Seasonal Ski Town Positions

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a new-grad nurse (until June '15) in a Neuro ICU. I have a compact license, tech experience and plan to get my CCRN in June. I'm very interested in aiming for a seasonal position or travel contract in or near a ski area.

My limited understanding is that many of these places hire seasonal staff (nov-mayish) for obvious reasons. If anyone has experience, tips are greatly appreciated.

Is it better to look for openings through a travel agency recruiter or talk to specific hospital's recruiters directly?

What else can I do to make myself more marketable to these hospitals. I'm obligated to remain in my unit until June but am elligible to pick up ER shifts soon and plan to.

Thanks and happy new year!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

check out the travel nursing forum but from my understanding on reading threads here travel nursing requires you to have at least 2 years experience

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
I'm a new-grad nurse (until June '15) in a Neuro ICU. I have a compact license, tech experience and plan to get my CCRN in June.

Don't you have to have 2 years of relevant experience before taking the certification exam?

I would stay put for 2 years before trying to work as a traveler. You will be MUCH more marketable. Very few agencies will hire a traveler with only one year experience, especially in a specialty area.

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You only have to have 1 year of ICU experience to take the CCRN exam. My hospital requires that I take a 6 month Essentials of Critical Care (ECCO) course that I've started. Each of the nurses on my unit from the last cohort that took the exam right after finishing the course passed.

I understand that 2 years will make me much more marketable and fully expect to need to wait until then. That being said, is there any reason to not at least apply to seasonal positions or a travel agency after one year? Is there more at risk than rejection?

Thanks for your input.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

No, I imagine not. Good luck with your plan! I know Vail has a largish hospital that hires seasonal nurses.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

On the East Coast there are ski resorts from Massanutten VA all the way to the Canadian Border with at least a hundred small and critical access hospitals that hire travelers. I have not worked in the Midwest at all. Pick a few places you want to be Snowshoe or Killington, for example, and let the recruiter know to send you an email when these hospitals have a need. I would suggest Cross country or one of their affiliates for your first assignment next winter because they are known for good housing and a lot of clinical support but lowish pay unfortunately. It is good and uncomplicated way to start. Specifically request a recruiter who specializes in the New England or Mid Atlantic Area.

Do make sure that you have TNCC PALS ACLS BLS and NIHSS along with the CCRN and build a portfolio of all the documentation that a travel agency requires. A compact license is a big plus in your favor. Get the VT license app in a few months in advance of when you plan to start. A lot of these little places prefer someone who can be there next Monday to attend orientation. You want to be ready to say yes submit me I can start next week.

There is a lot of good information in the travel nurse section about getting started.

You are going to be competing with nurses who have many years of experience so you may not get your first choice of assignments next winter. Ortho, PACU and ED experience is more what they need for the fracture patients. But it's not impossible. If you prove yourself and specialize in working in resort areas, and many travelers do, like my friend who is focused on getting scuba diving hours, it can be a very nice way to make a living.

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