Advice for Newbies

[mcpamela9]

I am a newbie and I need some advice. I am still pre nursing and i need to focus on a feild in nursing that is profitable and fufilling where should I look?

[cassioo]

McPamela, when you get into your nursing clinicals try to make the most of each experience. If there is something to do and only 1 student can observe or participate jump in and do it don't sit back and say well if anyone else wants to they can be the one to do everything. Once you see different areas you'll have a better feel. Also if there are nurse extern programs for students in your area do it that will give you more experience then clinicals can. Everyone has their own thing I love L&D, NSY & Peds, I can do M/S if I have to but DO NOT ever want to do ICU or Tele and there are those that feel the same about my job.

[twk]

Good Evening everyone, I have pretty much the same ?, but I am an LPN. Are there many travel positions available for LPN's, in hospitals, as opposed to LTC facilities? I periodically check different agencies and a vast majority are only requesting RN's.

[imjamie]

My advice is similar to others in that you need to be able to trust your recruiter and make sure they are working for you and for your best interests. Also, it is a good idea to have 3 or 4 companies working for you in finding an assignment. What one company doesn't have another one might. Remember this is a business and these companies are in competition for your skills and services. I am finishing my first year as a traveler and I have had a wonderful time and great experiences. Best move I could have made. I was in a dead end job and this has jump started me again and I love my job again. Good luck and if you need any advice, feel free to email me. Jamie

JMaui8@aol.com

[Anonymous]

It's a long road but IMHO the way to go is NP.. Many states allow an NP prescriptive priveldges. And you actually can do more than a PA.

Find an area you like .. L&D, Adult Health, or some other speciality and go for it..


WR,,, three commas for Becca

[jayne ann halle]

I completed an assignment in Tucson, Az...my first travel.It was a great experience with Starmed at that time.Since then, two of my recruiters have quit and the company is now owned by Intellistaff.The present(replacement) recruiter has lost 4 jobs for me.I'm a CS in psychiatry with 27 years of experience and fine references.The recruiter keeps saying the job is filled before he can get an interview.....what's the real story.
Jayne

[montana]

I am new to this and would love any and all information about travel nursing I have not found a company that I feel comfortable with and any advice from anyone is greatly appriciated. Montana

[Anonymous]

If you tell us what you are looking for in terms of perks, assignment etc. we might be able to help.. Such a broad question requires a broad answer.. Break down for us and we'll try to help.

WR,,, three commas for Becca.

[krizz]

Hello All,

I am a Canadian RN who is looking into travel nursing. I am just in the process of getting the VISA screen and then I am going to look at companies to apply with. I find the process a little overwhelming given the sheer number of compainies out there. I want to make sure that I pick the right ones to apply to so I have a good base of comparison. The advise I have been given is to go with smaller companies because the bigger ones don't necessarily pay the greatest and the service from the biggies leaves to be desired. With the smaller companies what are the key questions to ask when looking at wages, housing, and expenses. Any suggestion for companies to look at would also be greatly appreciated. I am a PICU RN with 7 years experience so I know there will be placements out there for me I just want to make sure that I pick the right placement and the right company. Any advice would be appreciated. I just learned about ensuring that the company pays you even if the hospital cancels your shift so I think that being on here is great and I look forward to any further advice that is out there. Thanks in advance for the information.

[lianeroot]

Ive been a travel nurse for about 2 + yrs now. I was a nurse in the USNavy for 5 years ( I guess that can count as traveling). And I thought after a while of being in the same place for the last 10 yrs I wanted to start traveling again. One fo my best friends in the military told me about travel nursing through Intelistaf nursing where she works and I signed up. Shortly after I started I meet my husband and wanted to start a family. I asked if I could remain on travel status but stay in the state that I live, but just pick up jobs in state and they were wounderfull, I don't work as much now but at least I stay close to home. Ive loved my experience with intelistaf, and I love being a travel nurse, you get the best experience and I feel well rounded now , even though I was a working for over 10 yrs as a nurse before I began to travel, I just feel you get to experience more medicine this way. If your new and haven't signed with a specific travel nurse co. yet . I would check them all out and see what your long term options are, and what happens if you dont like a job or if like me you want to stay close to home for a while.
you can call my friend Cristine Kreplick, Nurse Recruiter at Intelistaf Healthcare Travel. Her # is 1-800-950-3415 Ext .3716 / Just tell her you were chating with Liane and needed some advice, shes the best and wont try to just sign you up, shell help you with understanding what the whole job is about.