Advise needed/expectations for travel Rns in your ER?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hey all. Looking for advise. I'm currently in a 21 bed ER in a community hospital for just under a year and half. Before that 1.5 years in a ed clinical decision unit and 1 year in an ICU. My significant other is looking at different job opportunities. My options are easier: find a larger ER or travel. My ideal job would be faster paced busier ER. I enjoy coming to work, working hard and also like the being treated as one of the solid members of the team.

I know my strengths and weakness so I don't won't to get in over my head traveling but also do not want to get the run of the mill only stable pts. So my question is when a traveler comes to your ED, what is your expectations of them and how are they treated/assignments? Advise?

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I just signed up for my first travel assignment in Melbourne, FL. I have been an ED nurse for 1.5 years in a STEMI/Stroke center. I am going to be traveling to a level 2 trauma unit. Higher acuity and the ED is double the size of my previous one, but I am excited about the opportunity and challenges that I will face.

I pretty much know that my expectations will be high, really no training given. I get 1 day hospital orientation and 2 days floor orientation. I have to learn a new computer system but I don't think that will be a problem.

One nurse, who is a friend, expressed concern that I would not have enough experience after 1.5 years. I feel confident in what I know and I know what I don't know. I am always looking for the next step, and this will be fun.

I will let you know how it turns out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

Hi there. I had 3 1/2 years experience at a Level 1 Trauma center including triage. I traveled for 2 1/2 years (7 jobs). It was a great experience. I was expected to know my stuff and hit the ground running. 12 or 16 or once I had 36 hours orientation in the unit and then ... GO. the first few weeks at a job were stressful. Some places they recognized my ability and I ended up being float/resource/lead or lead pretty quick otherplaces just hung out taking care of medium sick patients. Two places they did not have travelers do their traumas, but at one I did get to help after some time. Each place is different. go in with a positive, helpful, friendly attitude and don't talk about "well this is what we did" instead you can say "how do you do it here?". I traveled mostly to Cali which was great for the ratios. seriously awesome.

check out the traveler section...

good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment