MotivatedOne

I suggest asking your recruiter before submitting you for an assignment if it requires PBDS testing. Try to avoid those assignments in the future as well as any other assignments that have a test that if failed your contract is at risk of being terminated.

Are you chemo certified? Some, not all oncology travel assignments require chemo certification. Like Swellz suggested, try applying for med/surg/tele positions as well. Most hospitals require at least 2 years of experience and some even want you to have a few travel assignments under your belt. Travel agencies will recruit you with only 1 year of experience but you will definitely have some difficulty securing your first contract because of the hospitals requirements. Be patient, and maybe in the meantime apply for licensure in other states to expand your search area. If you’re looking for something close maybe try a bordering state.

I found an apartment! I've been here since last Friday. I feel like nothing is close. Everything is at least 10 miles away, but I'm in NW Austin. Looking forward to starting next week. Not really feelling my work schedule for March though...I was thinking of going out downtown this weekend. If anyone's interested in joining me, let me know :)

There are a few of us heading to Austin in the next couple of weeks. Im from NC so I didn't have to worry about getting a Texas license since it's a compact state. What part of Texas are you interested in traveling to?

Hi all...EagerOne, I'm actually considering coming to Austin a little earlier prior to the start of my assignment. I'll be working nights so I'd definitely be interested in hanging out. Everyone else, especially those having difficulty finding their own housing... I was considering getting a 2BR apartment. Looking for someone to split the costs. More than likely I'd have to sign a 3 month lease. If you're interested, feel free to contact me here. Thanks!

I was wondering how do you tell your current agency you're taking an assignment with a different agency and stay in good standing with that current agency? My recruiter has been looking for a job for me but she's only been able to find positions in areas I have no desire to visit. So I used a different larger agency to find a job in an area I'm definitely interested in working. I've heard people say they've used multiple agencies and go with the one that offers a better deal but does that mean they shut the others out completely? How exactly does that work?

Try highwayhypodermics dot com. They rank each travel agency based on specific criteria. You can also read reviews of certain agencies from other travel nurses.

Parallon is one of the top staffing agencies here in Denver, and I know they're in Texas as well. I work with them through a subcontract with my travel agency. Will you be working at multiple hospitals in the area or just one?

I haven't officially accepted the offer but I more than likely will. It's an 8 week assignment from March 3rd til April 27th. This will be my second assignment. I've been in Denver, CO for the past 5 months.

Bliss911, I started traveling after a year of experience. Many told me to wait and at times I wish I had not necessarily because I still have some learning to do but because most hospitals want travel nurses with at least 2 years of experience. So it's been fairly difficult for me to find an assignment in an area I'd like to visit. So I would suggest waiting until you got at least 2 years of experience. Also, highwayhypodermics is a great resource for information about traveling and the different agencies out there! It was my go to website when trying to decide which agency to apply to. Best of luck in all of your future endeavors!

I'm not sure if 30 is considered young but I'd like to think so. I'm currently finishing up my 1st assignment in Denver, CO. Coming out here from NC was truly an eye opening experience. I work nights and at my old hospital just about every night shift nurse was a minority, mostly AA and a few Filipino nurses. I come here and at times I'm the only AA staff member on the unit. Denver is a beautiful city with lots to do. You can try using meetup dot com to find groups of people with similar interests to hang out with. I'm leaving mid February for an assignment in Austin, TX that's set to start on the 3rd. I was wondering if anyone else was heading out that way. If so, perhaps we can meet up and hang out.

I'm currently finishing up my first assignment in Denver, CO. I tried looking for housing on CL but I'm not a roommate type of person so I had no luck considering most posts were for rooms for rent. I stayed in an ESA for about 2 months before moving out. I love to bake but couldn't because there was no oven. If you can find a Towneplace Suites for equal or slightly more than ESA, I'd opt to stay there instead. The rooms are updated and they have a small stove and oven. Also, see if they offer a discount to employees of whichever facility you'll be working at. I was able to get my room for $60/night. You have to pay tax on the room for the first 30 days but after 30 days you're no longer considered a "guest" but a "resident" so your taxes are refunded/credited back to you. The pet fee was $100 or $25/night for the first four nights. When looking at apartments, they wanted me to pay anywhere from $350-$500 for the pet fee/deposit for 3 months! That's a bit ridiculous. Best of luck finding a place and congratulations on landing your first assignment!

Hi, I'm currently coming up on a year of experience on a Med/Surg unit. I'd like to transition to eventually become a PACU nurse. I was told out of nursing school that I should first get Med/Surg experience which I've done. I now think it's time I try something I've been interested in for quite some time now. Most PACU positions I've come across require some critical care experience. I was wondering, is there a specific ICU specialty that would better prepare me for the PACU or is ICU experience considered ICU experience? Thanks!

High Point is a dead end town. I can't get out of here soon enough. There is absolutely nothing to do here besides shop for furniture. It is however convenient to both WS and Greensboro. Is there any other reason you wouldn't want to stay in either Greensboro or WS besides wanting to be in the middle of both?

