Hi all! I'm a new RN...I have lots of women's health experiences but not as an RN. Would I be able to travel? I really would love to get into travel nursing, but an really unsure of how to go about it or if they would even want me being so "new." Thought? Stephanie 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sep 29, 2012 by traumaRUs, MSN, APRN, CNS traumaRUs has 27 years experience as a MSN, APRN, CNS and specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU. 166 Articles; 21,045 Posts; 191,609 Profile Views 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. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sep 29, 2012 by bunny8762 12 Posts; 1,209 Profile Views 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 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sep 29, 2012 by Smurfette752, BSN 133 Posts; 4,306 Profile Views Thanks so much for your candor! I thought as much...but thought I would check, just in case it was feasible! Stephanie 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oct 2, 2012 by Carefreeliving Carefreeliving has 9 years experience and specializes in Multi-disciplines. 43 Posts; 2,393 Profile Views 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. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oct 2, 2012 by picknenders picknenders has 5 years experience. 17 Posts; 856 Profile Views 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. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oct 3, 2012 by NedRN 2 Followers; 1 Article; 5,356 Posts; 45,194 Profile Views Are you a recruiter? 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oct 3, 2012 by picknenders picknenders has 5 years experience. 17 Posts; 856 Profile Views 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. :) 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dec 3, 2012 by RNFiona RNFiona has 13 years experience and specializes in ER. 211 Posts; 6,524 Profile Views 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 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
