So here's the deal.I will finally be done with my nursing degree in May.Any thoughts with regards to travel assignments in the Tampa area.Not so much looking to be recruited at this time,just don't know if I can travel as a new grad..thought i could reward my wife and kid with a little fun in the sun this summer.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
As I recall when you register for the NCLEX you can choose a duel certification option. You may not be able to work as a traveling nurse but you may very well be able to find a per diem position following an orientation period in a facility in Florida for the summer. If you can do it its sure worth looking into.
I admire you for wanting to provide your family for fun in the sun...what a loving thing to do. Personally, I think it is a better idea to give yourself whatever Florida states to be the minimum (do I understand you are in Florida?) before travelling as a chance to hone your basic nursing skills. Travelling from job to job and not being familiar with the setting you are going to can be stressful enough. To do it without confidence in the essential basics is probably downright terrifying. I cannot imagine being an agency nurse as a new grad, either, for those same reasons. You never know, when you step into your assignment, what you are getting. I know this is something only you can make up your mind and soul on , so please don't let me stop you from doing what makes you and your family happy. Just be safe and don't jeapordize what you spent years working so hard for before you have the basics down. Oh...and welcome to nursing!
I'd agree with grapejam.
Most travel nursing agencies will not touch you until you have 1-2 years of recent acute care hospital experience. The reason being that you're expect to "hit the ground running" and be competent taking care of your patients with a minimum of supervision.
As a new graduate, you simply don't have that level of competence, experience and confidence.
You'd be doing yourself a disservice and put your patients at risk trying to go straight into agency or travel nursing. It would be better to pick the area where you want to work and get a full-time permanent position there.
One constant these days, is nurses are needed everywhere. You should be able to go to any of the 50 states and find a job. Granted you'll need to be flexible and may need to work an off shift to get your foot in the door.
Be sure as well that they offer a reasonable orientation period working with a mentor (three to six months).
Wish you luck! BTW you can find some helpful NCLEX resources here, http://www.nursefriendly.com/nclex
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com
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