I think it's great advice to experience different hospitals on a per diem basis. I try to sign up for open opportunities on different types of units to gain more exposure but it would be nice to experience how things are done at a different facility. I have worked on a unit that still does paper charting. Also, my current hospital just switched from Carecast/Lastword to Epic documenting system so I've been exposed to both. I'm just so eager to travel and try something different, more challenging. They say the grass isn't always greener on the other side...you're right, I may end up somewhere completely lost and overwhelmed! I guess I should be more patient, apply at different facilities for either a per diem or PRN position and expose myself to a different way of things altogether. Again, thanks for you advice and I apologize for being defensive!

I hit the ground running as soon I started working as a Nurse. I've been in the healthcare profession since 2007...4.5 years as a NA. This isn't new for me. I work at a level 1 trauma facility so we get the sickest of the sick! Cross Country says on their website that you can start applying once you've gotten 9 months of experience. I know plenty of people who have started traveling with only 1 year of experience. They've yet to burn out. Also, I'm not thinking about it...this is something I've wanted to do since before even starting Nursing School! I know there is more that I need to learn but learning is a lifelong process. Not everyone, not even the so-called seasoned nurses know everything there is to know about nursing. If in fact, my traveling turns out to be a bad decision then it's a mistake I have to make myself! My recruiter from cross country got back with me and she did mention the fact that with me having little experience, I may be limited on where I can go. If that's the case, and I can't go where I'd like to, then I'll just stay where I am until I get more time under my belt and have better options. I appreciate your advice and I apologize if I'm being defensive but I can't stand hearing "you're not experienced enough" when I know differently!

I've recently been speaking with a recruiter from both Cross Country and Aya. I also used highway hypodermics' ratings to choose agencies to apply to. I've yet to start traveling or even be given an assignment as I'm waiting to hit my year mark. I will say that the recruiter from Aya has been more responsive when I've had questions and trust me I almost feel as if I've bombarded her with questions but I honestly thought that was what they were for...to answer any questions. I recently emailed my recruiter at CCTC and she emailed me back saying she'll be in touch with me as soon a she speaks with my references. That honestly didn't sit well with me. So I guess now I'm considering a second agency to replace CCTC. I've read bad reviews about them but wanted to go with a larger agency just in case a smaller agency couldn't find me a job in a location I'd like to travel. The most important factor for me is location and housing. If I'm going to be put in an extended stay hotel. I'd like for it to be one of my choosing not some run down hotel in the middle of the ghetto! Both recruiters at Aya and CCTC informed me I'd be put in a 1 bedroom apartment, especially since I'll be traveling with pets! As long as I get paid more than what I make now as a staff nurse at my local hospital, I'd be satisfied with the pay! Any suggestions on a larger company or should I just go with a second small company?

Hi, I'm interested in traveling after a year and half of experience on a MedSurg/Gyn Onc floor. I was wondering what qualities should I look for in a recruiter and what companies hire Nurses with less than two years of experience. I'm single, no children but two pets so I'd prefer a company that is pet friendly. Thanks!

I'm assuming your state does not participate in quick results! If you've received the good pop-up, I think it's safe to say that you've passed. Unfortunately you'll have to either wait until you're listed on your state board of nursing's website or until they send you your official pass certificate...whichever comes first!

Yes, after you've answered whether or not you've taken the nclex before, and input your school information, once you hit submit, you should get the pop-up!

I apologize for the delay. You're given the opportunity to choose 3 areas of interest. After your initial interview, the nurse recruiter will then forward your information to the unit manager of those areas that she feels you may be a good fit. I'm already employed at Wake Forest Baptist Health as a nurse's assistant and decided to transition as a RN on my home unit! Orientation doesn't start until July 9th. Are you still in CA, have you moved to NC? If so, what part and where did you find a job? There are still quite a few people in my graduating class looking for jobs. The majority of my fellow classmates were hired at High Point Regional! Good luck to you!!!

Thank God for quick results! I did the trick and got the good pop up! 2 days later I got my "unofficial results" from pearson vue! I used Kaplan strategies book as well as a Kaplan Review Course that my program included in our tuition. The strategies book gave me a better understanding of what to expect on the exam. I'd say use it to study. It's only about $35 but I got it from my local public library for free :-) To review my medications, I used Exam Cram by Wilda Rinehart (another book I got from the library) It listed ways to figure out which medication belonged to which class. It also had a cram sheet with values and key points listed. You can find the cram sheet online by typing in "exam cram cram sheet" in google! Be mindful of the lab values on the cram sheet, I found them to be slightly off! Congratulations to those of you have taken and passed the NCLEX!!! Good luck to those of you who have yet to take it!

Well best of luck to you! Not sure if you know this or not but the AACN is advocating a doctorate degree to practice as a nurse practioner by the year 2015! I think I've heard some states have already adopted this practice!

Congratulations to you as well Olliesmommy1005...Nice avatar! We were actually considering putting that on one of our t-shirts!

I'm not really a career changer but I am however a 2nd degree student. When I graduated, we had both departmental commencements and a commencement for the entire graduating class where they basically called us by departments and had us stand up. We didn't even walk across the stage for the larger commencement ceremony! I want to make sure I understand what you're saying. Are you saying you're applying for personal care assistant/tech jobs instead of Nursing jobs although you're graduating in May?