contemplating travel nursing

[dorie43rn]

Hi All,

I have been a nurse for a little over a year. I worked 9 months on a Med Surg floor, now am in the ICU. I am waiting to get my ACLS, and then my dream is to travel nurse. I'm thinking I'd like to start Jan 2008.

I'm nervous about giving up a job, and what are my first steps? I've already contacted one agency, but haven't heard back from them. What can I expect on my very first travel job? How do I get licensed in other states? I have so many questions....... Oh yeah, I'm 49, and my kids are all grown.

please help!

Dorie

[stayseerrn]

Traveling is the best way to be an nurse. You get to learn all kinds of wonderful things by experiencing the way different parts of the country practice medicine. Plus, I have met so many wonderful people, and we all seem to keep running into each other in the various cities we have been traveling in. So, you get to create an entirely new circle of friends to keep you company.

Travel companies - apply to more than one. At one time Nursezone.com used to have a page where you would fill out an application that would be sent to the major travel companies. You will get a ton of phone calls from that. Then when you talk to the companies, remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Ask them questions you would ask any other employer: benefits, housing options, traveling with pets, items they reimburse your for (like licensure, ACLS, BLS, continuing ed, etc), when the benefits kick in, etc. Make sure you have your questions you want answered BEFORE you get on the phone with anyone - travel company or hospital. That way you will be able to get all the info you want, and it will let them know that you are really interested in learning about their organization.

Licensure. Okay, for this I will defer you to the boards of nursing of each state. Most of the major travel companies have links to the boards of nursing for each state. I do know that Preferred Healthcare has a link from their page, so if you hit a rut, try there. Also, see if your state is a compact state. If it is, then that makes your licensure in other compact states much easier. But, like I said start with the state board of nursing where you want to travel. Most states have a "licensure by endorsement" procedure.

First assignment, up to you. How far away do you want to go? Sometimes you may not be able to get exactly what you want close to home, so decide how far away your are willing to go. Or, if you are willing to go far away, then just decide on what type of job you are going to take. Most companies prefer you travel in your area of training (ER, ICU, OR, etc). So, I wouldn't view this as an opportunity to change your area of specialty. You may end up doing that by the time you finish your traveling career, but your first times out, you will pretty much be focused into your area of training.

Traveling is a fantastic adventure. I toyed with the idea for 3 years before I finally did it. My only regret is that I waited those 3 years before I started traveling.

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

If you go online and fill out an application, the companies will often contact you...I am with American Monile and they are quite persistent!! LOL;);)