Should I take this travel assignment?

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 15, 2017

I hate stepdown, tele, med surg, neuro icu, but if money motivates you go for it. any travel assignment will help you jump start other things.

Windyhill, BSN · Mar 15, 2017

You need the ICU to get into the CRNA program. Just don't spend too much time in step-down...

NedRN · Mar 15, 2017

There is a risk of not being able to get back into ICU easily. I'd suggest not doing it. The money is actually not as good as you think working locally: all your compensation will be taxed including the housing stipend and per diems. When you compare that pay for hours worked only with your staff jobs and benefits including good health insurance (versus none or crappy insurance), PTO, vacations, holidays, education, and perhaps retirement there may be only a small difference in real pay. Travel assignments are like per diem, higher hourly and bankable cash at the expense of benefits.

Stick it out for two years. Then if you have a crazy impulse to work step down, you are much more likely to go back to ICU. But a real travel assignment in ICU will pay as well as step down, sometimes more.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 15, 2017

Since the contract is local, do the contract and work ICU prn. Ask about doing ICU on a contract at that hospital. CRNA programs do want a recent 1 year or experience. Remember travelers do not get sick patients.

spaceshuttleboy · Mar 15, 2017

Thanks for responding, you guys.

I thought about it, and as much as I do value being in the SICU, I feel I would have more freedom financially with this assignment, to pay down my loans and etc. (I'm pretty underpaid at the moment as a staff nurse.) It seems that most agencies are uniform in saying that after getting through the first one, all other assignments come by without difficulty, so this would open the door for me to return to the ICU on my next job, or even as a staff nurse somewhere else.

Thanks everybody.

NedRN · Mar 15, 2017

It is true that a successful first assignment make you more competitive as a traveler, but less than two years of ICU experience and your first assignment is in step down, you will not become magically more competitive at finding ICU assignments. As I said previously, there is a lot of risk here.

And needless risk I might add. While you have not paid your dues yet, you might find an ICU travel assignment. It will probably be crappy, as all the travelers who have paid their dues have first crack at quality assignments, but at least you will be gaining ICU experience versus losing experience, and will be paid similar to the local job. In addition, you will actually make more bankable money with a real travel assignment because of the significant tax benefits. Yes, you will have to duplicate housing costs, but if you are really motivated, that can be done inexpensively with a house share. If your current abode is suitable to a housemate, that will save you even more money, as well as someone behind to enjoy your absence most of the time and check your mail.

espress099 · Mar 16, 2017

As a traveler, I know the money is tempting but if your ultimate goal is CRNA you do need ICU experience for that, and I think it's more than a year. Plus you've just started in the ICU- you've sacrificed and probably gone through hell and hazing (at least I did anyway) this first year and now that you've almost made it over this steep learning curve you're going to give that up? knowing that you'll have to go back to it at some point and when you do you'll have forgotten some of what you've learned and have start climbing that ladder again... (this is just my perspective because I started as a new grad in the PICU and left after one year- right when I was getting the hang of things I bowed out because I couldnt take it anymore).

I would think REALLY hard about taking this assignment and consider other options first. If you don't like the ICU you're at now, find another ICU they always need nurses, and if you get more experience under your belt (at least 1 year in an ICU is required for travelers who want to be in an ICU) take a travel assignment in an ICU (there are TONS of openings- I get so many offers for PICU it's ridiculous).

Also, keep in mind as a traveler the first assigment can be stressful - they give you 3 days to learn the whole computer system- how to chart, and all the workings of their unit (where stuff is kept, if they use different IV machines you have to learn those, figuring out who to call for help and where to find them, dealing with techs who don't respect you because you're new/traveler/) so with all those things being thrown at you as well, it's helpful to be proficient and comfortable in your specialty or the stress can be overwhelming.

Try to hang on for just a bit longer in your unit and look towards the bigger picture, not just the money. Maybe pick up a PRN position?

Hope this helps :)

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 16, 2017

Hey folks!
I wanted to seek out your collective advice, if you'd be kind enough to help out.
I've been considering traveling for a while, and have decided to explore some opportunities. I currently working in a Surgical ICU. I have a little less than a year's experience in critical care, but over a year as a RN altogether.
While I would l love to remain in my ICU speciality, I've been offered my first assignment in a stepdown unit at a nearby hospital, which would pay me almost three times what I earn now. However, I would ultimately like to go to CRNA school and so I want to be able to eventually return to the ICU after this assignment.
My questions for you guys are:
- do you think I should take this assignment?
- if I were to take this stepdown assignment, do you think I would still be allowed to accept ICU assignments in other hospitals in the future?
Thanks guys!

If you want to work in the ICU, stay in the ICU until you're competent in the ICU -- about two years, usually. If I read you right, this is your second job in just a little over a year. Your resume is going to look like you're a job hopper (because you will be) if you take a third job so soon. And you haven't stayed in any one job for a year. Traveling will just exacerbate that concern. Most reputable travel agencies don't consider anyone ready to travel until they've had about two years of experience in the specialty in which they'd like to travel.

Don't take this assignment. If you do take the stepdown assignment, you may or may not be allowed to accept ICU assignments in the future, but you won't be competent in ICU so you should not do so.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2017

CRNA schools are starting to ask for 2 years in ICU, money is all good just hope you can get back in.