Economic crisis affecting new nurse hires?

qcfynest1 · Dec 13, 2008

I thought that it might be a good time for me to do some travel nursing since i'm single with no kids and hours have been cut on my job and OT is definetly out of the question. I have about a year and four months experience on a med surg unit, the problem is that the agencies i've talked with are offering low pay to med-surg nurses with no telemetry experience, what suggestion do you traveling nurses have for me? I really want to travel before I have children.

NYCRN16 · Dec 14, 2008

I know here in NYC a lot of hospitals are on a hiring freeze. I never thought that the recession would hit us either, but the truth is, it has. My hospital is cutting back overtime, and I know they are also on a hiring freeze.

As for the 2 nurses that have less than 2 years experience and want to travel: I think now is not really the time to leave a staff position. Travelers will always be the first to go because they cost the most money, I think its risky to leave a staff job now. I have friends who are travelers with 5+ years experience, and its not easy to get a travel assignment lately in NYC even with varied ICU and ER experiences. There is a lot of competition for positions, and someone with less than 5 years really doesn't have a chance of getting a position here with the way things are right now. I would wait a year and then reconsider. In fact, a lot of travelers are now looking for staff positions because they are scared of having their contracts cancelled. Losing your apartment and job in the same day I'm sure is not fun.

truejewel82 · Dec 14, 2008

Wow that's just crazy! I just got hired in the midst of a freeze I'm truly grateful so I guess a staff position is the way to go!!! I am going to be crosstrained between Radiology and OR so I guess if anything I will be more valuable to the hospital hopefully.