Advice for first time traveler

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Feb 14, 2017

No. No. Fair. Worst families all day. Yes.

Try local per diem first.

TEXASWAG, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2017

Keep your head down and do your job. Meaning, do patient care and stay out of the staff politics. You'll be paid more than the staff nurses so some will be angry about that. You will be coming into work happy because the contract will only be for 13 weeks, and some will be angry at that. Remember that you are there for patient care and not if the staff like you or not. I was a staff nurse for 2 years before I took on a travel assignment. I learned a different computer system and adapted to unit protocols. Just go for it and ask plenty of questions once you get an interview.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Feb 15, 2017

You're asking about travel nursing. By the title of the thread, I thought you were the first "time traveler".

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 21, 2017

Hi everyone. Was hoping for some advice here. I have seriously been considering travel nursing. I have over two years of experience on a nephrology floor and am just not happy with the job I have now and am looking for a change. However I am nervous to dive into something new. My main concern is with adapting quickly to the hospitals charting system and way things are done. Being that I've really only worked at one hospital, do you think I am ready for travel nursing? Are most places receptive to travel nurses? Also in your experience as a traveler, how have you been treated? Do you get the worst assignments? Are the staff nurses helpful to you? Advice would be appreciated! Thanks !

Your header is misleading. You are not a first-time traveler, you're deciding whether to try traveling or not.

Traveling is a great way to try out a new location without committing to a permanent job. You'll travel in the specialty in which you have your two years of experience -- so in your case, either nephrology (if the hospital is large enough) or Med/Surg. You'll need to hit the ground running after 4-8 hours of computer training and a few shifts on the unit with a preceptor. The first assignment (like your first job) is the most difficult. I have never worked anywhere that was NOT receptive to travelers, although you do tend to get the long term patients every one else is sick of. (You're only there for 13 weeks, everyone else has been dealing with them for 9 months!) Staff nurses are helpful as long as you take the time to develop good relationships with them. Staff nurses who you don't bother to treat as people probably won't be. Some travelers have issues getting along with the staff nurses; those travelers tend not to last long as travelers. Most travelers get along well with staff.

If you think you're ready to try out travel nursing, there are many threads about it. Do a search and look through them.