I've been a geriatrics RN since I graduated nursing school in 2013. I'm interested travel nursing but don't know if I can keep up with hospital setting. Anyone done both? Which was harder? Which did you like better and why?
Most travel companies require 1-2 years acute care experience. Total different ballgame jumping from long-term care to acute setting and especially as a traveler you are expected to jump right in with little to no orientation at all.
While I didn't jump straight from LTC to travel, I think you can do it. I'll say the best chance will come from working at least a few months in a hospital before going travel. That way, even with just 3-6 months exp. in the hospital setting, your resume shows that you've taken steps to transition from LTC to acute care. Combine that with all your years of experience, and you'll probably be fine.
You can do anything you put your mind to do. Ppl think that Geriatric Nursing is easy. It is not. I suggest you start out as a rehab nurse in a hospital. Then you will have more time to learn the computer systems. More time to see what the others nurse specializes are like. Every unit is a different breed of cat. Once you get your feet wet then travel. Or just be a rehab traveler. However the ppl that take travelers expect you to hit the rubber running. Thie travel nursing can dry up at some point. Your taxes will be hell to keep track of unless you are organized. Hospitals usually have plenty of CEUs. I'm not sure how many travelers can get however I expect you will need to keep track of that too. Sometimes when you travel, like float nurses, you get dumped on. So if you don't mind hard work, the money is there right now. It's harder to be away from home sometimes. Especially if you have children. Otherwise home can be where you hang your hat,
I have worked both and prefer the slower paced geriatrics LTC setting. While your patient load will be lower, in the hospital you have sicker patients. That coupled with unreliable nursing assistants, unless you are prepared to provide total care (bed, diaper changes, vitals, helping to transport to procedures, attending rounds, etc.) to me the money wasn't worth it. I was getting paid $54 in the hospital but was blessed to get more for a night geri position. Travel nurses also get the worst assignments in the hospital and are the first to float. If you want to get some hospital experience, I would go simply for that but as a staff nurse. But the travel rates and assignments aren't worth the headache in my honest opinion.
You can work in skilled nursing facilities as a travel nurse, I did just that. But I worked in the hospital for 3 years after I graduated in 2004. I think working in the hospital was easier, just my opinion. I obviously like working in skilled nursing facilities better, I’ve been doing that for almost 18 years now. I like it better because of the relationships you get to develop with your patients. I also worked in psychiatric inpatient facilities as a traveling nurse and I loved it. There are endless possibilities when it comes to traveling, try not to get hung up on only being able to do traveling in the hospital setting. I hope this helps! Good luck!!!
Yes! All great New challenges are fun
I personally like working with geriatrics in the home as a home health RN.
Why would you have to keep up with hospital pace. Traveling LTC I feel is more rewarding try it
Is it possible for you to try a few shifts in an acute care setting, i.e., shadowing or registry?
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For travel nursing hospitals require at least 1-2 years recent experience. I would start applying to hospitals in your area if that’s your goal. I’ve also seen travel positions for LTC.
