Student wanting to look at all options

[CSPaddock]

Hello,

I am currently an RN student at a local hospital program in Virginia. It is a wonderful and challenging program. We have no obligation to remain in the area and work for the hospital, however, other options are not presented to us and most of our professors expect us to remain in the area. I have been having a tough time trying to figure out where I want to go and what I want to do when I complete my RN. I am 23 and I would like to move from the area such as Charlotte, NC; Wash. D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA;memphis, TN... or perhaps travel. I love cardiac nursing and have yet to complete my peds rotation (I am quite excited, for I love children and I have been told i have a gift with them). I was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on what my options as a RN are. I eventually wish to get my BSN, but I would like to earn some money to pay off school loans, and begin my life. There are many things I am unsure of becuase my school 'takes care' of pretty much everything for us. I have many questions such as: Which areas in the US have the best salaries? Can I travel and choose to work in a specialty? How do I begin travel nursing? Which agency is the best? How does it all work? Can you travel internationally? How are the nursing jobs in different cities?..The list goes on. Any information on what to do and even places to go would be helpful.

Thank You

Cassie

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You're options as an RN are wide open, so moving is definately an option available to you. I've heard the NE and Western USA have the best salaries and the SE have the worst, but a lot of that is relative to the cost of housing, etc.

I would settle down somewhere if I were you and work a year or so to get confidence and experience. Travel assignments are typically three to six months and require a lot of skill, flexibility to float to different units and experience. Usually they get maybe one day orientation to their new unit and are off and running on their own. Some agencies don't hire new grads. So find yourself a good hospital with a good preceptorship before traveling, imo.

Many hospitals reimburse travel expense and offer sign on bonuses. The hospital I currently work at reimbursed me the expense of shipping my furniture from north carolina, which was only $800.00 at the time.

[CSPaddock]

Thank you for your information. it was very helpful

[hoss62]

I agree with third shift guy...get at least a year's experience first if you want to go into travel nursing. If you end up liking peds, then comebine peds and cardio on a specialty unit. To do international nursing: get the BSN first aand by then you will have moire experience. Learn the language and the customs of the country to which you plan to travel. Since many countries to not spend the $ that we in the US do toward healthcare technology, be prepared NOT to say 'At home' or 'In the USA we use a xxx or do it this way'. When working in a foreign country you need to share your knowledge from a different platform and be resourceful and inventive with the supplies and tech stuff that the country has. I worked in Germnay many yrs ago and had a wonderful time.