Travel Questions from a not-yet RN

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

I know I need to have a license and experience before traveling, but I have a unique situation and I need some advice.

I have worked in dialysis for 2 years, but only a short time as an LVN. I hope to have my RN license in May and would like to try traveling as a dialysis nurse.

I would like to find out if they will accept my 2 years dialysis experience or if I have to have 2 years nursing experience to travel. I would like to approach a company and ask this question, but every site I've tried (and it's only 2 or 3 so far) they want me to apply first.

How can I find out if they will accept my experience? How can I get in touch with a recruiter? Will they talk to me even though I haven't graduated yet?

I would like to figure this out soon. If they won't accept my experience and I can't start traveling by next summer, I need to make another decision. I need to start applying for internships in the next couple of months. I would hate to miss out on an internship thinking that I have dialysis travel in the bag. I want to have all the information I can get before making a decision.

Thanks.

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Specializes in OB.

Most reputable companies and most all hospitals will not consider your previous experience in lieu of the required RN experience. This is because no matter what it may seem, the role and responsibility of the RN is different from that of the other staff (as theirs is also). Since you will be expected to immediately jump in and function independently in the RN role, that is where they will insist on seeing your experience.

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I am a traveling dialysis RN.

You will need to have one year minimum experience as a dialysis RN to travel as one. LPN and tech experience is not counted.

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

Thanks for your input. One years isn't as bad as two.

I have to decide if I want to try for an internship on med-surg while I wait out the 1 or 2 years I need to travel. I plan to work in dialysis a couple of days a week while working med-surg. I know it'll be tough, but it's what I want to do.

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It may not seem like it but you will want AT LEAST that year as an RN before you go anywhere. It is happy stress but stress nonetheless.

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