New nurse wondering about travel positions

Specialties Travel

Published

HEY there... I am a nurse with a little over a year's experience working on a cardiac step-down unit... I'm looking into doing some travel nursing, hopefully somewhere warm, and have been trouble finding a company/website for newer nurses. Anybody out there who works as a traveling nurse with any advice?? Any input is much appreciated :)

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

In the current economy, getting more experience would be best. As well as given the competition for jobs, against many experienced travelers, for fewer positions, make sure that you have a good financial cushion, for the times that you may not have a position.

A good test would be to work float pool, local agency, or do per diem at other facilities, for experience, to show your flexibility.

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I don't think new nurses should do travel assignments. Even nurses that have been nurses since the Dark Ages have trouble getting oriented to each different place and their different ways of doing things. I just can't imagine being so new and being competent enough to handle travel assignments. Is it just me????

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I don't think new nurses should do travel assignments. Even nurses that have been nurses since the Dark Ages have trouble getting oriented to each different place and their different ways of doing things. I just can't imagine being so new and being competent enough to handle travel assignments. Is it just me????

Not just you.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Plus if you traveled anywhere outside of the US you would have to obtain a license and a work visa for that country.

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Actually I know someone who graduated about 3 years ago and for the most part all he does is travel nursing...he's currently in the US Virgin Islands as I type this reply....he hasn't had any problems getting acclimated to the different environments. I think if you have a personality trait that embrace new and different experiences it wouldn't be hard at all to do travel nursing when you are "green"...just another perspective - caroladybelle, I say give it a try...make sure you have a plan b in place in the event you don't like it but don't allow fear to hold you backā™„

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

OP, I think you will find that there are very few agencies out there who want someone with fewer than a few years of experience. I agree with caroladybelle - stay where you are for another year, and then give it a try.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

I did a couple of travel assignments, the minimum was 2 years experience. Just my opinion, but I was glad I had over 3 years instead of just 2 (at least at the facilities I went to). OP, just be very careful if you do find a company that takes newer nurses - they are notorious for saying one thing and delivering another.

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I had exactly 1 year and 5 months of nursing experience when I started traveling in 2009(when the market REALLY sucked) Only 1 year to the day of icu experience and an agency and hospital both took me on and gave me a contract and renewed that contract for a year!! My advice to you is to make sure you ask a lot of questions to both the agency and hospital and dont let anyone take advantage of you!! I had a lot of people telling me I needed more experience, but I knew it was something I wanted to do and I did it. I also worked with 2 other travelers who had triple the experience at big fancy facilities and both were let go for various reasons including not passing the tele test. I am still traveling and have been extended at every contract I have been on. I am not bragging, just trying to illustrate a point. If it's really something you want to do and you have an open mind, a flexible attitude, and a happy smile, go for it!

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