Young Med\Surg nurse looking to travel

Shaina12 · Oct 29, 2013

Good to know. Can I ask which State you are doing your travel nursing in? I am looking at Texas and New Mexico. I am a Canadian nurse and those were easier States for me to get a license in.

abcnurse123 · Oct 30, 2013

Good to know. Can I ask which State you are doing your travel nursing in? I am looking at Texas and New Mexico. I am a Canadian nurse and those were easier States for me to get a license in.

Im in Indiana, and will be going to Florida next

shortstuff52 · Nov 6, 2013

Which agency are or were you a part of? As a starting new travel nurse what is a typical pay rate?

luelue60 · Nov 8, 2013

Hello Everyone Im new to this site and this is my FIRST post! Yayyyy!!!. Ok, here we go. Ive been a Med\Surg (regretfully no telemetry experience) RN for 19 months now. Recently, Ive decided to definitely pursue travel nursing starting in February 2014. Ill be one month shy of 2 years RN experience. Im a young AA female (29 in November), no kids, and free as a bird. But the biggest concern I have is whether or not I have enough experience. On my unit we get all types of patients; such as alcohol withdrawal, ARF\CRF, change in MS, Sepsis, CHF, COPD, DKA, TPN, Hep drips, Continuous peritoneal dialysis, infected wounds, trachs, LOTS of surgical pts, PCA pumps etc.. The average nurse to patient ratio is 1:5-6. NEVER more than that! But I still think to myself Have I seen enough? Have I done enough? So, the two states I am focused on are Texas and California. Texas first because I have been IN LOVE with the idea of living in California so Im looking forward to that. I would love to hear from new and experienced travel RNs, especially my fellow med\surg nurses, on but not limited to the following: 1. How much experience did you have prior to traveling and was it enough? 2. What are some important things to include in my contract? 3. What are some of the best and worst hospitals youve been to in Cali and Tx? 4. What kind of orientation did you have? 5. Overall, were the patients the same as you experienced as a staff nurse in your home state? 6. Do you get pulled a lot? Are you cancelled often? 7. If you need help are the staff helpful? 8. Do you find it hard to get work because you are med\surg with NO tele experience??? 9. PLEASE give me whatever advice you have!! I am very appreciative of ALL info given. Also, if there are any other nurses aged 25-39 that will be traveling to Dallas, Tx in February 2014 and would like a travel buddy let me know. Thank you guys in advance for your help. Once I start traveling I will start a thread documenting my experience because I would love to help someone else. I look forward to your comments. [/quote']
Hi, how are you. I am a young AA from FL new to traveling and I only had 1.5 years of experience on a med surg/tele floor, I'm currently working an assignment in Cali and it has been great. Nursing is something that is learned each and everyday, there is never a day when I go to work that I am learning something new. Luckily I'm at a facility that welcome travelers and open to helping out. There is still so much I need to learn but I don't hesitate to ask questions. So don't worry about the amount of experience you have, if you feel ready just go in there with an open mind and if you don't know just ask. It's better to ask questions then to have others assume you know what you are doing. Good luck

shortstuff52 · Nov 9, 2013

Hey!

I am looking to travel to Austin, TX (if the right opportunity comes along)! I have been a nurse a little less than 3years on a med-surg/psych unit. And I get similar patients as the other nurse... Have you been looking for housing? I have a dog I am trying to take with me but I'm scared it's going To be hard to find housing.

Sarah

NedRN · Nov 9, 2013

Start with your agency: they certainly have experience in finding housing for travelers with pets. They should also know which assignments are difficult to find pet-friendly housing. If you want to find your own housing to save money from the housing stipend, that is also possible, and possibly easier, especially if you are willing to share housing. Post an ad on Craiglist stating your needs, and be sure to tell them you are a travel nurse (who are very reliable with rent payments and so desirable).

RVing is also a good way to go with a pet as there is no one to say no dogs in your own RV. RV parks are invariably pet friendly. I wouldn't recommend this way for your first assignment, but it something to keep in mind if you still love travel nursing, will do it for some years, and think you might like RVs (they are not money savers, just a different way to travel that some really love).

ncd85 · Nov 10, 2013

I am also looking into travel nursing. 28 years old, 6 years of PEDS experience. Thinking of feb-march start, recruiter I've been talking with said they may have something in Austin, TX. My concern is will I have a job come the slower summer months? Because of my specialty, which tends to be less busy in the summertime, my stress level is increasing as decision time gets closer. Any help or suggestions??

LoveBSN12 · Nov 11, 2013

I've been a nurse since February of this year. I started out in an academy for emergency nursing at a teaching hospital and currently I've been on my own since June working in a community hospital ED. I'm not sure if my experience is enough but I would like to start traveling February 2014. My first places to travel to are Texas and Cali. I'm 26, single, and without children. I feel like I'm ready for travel nursing. Do you guys think by February 2014 I'll have enough experience? Should I start talking with agencies now? And will I have to get rid of my current apt when I start to travel?

