TRAVEL NURSING

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Hello I'm currently working in an Emergency Department in South Florida for a year now, and have 3 years experience as a telemetry nurse in the same hospital. I'm looking for some advice on traveling. I'm tired of the monotony of Florida life and I'm itching to GET OUT of Florida for awhile. My question is, should I take a travel assignment as a telemetry nurse where I have most of my experience? I feel like I'm haven't been in the ER long enough to travel as an ER nurse. I have been told by most travel nurse recruiters that all hospitals expect you to "hit the floor running." I'm asking because I dread going back to floor nursing but at the same time really want a change and leave Florida. Thanking you in advance for any advice.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Be very carefull about giving up a solid job now for travel nursing. Hospitals are really pulling in their belts and travel jobs are few and far between right now. They also are paying way less than before and working conditions have declined. A good number of travel nurses have gone staff due to lack of jobs.

I would start by signing up with a per diem agency and start doing some local shifts at other hospitals to get a feeling for going out on your own.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

There is nothing wrong with putting your application in to some reputable travel companies and then just sit back and see what comes along. Don't worry about your experience in the ER...you will be required to take competencies for the area of nursing in which you will travel. You are never forced to take an assignment; rather they offer you the positions that are open, and you can take it or refuse it. My advice to you is that if you are considering this seriously, to go ahead and do your applications. It is a long process.

The key to travel nursing is finding the right recruiter. Ask some of your friends if they have ever traveled and hook up with their recruiter. I worked for American Mobile and it was GOLDEN!!! I loved it! There was also another company that I traveled with that was..uh...less than stellar. I will PM you later tonight to tell you about each experience.

I think you should give it a shot. Is there any way that you can take an extended LOA from your current position? I agree with the previous post in that travel assignments have become scarce. That is the main reason I had to stop. My hospital cut all contract nurses and I had to go on staff. HOWEVER, you will make really good money traveling and will be able to stash away some savings. So if you do find that your contract has ended and you do not have another job lined up, you can have some breathing room. A good recruiter will always be scouring the nation for positions in which you qualify. My recruiter called me DAILY just to check up on me and offer any help.

I encourage you to travel if you can. It was such a wonderful experience for me and I am soooo glad that I was brave enough to venture out. I also made about 90 grand doing it!

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Some SFLA hospitals have seasonal positions for the snowbird season. Work 6 monthes in your home area and travel the rest of the time.

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

Who was your amn recruiter? What was the bad experience? Pm me too.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Travel nursing forum

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Thank you guys for your feedback..with some thought I will come to a conclusion of what I choose in a couple of months.

Thanks again

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Canesdukegirl thank you for the email. I'm just getting the hang of this website and realized that I can't email you back without having a membership. I was told by a couple of other people about that agency as well and I will look into it. Again thanks for taking the time to write me.

Take care

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Canesdukegirl thank you for the email. I'm just getting the hang of this website and realized that I can't email you back without having a membership. I was told by a couple of other people about that agency as well and I will look into it. Again thanks for taking the time to write me.

Take care

You have membership because you are a registered member however to send or reply to a pm you need 15 or more posts.

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