9 months exp.?

whatwhatRN · May 1, 2006

the first time i did trval nursing i was a nurse for only 9 months, even though the agency said i needed a years experience they still allow me to take an assigment. it was very beneficial for me. the expereince that i gained was wonderful. I learned so much, and even as i travel now i continue to learn new things. just make sure you have a clear understanding on your typical med/surg procedures and skills. Are you yet comfortable? did you have a good preceptor and strong oreitnation? I did and it was very helpful for me. I wish you much luck and success, no matter what you decide.

nightingale, RN · May 1, 2006

That's it. Just 9 months experience in Med/Surg and I've been recruited. It's very enticing. I've wanted to do travel nursing since I entered through the college doors.
1-Should I do it?
2-Or am I jumping the gun?

1-no

2-yes

Read through the many posts here at AllNurses that address this issue.

It is good that ou asked; let us know how we can help.

powernurse · May 2, 2006

while i agree that the 3 extra months will go by quickly.... i dont agree with the quick response of NO !!!

this is an idividual situation question.... and only you know the answer to this question.....

as a new grad i went straight to a staff relief agency in spite of everyones "warnings" of how i was "setting myself up to fail..." but i had a background as a medical assistant and worked as an EMT in an ER... so i felt comfortable with the hit the ground running scenario..... and what you have to keep in mind is that you are going to be learning throughout your career.... it doesnt stop at 1 yr or 2 yrs or 10yrs.... it is constant.... if you are a quick learner and comfortable with change ..... it is likely you will do fine.... but it IS ENTIRELY INDIVIDUAL .....

suzanne4, RN · May 2, 2006

Unfortunately, there are too many unscrupulous travel companies out there that are only looking to make a quick buck and they could care less about the nurse's license. And I seen some nurses placed in some very dangerour situations, for them, and most of all the patient.

We are unable to critique each nurse that posts here and their resume, but as a blanket answer, I would still say don't do it.

Because it worked for one person, doesn't mean that it will work for everyone. And none of us can tell someone just to go for it, without knowing them and their situation.

I have worked agency, both per diem and as a travel nurse, for most of my very long career and have seen issues as many facilities with fresh newbies that got in way over their head.

elkpark · May 2, 2006

The agency may be willing to sign you up, but many hospitals that contract for travel nurses require 2, 3, or more years of experience -- they are paying very big bucks for the travelers, and, for the amount of money they are shelling out, they want seasoned, experienced pros, not people who are still "learning the ropes" of being an RN.

I agree with Suzanne -- you cannot depend on an agency to be looking out for your best interests and making the best choices for your professional development. Only you can do that.

sweetpea839 · May 11, 2006

you are not jumping the gun! It is a very unique field that you are in, nursing! You are in high demand in all states! Feel special! I started traveling when I was only 9 months of age in nursing (a telemetry nurse!). I figured if i didn't have enough experience and still have questions, (which i did and still do), there would be nurses nice enough to help me all over the united states. Sure enough, there was tremendous support out there no matter where I went. I have been in all over as you can see and nothing is more exciting than travel nursing. Not everyone can travel, especially those with kids and houses and have prior commitments to there home states. If you are single, able to travel, and feel up to having the time of your life, then traveling would be great for you at any "nursing age".

zipporah · May 18, 2006

There are not always nurses nice enough to help a traveler, sometimes they dump on you and and aren't available to help. I have been there. I worked in a hospital in Philadelphia that if you could find a drug book, the index was missing. I got one day of orientation though new core staff got weeks. Whay do you suppose that is? Travelers are supposed to have experience. Be a little patient because your liscense is at stake.

nurseinpa · May 21, 2006

I started traveling with 6 months of med/surg experience and have had no problem. I am still traveling and love it. You can have NO CHARGE DUTIES put in your contract. As far as I'm concerned, nursing care is all the same no matter where you go, just pay attention to the policies and procedures of the hospital you contract with and try to learn which docs are which asap. I asked this same question 3 years ago and I am glad I didn't listen to all those who said to wait a year. Good luck!!

Bruce RN · May 21, 2006

I guess it is an individual thing and we're all giving advice based on our own experiences.

I really couldn't say either way as to which approach is right.

I started traveling with barely a year of med/surg experience and it was very hard at first. I had two other fellow old classmates who were doing it after only one year of RN experience but they were LPN/LVN's for years prior so they were more than ready to hit the ground running.

Not me. My first assignment was pretty rough on a medicine floor. The nurses were nasty and very unhelpful.

I'm sure I was still moving slow as a snail as a fairly new grad and it probably irritated them. I was still looking up a lot of drugs and still wasn't great at starting IV's.

But I learned a lot.

Nonetheless, I can only speak for myself and I'm quite sure that I definitely started travel nursing way too early and should have gotten more experience before traveling.

Oh well, look at me now..........

fergus51 · May 21, 2006

There are not always nurses nice enough to help a traveler, sometimes they dump on you and and aren't available to help. I have been there. I worked in a hospital in Philadelphia that if you could find a drug book, the index was missing. I got one day of orientation though new core staff got weeks. Whay do you suppose that is? Travelers are supposed to have experience. Be a little patient because your liscense is at stake.

Amen to that! As a staff nurse, I'll also say travellers without much experience won't always be well received. Travellers are expected to know what they are doing, so I don't enjoy it if they waste my time asking questions they should already know the answers to. As a traveller, I am often thrown into the deep end on my own and I'm glad I have enough experience to do that safely.

Billy5949 · May 22, 2006

I love this website. You're all very helpful. I think I'll hang on to my current job for another few months, until I reach the year mark. Then possibly move into another hospital out-of-state for ~6mo-1yr...and then travel. How about that?