Do certifications matter or just experience?

[perfexion, ASN, RN]

I'm an L&D nurse who is desperate to start traveling. I really hate being a staff nurse and I want to see how L&D units function in other hospitals in other parts of the country (because where I work sucks). Anyway I have 5 years total experience as a nurse- 3 years in antepartum, 1 year in high risk antepartum and just barely a year in labor and delivery. Antepartum travel jobs are few and far between and mostly located in states where I'm not licensed. I'm looking into L&D traveling even though i have the least experience there because its in high demand everywhere. I do hold NCC certifications in maternal newborn nursing and electronic fetal monitoring, as well as a lactation certification and I'm a lamaze certified educator. I'm fairly confident in my skills because I don't think I've ever had a proper orientation, not at my current job or my last one so I'm used to being thrown into the deep end and having to figure my way out. Do you think my certifications mean anything or is experience the only thing that matters when trying to get a travel contract? I only ask because I'm talking to fastaff and I know they do rapid response contracts.

[eager1hasbegun]

Every hospital lists it's own requirements that they want in a traveler. The number of years of experience varies everywhere you go (whether it's in nursing, travel nursing, or specialty). I had a little over 1.5 years of high risk OB experience (and 3.5 in telemetry) when I started traveling and I've had no problem finding a job even though I've seen some postings demanding 3-5+ yrs of OB experience). What you do need to be prepared for, though, is the possibility of floating to PP or working in an LDRP. I've met a few L&D nurses that had never "done" babies before and have to (re)learn all the assessment skills and newborn testing on the job.

Also, think to yourself whether you feel you can manage circulating an unscheduled or stat section with no other nursing help (i.e. documenting, grabbing whatever the tech/doc needs, tending to your patient--epidural placement/emotional comfort, etc--and taking care of baby--apgars, vitals, etc.--and more all in an unfamiliar environment!). If you'd be ok in that situation (cuz it will happen at some hospitals), and your EFM skills are strong enough to know when that stat is needed, you should be ok. It's not a bad idea to take the AWHONN Advanced EFM class as more and more hospitals are requiring that.

Consider taking a first assignment at a smaller hospital that does

Good luck and HTH!