Lynd
New Member
Posts:8
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| 05/19/2008 10:08 AM |
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I am currently a nursing student and am very much interested in travel nursing. I wanted to get some info. on travel nursing from those that are actually doing it. What are the pros and cons? Would you recommend it to new nurses? I'd appreciate if anyone could share their experiences with me.
Thank you! |
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Advisor
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 06/03/2008 11:30 AM |
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Travel nursing is a fantastic way to combine the joy of traveling and your professional experience as a nurse. To truly enjoy the opportunities and the face the challenges of becoming a travel nurse, I would advise on getting a minimum of 2 years experience. The reason why?? Hospitals rely on very strong clinical experience from travel nurse. Often times, you may only receive a 12 hour/1 shift orientation before you are expected to "hit the ground running" on your new job. Once you have the experience and the confidence, taking a travel assignment may be a great way to see the US (or even another country) . You can gain experience from a different type of hospital- for example, taking an assignment at a teaching hospital, trauma hospital. You will also have the experience of sharing knowledge with other nurses. Many nurses I know have said they learn different skills from travelers who have worked with them and vice versa.
I cannot underscore the importance of getting the clinical experience first before venturing out as a traveler. |
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emador
Active Member
Posts:53
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| 06/09/2008 6:08 PM |
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Having worked as a Travel Nurse, I agree completely!
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pitterpat
New Member
Posts:3
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| 06/09/2008 10:54 PM |
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| I've done travel nursing since 2005 and it is a great way to learn new skills and meet great new people. It is very important to have strong clinical skills. On the unit that I am currently working all the other nurses on the floor have 5 years or less experience. I am the one they come to for information for new procedures, IV starts, problem solving, etc. I am happy to help whenever I can. If I was inexperienced I would never consider travel. |
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vesper@NT
Junior Member
Posts:16
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| 06/10/2008 1:33 PM |
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| Thank you for the helpful information! |
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ElleHuber
New Member
Posts:5
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| 08/02/2008 6:56 PM |
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Yes thank you! That helps shape my decisions better! For those who are travel nurses, do you stay within the States (or your country)? Or is it international? Either way, What are the general requirements for going between places? When should one start to apply if they do want to go international? Are Visas difficult to come by?
Thanks everyone! :) |
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Kat_traveller
New Member
Posts:3
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| 08/03/2008 2:52 AM |
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| I am also in 100% agreement with the above- in regards to the TOTAL importance of getting at least a miinimum of 2 years of hospital clinical experience in-prior to becoming a travelling nurse. I've been a travelling RN for the past 20 years-and have had MANY experiences in this department! I've interviewed for magazine articles in regards to this topic matter, and I've spoken to numerous groups. Be ready for any and all things to come your way as a traveller. Do a LOT of RESEARCH on Many different companies. (There are both good and bad out there.) You'll learn as time goes on how YOU need to interview them, instead of the companies asking you all of the questions. (The same is also true of different hospitals.) It's full of many rewarding experiences-get your feet firmly planted in the clinical portion of hospital life-then-come and join all of us, who participate in this wonderful career! The very best of luck to you! |
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Advisor
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 08/04/2008 11:23 AM |
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In an effort to help those nurses who are interested in getting recommendations/referrals from fellow nurses, we have put together a Travel Agency Survey. The results will be published on our career section as well as our useful tools section.
If you have traveled in the past or are a current traveler, we invite you to take a few minutes to complete the following. The survey is anonymous and voluntary.
Thanks! http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2byu7w9firycyof/start |
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emador
Active Member
Posts:53
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| 08/04/2008 11:58 PM |
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When I traveled, I was based in Texas so I just went to the "compact" states. I am Canadian and the whole border crap we have to go through now is such a pain in the a**. I haven't worked abroad (because of pets and quarantine) so I don't know what the rules and regs are but probably basically the same. I'm sure they all want to make sure you can communicate in their language and meet the qualifications they have set forth for their own grads. Sometimes I know you can get reciprocity and other times - like going to the U.S. - you have to write their exams and/or have to take extra courses. It all depends on where you go & where you're from.
