Want to travel world using agency...

cristina26houston · Jun 27, 2005

I'm a Nursing Student working towards my BSN. That's great that you found a place in Hawaii! I was looking there, NY or Cali for my year long experience. Then, I want to travel the world like you. Good Luck!

suzanne4, RN · Jun 27, 2005

There are only certain countries that use travel nurse agencies, at least the way that we are used to them over here.

Remember that you will need to take the country's nursing exam and in their language. Example, for Thailand it would have to be in Thai, etc. The only way around that is if you were working on a US Military base, under a contract with them.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 27, 2005

I'm a Nursing Student working towards my BSN. That's great that you found a place in Hawaii! I was looking there, NY or Cali for my year long experience. Then, I want to travel the world like you. Good Luck!

The better agencies want two years of experience............ :)

Quite a few hospitals are now requiring at least two years of experience before they will even look at a travel nurse's resume, etc.

cristina26houston · Jun 27, 2005

The better agencies want two years of experience............ :)
Quite a few hospitals are now requiring at least two years of experience before they will even look at a travel nurse's resume, etc.

Thanks for your advice, Suzanne. I will definately take that into consideration. How do I get a list of the agencies that travel outside of the United States to English speaking countries? What do you mean about the certain countries that use travel nurse agencies, the 'way we are used to them over here'? Would I be able to go to a country that doesn't use the traditional travel agency and just sign on at their hospital? Should I visit that country and take the test before I move there in case I don't pass it the first time? You are awesome! :) I have really read a lot of the postings, but there is so many more to read... :)

suzanne4, RN · Jun 27, 2005

I would focus more on getting the experience that you need here first, as well as passing NCLEX. To work in most other countries, you will need to learn a new set of drug names. Some that you see here are available in a completely different form overseas, and are used completely different from what you have learned here.

Immigration requirements are also an important part of it. Example, there are no temporary work permits available for working in the US, essentially on the green card, and that can take several years to get.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 27, 2005

Just thinking, you are probably not going to be ready for another three years to travel, perhaps longer, not sure which school that you are going to. Agencies that are operating right now may not even be around then..........

cristina26houston · Jul 5, 2005

Isn't there such thing as working for American companies in other countries. So, you wouldn't have to take that country's test for nursing. You could even go to countries that don't speak english as their primary language, right?

suzanne4, RN · Jul 6, 2005

That is incorrect. The only way around the ruling of a license in that country, is that you are working on a US Military base. They are the only onesa that are exempt. Also remember that most companies are not 100% American owned overseas, but are in a partnership with soemone from that country.

Just as a foreign nurse who wishes to work in the US, they have to take the nursing exam in English, as well as pass a series of English exams. You are required to do the same thing. :)

cristina26houston · Jul 18, 2005

To get my experience before becoming a travel nurse should I work on the med-surg floor or critical care floor for my first 2 years, even if I dont want to specifically work on those floors in the future?

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

Isn't there such thing as working for American companies in other countries. So, you wouldn't have to take that country's test for nursing. You could even go to countries that don't speak english as their primary language, right?

Most American companies that are overseas that need to employ nurses, employ local nurses, as most of their employees would be local also.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

You get the experience in the area that you wish to travel with. If you have two years of med-surg experience, then you will not get placed in ICU. Same goes for a any of the other specialties. The reasdon that a hospital would use you is that they do not need to train you and you can just jump in because you already have experience in that area.

You are only going to get travel positions in areas that you have experience in.