Is Cardiac Telemetry good experience to begin travel nursing?

[I'mAnRN2]

Hi! I have been working on a Cardiac Telemetry unit for two years and am hoping to begin traveling. Are there a lot of Cardiac Tele travel opportunities or would it be a better idea to transition to an ICU or ER job for a year before traveling? I am really wanting to begin traveling and have seen cardiac tele jobs but I'm not sure how this job would be as a travel nurse. Working on my floor can be extremely overwhelming at times but luckily we have a good team and are able to help each other. I feel like being a travel nurse on a tele floor may be even more overwhelming considering you know no one. I realize that as a travel nurse in general it will be overwhelming at first because you are a fish out of water basically. I really love cardiac and would love to do ICU or ER one day but at this point in my life, it would be perfect timing to start traveling. I would love to see different parts of the U.S. and meet new people. Just wanting some opinions =) Thank you!

[ukjenn231]

it depends... do you want to travel as a tele nurse or a unit nurse? If you're ready to travel now, then you can do medsurg or tele most likely... if you want to do icu or er, then you would have to change jobs, and then get 1-2 yrs experience in that area before you can travel. i'm a tele nurse and i think it's good experience... every hospital has a tele floor...

[wanderlustRN24]

I am literally in the same exact situation as you. I have about 2 1/2 years of experience as a tele nurse, would like to transition to ICU and then travel as an ICU nurse, but right now is a great time in my life to travel (26y.o., no kids, no husband). I don't want to wait 2 more years to get ICU experience because who knows where I'll be in my life then and I really want to see the country before I settle down. On the other hand, you usually know what you're getting into patient load-wise as an ICU nurse (1-2 patients max at most hospitals), and in telemetry, I've heard of RNs getting as many as 8! (ahhhh, the horror!) Nevertheless, I signed on with my first travel contract in Ft. Lauderdale working on a tele floor and it has been great so far. It's been about 6 weeks & I've been able to pick right up and hit the ground running, no problem at all (besides simple logistics, like finding things, but that resolves itself pretty quickly). I still wish I was traveling as an ICU nurse, but this isn't bad either. :) I say go out and see the world if that's what you really want. The ICU jobs will be there when you get back. :)

[AtownRN]

I worked for a year on a busy telemetry floor in South Florida. It was very tough sometimes... especially being a new grad. But I toughed it out for a year. I really wanted to go back home to the Midwest to be near family as they were having some problems. I work as a float RN at a hospital in Chicago and am waiting for a ICU position to open. I left my boyfriend back in Florida (that's where he wants to be) and I regret it every day. I want to go back ASAP. I think being a "Traveling RN" is the best way to get back down there. I turn 25 this summer... have a hard time making up my mind.... : /

Is there any way I can message you about the tele position through a traveling company you have in Fort Lauderdale to see if I could possibly join you. I would like to go through a traveling company that has good reviews. May be you could point me in the right direction. It sounds like you are having a good experience. How much experience in Tele do you have?

Thank You so much and good luck to all you girls who want to go travel as well!

[wanderlustRN24]

Sure, I don't mind you messaging me at all. I'll tell you whatever info you need:)

[AtownRN]

I can't PM you because I haven't used this website enough... it says I need a certain amount of points. LOL

I will try to figure it out soon because I'm interested to know which Traveling Agency you are working with and the logistics of your move down there. Did they pay for you to get down there? Have you made many friends yet? Or have you been working a lot?

Not sure which hospital you are working at, but do you feel like now that you have experience you could work anywhere. Now that I started this job in Chicago, I have realized that it wouldn't be that hard to move around as a traveling RN. The only difference is the languages the patients speak, computer systems and where supplies are kept. Have you noticed that not speaking Creole has been a problem yet? I had a large Creole-only speaking population when I was working down there.

I have so many questions for you and would like to contact an agency ASAP. Hope you've had time to walk up and down Las Olas and go on some boat tours : )

[I'mAnRN2]

Thank you for the advice, I ended up taking the ICU position! I'm really excited about it & figure with the job market becoming more saturated with nurses, I better get my experience when the opportunity presents itself! Have fun traveling, I'm pretty jealous & hope to join in a few years! =)