new traveler feeling lost

Specialties Travel

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I am a brand new traveler, I have 2 solid years of critical care experience working in a very acute 24 bed med/surg ICU. I did very well there and felt upon leaving i could handle anything that was thrown at me. I also had the reponsibility of orienting new travelers on our unit. It was a teaching hospital and there were awesome mid-levels around all the time and lots of resources - books, computer software for ccrn's, etc.

I just started my very first travel assignment in a unit smaller than mine, non-teaching, and so far less acute than what i am used to. I am a few days into this assignment and feel so stupid. Everything is so different and it is really slowing me down during my shifts and forcing me to ask the other nurses simple little questions regarding equipment that is different etc. There are no docs or midlevels around, i had to call a doc at home for the first time ever! not a pleasant experience. There are no med ref books, only 2 computers to share, and charting that i am still trying to figure out. I got no orientation just a "resource nurse" who was so busy with her pts all night to answer any of my silly questions. I am expecting things to get better once I get used to how thier unit works and all. On the upside everybody has been so nice to me.

Do all assignments start like this? Can anyone relate? Need feedback!!:bugeyes:

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Many feel that way when the environment changes around them in every single way, and this is no exception at all.

I usually recommend that if someone is a relatively new nurse and has only worked one hospital and one unit, that they at least try to get some agency or per diem work in at another facility in their area before starting a travel assignment.

Hospitals bring in nurses on travel assignments when they have a shortage of staff, it can be for one contract of 13 weeks, or even just for a month when they need someone to be able to function almost immediately. You are expected to feel comfortable with all types of equipment and procedures, and get only mimimal orientation. Usually just to the computer and where things are.

Can relate entirely with what you are telling me that has happened to you and be aware that you are far from the only one that feels this way. Things should get easier for you in the next few shifts, if not, have a little talk with the manager of the unit and tell her what you feel that your needs are to help you function better. They had to have felt comfortable with your skill set to have offered you the job initially.

Please let us know if you have any more questions or we can be of further help to you.

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

For me, the first week or two of an assignment is always stressful- figuring out new equipment, new hospital policies, finding out where everything is, learning a new computer system, etc. Things will get better once you get all these things figured out!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.

I agree with the other two posts, esspecially from Suzanne, when she said that it will be harder for you since you've only worked in the one hospital setting. Not that there is anything wrong with this. It just means that you might have to have a little more patience with YOURSELF, and know that you will soon start to feel comfortable with your assignment. I have been a RN for sixteen years, and have worked with different nursing agencies before I decided to travel (on my first asisgnment), so I know exactly what you are going through. Working with nursing agencies have enabled me to adapt easier and faster than I would of been able to, if I had only worked at one hospital.

Any NEW environment will be unsettling at first. You wouldn't be human, if you didn't have some nervousness. But this will soon past, and you will one day look back at this 'experience' and laugh at it.

Good luck and keep us posted. Hope this helps.

Kathy

:redpinkhe:innerconf:bugeyes:

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Amen to all the other posts - You will feel a bit off kilter - but it does get better and will make you more marketable in the long run -

Good luck wiht the rest of the assignment!

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Best wishes for settling in to your new situation. I hope that all the students and new grads who post on this board about how soon they can start traveling and how little experience they need, will read your post! :)

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Thank you all for your feedback! Things are going MUCH better. It just took some adjusting. :specs:

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Glad to hear. Thanks for giving us the update.

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