NICU TRAVELER

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Aug 4, 2015

When we had travelers we generally gave them vents that weren't critical or gainers/growers also. Several of my traveler friends say the same thing, nature of the beast I suppose.

Maybe talk with the unit managers and see what their expectations are and how they handle travelers.

essT · Aug 5, 2015

My level III doesn't routinely use travelers. When we do, they mostly stay in our intermediate nursery rather than the NICU side. They basically get feeder/growers, with maybe an occasional IV or nasal cannula. It's unfortunate, because we currently have a couple of very experienced senior nurses working as travelers, and I think they are being underutilized. However, it is easier to monitor people who are newer to the unit, and the nurses are aware of this plan when they are hired.

denicu · Aug 9, 2015

So I left my permanent staff nurse position to become a traveling NICU nurse earlier this year. My 1st assignment is in the northeast and it SUCKS. I get nothing but feeders and growers and get treated like I dont know anything. I even had a nurse recheck my kids temp when I mentioned he said was cold. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Needless to say I am absolutely not extending my contract here. My reason for traveling is to learn more. Thats not happening here. I am reaching out to fellow NICU travelers and perm staff to give me feedback and guidance as to what facilities you work in that allow travelers to take real ICU assignments. I dont need to take the kid whose coding every shift but I would like to increase my skills, if not atleast maintain them. I worked in a level 3 NICU for 3 years and have done jets, oscillators, nitric, cpap, high risk deliveries, micro preemie care, etc. Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks guys! Also if you guys can recommend any recruiters and agencies you were happy with, that would be awesome. I took this assignment with AMN which sucks, my next assignment is at UMMC in Baltimore through TNAA. The recruiter is nice but a bit salesy. Thanks for the advice and help!

I have a NICU traveler since 2000 and NICU nurse for 28 yrs. I have had assignments in over 15 hospitals and most travelers typically get the assignments the staff doesnt want for ex withdrawal babies, chronics, babies with difficult parents, isolations, ostomies. The staff is not going to have 3 feeder growers and you have the critical 1:1. Not going to happen. And I have worked at some units where they have MD orders not to assign critical babies to certain staff members as well as travelers. You may be more than capable of taking care of these babies but the doc's like to have nurses that they are familiar with .As for increasing your skills- I dont think thats what NM have in mind when they hire travelers-you are there to fill a need- Often times you are hired soley to be floated to Peds and PICU. But I assure you- You are going to learn different ways of doing things or as we use say at my old hospital" there are many ways to grow a premie" After 28 yrs I have had my fill of critical babies and now i love to take care of feeder growers and teach the parents how to take care of their premie at home. Hopefully, one day you will get the assignment that allows you to maintain your skills. Good luck.

quittaRN · Aug 13, 2015

Hello NICURN2012,

I have traveled as a nicu nurse for years and it does matter where you travel to as far as assignments go. I worked at a lot of hospitals in California and I have never had a problem with assignments. Actually I have been given assignments which I thought would be for regular staff. Also in Florida they give pretty good assignments to travelers as well. I think you have to just travel to a variety of places to get the experience you want. Be open to different places. I've been told from travelers I've met that Texas is another place to obtain a lot of experience. Good luck don't give up on travel nursing just yet. Enjoy your journey.

travelmama · Dec 17, 2015

A lot of places give travelers the "easier" assignments because they don't know you. Does it really matter? I didn't travel expecting to advance my skills. You're traveling making good money. Just enjoy it!

24gaDalek · Dec 30, 2015

We typically don't give travellers sick kiddos as a courtesy at first. After one week of hospital orientation that goes over EMR and general hospital policies, our travelers get only two shifts of orientation. You are expected to hit the ground running. I don't think it would be fair or safe for you to take over complicated cases without having the opportunity to fully delve into the policies and procedures for our unit. Yes, some things are the same no matter where you go. But many things are not. You can't teach/learn everything in two shifts.

I have seen some travelers that have stayed for multiple contracts get complicated patients. But it always depends on the skill mix that is available that shift, etc. There are permanent staff who need certification and training on certain equipment that will take priority. In addition, our hospital got burned by litigation that involved a patient injury that occurred because of a traveler. I think everyone is a little gun-shy because of this now.

babyNP., APRN · Dec 31, 2015

OP, take a look from their angle. The staff has no idea what your capabilities are other than what you say, which hasn't been empirically proven. They don't have an incentive to give you the sickest infant on the unit when you aren't familiar with how those babies are managed and the culture of the unit, not to mention the policies. As someone who worked as a RN on the east coast and now work as a NP in the southwest, babies are treated very differently and what was the holy bible at one place is considered to be out of date at another place. That kind of intuitive knowledge to be able to anticipate what's coming will be lacking as you go from hospital to hospital for the very sick ones. The feeder growers, the management doesn't really change.

Sorry that it didn't live up to your expectations...but it's part of the deal to travel.

tinybbynurse · Jan 5, 2016

I can't currently speak for NICU travel nursing but as for travelers in general ... on my med surg floor we get a LOT of travelers and they all get equally difficult assignments as normal staff. Maybe that's because med surg has less acuity than an ICU for babies...idk.

But I feel like it probably just really depends on where you travel ...this is only your first assignment. I knkw in my state travelers are a big thing, so maybe travel to states that are in dire need and you'll get higher acuity assignments ...but at the same time, it's understandable that they'd start you off easy and maybe advance your acuity if you prolong your contract and get to know the unit more.

But I do agree with yiu in that you'd want to do the same kind of work you WERE doing, just on a traveling basis. Keep picking up assignments or try a new agency ...I've heard medical solutions is good ...try a state high in demand for travelers ...