Thinking about travel nursing...

[tinyfeet28]

So I've been a med surg nurse for a year, and I'm thinking about traveling at the end of 2 years. The thing is, I'd be traveling alone. I'm not much of a loner, but I think it would be cool to do some short travel stints around the country - maybe even take jobs where some friends live.

Basically I'm asking if anyone has traveled alone and if so, how was it?
Also, I have three main goals in nursing
(1) Travel
(2) get ICU or ED experience
(3) get an advanced degree.
Should travel nursing come before/after/in the middle of those plans?

SUGGESTIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!
~L IN pHILLY~

[AmandaWIRN]

I would get at least a year of ICU or ER experience first, because then you will have more opportunities as a traveler. With the higher level certifications required in ICU & ER, you'll be more marketable to hospitals, and there are usually more travel positions available in ICU & ER than for med/surg (plus you'll probably make more as a traveler in ER or ICU!). Once you have been traveling for a while, you can either get an advanced degree online while traveling, or choose to settle down somewhere to get your degree.