Taking first travel assignment

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

Hey all,

I'm a nurse planning to take my first travel assignment and getting closer and closer to a contract. I have three years of total hospital nursing experience with two of that being tele. I love cardiac so I have been focusing on tele.

I have to say that while often I feel that for my experience, I'm a good tele/stepdown nurse. I love to research things, I'm someone who workmates ask about meds or whatever, and I like that. But since this will be traveling to a new facility, with little orientation, I'm scared I won't be able to cut it-that I won't know how to do something at the hospital. For instance, while I have some experience with chest tubes, I couldn't set one up all by myself and I know need to feel open about asking for help but what if they think the travel should know it all already??

Is it normal for nurses to feel this way?? Any advice would be appreciated.

Zach

[zipporah]

you'll be ok, noone knows everything. If you assist others they will assist you so just be a good team player. Look for other travelers too because there seems to be a kinship. I have over 20 years of experience and probably had similar feelings when I started traveling. You are needed there, be a good employee and you will be fine.

[RN BSN 2009]

Good luck with your endavors !

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

thanks guys, I feel better. More of an accurate appraisal of the situation.

[RN ColbyJack]

Thank YOU. Though I haven't taken the leap into traveling (I'm strongly considering it) I'm in rather the same boat. Nurse for 3 years, in tele/cardia, feel competent and get asked for help, but also know when I need help. You named a concern I've been feeling, which is reassuring somehow, as are the positive responses you've gotten in return.

Yay! Go get 'em!