3 years exp non-tele ortho floor...

[Kelly4581]

Hi,

I'm an RN with 3 years experience on an orthopedic non tele floor. We do get a mishmash of med/surg patients on my floor as well. I'm looking to start travel nursing but I'm worried my lack of everyday telemetry experience will hinder me. I do have training and work on telemetry floors when I float but do not feel overly confident when evaluating rhythms. In your guys experience will I still be able to find work? I have been talking to recruiters and they seem to think I will be able to, but I thought experienced travelers might have some insight too.

[NedRN]

No offense intended, but ortho is almost a non specialty. Yes I know dedicated units and nurses are the best way to go but few hospitals can do that and ortho jobs are so great there is little need for travelers.

That leaves medsurg. There are jobs but decent ones tend to go to experienced travelers especially ones that can do tele. That leaves you with crap assignments with heavy workloads and high acuity you are not well prepared for.

It it can be done, but I would seek more experience. Itchy feet? Try a staff job in a teaching hospital in a new city for a year or two. Next best thing to travel and superior in some ways. Especially in your situation.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Ned gave you excellent advice. I would like to add that with ACLS , a dysrhythmia course and telemetry experience at a teaching hospital you will be very marketable indeed rather than having to settle for contracts in some really unsafe understaffed facilities. Most jobs are listed as Med Surg Tele on agency websites these days. Many hospitals prefer experienced travel nurses who can be a resource for their less experienced staff. You'll get there. Good luck.

[Kelly4581]

Thanks for the info guys. I am acls certified, and "telemetry trained" at my facility. I just wish I dealt with it more. My floor is adding telemetry in a few months, perhaps I should stick around another year. I just worry if I don't do it now, something else will prevent me from doing it later.