I will be starting Nursing School in the Fall and have always had an interest in being a Travel Nurse.  What other responsibilities/specializatons does being a Travel Nurse require, if any.  I want to know the Pro's/ Con's.  How and when did you get started?  Thanks!

First of all you need to understand  travel companies won't even consider you until you've had at least one years experience and most prefer two years.  Med Surg nurses are needed virtually everywhere as is almost every other specialty.  There are positions almost anywhere you wish to go.  Some are snapped up in a heart beat, like Hawaii any time of the year.  I traveled for 10 years, loved it most of the time, had a few bad assignments and experiences, but other than the few bad ones, I wouldn't change any of it.  My advice to you is to have all your labs and physicals current at all times.  Become ACLS certified, many places are beginning to require it and it certainly can't hurt you to have it.  

 Don't use more than three recruiters at one time, but if they haven't come up with anything in two weeks, find another company.  There is a huge number out there.  here's a travel nurse website  go to http://www.delphiforums.com  join up it's free and then look for travel nurses and therapists.  you can find out more there in one day than I could tell you here.  Whatever you do, don't lock yourself into a certain area, be flexible where you want to go.

The Pros,

It's fun, you meet lots of new people, learn new things, teach others new things, lots of experience, see new places, different cultures and way of life.  Essentially you become a working tourist.  Your apartment is paid for, granted ultimately you're paying for it as part of your contract, but if you so choose to do so, you can take a supplement and find your own housing.  I never did, let them find me housing and if I wasn't happy or satisfied, I let them know and most are willing to work with you and find you new accommodations.

Cons......

You have to be better, more flexible, more confident, more knowledgeable.  You'll deal with jealousy, frustration, anger from others.  Misconceptions on your pay, everyone thinks you make so much more than they do, when in reality you make the same or less usually. Physicians are wary, never realizing you are probably more up to date on new things than regular staff.  Not the staff's fault, it's the facility. Sometimes facilities will cancel your contract without warning, usually when there is a bonus involved, so they get out of paying the bonus, but you're the one stuck.  You have no support, other than your recruiter and company if something goes wrong and to often their hands are tied. 

cdnurse says ...

I may give some thought in a year or two to travel nursing. damaze, it was always my understanding that there was big $$$$$ in travel nursing.

 

Me too.