Returning to Perm In a Different Specialty After Travel

raindrop · Sep 8, 2014

I dont understand why there would be any issues. What are u worried about exactly?

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2014

I dont understand why there would be any issues. What are u worried about exactly?

I will try to be specific in two points:

(1) Worried that I may not be able to convince an employer that I am committed to a permanent position for a respectable amount of time after having taken on travel assignments, in essence risk being perceived as still "temp-minded" and likely to leave for more travel soon, and (2) Worried that I may not be able to secure a position in the ED without experience even after traveling as a med-surg-tele nurse, especially with the increase of experienced ED candidates out there that will likely get preference over me (most all ED positions I have seen posted want ED experience already).

raindrop · Sep 8, 2014

Hmm. Just learn how to sell yourself on your resume and during the interview. Most managers lovevto hear that u are a self starter and have successfully completed assignments after having minimal computer training, etc.I think you can casually mention during your interview that you want some roots now, and since u now have X years of MS/tele under your belt, u are finally comfortable to get into a more adv specialty.

NedRN · Sep 8, 2014

You have a legitimate concern. I will point out that no matter your work history, you will be required to sign a contract to orient to a new specialty, perhaps as much as a two year commitment.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2014

You have a legitimate concern. I will point out that no matter your work history, you will be required to sign a contract to orient to a new specialty, perhaps as much as a two year commitment.

Is this common? I don't think I have ever heard of this before, except in circumstances where the hospital helped fund someone's nursing school tuition. I would definitely not have a problem signing such a contract as I can see myself giving a hospital more than two years when I return. I would also like to get CEN certified, and 2 years min is recommended before sitting for the exam anyway.

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NedRN · Sep 8, 2014

Very common. If a hospital commits to spending, say, $10,000 teaching you a new specialty, they understandably would like to get some productive time from you.

raindrop · Sep 8, 2014

I've only heard of signing a commitment sheet if u are getting a sign-on bonus. There is no way I would sign anything like that, hell no. They've got u by the balls then (so to speak).

NedRN · Sep 8, 2014

Then no new specialty, training worth a lot of money! $10,000 is understating the cost, and certainly the benefit. I signed one out of nursing school and it has been worth a million! I gave them three years, which is what I needed anyway to be truly competent and ready to travel in open hearts.

raindrop · Sep 8, 2014

Yea, and then you are SOL if u are thrown right out there and get a ****** orientation. I would sign it after orientation, but not before.

BonnieSc · Sep 8, 2014

You won't get a job, then. I concur with everything Ned says. I doubt it would be a problem to get another permanent M/S/Tele job just because of travel, but transferring to a (significantly) new specialty wouldn't be any easier than before, and harder than changing units at a hospital where you've been established.

I'm in a similar position--always wanted to do ER, only found work in M/S, and the last time I was applying for jobs, no one would even look at me for ER in a new hospital. I probably could have transferred the ER in the hospital where I did my last permanent assignment, but I wasn't willing to make a longer commitment to that city and decided to forfeit my chance at ER there (which I may regret, eventually?). Even if a hospital doesn't specify a one- or two-year contract to train you in a new specialty, you may find that the expectation is there and you won't get a good reference if you leave sooner.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2014

You won't get a job, then. I concur with everything Ned says. I doubt it would be a problem to get another permanent M/S/Tele job just because of travel, but transferring to a (significantly) new specialty wouldn't be any easier than before, and harder than changing units at a hospital where you've been established.
I'm in a similar position--always wanted to do ER, only found work in M/S, and the last time I was applying for jobs, no one would even look at me for ER in a new hospital. I probably could have transferred the ER in the hospital where I did my last permanent assignment, but I wasn't willing to make a longer commitment to that city and decided to forfeit my chance at ER there (which I may regret, eventually?). Even if a hospital doesn't specify a one- or two-year contract to train you in a new specialty, you may find that the expectation is there and you won't get a good reference if you leave sooner.

Yes, this is exactly my point. I don't want to return to med surg tele after I decide I no longer want to travel. And this is why I'm afraid to start traveling because I fear I'll remain a med surg tele nurse for the rest of my career, something I don't want to do.

I want to learn critical care and progress in that area going forward. However, I want to travel first and willing to do it in med surg tele, but it's not like I have a choice since this is all I know right now. I've even considered taking an ED certificate program to give me an edge for perm job opportunities later on.