how young is too young?

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2008

Why would age be an issue?

As long as you have experience working as a nurse and feel comfortable enough to start travelling, then go for it. After I had been a nurse for a year, I couldn't imagine travelling, as I wouldn't have been comfortable enough at that point. But I know some people do travel after a year and they're fine, so it just depends on each person and how they feel at that point. But I don't see why age would matter, at all.

Good luck to you!

NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2008

Traveling after a year was tricky for 3 RNs I currently work with. For the first 3 or 4 assignments they were turned away d/t

I don't think your age matters though!

kdblueey · Feb 23, 2008

I agree with Raindancer. It will solely depend on how comfortable/confident YOU feel with only one year. To be a traveler you are expected to just basically 'jump in' with little or no orientation. Hope this helps.

Kathy (Somewhere in the panhandle - for now:bugeyes:)

KatieBell · Feb 24, 2008

Okay, I'm a 20 yo RN. I don't turn 21 until July, but I was hoping to travel nurse starting May (after a year's experience). I realize that many people say you need more than a year of work to be successful at traveling, but will my age be an issue also?! I was recently offered an unit position... so I may accept it and work another year, then travel. I really would like some input as to whether I should wait because of age issues I may face.

I think the only person with an issue with your age is you. I'd wait because of the experience issues that face you, not the age issues.

joysjoyrn · Feb 25, 2008

Thanks for the advice! I was just worried I might come across an issue.. like I can't rent a car. I feel fairly confident in traveling working MS, but I'm considering accepting an MICU position and working another year... I dont what to do!:uhoh21: I was only planning on traveling for a few months and then returning to a hospital to get ICU experience before traveling again. I really need the money from traveling!!

jlynn325 · Feb 25, 2008

I was 20 when I started working as a nurse...and couldnt have imagined traveling then due to the lack of experience. I am now 27, and have been traveling for a year. I wish I would have done it sooner, but in a way im glad I didnt because I worked in a few specialties. Now having knowledge in a few specialties, I have an easier time finding a job I want as a traveler. So my advice would be work a little longer, work in a few specialties (er, pre-op, tele, peds...) that way when you want to travel, you can be a little more picky about the job, location and hours because youre more flexable and can work different jobs without being turned down. Good luck! Have fun and keep in touch! And just remember to take youre time and dont settle for nothing but the best for yourself. And dont go on assignment and falling in love with all the beach boys like I did! LOL! But I did find my hunny on an assignment after all...it only took me moving several states away from my home to fall in love with the boy I grew up only minutes from!