Do you like Agency/ staffing Nursing and would you switch back to being on staff

Guys, this all sounds really good....I think I'm just about convinced to try agency nursing. The last thing I want right now is a commitment to yet another facility with its politics and power-tripping managers. I don't want to work weekends or holidays, and I've had it with 40-hour weeks that always seem to turn into 50+ hours with no extra pay and no comp time off. Thanx!!

mjlrn97:

It is not for everyone but is the only way to go as far as I am concerned for my needs.

Welcome to the wonderful world of agency! Let us know how we can help.

Brownie:

I didn't read your post; so I don't really have any comment about that. But, I have read many other posts of yours and you always are very knowledgeable(sp) and helpful. I hope you are not leaving allnurses.

Bump.....

(thought I would bump this topic to the top as I am still wondering what others have to say)

Have my interview with an agency tomorrow. What should I expect? I'm thinking of trying it per diem -- any advice? What should I expect as a salary range for an experienced RN on the East Coast? I've been wanting to try agency for a long time ... but I'm a bit nervous about it. You guys have offered some great advice -- the posts about agency are generally positive -- especially compared to the posts about med-surg/floor nursing.
Thanks. Sue

Work for a home hlth agency that also does staffing, which I might try sometime. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Yes, there are a few things here and there that have bothered me, but nothing like what it was like on staff. I highly recommend it. One big diff for me though: since I'm doing HH, not staffing, I actually get paid less, b/c they say, they are confined by medi-cal pmts. However, I don't like being told this when I can read the English on the client's paperwork, or hear the client, when they tell me that their insurance company pays. I know the difference between private pay, insurance pay, and govt agency pay. I wish people would not try to pull the wool over our eyes. Oh, oh. I thought I wasn't gonna gripe about agencies, since it's so much better!~ Sorry!

i started with an agency that is co owned by one of the larger hospital groups in this area....i knew that i wanted to get into one hospital but was unsure of the floor that i wanted to work..so i started accepting assignments on different floors through this agency; found one floor that i clicked on and liked, and went prn on that floor as an employee..
kind of a sneaky way of getting in, but i managed to make the switch ok..
and i still do shifts for the agency at some of their other hospitals...
best of both worlds you might say

I may find a PRN position on staff in time...I just alway feel 'safer' this way when work slows down via agency...then i can fill in at the PRN job.

But...can't beat the good feeling agency gives us after years of being under the thumb of facility docs and administrative suits, eh?

LUV my agency work...keeps me sane!

Since I have found a great agency life has been wonderful. I work 5 days a week in the winter and when the weather breaks my husband and I go to our beach house 2 long w/e's a month!!


YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahh..I like that idea Shiraz!! My hubby wants to retire, buy a travel trailer...and live the nomadic life while I work travel assignments!

Work awhile, vacation awhile...make our own schedules...can't beat it!!

It's so great to have work that revolves areound my LIFE and not vice versa which is what facilities demand of their nurses.