Traveling with one years experience

[medicrnohio, RN]

I want to travel, especially to the Boston area, starting in February or March. I will have worked for one year on an intermediate ICU. I have other healthcare experience prior to becoming a nurse (4 years as a medic). Do you think it would be possible for me to get hired with only one year of nursing experience? Any tips on how and when to get started. Thanks.

[fergus51]

My hospital requires 2 years experience for ICU travellers.

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Only one real way to find out talk to a recruiter or two. They will be able to give you an idea of what the demand is. The higher the demand the more likely someone with less exp would be able find a position.

Rj

[jamminworld]

I was told that most hospitals wanted at least two years of experience however some would take nurses with less. Talk to your recuiter she would be the one to know which do and which dont. Good Luck

[suzanne4, RN]

Agencies want one year of experience, but most of the more reputable facilities want at least two years for any of the specialty areas.

Be prepared in advance also. Many facilities are now doing their own exam when the nurse starts. There are too many that have not met up to the the skils that they said that they have.

Specialty areas such as PICU, NICU, and Labor and Delivery are usually requiring more experience even.

[nurseMargo]

Suzanne, and what about ER? How much experience do they require?

[suzanne4, RN]

I would definitely get two years of experience before attempting any travel assignments. You do not get a regular orientation with it, just can be a few hours and then you are expected to function on your own.

It also depends on the type of ER and where it is located, but you really need to hit the door running.

My orientation was four hours in the ER and then expected to function completely on my own.

[nurseMargo]

I would definitely get two years of experience before attempting any travel assignments. You do not get a regular orientation with it, just can be a few hours and then you are expected to function on your own.

It also depends on the type of ER and where it is located, but you really need to hit the door running.

My orientation was four hours in the ER and then expected to function completely on my own.

Oh, wow, I better know what I'm doing before I even apply.:wink2:

[JazzyRN]

some hospitals require 2 yrs experience and some dont. I started travelling with a year and a half of nursing experience. I havent had a problem yet. Yes you orientation is only a day or two in most facilities, so you have to be really quick to pick up things and adjust in a new environment. It depends on the kind of person you are. My 1st nursing jobwas in a float pool, so i was quite used to being in new environments every shift and functioning well.