Thinking about traveling

[malissav]

Hi Everyone!!
I decided to check out this website and have been reading for hours now. I am currently working at a doctors office with a very busy internal med doc. She is the sweetest. I have been a nurse for almost 6 years now and have worked 6 months in child psych, 5 years med/surg with vents and also 6 months ofrenal tele. I didn't care for monitored floors due to no monitor tech. I love med surg and I love the vents CRAZY!!! Interested in ER and am thinking of doing that 4 a few years then travling with my husband. I am long winded but am very intrigued about traveling. When do you really call a recruiter??? 6 months to a year before you want to go? Do I submit all the paperwork to different agencies and see who I like best??? Sorry I'm babbling Anyway will check in often.
Would love to be in contact with a med surg traveler for updates and good and bad stories Thanks again

[AmandaWIRN]

Welcome! You shouldn't contact a recruiter until a couple of months before you want to begin traveling- most hospitals don't post their needs much more than 1-2 months ahead of the desired start date anyways. It wouldn't hurt to research companies and find a few you like ahead of time, but as far as having a recruiter actually look for assignments for you, 6 months before you want to start would be a little too soon. In the mean time, work on getting the 1-2 years of experience you'll need in your chosen specialty, getting your certifications (for ER you'll want to have ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC...), and researching different travel companies & the ins & outs of travel nursing. The travel forums and reviews section on this site are excellent resources!