1st Assignment 1st Day

Specialties Travel

Published

So I finally decided to try travel nursing and landed my first assignment. So far the I am not overly impressed with the hospital or staff but I'm hoping its just too early to tell. I am also new to this game and feeling a bit put off my some of the early reactions of staff. The charting system all scripts for the ED is not user friendly, or perhaps it is my lack of being able to jump right in with minimal orientation. Anyway, this was an experiment to see if I have the ability to be a successful traveler. I am hoping to be able to adjust quicker and the true test will be tonight as it is my first night off orientation. My background is 10 yrs as a nurse and 6 years in ED so I felt I was qualified to work as a traveler, however I get reactions from staff like...are you new to the ED...I don't know if this is my newness as a traveler or they have hired people in the past who have been. Any advice for a new traveler would be appreciated.

Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

I'm sorry all that happened. Sounds like you have a good perspective on it. I hope things work out well for you.

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Thanks for the support Glee...so I just finished another interview over the phone for another assignment, now how do I get over the fear of failure I had from my previous one? Obviously I need to get back on the horse again, so I'm wondering, is there something I can do to help the process along other than just jump in...I want to be certain I will be successful on this next assignment.

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

Good for you. You are most of the way there, way to go! Be honest with yourself when you think about what didn't go well. What are your weaknesses? Consider ways to turn those around. Message me if you want. For me, I spent a lot of time making reference notes, mostly critical drug parameters or conscious sedation meds and math formulas, because that was a big area I was nervous in when on the spot. Such a fear of giving the wrong dose of a med. I've hardly used those cards but having them helped my confidence. Let me know how I can help.

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I think the most critical part for me was the documentation system, so foreign to me...also the ability to pick that up with minimal orientation. So this latest interview went something like, "they use such-and-such charting, and if you are unable to pick it up quickly they will let you go." Needless to say I don't think that would be a good fit for me. That would DEFINITELY make me nervous on the spot. I was assured that particular system is much more user friendly, and my recruiter emailed me a tutorial on it so I can do an overview. I'm just very insecure right now especially after a comment like that. Perhaps I'm not cut out to be a traveler....how do you message someone on this?

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Specializes in Med Surg Tele-orthopedic, PCU, IMC.

:no: so sorry, i am scared! i am looking into a travel job and just reading this freaks me out. am curious what company is your travel assignment is with and what computer system do they use.

hope you get another assigment asap. good luck! :hug:

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Thank you! I just got another assignment today! At the exact hospital I spoke of in my last post. I think there is an element of this in every travel job and no one speaks of it. I think you have to go into it with the attitude you can do it and not think negatively. I don't think it was the company more than the hospital itself. I asked more questions this time but still there is always risk involved in taking a travel assignment I believe. The system they used was called all scripts. I did not get a traditional tutorial class in a standard orientation like I will in this new hospital. The hospital itself was going through a huge upheaval and did not have a good reputation to begin with. I guess I would ask more questions about the hospital itself and let them know if you are first time traveler. I would ask them what system they use and sometimes they require you to be experienced in it to begin with. I am going forward and trying to not let one negative experience cloud my whole view on traveling. I think the best post I read said online said, "it takes a lot of guts to be a traveler." I also had encouragement from other travelers who had been fired as well, they said don't give up just move forward. Also when I was up front to other recruiters with what happened, I was till submitted. And the company I went with still submitted me as well. I just found a job with another company. I understand now why people sign on with more than one.

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Specializes in Med Surg Tele-orthopedic, PCU, IMC.

:cheers:Congrats and good luck. Keep us posted on how it works out!

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Specializes in ED, Med-Surg, Psych, Oncology, Hospice.

It's true, as a traveler you "hit the floor running". Do not give yourself unnecessary grief about charting systems. As my name says I have been around a long time and have used 5 different systems in the past 2 years. Granted, we get one .... maybe two days to learn it but you CAN do it! Good luck!

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