new grad travel nurse??

Trvln Nurse, RN · Sep 3, 2006

I have to agree with all the other experienced nurses here. I have worked as a traveler for years. And as always...most of my travel assignments offer at least three days of orientation. However....in all my travel assignments I've taken thoughout the years....I think I only had a full orientation once. What you are not aware of is that the jobs that are willing to pay for a traveler are there because they have some problems retaining staff or hiring staff and usually they are short more than just one nurse and need a traveler to try to bridge the gap. On most of my jobs I have literally "hit the deck running" and as an experienced RN....I've been in several situations where my license and patient safey were at risk. I've had to stand up to the housing rep, or clinical administrator and my agency...and basically tell them what I would and would not allow. As a new nurse would you even recognise a dangerous situation? Recognise an arrhythmia, or s/s of complications of a certain type of medication, etc. Would you be aware when the staffing situation became unsafe? Unusual complications of various medical conditions? No. This can't be taught in school and these are things you learn on the job. I can't tell you how much I learned my first year out of nursing school! It was amazing. I took my first job (night shift) in a cardiac step down unit...and crossed over to float in the ICU. I can't tell you how much I've learned working as a traveler. I can't share with you all the experiences....good and bad...that I've had as a nurse. I can't share with you the type of situations that I've been placed in as a traveler. I can't share with you that every job I interview for (yes...I interview them...they can call it an interview for me...but in reality...I'm interviewing them)...I learn new questions to ask about their staffing, practice, etc....experience from prior travel assignments that I'd like to avoid again! I'm always watchful for my license!!!! Can't stress that enough! As a nurse.....Your number one job is to watch out for your patients, their safety, and your nursing license. And you will find this a challenge over and over again throughout your career! Yea...there are lots of travel assignments out there...but typically...when a job comes available...they are so desperate...and so short....or have so many problems they need someone very experienced to help fill in the gaps. Travel assignments are TOUGH! And you never know what you are walking into until you are there. I've had managers....lie to me....time and time again in the interviews. The agencies will make it sound so nice. But they don't know. And there are only a few good agencies who will back you when you need them the most. I seriously doubt any of these agencies would consider hiring a new grad. I graduated at the top of my class. I had lots of hospital experience before I graduated and did most of my clinicals in the ICU. Yet...as much as I thought I knew and as well prepared as I thought I was with my BSN from a small private school. I would have never been prepared for a travel assignment right out of school. I'm strongly encouraging you to consider other options for your first job even though they may not seem as attractive. I know this is not what you want to hear....but I'd hate to see you loose your license...or wind up in a big lawsuit. Perhaps you can "temporarily" take a night shift position...hire some day care. There are typically lots of job openings at night....you can be selective....choose a job that is going to give you the best experience. Perhaps transfer to a specialty field within the first year...ie ER, etc. Then after you have experience...try some travel. You will be glad you went that route. Please listen to what all the nurses in this forum are taking the time to tell you and trying to share with you things that we unfortunately can't put down in an email. Protect your nursing license!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2006

Travel nurses get little to no orientation - you really are setting yourself up to fail if you do travel nursing as a new grad. And..to be honest, I would question the agency that would accept new grad travel nurses.

Agree with this, most successful travelers have several years in.

While agencies will take an ap of a new grad, that does not mean that you will jobs (especially good jobs) out of it. And day shifts, like elsewhere are going to probably go first to the more experienced candidates.

Many of the 18 month contracts are for : international candidates. And if it is domestic, it is usually for specialty or for a position that they want to "lock" you into. Generally these are positions with high turnover (read: lousy job).

Any agency, and more so, any facility that takes a new grad traveler, has reasons for it. And they are generally not ones that are good for you.

And if you think that your orientation was poor, trust it is slacker for the traveler.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2006

I've been a traveler for two years. The most orientation I've ever received is two hrs.

As a new grad, I did find a travel agency which advertised "new grad" assignments. (I didn't know any better at the time).

Luckily, this assignment was in my local area at the time. I went for the interview. The nurse mgr told me she expected me to work med-surg, ER, ICU, L&D and PP. With no experience and no orientation in any of these areas. When I told her I didn't think that would be safe, she said "Don't sell yourself short. You can do it." (Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly...

Thankfully, I had the sense to get out of there. I'm so glad I only had to drive across town, rather than across the country, to get home that day,

Facilities and agencies like this will leave you to twist in the wind if anything happens. Part of our responsibilty as licensed professionals is to know when we are not qualified for a position and to decline it.

