advancing my specialty while i travel

[cougar]

i am interested in advancing my specialty - i initially did neuro step-down, then med/surg/tele. i would love to advance to critical care, er while working as a traveler. i don't want a staff job and the pay cut that comes with it.

is it possible to do this? i can pay for my own classes but i won't have the hands-on experience. is it just a dream that a hospital would take on a traveler and orient them in these areas?

thanks,
cougz

[AmandaWIRN]

Most hospitals will not orient you to a new area as a traveler- they are hiring travelers because they have immediate needs, and want someone who will be able to function independently with only 1-2 days of orientation.

[NomadNurse000]

I hate to say it, but most travel companies won't place you in a specialty if you haven't had direct experience in that area.

One of the best things that you can do is stay put in one city for 6-9 months, and take a per diem position at a local hospital. That way, you can work in the new specialty while you complete your travel assignment.

Another option would be to go home for 6 months and get a job in that specialty for 6 months.

Then, you have to keep those skills up. I generally found that I could manage two. I went back and forth between ER and ICU for about 8 years. But, picking up another specialty is tough. A lot of hospitals won't hire you as a traveler if you haven't worked that specialty in the past year.