Eilleen. |
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Epi
New Member
Posts:6
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| 10/13/2008 6:19 PM |
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The biggest PRO for me is that you live life only 13 weeks at a time. If you don't like where you are at, you're outta there in a very short time! Oh yeah, and I don't have to spend the winters here in Idaho :)
The biggest CON is that people think that you are the nurse "making the big bucks" and you will get the bad patients and the most admits somewhere down the road, and you WILL be floated. Just comes with the job.
The ole trick to having a successful travel career is to do your research like you are doing here and READ YOUR CONTRACT and DO YOUR ASSIGNMENT HOMEWORK BEFORE you get there. I've seen too many first timers commit travel suicide by getting in way over their head on their first assignment.
Personally, I would never consider going back to staff nursing. |
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scheeksrn
Experienced Member
Posts:111
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| 10/24/2008 9:52 PM |
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| I would love to give travel nursing a shot when my kids get a bit older... It sounds like a blast. |
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JennRN1982
New Member
Posts:2
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| 01/27/2009 2:45 PM |
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The more I read about traveling, the more I think I would like it. Does any
have a family and travel? |
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TXGurl
Active Member
Posts:60
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| 02/02/2009 10:39 AM |
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It depends on who you want to take on the road with you. Naturally, having school aged children is not typical. Having hubby or wifey and pets can make the life on the road more fun, I'm sure. I just participated in the Travel Nursing 101 live chat session here on Nursetogether.com the other day and we were just talking about this very topic.
I can't wait to travel myself! |
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izzie
New Member
Posts:9
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| 03/07/2009 6:40 AM |
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| Best advice is to have at least 2 years experience before traveling, only a few companies will take someone with just one year. And right now, th travel industry is suffering as much as the rest of the economy. There are fewer jobs, with more applicants, so hospitals are being very picky about who they take. The more flexible you can be, the better. Things should improve, but I've been traveling for 5 years, and it's kinda scary rightnow. But it is a great life. |
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Advisor
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 03/11/2009 9:36 AM |
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Posted By izzie on 03/07/2009 6:40 AM
Best advice is to have at least 2 years experience before traveling, only a few companies will take someone with just one year. And right now, th travel industry is suffering as much as the rest of the economy. There are fewer jobs, with more applicants, so hospitals are being very picky about who they take. The more flexible you can be, the better. Things should improve, but I've been traveling for 5 years, and it's kinda scary rightnow. But it is a great life.
I agree with you completely about the 2 years experience (at a minimum!) and the flexibility. Having the flexibility with your start dates, having your state license and all of your certifications up to date will make it easier for you too. |
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Megan
New Member
Posts:2
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| 05/30/2009 4:56 AM |
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| I've been working at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis for 3 years, and that is all of the experience that I have right now. Is it worth my while to try to get into traveling? I am just very concerned about job security right now, but really want the experience of travelling. |
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CtheworldRN
Active Member
Posts:59
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| 06/01/2009 5:13 PM |
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| I would not advise you to take a travel position right now. It's too inconsistent! Are you worried about job security at your current position or as a traveler? |
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Manatee
Junior Member
Posts:19
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| 06/10/2009 4:56 AM |
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One of our nurses who left to pursue traveling is having a hard time finding assignments. It may be because of where he is looking to go, I'm not sure.
I do agree with a minimum of 2 years before traveling. The hospitals do expect you to be able to handle anything, and I mean anything, that comes your way.
I traveled with my husband and daughter. We homeschooled her and saw the US at the same time. It was truly a fun time. Would I go back out and travel again, absolutely. I learned so much my many different positions.
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Manatee
Junior Member
Posts:19
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| 06/10/2009 5:00 AM |
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I traveled with my husband and daughter. We home schooled her through middle and high school. It was difficult, but I think very rewarding. When she was taking American History, we had assignments in the Boston Area and got to see many of important sites that shaped our country. Civics, we were in the D.C. area and got to see democracy at work. What better ways to learn. There are many ways to travel with your family, but it takes a commitment from everyone involved. 
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TXGurl
Active Member
Posts:60
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| 08/04/2009 7:45 PM |
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| Can anyone tell me some of their favorite cities that they have done a travel nursing assignment at? I am pondering some opportunities.. |
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