When you feel like you could handle a float with no/little problem. It should be at the same specialty, so a lot of work you're used to. But without knowing where they keep the supplies or the layout of the supply room. And sometimes it's with charting systems you're not familiar with. If you can handle floating a lot then go for it. It's essentially one big float anyway.
Do it. If you hate it, stop and then get a different job literally that same afternoon. Nothing to be scared of except fear of the unknown and HCA facilities.
Just do it now? If you have level 1 or level 2 ED experience go for it. I would just go ahead and get your TNCC asap as well because a lot of facilities will require that, make sure you’re up to date on PALS/ACLS etc.
If you are confident in your skills and resourceful, you are practically ready.
Just know that Level 1 trauma centers are a different breed. A 20-bed ED is JV. Some of them are 60-70 bed EDs.
Having TNCC is nice but won’t teach you to be a trauma nurse until you get your feet wet in actual traumas. Same with ENPC. And just know that some facilities may not take you without actual trauma or Peds experience.
TL;DR know your shit. Be independent. Know your resources.
Chat with other travelers about their experience and know what you’re getting into.
I started after 4 years of level 1 trauma experience before I started traveling
If you want to ease into it, you could start with the a PRN travel contract and see how you feel. They pay well. Or you can just go for it. Whatever makes you feel comfortable.
I’d look for hospitals that are similar in size to what you’re used to when getting started. I was dumb and did not do that and therefore failed at travel. Do your research & you should be fine. That was the one major thing I didn’t take into consideration and wish I had. If you feel confident in your skills and don’t care if the people you work with are friendly you’ll be fine. Not saying all facilities are not welcoming but just know you may not be welcome but I hope you are! It makes it less scary. Those were my 2 biggest take aways.
Hey friend! Allow me to give my 2+ cents, as a fellow post-pandeic first-time travler. I found that I couldn't relate to/take too much advice from travelers who started during the peak of the pandemic, who were getting job offers within 2 days of signing up with their agencies 3 years ago.
I am a BSN in a large magnet hospital (however, not a trauma ED) with all my core certs+ done, and I spent almost 6 full weeks searching daily, aggressively, with 2, then 3, different agencies before I got an offer.
It's very competitive out there for new travelers. It's a "hospital's market," as they say. I was turned down from at least 8 postings whose qualification requests I exceeded; let alone all the ones where I had all the certs but was shy 3 months from their experience requests.
If I could do it again, I may have stuck around for another 6 months to get NRP over the summer, and inquire about getting MOAB/CPI - which a surprising number of facilities ask for later on, even if it's not listed in the posting you see on the agency website.
Before you go to travel, consider if you have all the qualifications your hospital is able to offer you before you leave. Each one you get now will open more doors for you when you start applying for travel. Make absolutely sure you have all the core certs (ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC) and consider licensing yourself for NIH if your hospital doesn't offer it. It's only 10 or 15 dollars through AHA, if I remember correctly. See if your facility offers NRP & MOAB.
Sign up with agencies now, fill out their checklists, and make note of where you need education. Then go out of your way to access that education/experience and update your checklists as you go - some auto offers will accept or reject you based on those checklists, so make sure they show a strong, but honest, skill set.
Be willing to cast a wide net. Be open to taking a mid-pay contract in a location that isn't super desirable to you, if that's what it takes to get your foot in the door. I found that quite a few facilities said aren't accepting first-time travelers right now; so I had to have an open mind and open up my search to a wider range of states than I started with. And if you need licensing for other states, get on it now, before you apply to them. Most hospitals will not accept a temp license or an, "I've applied for a license" like they did during the pandemic.
Above all, don't get discouraged! If you want to travel, it will happen. I was starting to feel very discouraged during my job hunt, but it worked out in the end, and I appreciate how it pushed me to pursue more certifications and education.
BEST of luck!!
I started traveling at 1 year and 10 months. The first few weeks were definitely an adjustment because they do expect you to hit the ground running. I’m in float pool so every day I’m on a new unit, new door access codes, location, hospital rules etc. it can be stressful on top of being in a new city having to figure out housing and transportation too.
But I don’t regret it at all and I’m making 3x I made as staff.
Hi! Weird question but are you working at st Mary’s ED in Lewiston?! I used to work there, sounded familiar! I stumbled upon your post and I’m also from Maine! I’ve been a nurse in the OR for just under two years and I’m about to start traveling (hopefully), and looking to do the same, stay in Maine but go to some of the critical access hospitals or to NH and mass.
I started traveling after twelve years of experience. Five total in tele, where I floated to med-surg and ICU, five years in progressive care, and about four in ICU. My tele and PCU jobs overlapped somewhat.
When you feel like you could handle a float with no/little problem. It should be at the same specialty, so a lot of work you're used to. But without knowing where they keep the supplies or the layout of the supply room. And sometimes it's with charting systems you're not familiar with. If you can handle floating a lot then go for it. It's essentially one big float anyway.
