thewandereRN

I'm on my first assignment,as an ICU traveler. I went from a small community hospital ICU 170 bed facility), to and 800+ bed facility in a big city. It was a rough transition at first, due to acuity. HOWEVER, I recommend branching out and learning. I chose a facility that was traveler friendly, I was honest with the interviewing manager about my concerns and the patient load... and honestly, it was the best decision I've made. I can always float down if needed, but I'm not losing my ICU skills, I'm gaining more. Coming from a rural community hospital, I actually did more as an RN there than I do here. This city hospital has staff to transport ICU patients, 24/7 Intensivists, code teams,iv teams, etc. At my community hospital, we as ICU nurses were the code nurse, iv nurse, and cover all in emergencies... So, keep that in mind, and dont let your fear hold you back.

American Mobile and Cross Country both had assignments all through Washington. I am also headed that way in May or June, but haven't committed to anything yet. I'll be headed to ICU as well. :)

I have experience doing both (not traveling, but as staff), and am planning to travel ICU, but have considered OR. I went to the OR directly out of nursing school, then to tele, then to ICU... which is ass backwards, and rare. I miss the OR, but I prefer ICU, which is likely also rare, lol. Do you have an opinion on travelin with either specialty?

I can completely relate. Our jobs can be terrifying at times when we are unsure of what the right answer is. Trust your gut, and learn from your and others mistakes.... Thoses are two major things I've learned in my critical care experience.

In my experience, the actual sheath insertion is usually at an angle, so you'd want to hold pressure two fingers about the puncture site (where you would be checking pulses normally)so that you are able to completely compress that artery so the bleeding is stopped. Hydration is good, and you may want to obtain a CBC, to compare. monitor vitals. While one person holds pressure, someone else should be calling the doc stat, if visible or palpable, outline the hematoma to monitor, and pressure should be held until an intervention can occur. Consider anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. Hope this helps you some!

Thanks for the input Ned. You are such a great resource. I also considered that option. I have just had heard many good things about this agency, have a friend working with them, and find it unfortunate to have to miss out on a good agency due to a not so great recruiter chemistry.

Hey all, Have been trying to get all of my ducks in a row to travel in a couple months. I've been doing research on some travel companies, and the benefits offered, and narrowed it down to a couple I'd like to try and have been talking to some recruiters. The recruiter I've been talking to for my top pick company wise is really not impressing me, compared to other recruiters I've talked tp, and keeps pushing me to go to states I have no desire to go. Am I able to change recruiters without burning bridges?

Congrats on your position! I'll likely be ICU agency at Forbes through maxim or msn, and have been trying to find out what it's like there.

I have no plans of hardball negotiations, I'm just trying to figure out the terminology actually. I thought maybe there was a nice resource to break it down that I was missing. Thanks for the tips.

Thanks for the advice Rod. As I'm gathering info, the process seems so daunting sometimes. Any places you recommend to understand how pay, perdiem, stipends, housing all work into pays? I'm a bit confused on what I should be looking for in numbers when working out an offer. Thanks!! :)

Did you end up trying Forbes? I'm curious, as I am also trying to do some per diem before I travel.

Hello Everyone, I'm new to the traveling world, (natural born gypsy lifestyler prior to nursing).. Currently, I'm an ICU nurse in a rural hospital with roughly 200 beds, with almost 2 yrs of ICU experience, (5 total, Tele and OR at a LEvel 1 prior to this ICU). I'm currently trying to tie up some loose ends, and prepare to travel in May of this year. I'm doing starting some casual/per diem work locally to bridge my full time job to traveling, and build some experience, as well as to get a feel to work outside of my comfort zone before I head too far from what I know. What are some things that you absolutely wish you'd known before you started travelling? Any must have's you personally rely on for your travels? Any great APPs or resources? Favorite Travel friendly hospital's or cities? How many agencies do you have ties with? I'm looking forward to your responses!

I am in the same boat as you. Thanks for posting!