Travel Nursing

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Specializes in Oncology.

Hello! I'm currently two semesters away from graduating with my ADN, after which I'll be doing a one-year RN-BSN program. I'm very interested in travel nursing, but I don't want to jump into it until I've got some experience; I'd like to make sure I feel comfortable being a nurse on a unit I know before trying to consistently acclimate to new units. For my travel nurses out there, how much time do you feel like you needed at the bedside before travelling was a good option? Obviously everyone is different; I'm just curious about the experiences of others. Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Most reputable agencies will require 2 years' experience the bare minimum. Remember, when you travel that you get 8-12 HOURS of orientation tops, and then you get thrown all the way into the deep end. 

 

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

I felt that I needed two years to travel nurse. Different Travel Agencies will require different things for you to do the travel nursing. Some will want you to have one year and some two years. There are even some that will take new grads, but I've only heard that through rumors. I recommend that whatever specialty that you do, know the routines and equipment well enough that you can do them in any other place without the comfort of knowing who you will be working with. Some travel nurse destinations are an exploding bombshell where you'll find yourself in court one day. Some destinations are better than any staff job I've taken or...any job in fact. 

The quick answer is, if you are really comfortable with your specialty, then do it. You don't have to wait. 

Most people wait for years because they want to gain the most amount of knowledge and experience before venturing off into the distance. 

I actually have some travel nurse posts about travel nursing. If you have specific questions other than from your post, feel free to message me on here?

This one is about the experience:

https://www.theblatantnurse.com/greatest-lessons-learned-from-my-first-nursing-assignment/

This one is about Travel Nursing:

https://www.theblatantnurse.com/travel-nursing-top-13-tips-to-be-successful-travel-nurse/

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Specializes in Oncology.

Thank you both so much for your responses! I'll remember your advice and keep that in mind when I get to the point in my future where this is something to consider. I appreciate you!

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