New RN Can I travel?

Trauma Columnist · Sep 29, 2012

Travel nurses must be able to hit the ground running, usually very minimal (less than 4 hours) orientation. They must be able to accurately assess and care for a full load of patients. This requires much experience. Believe me, in any nursing area, you do not want to travel until you have had 5 years of nursing experience.

guest303305 · Sep 29, 2012

OMG! don't even think about it... This is my first travel assignment and I had 2 years exp in MS step down.... My first day: hospital orientation (policies). Second day: computer training. Third day: Unit orientation. Forth day: I am on my own... I make sure that I am very confidence in my skills before I travel. Guess what? I am still overwhelmed with all these adjustments and unit routines. P.S. start your exp. with a large teaching hospital, you will get a lot more choices and offers. Big hospitals across the country like Standford or John Hopkins won't take you unless your background exp is silmilar to theirs. Good Luck

Smurfette752, BSN · Sep 29, 2012

Thanks so much for your candor! I thought as much...but thought I would check, just in case it was feasible!

Stephanie

Carefreeliving · Oct 2, 2012

I traveled after 3 years of experience. I think you can travel after two years of experience if you are confident in your skills. You definitely need to be flexible and able to adjust easily to changes. As a travel nurse you will mostly likely be the first to be floated unless you are working on a closed unit.

My last assignment gave all travelers 8 hours of computer training and then zero orientation to the unit. Talk about adjusting. Every hospital treats their travelers differently. Just be sure you are ready when you travel.

picknenders · Oct 2, 2012

we (on assignment) require at least one year of experience in the specialty that you would be traveling in. I would say, though, that most of the hospitals that would be willing to take you with just one year of experience would make you never want to travel again...

bunny is right - better to wait and hone your skills than to jump in head first and have a horrible experience.

NedRN · Oct 3, 2012

Are you a recruiter?

picknenders · Oct 3, 2012

Yes I am - but I'm not on here to solicit. Just put my two sense in and keep my eyes and ears on the industry. I also do Public Relations, am a current Big Brother for BBS of Cincinnati and a season ticket holder for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat's Football Program! So I'm not just a recruiter. :)

RNFiona · Dec 3, 2012

I would wait at least two years. As a traveler you are given 2 days orientation if you are lucky and then thrown to the wolves. You really should gain some more experience first. Most places won't hire a brand new nurse as a traveler anyway