Best experience - general or specialty?

[wanderlusthomebody]

Hi everyone!

I am not currently a travel nurse but would love to do it in the future. A little background: CNA x 3 years LTC, LPN 2 yrs med/surg and Inpt Rehab, RN with experience in both : 1 yr small hospital where we did both MS and ER but also some hospice cases and almost 2 years Home Care with complex clients (vented, trached, gtubes, multiple handicaps, lifts, etc). Family includes 3 teens: son of 16 and twin daughters of 12. Couple questions have come up as I've tried to do more research into traveling one day and I apologize if there are threads already dealing with these.

1. If you have experience in a specialty floor (for example, ICU surgical), can you do basic ICU or would it be best to stick with assignments for the area you worked specifically? I am looking for a hospital job and there are about 8 of them that are hiring - some jobs labeled straight up MS or ICU, others have a specialty attached - MS or ICU neuro, surgical, post coronary, acute coronary, etc etc. I don't want to get a job in a specialty area if that will limit my options for assignments once I start traveling. Flip the question: if I get only general MS or ICU experience, will that count if I wanted to take an assignment in a specialty area such as MS surgical or whatever?

2. Does any of my LPN experience count, or does all experience need to be RN? I'm pretty sure I already know the answer but thought I'd ask anyway.

3. Travel home care - I'm thinking it's more the type that visits multiple people a day rather than 1 client that requires 24 hr care. Anyone have experience in this? I know there are far fewer postings and more limited options in this realm but it might be a nice break from the craziness of hospital nursing.

4. I very much would love to get an RV to use as opposed to using the provided housing. We currently have a 27' Class C but would definitely need to get something different when the time comes to do this. We are thinking maybe a max of 34-36' Bunkhouse with a couple slides? Not huge but still allows them their own room and space to get away to when needed. We have no hauling experience and our Class C is the longest thing we've driven before. Has anyone used a transport company to haul a longer trailer/5th wheel for them? Not only would we need to purchase a new rig, we'd need to buy a bigger truck to pull it with so I'm not sure it would be worth that investment as we'd only downsize again once the kids leave (within 4-5 yrs after we start traveling). We'd be back to our tax home every year from May/June thru end of Oct/Nov, so it'd only have to be hauled there and back as I'd look for contracts in the same area so we don't have to move the camper in between them. I read about $1.50 - $2/mile - is this about right? I realize we'd have more freedom if we are equipped to do it ourselves, but just exploring this option.

5. How realistic is it to expect to be able to find a campground for a camper for 26 weeks? Is that hard to do? We'd be looking at most likely starting in the SW: CA, AZ, NV, CO somewhere. I hear Cali is hard to find d/t demand and AZ is hard to find not only d/t demand but the restrictions for no kids or have to be older than 55, etc.

Thank you for any and all responses!

[NedRN]

Quote

1. If you have experience in a specialty floor (for example, ICU surgical), can you do basic ICU or would it be best to stick with assignments for the area you worked specifically?

This is always something to discuss in the facility interview to discuss whether it is a good fit. That applies generally, and even with medsurg, it is wise to ask about pt population. It is OK to stretch a bit, but don't overdo it. Fill out your skills list honestly.

Why do you mention ICU? It doesn't look like any of your experience qualifies you for it.

Quote

2. Does any of my LPN experience count, or does all experience need to be RN?

If your RN work history is minimal, it can certainly help.

I can't comment from personal experience about RV issues but there are several large RV forums that can help. It would be hunt and peck here, but posting a thread with RV in the title here might attract attention from those with experience.

[wanderlusthomebody]

I only mention ICU as there are open positions that I am somewhat toying around with the notion of applying for one for more experience to open up more travel options.

Thank you for your advice, Ned! I appreciate it. ?

[NedRN]

ICU will pay better, but you really will need two full years to have a good travel experience. Once you are a traveler, you can take the occasional assignment at a lower specialty and still be competitive in the ICU.