Am I Ready?

[SunnyPupRN]

Hello...I am thinking about starting travel nursing but for some reason I'm apprehansive, and I'm not sure why. My specialty is in psych and although I've been out of the game for a few years, I'm currently working [although in private duty, not psych] and some recruiters have said that the experience doesn't need to be recent, although that is preferred.

I'm not sure why I feel scared to do this...I've been cross country, to the Europe and the Middle East and South America...so I don't think it's the travel part. But I would need to ensure accommodations for my dog and child...and I don't want twelve hour shifts. Maybe it's that I'm concerned that I'm asking too much. Any thoughts? What's the best way to prepare?

[NedRN]

I'm surprised recent experience isn't required, but trust the recruiters. I can suggest a couple of things to reduce your professional anxiety (if you have it) and perhaps make you more marketable. Ask a local manager if you can shadow for a few days or a whole week if you can. That should bring you up to speed. I would also suggest reviewing fundamentals. That way you will be able to use the lingo fluently. Both of these things will help you both explicitly and implicitly during the telephone interview. I would be up front with the manager about your ability to get running and the amount of orientation you expect. The explicit part I mentioned is telling her what you have done to prepare for travel.

I have no idea how common 12 hours shifts are for psych, it would seem to me hours would vary by the practice setting. Children are no problem for housing, but dogs are. Often agencies cannot find appropriate housing when pets are involved so be prepared to take the housing stipend and find your own housing - often you do better this way anyway as a traveler - both in housing and saving money from the stipend.

If getting good housing turns out to be an issue, consider RV travel. It won't save you money perhaps, but the hassles are very different and the convenience is great. RV parks are universally pet friendly, but not all are family friendly.

[SunnyPupRN]

I really appreciate this response. Thank you!