HELP! New Grad Travel Nursing

NedRN · Dec 17, 2016

I'd give first priority to getting a first job at a teaching hospital or any hospital (usually big city hospitals) that has a good internship in a specialty of interest to you. A month of orientation is not sufficient for a new grad. Period.

If you take that "assignment" count on a full year there before you will be employable anywhere else (at a minimum). No shortcuts.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Dec 17, 2016

Where is this job?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 17, 2016

Run away as fast as you can and look for a REAL new grad position. You're about to get used.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Dec 18, 2016

Hear that bus? That's the one they will throw you under.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2016

I would be concerned that a facility would hire a new grad and train them for a month, for a 13 week position.

That position sounds like it is VERY hard to fill. Not a good place for a new grad to start out.

Learn your skills in a stable setting. You have plenty of time to travel.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 19, 2016

IMO, this is a BAD IDEA.

First, the facilities that you will be traveling to expect their travel nurses to hit the ground running, with minimal orientation. They do not have the time nor inclination to teach you New Grad 101, especially when they're paying the agency a much higher hourly rate for your services than they're paying their staff nurses. And a month of training is not enough training...so don't expect the facilities you'll be working at to continue training you in New Grad 101 after that month is up.

Second, you may not be in any one travel position long enough to master the basics. Assignments tend to be 13 weeks/3 months, so once you start feeling comfortable somewhere, you're going to be moved somewhere else. And there's no guarantee facility #2 is going to be willing to give you a month's training either.

And third...there's no guarantee that after assignment #1, you'll get assignment #2. Especially if you are a new grad who is still mastering the basics and the facility tells the agency that you weren't quite what they expected. And IMO, most facilities really are NOT expecting a new grad for their travel nurse.

Go find a proper new grad position or any position at a hospital, work there for a year or two, then consider hitting the road as a traveller. You'd be a much stronger travel nurse for it.

If you insist on pursing this travel nursing position, be sure to carry Liability Insurance.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

Semper_Gumby · Dec 19, 2016

I got three weeks of orientation as a new grad (after being promised 6-8) and it sucked. Had I not spent the last of my savings to relocate for the position, and put in countless applications to get the job in the first place, I would've left pronto. As it was, I stayed there two years but it took me a long time to feel reasonably safe and competent, figure out time management, etc. Even when I left, I didn't feel I was realizing my full potential there and it was frustrating. I am hoping for a "real" orientation at my next position (wherever I end up, since a change of specialty is likely).

Please don't do this to yourself. I know finding a job can be impossibly difficult and you just want to get your foot in the door, but try to get a new grad residency or in at a new-grad-friendly hospital that will give you the support, education, and orientation you need to succeed. Starting out as a nurse is tough enough. There's no need to make it harder by being thrown to the wolves and putting yourself at great risk of burnout (and yes, there were many times I questioned why I became a nurse in the first place and thought about leaving altogether...I decided I wasn't going to let a bad experience drive me from the field I loved).

Please hold out for something better. You are worth it.

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Dec 19, 2016

For comparsion, as a new grad I was on orientation from July - October. We have travelers on my floor, and I see how they are treated: they often get the 6th patient, complex cases or the shift change admission. The assumption is they can handle the extra challenge. I'm 19 months in nursing and I would not travel yet. Everyone moves at their own pace but I agree with other posters. Get a few solid years of med-surge before you start traveling.

BSN16 · Dec 19, 2016

IMO, this is a BAD IDEA.
First, the facilities that you will be traveling to expect their travel nurses to hit the ground running, with minimal orientation. They do not have the time nor inclination to teach you New Grad 101, especially when they're paying the agency a much higher hourly rate for your services than they're paying their staff nurses. And a month of training is not enough training...so don't expect the facilities you'll be working at to continue training you in New Grad 101 after that month is up.
Second, you may not be in any one travel position long enough to master the basics. Assignments tend to be 13 weeks/3 months, so once you start feeling comfortable somewhere, you're going to be moved somewhere else. And there's no guarantee facility #2 is going to be willing to give you a month's training either.
And third...there's no guarantee that after assignment #1, you'll get assignment #2. Especially if you are a new grad who is still mastering the basics and the facility tells the agency that you weren't quite what they expected. And IMO, most facilities really are NOT expecting a new grad for their travel nurse.
Go find a proper new grad position or any position at a hospital, work there for a year or two, then consider hitting the road as a traveller. You'd be a much stronger travel nurse for it.
If you insist on pursing this travel nursing position, be sure to carry liability insurance.
Best of luck whatever you decide.

Exactly. In fact, we actually like to get travelers because they often are a plethora of knowledge that we do not have on our short staffed nights.

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2016

Do not take this offer. Only 1 month of orientation as a new grad?????? That is 9-12 shifts to put it into perspective. How are you every going to learn to be a safe nurse in 9-12 shifts without ever working as a nurse. That is also without any classwork or readings or guidance. Traveling wants you to be able to pick-up and go.

To give some perspective. In a typical 12 week orientation you would have approximately 36 shifts of preceptorship, plus at least 8 days of classes, maybe more, depending on the orientation.

You want to learn to be a safe nurse. Please look elsewhere

DeeAngel · Dec 19, 2016

Do not take this job as a new nurse under any circumstances. You will be so far out of your depth it will be frightening. IMHO it takes about 3-5 years working experience combined with independent studying to be in a position where traveling could be a good choice. That the agency would even consider you for this role tells me they are completely greedy and unethical. Are you prepared to work in an ICU and hit the ground running with 2 days orientation, because that will probably be expected of you at some point. Just NO.