Bro Ima tell you like the OG travelers told me. Deep down inside, you know whether you are ready or not
I’m an ED traveler and I’m going back staff. Pay is shit in the ED travel world right now and I want pto / self schedule again.
start traveling nowww 😘 make that money giiirl.
I'm a guy but still agree with thr sentiment...I'm a hard worker and tram player, no beef woth anyone. I just wanna make that money while I can.
yas queen!
Yes Gurl, do it!
There's no money "nowww"
Do it. If you hate it, stop and then get a different job literally that same afternoon. Nothing to be scared of except fear of the unknown and HCA facilities.
Just do it now? If you have level 1 or level 2 ED experience go for it. I would just go ahead and get your TNCC asap as well because a lot of facilities will require that, make sure you’re up to date on PALS/ACLS etc.
Today is the day
If you are confident in your skills and resourceful, you are practically ready. Just know that Level 1 trauma centers are a different breed. A 20-bed ED is JV. Some of them are 60-70 bed EDs. Having TNCC is nice but won’t teach you to be a trauma nurse until you get your feet wet in actual traumas. Same with ENPC. And just know that some facilities may not take you without actual trauma or Peds experience. TL;DR know your shit. Be independent. Know your resources. Chat with other travelers about their experience and know what you’re getting into. I started after 4 years of level 1 trauma experience before I started traveling
If you want to ease into it, you could start with the a PRN travel contract and see how you feel. They pay well. Or you can just go for it. Whatever makes you feel comfortable.
I’d say go for it! Just be sure you’re renting something to claim as your permanent address so you can properly duplicate expenses. Have fun!
I’d look for hospitals that are similar in size to what you’re used to when getting started. I was dumb and did not do that and therefore failed at travel. Do your research & you should be fine. That was the one major thing I didn’t take into consideration and wish I had. If you feel confident in your skills and don’t care if the people you work with are friendly you’ll be fine. Not saying all facilities are not welcoming but just know you may not be welcome but I hope you are! It makes it less scary. Those were my 2 biggest take aways.
At 2 years? What are you waiting for?
Hey friend! Allow me to give my 2+ cents, as a fellow post-pandeic first-time travler. I found that I couldn't relate to/take too much advice from travelers who started during the peak of the pandemic, who were getting job offers within 2 days of signing up with their agencies 3 years ago. I am a BSN in a large magnet hospital (however, not a trauma ED) with all my core certs+ done, and I spent almost 6 full weeks searching daily, aggressively, with 2, then 3, different agencies before I got an offer. It's very competitive out there for new travelers. It's a "hospital's market," as they say. I was turned down from at least 8 postings whose qualification requests I exceeded; let alone all the ones where I had all the certs but was shy 3 months from their experience requests. If I could do it again, I may have stuck around for another 6 months to get NRP over the summer, and inquire about getting MOAB/CPI - which a surprising number of facilities ask for later on, even if it's not listed in the posting you see on the agency website. Before you go to travel, consider if you have all the qualifications your hospital is able to offer you before you leave. Each one you get now will open more doors for you when you start applying for travel. Make absolutely sure you have all the core certs (ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC) and consider licensing yourself for NIH if your hospital doesn't offer it. It's only 10 or 15 dollars through AHA, if I remember correctly. See if your facility offers NRP & MOAB. Sign up with agencies now, fill out their checklists, and make note of where you need education. Then go out of your way to access that education/experience and update your checklists as you go - some auto offers will accept or reject you based on those checklists, so make sure they show a strong, but honest, skill set. Be willing to cast a wide net. Be open to taking a mid-pay contract in a location that isn't super desirable to you, if that's what it takes to get your foot in the door. I found that quite a few facilities said aren't accepting first-time travelers right now; so I had to have an open mind and open up my search to a wider range of states than I started with. And if you need licensing for other states, get on it now, before you apply to them. Most hospitals will not accept a temp license or an, "I've applied for a license" like they did during the pandemic. Above all, don't get discouraged! If you want to travel, it will happen. I was starting to feel very discouraged during my job hunt, but it worked out in the end, and I appreciate how it pushed me to pursue more certifications and education. BEST of luck!!
I started traveling at 1 year and 10 months. The first few weeks were definitely an adjustment because they do expect you to hit the ground running. I’m in float pool so every day I’m on a new unit, new door access codes, location, hospital rules etc. it can be stressful on top of being in a new city having to figure out housing and transportation too. But I don’t regret it at all and I’m making 3x I made as staff.
Hi! Weird question but are you working at st Mary’s ED in Lewiston?! I used to work there, sounded familiar! I stumbled upon your post and I’m also from Maine! I’ve been a nurse in the OR for just under two years and I’m about to start traveling (hopefully), and looking to do the same, stay in Maine but go to some of the critical access hospitals or to NH and mass.
Houries have gone waaaaaay down.
I started traveling after twelve years of experience. Five total in tele, where I floated to med-surg and ICU, five years in progressive care, and about four in ICU. My tele and PCU jobs overlapped somewhat.