Would I be a candidate for travel nursing?

Specialties Travel

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Specializes in L&D; Case Management; Nursing Education.

I have 16 years in L&D and High Risk Antepartum, as well as some postpartum, experience. I have also been an OB case manager for 5 yrs. and an OB and med/surg nursing educator for 5 years.

I'm interested in trying travel nursing, even if it's just in my own city. But my question is: would an agency hire me to do hospital OB nursing since it's been 5 years since I worked in the hospital?

I think I can get right back into it pretty easily since I worked for so long in this field and I'm on an L&D unit 22 wks a year teaching OB. What are the agency requirements about how recently you have to have worked in the hospital?

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

I would recommend getting back to at least part time nursing on the specialty unit you feel the most comfortable with. You can do that for a few months and have a feel for what you need. Doing a two day orientation with a travel assignment isn't the time to figure out you are not ready for it. Had a nurse start a couple weeks ago on my current assignment and she didn't pan out. I don't like to see fellow travel nurses be unable to complete an assignment. The place has 3 times the help as any other assignment I have ever been on. All of the staff appreciate the assistance of myself and another traveler who started one week before me. I had heard a few grumblings from staff "she isn't like you Rod" but don't know if it was her choice to leave or the hospitals. I always appreciate working with experienced nurses, be it staff or travel. I do expect a travel nurse to be fluent in nursing and able to work with the staff and not against them. Good luck and let me know if you have specific questions.

Rod

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Specializes in ER.

I think it may depend on the agency, but it is my understanding that you need to have worked in the unit in the last year.

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i too am looking into traveling, you sound kinda over qualified compared to my nursing experience. i have been told by the agencies that they can only place you in a job if youve had experience in that area in the last 1 yr.i have 9 yrs ob experience but it was 10 yrs ago. ive been working overtime on the ob unit in my hospital to get some more recent experience. it wasnt computerized charting back then and its taking more than i expected to feel competent.

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Specializes in L&D; Case Management; Nursing Education.
it wasnt computerized charting back then and its taking more than i expected to feel competent.

The hospital where I worked got computerized charting over 15 years ago and I used it for about 10 years. Not much has changed in L&D since I left, so I don't think it would be too hard to get back in. I may get a contingent job to "freshen up" and then maybe I'll have a better shot at traveling.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
The hospital where I worked got computerized charting over 15 years ago and I used it for about 10 years. Not much has changed in L&D since I left, so I don't think it would be too hard to get back in. I may get a contingent job to "freshen up" and then maybe I'll have a better shot at traveling.

Many places will require you to have a current AWHONN advanced fetal monitoring class.

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Specializes in L&D; Case Management; Nursing Education.

That wouldn't be hard to do - I used FM's for 16 years and still do EFM CEU's to keep up my Inpatient OB certification. In my area, most hospitals are now requiring EFM certification be done soon after being hired in L&D.

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