Practical advice for perioperative travel nurses

AORN Journal,  Oct, 2002  by Cindy L. Brumley

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Travel nurses should receive sufficient orientation so they can function when they suddenly find themselves taking cardiac team call at the end of the week. Procedures should be assigned appropriately. Telling a travel nurse to scrub in to count cardiac instruments when the skills list clearly states he or she has never set foot in a cardiac room is a mistake that could have legal ramifications.

Travel nurses fall under the same policies, guidelines, and courtesies as regular staff members. A positive relationship can result in an experienced, oriented employee ready to become part of the community.

CONCLUSION

These are exciting times for perioperative nurses.

   One thing is certain: the demographics of the anticipated patient
   populations, and the demographics of the health care provider population,
   virtually ensure that the demand for travelers in the OR and elsewhere will
   continue to grow for the foreseeable future. (11)

Working in hospitals with cutting edge technology, benchmarking practices, and different methodologies awaits nurses willing to take the chance. Having more control over their careers and financial opportunities is within their grasp. Watching spectacular waterfalls, smelling evergreen forests or salty ocean air, tasting incredible local cuisine--what could be better?

NOTES

(1.) C L Brumley, "OR RN travelers: Why do you travel?" (Internet survey) http://forums.delphiforums .com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=trav elnurses&msg=6797.1 (accessed 27 Aug 2002).

(2.) Publication 463: Travel, Entertainment, Girl, and Care Expenses (Washington, DC: Internal Revenue Service, 2001) 3.

(3.) Ibid.

(4.) C J Lederman, personal communication with the author, Salisbury, Md, 11 Dec 2001.

(5.) "AACN's Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet," TrendLines 12 (November/December 2001) 4.

(6.) M K Tyler, "Putting it all together," (Manager's View) HT: The Magazine for Healthcare Travel Professionals (May/June 1998) http://www.healthcaretraveler.com/ht online.cfm?step=3&id=70&catid=28 (accessed 27 Aug 2002).

(7.) "Nursing regulation: Mutual recognition," National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc, http://www.ncsbn.org/public/nurseli censurecompact/mutual_recognition _state.htm (accessed 12 Aug 2002).

(8.) P O'Rourke Langston, "Using fingerprints for state licensure and certification in Nevada," Insight 6 no 3 (1997) http://www.ncsbn.org /public/regulation/intoc 63_finger prints.htm (accessed 12 Aug 2002).

(9.) C L Brumley, "How many companies have you worked with?" (Internet survey) http://forums.del phiforums.com/n/mb/message.asp?w ebtag=travelnurses&msg=6988.1 (accessed 27 Aug 2002).

(10.) Publication 463: Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Care Expenses.

(11.) C J Lederman, personal communication with the author.

Cindy L. Brumley, RN, CNOR, is a perioperative travel nurse with Apex Travel Nurses & Techs, Inc, Hughes Springs, Tex.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group