August 3, 2007
Access Nurses Weekly Volume 11 Number 1 August 3, 2007
News
Travel Nursing: A Career for All Generations
The generation gap can seem wide in a profession like nursing - where staffs are often made up of different generations of men and women. Whether you're just starting your nursing career or have years of experience under your belt, travel nursing offers the opportunity for exposure to varied staffs on a continuous basis.
At age 40, William D., an OR RN, isn't sure under which category he falls - older or younger generation. Being right in the middle of the generations, he values both age groups.
"If there are people that have been around for awhile, they can help train and mentor the younger nurses," said William. He added that younger nurses are often more proficient with newer technology, and they can help the older nurses.
William has worked in the healthcare industry since he was a hospital corman in the Navy. While he was in the Navy, his goal was to finish nursing school.
"I knew with nursing that it's a guarantee that you go to school, get out and get a job," said William. "Not all degrees offer than kind of security. I know my degree is going to pay off."
One of William's friends dispatched early and worked as a travel nurse, so he heard many stories from her different assignments. Then, by chance, a recruiter at Access Nurses contacted him, and he has been traveling ever since.
For him, travel nursing is living a retired lifestyle, while still working. "Instead of waiting until you're done with work to travel, you can travel while working," said William.
For Deborah C., her nursing career has only just begun. Recently graduated, the 22-year-old Med Surg nurse is on her first travel assignment with Access Nurses.
After growing up in a small town in Florida, Deborah took an assignment in Bakersfield, California because she wanted adventure and "felt it was time to move on and do something different."
"The pay is a lot better than where I came from; It's a nice way to travel," said Deborah, who's taken trips to San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Francisco. "On my own, I don't think I would have come to California. The pay helps me do that."
Though it's been scary for her at times being on her own so far away from home, Deborah knows it "will be an experience that I wouldn't normally have had," and she's determined to finish.
As a young nurse working with all older generation nurses, Deborah values their knowledge. Her positive experience working with the staff has been the result of a great attitude.
"You have to be confident, but not too confident to ask for help when you need it," she said. "I think that's a big thing, if you need help, ask for it. [The hospitals] need the help. Everyone's been really good about teaching me."
With a little bit of patience and flexibility, RNs in all life stages can benefit from and enjoy the travel nursing lifestyle, regardless of age or generation.
City to See: Los Angeles, California
Where else can you get first-class entertainment, fine dining, cultural diversity and celebrity sightings on the West Coast? Los Angeles is the hub of leisure and excitement in California. From the glam of Hollywood to the booming nightlife downtown to the beaches of Santa Monica, locals and tourists alike adore Los Angeles.
Weather: High: 69, Low: 55
Population: 4,018,080
Nearby Cities: Long Beach, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara
Hot Jobs
Contact your recruiter to inquire about the following jobs!
Los Angeles, California OB/GYN Clinic
Positions: One
Shift: 8-hour days
Start Date: ASAP
St. Petersburg, Florida Peds OR
Positions: One
Shift: 10-hour days + on call
Start Date: ASAP
Denver, Colorado Med Surg
Positions: Three
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
Nationwide Dialysis
Positions: 20
Shift: all 8-10 hour shifts
Start Date: ASAP
Anchorage, Alaska ICU
Positions: Two
Shift: 12-hour nights and rotations
Start Date: August 6 and 13
New Iberia, Louisiana Geri Psych
Positions: Three
Shift: All
Start Date: ASAP
Las Vegas, Nevada ER
Shift: All
Start Date: ASAP
New Orleans, Louisiana OR
Positions: Two
Shift: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP
Peoria, Illinois Cardiac Telemetry
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: August 13 or 27
Peoria, Illinois Surgical ICU
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
Gainesville, Georgia CVOR
Shift: 12-hour days
Start Date: ASAP
Gainesville, Georgia OR
Shift: 8-hour days
Start Date: ASAP
Kilmarnock, Virginia OR Scrub
Shift: 8-hour days
Start Date: ASAP
Martinsburg, West Virginia OB
Shift: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP
Torrington, Connecticut L&D
Shift: 12-hour evenings/nights
Start Date: ASAP
St. Petersburg, Florida CCU
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP
St. Petersburg, Florida ICU
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: October 1
St. Petersburg, Florida L&D
Shift: 12-hour days
Start Date: ASAP
Gloucester, Massachusetts ICU
Shift: 12-hour nights, med surg/tele float
Start Date: August 6
Frisco, Colorado L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP
Colorado Springs, Colorado OR
Positions: Six
Shift: Variable
Start Date: ASAP
Nursing Site of the Week
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On the Lighter Side
Just What the Doctor Ordered
Troy had finally made it to his doctor's office for a long overdue appointment.
"Well, Troy," the scowling doctor said, "I see you're well over a month late for your appointment. Don't you realize that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention. What's your excuse?"
"I was simply following your orders, Doc," Troy replied.
"Following my orders?" the confused doctor said. "What are you going on about? I gave you no such order."
"You told me to avoid people who irritate me," explained Troy.