Travel Nursing after 1-yr residency

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Aug 7, 2015

So I've been doing some travel nurse research. Many agencies are wanting a minimum 1 year experience, which is understandable. I'm wanting to enter into critical care, but I'd like to do a 1 year residency. Does anyone know if travel nurse agencies would consider that 1 year residency as legit experience? I would still be working as a new nurse, I would just still be learning. Any advice and information is much appreciated.

Most facilities expect 1-2 or more years independent practice in critical care if not more when considering candidates. A residency is generally an extended training program. You are expected to be clinically competent as a traveling nurse and able to successfully function independently with only basic facility/unit orientation.

bagladyrn, RN · Aug 8, 2015

Also consider that any facility which puts you through an extended "residency" is going to expect you to sign an agreement to work for them for some time period or pay back a large amount of money.

NedRN · Aug 8, 2015

Yes, residency counts as experience. Depending on stuff, you may feel like you need another year after that before being tossed into a new environment with different processes, patient flow, EMR and so on. Plus as bagladyrn said, you may be contractually obligated to stay another year or so anyway.

Laban B · Aug 11, 2015

Hi everyone, thank you so much for the info. After reading your comments, it's encouraging to know a residency counts, but I would be alright with filling any contract I signed as that would be just more CCU experience. I'm just excited for the experience and training either way. Once again, thank you all very much!!