Travel nursing with Critical care experience

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

I'm not a traveler, but thinking about my unit, I don't think that should hold you back.

I work in an 18 bed MICU/SICU and I've seen a PA line once (they see those more in our Cardiac ICU) and ICP two times (we have a trauma ICU where most head injuries go to).

I believe most agencies make you fill out skill list competencies, so the hiring facility would be aware of what you do and don't have experience with. I'd think a good recruiter can find a good match for you in critical care.

oncnursemsn · Jan 30, 2008

I advise students after they graduate and want to work as a traveler to have 1-3 solid years of nursing under their belts. I moved to Boston as a traveler and knew that I would only have 4 days of hospital orientation before launched on my own. I took a job a step or two below my ability- had worked in Pedi ICU, so my travel job was on a standard pedi med-surg floor. You will have enough stress just getting used to the hospital, "how we do it here" and just living in a different city/state. I had to page MD's in New Hampshire, and couldn't find the stupid area code! It'll be the little things that can bog you down. If you have basic ICU experience, I would try to find a position similar to, but not more difficult if working as a traveler. A totally different story if you're looking for full time position- go for it- and look for a busy or more challenging unit. Good luck to you, it can be a wonderful way to see other parts of the country and see how other hospitals work! :nurse:

Nacki, MSN, NP · Jan 30, 2008

No. Go ahead and do it! I started traveling with a year of Neuro experience only and I've learned soooo much on the road. BTW I've been traveling for a year now.

PMHNP10 · Jan 30, 2008

Good Morning,
I have a question for the critical care travel nurses out there. I work on a critical care unit for a small hospital, we barely do PA lines, or check ICPs. I'd like to start travel nursing soon, but because I have limited experience in those areas, should I consider doing telemetry instead of critical care?
Our unit is combined, I take care of surgical, medical and cardiac patients.

Just beware...hospitals will advertise tele, but in reality it is a tele-m/s position, which is a far cry from stepdown tele in terms of ratios.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 30, 2008

good morning,
i have a question for the critical care travel nurses out there. i work on a critical care unit for a small hospital, we barely do pa lines, or check icps. i'd like to start travel nursing soon, but because i have limited experience in those areas, should i consider doing telemetry instead of critical care?
our unit is combined, i take care of surgical, medical and cardiac patients.

i think it will depend what kind of a hospital you'd like to travel to. if you want to travel to large teaching hospitals with multiple icus and very complex patients, you'd be in over your head -- all of our patients have pa lines and many have balloon pumps and vads. if you wanted to do tele or step down in a hospital like that, you'd do well. if you really want to do critical care, look for another small hospital like the one you're in.

if you find someplace you'd like to stay, you may want to take a permanent job in a large teaching hospital to upgrade your skills! good luck!

oncnursemsn · Jan 31, 2008

Ruby Vee- thank you! I couldn't agree with you more! The technology today is overwhelming compared to what I experienced as a new nurse 25 years ago. I took a position on a general pedi floor when I traveled, when I had pedi ICU experience. Just looking at the PICU at Boston Childrens was intimidating, and I had worked in PICU in San Francisco. I might have done ok, but the stress in learning a whole new system in a new city wasn't worth it. I truly enjoyed my stints on gen ped floors, till I was ready to take a position full time. I still stick with my rule of thumb- take a position just under your ability- don't worry, there will be other challenges you don't even know about yet!

EmmaG, RN · Jan 31, 2008

I believe most agencies make you fill out skill list competencies, so the hiring facility would be aware of what you do and don't have experience with. I'd think a good recruiter can find a good match for you in critical care.

That they do :)

And you may find you have much more experience than you give yourself credit for... After I went through the skills/experience checklist with my recruiter (and it takes a while), I was shocked at how much I did know; if I'd sat down and simply listed what I felt I was comfortable with, the list would have been far less extensive. It really made me feel pretty good (and at that point in time, I sure needed that shot of confidence :) ).

And don't sell yourself short because you work at a small hospital. You face challenges there with fewer support and ancillary staff than those who work the big facilities. Good luck!