Newbie OR travel nurse

Specialties Travel

Published

So I will start by saying I am a RN with close to three years experience in the OR. I primarily circulate (when I was an LPN I scrubbed in OB for c sections, D&C ,tubal) and just decided to embark on travel nursing. It was in the works for a few weeks and to be quite honest I never thought I would get the phone call that I was offered a position,but I did and just yesterday I accepted the offer. I love where I work and I even have another per diem job working in same day surgery,pre op and the OR .. both places are great. This travel assignment offered to give me 3 12's consecutively so I would only have to commute once a week. The hospital I will be going to is about 2 hrs from my home. It took me some time to actually accept the offer because I am terrified now to leave the stability I have at my FT job.... But the money and experience are great. My fear is that I am going to be lost, maybe I really can't do this, I'm worried it's going to be an unfriendly work environment for 13 weeks and I won't be able to get through it 😔. Will I really be able to do this with a whole new charting ssyste and only about a week's worth of orientation. I'm getting so nervous that I am second guessing myself. Any advice is appreciated....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sure you can. First three weeks will be tough, a couple more weeks to become efficient, and then you are cruising downhill! Rinse and repeat.

You may find that extending will lower the annual amount of stress of orienting to a new OR, staff, anesthesia, and surgeons.

I've travelled OR for over twenty years - it's a blast - always something new to learn and new places to explore.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the advice. It's such a scary situation because I'm such a planner with my life but yet spontaneous at the same time lol. I am just trying to stay positive and hope that it's a great 13 weeks and I can get through it and who knows maybe even do it again and again . I'm hoping they welcome me with open arms and are just happy to have me in their staffing shortage. We will see I guess. I officially accepted and can't turn back now. í ½í¸²

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MedSurg, OR, Cardiac step down.

How are things so far??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I start next week. I will keep you posted. I'm nervous as heck.

They did cluster 3 12's for me I got very lucky in that respect.

So fingers crossed I do well

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment