Travel Nursing

TazziRN, RN · Jul 4, 2007

Travel companies generally do not take new grads. You need to be strong enough in your skills to be able to jump in within a couple of days of starting, and new grads just don't have that.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2007

Hi to all Nurses,
I was wondering and wanted to find out if travel nursing is a good option to go for after i graduate. I know the income is great but is there any other disadvantages. Besides good income is there any advantages as a new grad??. i would be glad for you answers. God bless you all....

Few travel groups will accept a new grad. And no legitimate one that cares about its reputation and pt/nurse safety will accept a new grad barring some very extenuating circumstances (long term contracts for foreign grads, LPN to RN previously employed at that facility, etc.)

While there are a few that may accept a new grad's info, that does not mean that you will get a job. Most of the contracting facilities require A MINIMUM of one year, preferably two to five years of experience, depending on specialty. Facilities that accept les, are not generally ones that anyone wants to work for.

While we all come out of school, thinking that we are ready to work everywhere, in reality the first one-two years out of nursing school, you are for all purposes an intern and still learning. And travel nursing is not an environment that is good for that. In travel, you may get little to no orientation, and must hit the floor running.

Freshman RN · Jul 4, 2007

And while I am not saying that you shouldn't travel, there is a expectation that you know alot to be able to move to a new place and "fit right in"

EmmaG, RN · Jul 4, 2007

What they said. As a new grad, you really have no business being a travel nurse. You will be doing yourself (and your patients) a serious disservice.

The longest orientation I've received is 4 days, and that consisted of one day of paperwork and testing, one day of learning a rather complicated computer system, one shift on days, one on nights (where I took a lighter patient load), then I was on my own. We are expected to have experience, already knowing how to prioritize our time, and hit the floor running.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 4, 2007

even though you have done a lot in school the real learning curve comes once you graduate and start actual work as RN. Give yourself time to settle into RN role and gain some experience