Helpful Tips for the Nurse Traveler

Did anyone ever answer how travel nursing works when you have a husband? My children are grown up, but I will be leaving a husband home while on assignments. I know each marriage is unique but anyone with experience out there know the toll it takes on a marriage??

Hello, I am about to graduate from RN school this December and my goal is to eventually be a travel nurse. I realize that I will need some experience first. My question is... What specialties get more job opportunities in travel nursing? I am wanting to go to the west coast like Northern California or Oregon if that makes any difference.

The most in-demand areas for travelers are specialties like ER, ICU, OR, L&D. Of course, this changes from time-to-time, and in different areas of the country, but, in general, these areas seem to be the most in-demand.

You posted that the ER, ICU and the other specialties are in high demand, but the travel company wants you to have 1 year of med surg experience dont they? That's what I have been told by several companies & I was planning on that being my first step after graduating that is to work in the local hospital for 1 year on Med Surg. Is that right??? Or should I try to land a job within a specialty in the hospital when I graduate??

Travel companies & hospitals want you to have at LEAST 1-2 years of experience in your SPECIALTY. So, if you want to work as an ER traveler, you'll need 1-2 years of ER experience. Same thing for other specialties. I have never worked in med/surg as an RN. I started in Peds, then switched to ER, and worked in the ER for a little over a year before I started traveling as an ER nurse.

Hello - I just want to share my story. I am married with two children. One is 11 and the other is 2 years. I am very new to traveling, so new in fact, I havent even started my assignment yet. I begin December 10th. My husband and I have decided to give this a try. We have thought about it in the past, but after 16 years of employment, my husbands company is moving away. Because of this, we have decided to travel. My husband's job will be to "homeschool" the girls, and if he get's bored enough, he can find a part time job. I am excited and scared at the same time. This will be very different than what we are use to. If you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask.

i started traveling after 1 yr of med surg/ortho nursing at 24 yrs old. it has been amazing. i love seeing the country and exploring the unique things that nurses in different areas are great at.

successful travelers are, i think, outgoing people who are comfortable with their nursing skills and can adapt easily to change. you have to keep in mind that just because facility 'x' did the report or schedule or shift change another way, doesn't mean that facility 'Y' is wrong...use the differences you find when traveling to develop the best system for you. if you decide to point out these 'differences' to the managers at your current assignment, they may be excited to hear about how to improve their unit. i know travelers who have implemented some great changes based on what they have experienced.

great topic and great ideas!
I havn't started traveling yet, currently work for an agency, doing per diem. Have done some short term contracts 4-5 weeks.
Thanks for the info, am getting closer to the time when my husband and I can hit the road!