Experience for travelling

[PrettyinPink1234]

I have been an RN in a busy ICU in a large teaching hospital for about 1.5 years. I am planning on traveling next September when I will have over 2 years of experience. My question is...should I have worked in more than one hospital before I travel? I am only used to my hospital, and it might be a huge wake up call to see how other places do things? I don't know if I should possible look for another job for the next year or if my experience will be adequate? Input appreciated.

[DemarsGirl]

Well, I traveled after working in the same hospital for two years. It didn't really matter to me that much. But a lot of others take on a agency/prn job at another hospital to gain experience working in a different facility. It is not a necessity but it can help.

[OkieICU_RN]

Working agency can be an asset for you just so you see what other hospitals do and other equipment you might be exposed to. I did it a couple of times before I started travelling and I think it helped me. If you are flexible and don't get hung up on stuff like "we didn't do it that way at xyz hospital" then you will be fine.

[LadyRavenRN]

I started traveling with only 14 months experience in PICU. I have never regreted that decision. I have now worked for 28 months been in 4 soon to be 5 different hospitals and think there is no better way to learn and experience new things then traveling. Don't forget flexiblity is the key just because you know one way to do something someone else may know a different or even better one. It is very tough to get stuck in a rut when your learning different protocols about every thirteen weeks. hpygrp