Experience

gypsytravelrn · Apr 6, 2008

Nurse555

Congrats on graduating:yeah:, and welcome to the profession. My advice is to go with whichever area you find most interesting. If you go with the nephrology you'll end up mostly on Med-Surg type of floors. If you go with cardiac you'll end on tele type floors. The cardiac ratio of patient to nurse is smaller with cardiac, but the patients for the most part have higher acuity. :redbeathe I suggest at least 18 months before you start a travel assignment. The hospitals expect you to hit the floor running. You recieve very little orientation and then it is only the basics. So, be confident in whatever area you choose to specialize in before you start traveling. Learning as much as you can before starting to travel and that way you can expand on your specialty once you start traveling.

I started on a Tele floor, then I started traveling after about 18 months experience, then graduated up to a Progressive Care Unit, and then found a temporary position that taught me ICU and CVICU. I later added to my resume with Transplants,Trauma ICU, and PACU, and even did a little flight nursing on a couple of assignments. This all happened because I took the opportunities that became available. Good Luck and I hope you find that specialty that is designed for you. :mad:

KatieBell · Apr 6, 2008

Like Gypsy, I recommend doing what interests you the most. Simply because you will probably not be a traveler for your entire professional life, and you will always be working your specialty.

Never pick an area based on the demand for travelers, as that demand varies from month to month and year to year.

Congrats and enjoy your first year.

nurse555 · Apr 6, 2008

Thanks for your responses and your great advice. I think I'm going to ask about a job shadow experience for both to see it in the real world and not as a student. I truly appreciate your input.

Thanks!