New-ish grad interested in travel nursing!

Specialties Travel

Published

Hello everyone! My name is Sarah. I graduated with my ADN in December, started working on a Med/Surg floor in January as an RNA and passed my NCLEX in April. I'm also in the process to enroll in a BSN program that I will hopefully complete over the course of the next 2 years. After being an RN for a few months, I've looked into the idea of becoming a travel nurse however from what I have heard most agencies/hospitals prefer for you to have experience. How much experience is usually needed before an RN becomes a travel nurse? Just looking for any suggestions or advice as this is an area I'm hoping to pursue in the future!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

At least 2 years usually. You'll get only a few days of training/orientation to the new facility and then you'll jump right in taking patients.

You need to be a confident expert, and that only comes with time and experience.

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Specializes in NICU.

They require at least a year experience, most want 2 yrs experience. Travel nurses are expected to be proficient at their job without any orientation. They are looking for someone to be independent from day one and not have to teach someone the job when they are paying the travel company big bucks for you.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Wait until you have 2 years of experience before you travel. You have no idea right now how quickly you're expected to be on your own on assignment. You really have to know your 💩, and at the 2 year mark I feel a nurse is MINIMALLY competent to handle that at any hospital.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I don't know any agency that will take you without at least a year, most want 2. I know you want to travel right now, you're a new grad but hold off for a while & get that experience. Would you feel comfortable going to a new hospital, in a new state & only getting 2 days of orientation? That's what you're gonna get.

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Thank you for all of the advice! I really appreciate it. It looks like I'll stay put for another two years or so. I guess I'll just begin research so I know what are the good and bad places to work through when my time comes. Do any of you all have agencies you would recommend or not recommend?

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