Re: scared to travel alone Originally Posted by nancynurse06
I'm in the same boat. I'm a year and half out of school with a year critcal care experience, and I'm so ready to travel!! However, I'm scared to travel alone. I work with some really awesome nurses and have a great support system at work. I rely on them when I have questions. My biggest concern is not having enough experience and not having anyone to turn to. I've heard horror stories of how travelers are sometimes not treated the best. I'm totally aware that I won't be a part of the "unit family" right off, but I'm very concerned about not having someone to answer questions. Anyone have any suggestions??? 
Nancynurse: If you feel like you are not experienced enough to be comfortable in the patient care without backup, I'd wait a little longer. Many units prefer 2 years experience at a minimum. I've been on some contracts where they wanted 5 years! This is said, not as a putdown, but so you can protect yourself. Travelers are expected to handle the full patient load with little orientation.
The way I generally approach the staff when starting a new contract is to tell them I want to perform procedures their way and ask them to let me know how things are done in their hospital. Before the first delivery with a doctor I haven't met before, I try to take him/her aside, introduce myself to her/him and ask them to please commicate to me sn psrticular requiremets they have or ways they prefer procedures done.
While you are occasionally get the sour person, I find this helps to break the ice with most coworkers.
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