10 replies to this topic

[babsrich42]

HI, All!

I am an RN student, graduating in May of next year. I have decided that I want to become a travel nurse. I understand that I will need at least 1 year experience in the area of my choice before I apply. I am currently working in a medical ICU, and I have chosen that as my speciality. My question is: Will it be necessary to obtain certification from the American Acadamy of Critical Care nursing? How valuable is that certificate to travelers? Or should I be going for my bachlor's instead? Are there any differences in pay for different educational levels? Also, I am interested in hearing any advice for new grads/new travelers. Are there any books to help traveling nurses? Should I pick an assignment in a big hospital or a small one for my first assignment? One more question: Does anyone know of any companies who send American nurses to other countries such as Australia, England, or Canada? I realize that it is another year away, but this has been my dream for many years and I am excited to finally be getting there, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
babsrich42

[NawlinsGirl]

Hi Babs

Welcome to the nursechat forum. I would like to introduce myself. My name is melanie and my log in name is Nawlinsgirl. I am coowner of this site. I have been a travel nurse for the past 4.5 yrs. I have my BSN AND my CCRN. With my experience as a travel nurse, I dont see any benefit of having a BSN or a CCRN when in comes to obtaining assignments or benefits. I know you need at least one year of experince to become a travel nurse. Whenever you get to that point where you want to travel feel free to ask me any questions. It always helps to ask someone who has been there and done it.

I hope to see you in the chatroom so we can discuss things that will benefit you throughout school and your future career. Please feel free to let your friends know about the site so they can benefit from it as well.

Melanie (Nawlinsgirl)

[aussie-margaret]

babsrich

plenty of agency work in sydney australia - i have done agency work for the last 3 years in sydney and rarely don't get a booking for a shift - and the agency I work for only does the smaller hospitals, nursing homes. there are alot of agencies. one in the city caters for irish nurses.

I go to smaller public hospitals and private ones - I will go to the general wards and accident and emergency but don't do ICU or kids wards. if I don't like a place, I just tell the agency to take my name off the availability for that place. the agency respects where I want / don't want to go.

most agencies pay weekly. there was one advertising in a local paper that was offering next day pay.

hubby works at a busy hospital in sydney and he says they have heaps of agency nurses.

you could probably get accomodation at quite a few of the hospitals - nothing fancy but it would be inexpensive

[aussie-margaret]

also:

once you had registration here, you would just ring up the agencies when here and see who offers what where you want and see which you prefer.

I did agency from day 1 of finishing my training.

If you want to work in the hospital system - the hospitals also offer one year rotation through 4 different departments for new grads, which may suit you better. As far as I know, you would choose the areas or request them at least.

there is plentiful work - you would not be short of work in the cities.

plenty of nursing home work too - I find the nursing homes harder work than the hospitals, so usually turn down nursing homes.

[Molly_Malone]

Hey

Currently working in MICU as a student is not going to count as a year of experience in your specialty- you will need at least one year in the MICU as an RN. Most reputable companies are now asking for 2-5 years- especially for the speciality areas- ICUs ED and L and D. The thing about being a traveler is that you really have got to be able to literally walk in and work with little to no direction beyond telling you where the medications are, and what your assignment is.

I'd disagree that there is no advantage to having the CCRN certification. The BSN is probably less important.

I am an Emergency Dept RN. I have been called many times and asked if I have CEN (The ENA's answer to CCRN). Many want me, as an ED nurse to have CCRN as well. Sometimes I get a little tired of recertifying currently I am certified with these: ACLS, PALS, CEN, TNCC, ENPC, and CATN. I can barely keep up with them. (oh yes BLS as well....)

As a new traveler, you will not have a track record from many hospitals. It will be important to have as many certifications as you can obtain to assure your potential employers that you do indeed know how to perform in that environment. CCRN can only help you, but the first thing you need to do as a new grad is get your 1-2 years experience at a hospital without traveling.

[mattsmom]

Hi all...not a traveler, but I worked critical care as an agency nurse for many years. Staff nurses can be distrustful of travelers/agency and I always found that my CCRN credential warmed them up to me. They at least know I have a core competency that is proven.

So...while it doesn't get you more pay (altho on staff facilities might give you a buck/hr or so for the certification) I found it helped established my competence out in the field, and got me through the door of many facilities so I could show them my worth. Just my 2 cents.

[NawlinsGirl]

Hi Molly,

Im sorry if I didnt explain myself throughly. I didnt mean there is no advantage to having your CCRN. Its just been my experience as a 4 year traveler , none of the hospitals has ever asked for my degrees. I have a friend who is has an ADN and is earning the same amount as I am.

Nawlinsgirl

[babsrich42]

Thanks for all the information. I found a hospital here where I live (Cape Fear Valley) that is offering an additional 6 weeks of speciality training for new grads. It is a 2-year committment, and I would be CCRN certified after taking the classes. I think I will apply to that hospital, as it will satisfy the 1-2 years experience and the CCRN for traveling. Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate the wisdom of those who have been there.
Barbara

[NawlinsGirl]

Good luck to you..... Nawlinsgirl

[mattsmom]

Good luck..you will have to take the test to be certified, and the year of experience AND the critical care course should prepare you. Like Nawlinsgirl I am also a CCRN.

Some hospitals will advertise 'prefer BSN's' (especially for management) but in reality will hire any RN who is qualified/experienced. I'm an old diploma RN myself.

Hope to visit with some of ya'll in chat sometime!!