effectively use him, we only have RNs on staff to do both. I did check out a few agencies a few years ago and found they were interested in someone who could do both, better marketing. The places I work who have used travelers do not let them take call because most agencies set-up contracts based on 80 hour work schedules and do not factor in any OT. We have to let ours go right away no matter what is going on. So, you can see that there probably agencies that would hire you as a circ only but I would deal with the ones that specialize in OR assignments like SSI or Procel. There is a forum here that deals with travelers so go there and ask them for agencies to contact.

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I have worked agency, as well as per diem agency, and have taken call with every single assignment. Have never had one that did not have call.

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I traveled for several years as a circulator with no problem. Took call, too. Every OR I've ever been in has ORTs which severely limits the use of RNs as scrubs. Unfortunate, because I always enjoyed both roles and have been severly handicapped by lack of opportunites to scrub. You are fortunate, Shodobe, to be in a place where only RNs are working.

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I traveled for several years as a circulator with no problem. Took call, too. Every OR I've ever been in has ORTs which severely limits the use of RNs as scrubs. Unfortunate, because I always enjoyed both roles and have been severly handicapped by lack of opportunites to scrub. You are fortunate, Shodobe, to be in a place where only RNs are working.

Do you mind me asking what areas of the country that you worked in because in the future, I would like to travel but RN's only circulate at my current hospital as we have an abundance ORTechs. Also, what companies did you travel with?

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Although I was offered assignments in many parts of the country, I was partial to the west. Was in my home state of Texas, N. Mex., Ariz., Wy., Wash., N. Dak., and Wisconson. I think that's all. Did 7 contracts in Wa., then went on staff for 3 years. I traveled with Professional Nurses. Never had a problem with them and was treated with great respect. Their web site is www.professionalnurses.com. If you decide to go with them, I'll split the bonus if you'll PM me. :kiss

I loved travelling and miss it. May do it again when the wonderful man I married retires next year.

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Although I was offered assignments in many parts of the country, I was partial to the west. Was in my home state of Texas, N. Mex., Ariz., Wy., Wash., N. Dak., and Wisconson. I think that's all. Did 7 contracts in Wa., then went on staff for 3 years. I traveled with Professional Nurses. Never had a problem with them and was treated with great respect. Their web site is www.professionalnurses.com. If you decide to go with them, I'll split the bonus if you'll PM me. :kiss

I loved travelling and miss it. May do it again when the wonderful man I married retires next year.

You've got a deal. (insert a hand shake) It will be within the next one to two years that I begin to travel (if I can manage the learning curve...I've only been an RN since Jan. 24th of this year). Every RN that I am rotating thru in my training is telling me that I'm going to be great at it (I hope that they're right). I'm a 34 year old male and this is my second career, so I am taking everyday as a serious learning opportunity and trying to grow with each experience. I'm starting to feel a groove in what we're doing, take on a little more responsibility everyday, and ask a TON of questions. I read this board everyday or so but only post once in a while...I'll be in touch thru the board when the time to move grows near.

P.S. I've been out to Washington about 1/2 dozen times and most recently this past August...I totally love that area of the country. From Seattle and north (Bellingham or Anacortes, actually anywhere close to Victoria and Vancouver, B.C.) is where I'd like to retire to someday. Arizona is really cool as well especially around the Flagg-Sedona area. I have two friends who went out there as travelers and took up permenant residence. I'm checking out the travel site tonight. THANKS and I'm serious on the deal.

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Recently we have had the trouble with being short on OR nurses, so we are using temps. We have had one from an agency and now we have independents. Meaning that they have marketed themselves and are their own bosses in contract deals. But.....these nurses have had opportunities to work with agencies in the past. They save the hospital money by not requiring the "agency" wages and they come out making more than if with an agency.

P.S. Anyone out there like the outdoors, ski, hike ect.....gimme a holler, Janel

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