Advice for a new RN grad wishing toTravel Nurse to Germany - Page 2

Grades are not even remotely a factor for qualifying for being a traveler - no one even looks at them. They are generally not even a factor in getting a job.

How good a nursing program or how "ready" you feel is not remotely a consideration in most regular nursing job interviews, much less in traveling nursing. In 16 years of nursing, and 17 different facilities, the only time anyone ever asked me about my program, was when I got my first NT (not even RN) job. And not once in ANY travel interview has anyone ever asked what school I went to what grades I have had.

And I have worked at the NIH, and in 4 of the top 15 hospitals (consistantly) in the USA, per US News and World reports.

No one cares about grades or schools or minipracticums or school experiences in assessing ability to travel. They care only about experience as a nurse, working INDEPENDANTLY on a unit. And that is the only that counts, unless they are merely looking for a licensed "warm body"......not optimal.

That is because it IS NOT SAFE ETHICAL PRACTICE to put a new graduate nurse in that situation. There have been occasions as a traveler, in even good facilities, where experienced nurses have been put in dangerous situations that endanger their licenses. And it is not about you, it is about safety FOR THE PATIENTS, first and foremost.

I have known new RNs, that have been independant LPNs for many years, with IV certification that have been told that they must have a year as an RN before traveling. And I have also known RNs w/6 monthes to a year of experience from good schools, worked as techs before graduation, crash and burn and quit nursing because traveling too early. I have also had to recover patients from errors made by someone that did not have enough experience.

You need at least year to come into your own as a nurse, especially if you have limited previous experience. We as country, do not permit doctors fresh out of Boards and medical school to care for patients until they have had 1-3 years of supervised internship. And we ethically should not allow nurses fresh from Boards and out of school to immediately work with no supervision. I think that you can see the sense of that. And as traveler, unless they sign you for a one or two year contract, with substantial orientation, you will not get enough support to foster a proper transition to becoming a well rounded nurse.

I know that you are in a hurry and feel ready. Many of us did when we left nursing school, and we wanted to go out and travel, before we acquired possessions and responsibilities that would make that difficult. But it really is not optimal or safe for you or your license or your patients.

May I encourage you to study hard, find a nurse tech position if available, or other health care starting position so that you get a lot of exposure and more potential for jobs right out of school. Pick a specialty that first and foremost that you enjoy, and second that has great travel potential. Start reviewing telemetry and ACLS protocals - always useful. And work hard in a local job for at minimum a year. During that time, after about 6 monthes, trying to either float for a few extra shifts or work per diem at another facility, to get the experience of being out of your comfort zone. That is a good way to prep. Go ahead and check with travel nurse agencies and get info on which has options that suit you, what they require, what specialties are popular and which destinations. Contact the nursing regulatory bureau in Germany and find out their requirements. All of this will help you, be useful and keep your goal in your sights for when it is right.

I don't know much about EU. The middle east assignments generally require 2-5 years experience in a preferred specialty. But the EU countries (from what I hear) have a surplus of nurses. Competition to get a position there outside of the military would probably be high.

Mostly for the EU I think you will find that you need at least 12 months experience. I know that is a requirement for the UK (NMC) and unless you meet the shortage occupation list will find it very hard to get a work permit in the UK. Requirements for the EU is employ from own country first, then EU before rest of the world

Does the Army hire civilian nurses? Thanks

I think that would be awesome. My wife and I met while in the Army there and would love to go back. Some day......

Yes, the military hires civilian nurses all the time. There are numerous military clinics as well as Landstuhl in Germany that are US run and need nurses. There are small NATO bases that you are not even aware of but these bases are solely military personnel and civilians and a small medical clinic; this is very common. On usajobs.com you can see the posting and apply. You can then interview for the job without needing to actually move there. It never hurts to apply, even if they are preferring someone with experience. They may PREFER it but there is not alot of civilian competition for oversea nursing jobs in these small med. clinics.
I worked in Germany for a few years. You can get hired as a civilian and live in the German community, as many of the military personnel do. Germany is VERY safe and you should have zero problems. About 95% of Europeans are bi and trilingual so you will learn as you go. All the military bases have college classes you can take (University of Maryland is big there) and learn German. You will find that civilian Americans working on bases are a dime a dozen. Don't listen to everyone's negativity, it's easier than you think. GOOD LUCK!

KatieIowaMinnesotaRN, I will mentally send you lucky thoughts this Saturday!! You are going to do well! No problem, You Got This!