I am very experienced and qualified in my speciality. Even so, being a traveler is tough. I have to take it upon myself to orient myself to the most basic things as a traveler- such as locating and checking out the crash cart upon arriving at the unit. Facilities I've worked for don't provide me with even this most basic info.

Imo, any facility, agency or new grad that thinks a new grad can handle a travel assignment safely is mistaken.

Trvln Nurse, RN · Sep 7, 2006

Great commentary. Love the quote. I hope the new grads listen to all this advice!

777RNThatsMe · Sep 7, 2006

I think I said it already but just in case I forgot..thanks all for the input!

anticoagulationurse · Sep 14, 2006

I appreciate this imput shared above.

However, I'll be a new grad RN soon and am planning/hoping/praying to take a travel assignment, if I can find a travel company that will accept my 3 years of LPN experience as some degree of nursing. I have experience in SNF/LTC and that is exactly where I plan to get a travel assignment. I woudn't dream of pretending I can walk into a Med-Surg, ER, or other unit that I have nothing but 480 hours of clinical experience in, and just "Go!".

Anyone have any imput on this particular situation, and/or advise as to which company or assignemnts I may have luck with. I have had trouble finding a travel company that will hire me becuase my nursing experience is LPN, not RN experience. Thanks!

bagladyrn, RN · Sep 15, 2006

I appreciate this imput shared above.
However, I'll be a new grad RN soon and am planning/hoping/praying to take a travel assignment, if I can find a travel company that will accept my 3 years of LPN experience as some degree of nursing. I have experience in SNF/LTC and that is exactly where I plan to get a travel assignment. I woudn't dream of pretending I can walk into a Med-Surg, ER, or other unit that I have nothing but 480 hours of clinical experience in, and just "Go!".
Anyone have any imput on this particular situation, and/or advise as to which company or assignemnts I may have luck with. I have had trouble finding a travel company that will hire me becuase my nursing experience is LPN, not RN experience. Thanks!

The reason you are having trouble finding a company is for the reasons given in previous posts. A reputable company will not place you in an RN travel position with no RN experience. The RN role you would be expected to function in is different than the LPN role you have been filling. It would be different if you were looking for an LPN travel position.

Sorry, as I know this is not what you want to hear, but remember the travel positions will still be there a year from now and you will be ready to fill them safely for yourself and those you take care of.

rn/writer, RN · Sep 15, 2006

Hi all ...I just graduated and am having a hard time finding a job believe it or not. RN. Would also like to check out calif again and it seems like they have alot of dayshift travel jobs. I have childcare issues of course.... single parent.
Anyway - providing I could get the ex to approve a move out of state even temporary...(required by law before removing kids from the state)... I'm thinking about travel nursing to calif.
Any thoughts on new grads doing travel (negative/positive)...any thoughts on best new grad agency? Best place to work new grad in the LA area?
Thanks in advance.

If you have childcare issues, won't relocating to an unfamiliar area only compound the problem?

If your kids are school age, consider working nights. Pay someone to stay at the house while they sleep and then you sleep when they're gone during the day. You still have evenings together.

Nurses willing to work nights usually have an easier time trying to find employment.

Best wishes.

GrnHonu99, RN · Sep 21, 2006

im in my first year of nursing and have been beginning to check out travel positions for sometime down the road, to see what they are all about. Of all the companies I have checked out I havent found one that will take an RN without atleast one year of experience. Who knows, best of luck:)

nightingale, RN · Sep 21, 2006

im in my first year of nursing and have been beginning to check out travel positions for sometime down the road, to see what they are all about. Of all the companies I have checked out I havent found one that will take an RN without atleast one year of experience. Who knows, best of luck:)

Glad to hear that. Unfortunately, you will run across those Agencies that will do anything to make a dollar. Run... far, far, away from those who will hire you and send you "wherever you are silly enough to go to".

I do hope the posters who want to do Agency Nursing, too soon, really read through the valuable advice by the experienced Agency Nurses who have taken the time to share their knowledge.

GrnHonu99, RN · Sep 21, 2006

Glad to hear that. Unfortunately, you will run across those Agencies that will do anything to make a dollar. Run... far, far, away from those who will hire you and send you "wherever you are silly enough to go to".
I do hope the posters who want to do Agency Nursing, too soon, really read through the valuable advice by the experienced Agency Nurses who have taken the time to share their knowledge.

Can anyone suggest a top notch agency? Free private housing and insurance is very important to me as well as their availibilty if I need to contact them. Thanks:)