Travelers with One Year experience

It depends on how comfortable you feel with your skills and basically being a nurse in general. If you feel you need another year or two or three before traveling, that's ok too. If you do not like the place you're in now, you could work on a different floor or a different hospital. Most nurse travelers that I've spoken to say they began with American Mobile or Cross Country and stood with them a few years because they were "good" and felt secure with them for a few reasons. Not because of money, but because they are a big company with experience that took care of documents, education, needs, questions.. It was also a great starting point for beginner travelers. Then you meet along the way other travelers and learn of other travel companies.

I began traveling after a year, I don't know everything and every time your assignment begins there is this big learning curve that you have to tackle. After two days of orientation (If you're lucky) then there are adjustments like - where is everything, what are the phone numbers, what is the protocol for this/that and where can I find it?, getting to know the staff, knowing and reviewing your job description that your travel company has written out for you... But after taking mental notes or writing down on a little notepad somewhere...

Then you may be floated the next day and the day after to a different floor that you are not familiar with, the acuity may be higher and a bit more intense. Never stop asking questions or asking the charge nurse or someone for help/assistance. Review your notes at home, review textbook, review pharmacology as needed. You'll see things that you'll probably see being treated a different way. That’s just my experience.

Ask someone with whom you work with (in a supervisory position) how they would rate your clinical competence and skills. Compare these to your own personal list of 'great good/bad' skills, and see where they mesh.

When you apply for postings, ask your recruiter what type of skills they are looking for in this position. Then, when you interview, ask the hospital what kind of skills they are looking for from their travelers. Ask if they float the travelers, patient ratio, etc.

Unless you are really sharp as a newbie (I've met one or two) and honest with yourself regarding your clinical competency, one year may be pushing it. People expect travelers to be clinically astute, well versed in a myriad of skills and able to meet a challenge. Remember: you are there only because they are REALLY DESPERATE for staff, so it won't be like your new grad hire (eg: not a whole lot of support). You are given a very short unit orientation and are expected to hit the floor running.

Not trying to scare you, just giving you an honest assessment of what is expected of travelers.

-Craig
RN, BSN, and others.