travel nurse psych and LTC?

[thekid]

Hi all,

I recently posted in the NP forum as I am kicking around a few ideas. Most of my experience aside from case management has been in LTC, I worked the ranks as a CNA, LPN, then later an RN. It's familiar and I know what to expect. I love the elderly dearly and I know there's a fair amount of job security with it.

My other interest is psych nursing but I have only worked in psych case management.

I live in Hawaii and am licensed here and in Arizona, and I can hardly stand the thought of leaving Hawaii , but our job options here are just not as varied. So I have considered applying for travel nurse positions.

My first pick would be psych nursing because I enjoy it the most, but lack the "on paper clinical experience , although nurse case managers can definitely hold their own .

But I would consider LTC nursing as well and may have a better chance at finding assignments. When I graduated in 2000, I worked in LTC and hospice for a few years. I have been out of the clinical setting for many years now but since I worked in so many facilities as an agency nurse in LTC in the past, I don't feel that far out of the loop.

Are there a lot of opportunities for travel nursing in psych and in LTC? I could also do geri-psych . I would not need to work year round running from assignment to assignment.

Would love to hear from nurses who work either of these specialties. I know most travel contracts will require two years of recent experience, however I also know when there is a big demand for nurses, the right employer will consider a nurse's entire background.

Thank you.