AlwaysthinkingRN8

UPDATE: To my friends (You're my friends in my head...lol:)) on this thread, I just want to update you on my progress since you gave me such good advice:-).. I accepted a night assignment in Austin, Tx. My first night is this Saturday so I haven't started yet. However, I have been on the unit and it SEEMS to be a nice place to work. I plan on starting another thread once I complete approx. the first month or so. I will post the topic name on this thread if you care to hear about MY experience as a first time traveler. It's also to help those that are looking into traveling. I can't believe I actually did it!!! I'm SUPER nervous :nailbiting:about my first night but I'm excited to get started so I can get that "NEW employee" feeling out of the way. I welcome any advice from experienced travelers regarding being a NEW traveler during those first few weeks:up:.

@MotivatedOne. I just read your message. I couldn't reply back. Because this is my first assignment I didn't want to worry about finding housing. I had a TON of other things to worry about so I decided to let my agency provide housing. So an ES hotel is what was provided. Its a very nice one so I'm happy. If I extend this assignment I will find an apartment and bank the rest. But I'm living in the area NOW so I'll have time to physically view apts and areas. Hope that helps because I think I forgot the question. lol

I will be heading to Austin, Tx this month also! This will be my first assignment. I'm nervous and excited. How awesome is it to find this post. WOW! I would love to hang out with other travelers. I will be on Nights. For the housing, I will be at an Extended Stay. But I have a question for you guys. What are you doing for transportation? Are you driving to Texas? If you want to know what hospital I will be at just message me. I'm new to this site so I don't know how to message. It may be easy I just haven't done it yet. I'm excited for all of us! I'm all for meeting up!

Hello. In doing my research on travel nursing, I've noticed that many agencies ask for at least two years of experience. Every person is different but for me at one year I noticed that it does "get better". But I would suggest at LEAST 1.5 years before leaving your first job. You'd be surprised at the amount of additional experience you will acquire in that extra 6 months. However, you will learn something new for the rest of your career. So, continue to ask the question to other MORE experienced nurses but you know your abilities better than anyone else. GOOD LUCK!! :)

Thank you sooooo very much for updating me. To me that sounds like fair orientation time also. I'm happy to hear that your assignment is going great! I'm sure you are an excellent nurse :). Keep me updated. I can't wait to share my experience also.

Hello. I've decided to allow the agency to provide me with housing for my first assignment to prevent as much stress as possible. I have no pets. I hope the right opportunity will come along for you:-)

You are so right!. I can't wait to start traveling. I'm ready for that next chapter. Hope you are having fun in California. I plan on having a GREAT time! Good luck to you also!

This is extremely helpful especially because we have the same specialty. I'm very grateful for this post. THANK YOU!!!

I hope so petey00. I'm starting to get very excited. Thanks for your help!! ALL of the comments are helping me prepare for this new journey.

Thank you 21strawberry!! I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience. I wish you nothing but a GREAT experience.

Hello ShoegalRN!....Thanks for your reply!! I have a California license and I can't wait to explore Cali. FYI be very patient because they take awhile posting your number. lol

Thank you ChristineN!!! I appreciate the info. 2-3 shifts is GREAT! Are you in either Texas or California?

Hello Everyone, I'm new to this site and this is my FIRST post! Yayyyy!!!. Ok, here we go. I've been a Med\Surg (regretfully no telemetry experience) RN for 19 months now. Recently, I've decided to definitely pursue travel nursing starting in February 2014. I'll be one month shy of 2 years RN experience. I'm a young AA female (29 in November), no kids, and free as a bird. But the biggest concern I have is whether or not I have enough experience. On my unit we get all types of patients; such as alcohol withdrawal, ARF\CRF, change in MS, Sepsis, CHF, COPD, DKA, TPN, Hep drips, Continuous peritoneal dialysis, infected wounds, trachs, LOTS of surgical pts, PCA pumps etc.. The average nurse to patient ratio is 1:5-6. NEVER more than that! But I still think to myself "Have I seen enough?" "Have I done enough"? So, the two states I am focused on are Texas and California. Texas first because I have been IN LOVE with the idea of living in California so I'm looking forward to that. I would love to hear from new and experienced travel RNs, especially my fellow med\surg nurses, on but not limited to the following: 1. How much experience did you have prior to traveling and was it enough? 2. What are some important things to include in my contract? 3. What are some of the best and worst hospitals you've been to in Cali and Tx? 4. What kind of orientation did you have? 5. Overall, were the patients the same as you experienced as a staff nurse in your home state? 6. Do you get pulled a lot? Are you cancelled often? 7. If you need help are the staff helpful? 8. Do you find it hard to get work because you are med\surg with NO tele experience??? 9. PLEASE give me whatever advice you have!! I am very appreciative of ALL info given. Also, if there are any other nurses aged 25-39 that will be traveling to Dallas, Tx in February 2014 and would like a travel buddy let me know. Thank you guys in advance for your help. Once I start traveling I will start a thread documenting my experience because I would love to help someone else. I look forward to your comments.