21strawberry · Nov 15, 2013

Hey Alwaysthinking...just following up since I had my first two weeks at my first assignment. I had one day of computer class followed by two 12 hour orientation shifts on the unit. Then I was on my own. My first night on my own, I was floated to the NICU. The next two nights I was on my unit and I felt pretty comfortable with my assignment. I had a post-op from that day which they don't commonly do for travelers, but it was fine. Everyone was very welcoming, friendly and helpful. So this hospital embraces travelers. I don't really anticipate being cancelled as it seems the ICUs are always busy. But I won't be surprised if I am floated occasionally. It's funny because while I feel comfortable clinically, I feel a little behind as far as the silly stuff like supplies and different vents. Sometimes I'm rummaging through the med cart for a few extra minutes because almost everything they use is different than what I'm used to...different methods for blood draws, different filters for pump tubing, different monitors, etc. Nothing mind-boggling but is just taking me a couple shifts to adjust and recognize where things are. But all in all it's going well and everyone is very supportive.

apr08 · Nov 20, 2013

Hello, Im a young 26y/o AA traveler. I just started back in March and completed my contract on Nov 9 (yes I extended twice). I had about 4 years experience and I worked on a Nephrology/Med /surg/dialysis unit (all of the above). My first travel assignment was a great one , It was less stressful than the unit I worked while back at home. Overall patients are patients, you will see so many similarities. Of course some policies /procedures /politics are somewhat different. Just go in with a open mind and be willing to adapt to change well. The nurses I worked with were wonderful and helpful. I ended up working on a med/surg post surgical/trauma unit. I had days where I was even precepting their staff members on the unit; yeah I know weird but it was cool since it gave me a break. I also want to go to Texas and Cali!! im single with no children and no Pets!!

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this site and this is my FIRST post! Yayyyy!!!. Ok, here we go.

I've been a Med\Surg (regretfully no telemetry experience) RN for 19 months now. Recently, I've decided to definitely pursue travel nursing starting in February 2014. I'll be one month shy of 2 years RN experience. I'm a young AA female (29 in November), no kids, and free as a bird. But the biggest concern I have is whether or not I have enough experience. On my unit we get all types of patients; such as alcohol withdrawal, ARF\CRF, change in MS, Sepsis, CHF, COPD, DKA, TPN, Hep drips, Continuous peritoneal dialysis, infected wounds, trachs, LOTS of surgical pts, PCA pumps etc.. The average nurse to patient ratio is 1:5-6. NEVER more than that! But I still think to myself "Have I seen enough?" "Have I done enough"? So, the two states I am focused on are Texas and California. Texas first because I have been IN LOVE with the idea of living in California so I'm looking forward to that.

I would love to hear from new and experienced travel RNs, especially my fellow med\surg nurses, on but not limited to the following:

1. How much experience did you have prior to traveling and was it enough?

2. What are some important things to include in my contract?

3. What are some of the best and worst hospitals you've been to in Cali and Tx?

4. What kind of orientation did you have?

5. Overall, were the patients the same as you experienced as a staff nurse in your home state?

6. Do you get pulled a lot? Are you cancelled often?

7. If you need help are the staff helpful?

8. Do you find it hard to get work because you are med\surg with NO tele experience???

9. PLEASE give me whatever advice you have!! I am very appreciative of ALL info given.

Also, if there are any other nurses aged 25-39 that will be traveling to Dallas, Tx in February 2014 and would like a travel buddy let me know.

Thank you guys in advance for your help. Once I start traveling I will start a thread documenting my experience because I would love to help someone else. I look forward to your comments.

AlwaysthinkingRN8 · Nov 21, 2013

Im a Med/Surg nurse with No tele experience. Im also 28yrs old AA, and i just finished my first travel assignment. It was for 13 weeks. I think 2 years is enough experience to start. I had 5 yrs before i started. I found that nursing is nursing, no matter where you go. I felt very good about the nursing part, that was the same, policies will be different and certain procedures may go about differently. But nothing that a strong nursing foundation cant over come. The staff was willing to help and answer questions. You just have to have an open mind to change and dont be afraid to ask a question. Dont go to a facility putting down on how they do things, just adapt and go with the flow.
I have not found it hard to get any assignments and i actually got my next assignment a month before my contract had ended. Which from what i understand is typical.
I had a 1 day HR orientation to policy and their computer charting system. And then a 2 day floor orientation. Then i was on my own. And i felt that to be plenty enough of orientation.

This is extremely helpful especially because we have the same specialty. I'm very grateful for this post. THANK YOU!!!

AlwaysthinkingRN8 · Nov 21, 2013

Hi, how are you. I am a young AA from FL new to traveling and I only had 1.5 years of experience on a med surg/tele floor, I'm currently working an assignment in Cali and it has been great. Nursing is something that is learned each and everyday, there is never a day when I go to work that I am learning something new. Luckily I'm at a facility that welcome travelers and open to helping out. There is still so much I need to learn but I don't hesitate to ask questions. So don't worry about the amount of experience you have, if you feel ready just go in there with an open mind and if you don't know just ask. It's better to ask questions then to have others assume you know what you are doing. Good luck

You are so right!. I can't wait to start traveling. I'm ready for that next chapter. Hope you are having fun in California. I plan on having a GREAT time! Good luck to you also!