Ask a Travel Nurse Question:
Hi David, I worked med/surg and labor and delivery for 6 years..but have been out of the hospital setting since 2001. Just completed an RN refresher course at GateWay Community College here in Phx…want to be a travel nurse…any thoughts? Having difficulty even finding local jobs..I am a mature (not old), flexible, dependable individual…any thoughts?
Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:
When you mentioned not being able to find any local jobs, I am not sure if you are speaking about local “travel positions” or just local nursing positions.
While it is true that most travel companies want recent hospital based experience, you might be able to find one that can find you a position with your past experience. As when looking for any job (local or travel), the key is just to put yourself out there. Try to get back into a hospital system locally, but again, you might find a travel company that will try to find you a travel assignment. There are well over a hundred travel nursing companies out there and there is no shortcut other than calling each and talking with a recruiter.
Try to get back into bedside in the hospital setting ASAP, but don’t totally write off finding a travel assignment.