Travel Nursing (Operating Room)

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Hi all,

I've been an RN and done orthopedic surgery for 2.5 years at level 1 trauma center.  I signed up for 3 recruiters for travel nursing and I'm told by several that my skills checklists aren't the most ideal for traveling.  I do almost all orthopedics and lack experience in general, neruo, cv.  I appreciate the honesty, it's just very discouraging to hear from the start.  I'm super good with ortho and confident I can pick up general service/cases, depends on the scrub tech I'm paired with too I guess.  Any thoughts or opinions on this?  Thanks!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

As a traveler, the expectation is that you will be up and running independently from the get go. Without that experience on your resume, it's unlikely a place in need of someone who can cover that is going to look at you. If traveling is your goal, get that experience now to set yourself up.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
On 4/16/2021 at 8:42 PM, rcb114 said:

Hi all,

I've been an RN and done orthopedic surgery for 2.5 years at level 1 trauma center.  I signed up for 3 recruiters for travel nursing and I'm told by several that my skills checklists aren't the most ideal for traveling.  I do almost all orthopedics and lack experience in general, neruo, cv.  I appreciate the honesty, it's just very discouraging to hear from the start.  I'm super good with ortho and confident I can pick up general service/cases, depends on the scrub tech I'm paired with too I guess.  Any thoughts or opinions on this?  Thanks!

Interesting because travel nurses have told me that you need to skilled in, of course, the basics, neuro/ortho/general/robotics/gynecology/cysto (I do all of these in rotation but my main service line is Neuro/Ortho) and CVOR 

Are you able to give breaks/lunches in various rooms to help with your skills?

Also, ask to be placed in these different surgeries you will be surprised at what you pick up

What exactly are the skills they are looking for because as another poster pointed out you are expected to be up and running but if your skill is ortho trauma/level 1 ... something tells me you can find a travel assignment 

 

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Yeah I can do breaks/lunches in any room with ease.  I actually just started a contract in an all orthopedic department last week. 

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Specializes in Operating Room.
23 hours ago, rcb114 said:

Yeah I can do breaks/lunches in any room with ease.  I actually just started a contract in an all orthopedic department last week. 

Is this a travel contract???

Because I enjoy Ortho/Neuro as I move further into my career I plan to more than likely do solely Orthopedic Surgery/OR PRN/Per Diem

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Yes it is a travel contract

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Specializes in Operating Room.
15 hours ago, rcb114 said:

Yes it is a travel contract

Do you feel that you will pursue contracts solely for orthopaedics or trying again to work in an OR with various specialties

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If I continue to do travel nursing I would try to target just orthopedics.  That being said every facility has their own policies/guidelines and everything is different (equipment/supplies, surgeon preferences, even how the surgeries are done).  It's like hitting the reset button so I feel it's as similarly challenging as picking up other services.  I also just got started with my first travel contract so I'm probably not the best reference for that input. 

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Specializes in Operating Room.
18 hours ago, rcb114 said:

If I continue to do travel nursing I would try to target just orthopedics.  That being said every facility has their own policies/guidelines and everything is different (equipment/supplies, surgeon preferences, even how the surgeries are done).  It's like hitting the reset button so I feel it's as similarly challenging as picking up other services.  I also just got started with my first travel contract so I'm probably not the best reference for that input. 

Agreed!

It's so much to learn and you have to hit the ground running it's unfair how they expect OR nurses to come in, know everything, and be comfortable doing it. 

I would say that is my blessing at my current staff position. It's a teaching facility even though my main service line is (neuro/ortho) I can do general/gynecology/robot/cysto/vascular or any given day/week

That versatility helps a lot

Good luck to you 

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.
On 6/2/2021 at 10:12 PM, rcb114 said:

Yes it is a travel contract

Can I ask which recruiting agencies you signed up with?

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