To be or not to be

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Hi I'm 26 years old and I'm a NICU nurse. Been working in a level II/III NICU for the last 2.5 years. I say II/III because looking at the criteria for leveling a NICU, our NICU is in between. We can take babies as low was 24 weeks but we don't do surgery or ECMO. We do have a Neo in house 24/7 and we used high frequency ventilators and have pretty sick kids, but when we need to we transfer babies out to higher levels of care....anyway just giving you the background of my NICU Experience...

I've been a nurse total for 4 years and I am looking into travel nursing, but I'm not sure if it's for me...can anyone give me any advice? My mother of course is convinced that I won't like it and then I'll be crying and calling her that I'm homesick..or that I'll be stranded in some hell hole and stuck for three months lol

my personality says whatever I'll deal for 3 months and I'll make the best of it but she's being the devils advocate and trying to make me stay...any advice or comment will be extremely helpful thanks :)

Jackie

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Generally travelers don't get level 4 babies. But of course, level 4 experience will be more competitive.

The traveler's mantra is that it is only 13 weeks. Every job should have daylight at the end of it, it makes blah or bad jobs completely tolerable. So that's the worst of it, it is only 13 weeks. A lot of upside from there, including just the location, and the usually good chance to extend if things are really rosy with the job, location, friends, or significant other.

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Thank you :)

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Your mother should be out of this decision.

I feel you have enough experience to try travel nursing.

Why do you want to travel? Where would you like to go? Are you extremely flexible and a fast learner?

Do you currently live alone? You will be going home to an empty house, and will need to make friends fast if you need to socialize. You are the only one that can decide if it's right for you.

BTW, I am of the same mindset , can handle 13 weeks of anything, but some assignments made me question that.

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However I know a NICU nurse that travelled to a surgery center and was taking car of level iv infants the day after her orientation lol

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Would you advise to try going some where a little closer to home first? So if maybe I have a couple off in a row and I'm home sick I could just drive home lol I don't live alone...but I did at one point I live with my parents...I really like living alone but I would be nice to have friends nearby to socialize lol

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Specializes in ICU/PACU.

Travel nursing has its downsides but IMO the upsides trump them all. Even places I haven't enjoyed I do not regret going. Ok, maybe 1 or 2 assignments, but in general everything has been worth it. It's a unique opportunity we have to see the country and gains tons of experience, meet many new people and just grow as a person:) Cheesy but true. Of course your mom wants you stay. You can always have her drive with you to your first gig, that's who I took with me when I first drove across country.

I would recommend going to the location you have always dreamed of first. And just be picky for your first assignment, take something that compliments your experience where you will feel comfortable.

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