What is my best approach to become a travel nurse?

[chende]

Hello, I've recently become interested in travel nursing, but am unsure how to begin. I assume I may need to get more experience before starting. I worked 6 months on a med surg floor and have worked the past two and a half years in long term care and with Alzheimer's/dementia patients. I'd rather not return to med surg, so I am considering applying for a job at a psychiatric facility near where I live. How long do you think I will need to work there in order to have enough experience to travel as a psych nurse? I am open to other specialties as well, but I feel like I already have some geriatric psych experience from working with dementia patients. If anyone has any ideas on what I should do, I would appreciate it;) thank you!

[NedRN]

Two years.

[jive turkey]

I'm not an expert on psych but I wouldn't consider geri psych in the same class of other psych units where you got the SI, bipolar, antisocial, schizophrenia etc.

I could be wrong though Why not apply as a traveler now at an LTC/SNF? You already have 2.5 years experience to get you in the door. If you're thinking of changing Specialties you're going to need a minimum of one year to be considered for travel position. What if, like m/s you discover you don't like it?

[chende]

Are there travel nurse positions in LTC/SNF? I tried to look it up, but couldn't really find any.

[jive turkey]

Are there travel nurse positions in LTC/SNF? I tried to look it up, but couldn't really find any.

Yes there are, perhaps not through the agency you're searching with but I found some easy

[NedRN]

Lots of LTC jobs, but most agencies don't get them. Large agencies are your ticket to LTC travel. American Mobile, Cross County, RN Network, Supplemental for example.

[LouVellie]

Are there travel nurse positions in LTC/SNF? I tried to look it up, but couldn't really find any.

Yes. A whole lot