After one year of experience did you feel like you were ready to travel?

[kenesha212002]

I currently work in a smaller critical care unit...24 beds. I am a new nurse and would like to start traveling after my one year of experience. I have been told by other travelers on the floor that the unit that we work in is a less critical ICU and that it is a good place to get your feet wet but for experience.

I would still like to travel. I was wondering if you had one year of experience on an ICU unit could you still travel in another specialty such as telemetry or med-surg instead.

Also, did everyone feel totally comfortable after one year to travel? Any suggestions?

[JazzyRN]

I began travelling after a year and a half of nursing experience. I worked in a very busy, high acuity level I PICU that saw everything. So as my 1st travel assignment I worked in a less busy level II PICU. It was an easy transition for me, things were very slow there as compared with my old job, I had soooo much downtime. So my suggestion is that you work in a similiar environment or a less busy one, as the transition can be overwhelming for some. If you do choose to work in a more acute ICU, save that for maybe your 2nd assignment. And be open and honest about your level of experience, pts you are comfortable taking and what you are used to. Please dont be fooled, travelling isnt a good way to gain experience doing new things you havent done before, if thats your goal you need to take a STAFF position in a higher acuity ICU and receive proper training/orientation. Travel nursing does stunt your growth somewhat in your field, most hospitals wont allow you to train to new things as a traveler. And yes if you are an ICU nurse, you can always be floated to medsurg and tele.

[kenesha212002]

Thanks, that was very helpful