First day as agency nurse, asked to do admission

[BethulieRN]

I took a 2-10:30 pm LTC assignement trough an agency yesterday. My concern is, the charge nurse came at 5pm to give me notice of an upcoming admission. I was appalled. She said it is done all the time for agency nurses whether it is first time or not. At the hospital that I work we do not let agency nurses do an admission. So, I did take the admission at 6pm, but left the facility at 3 am because of the paperwork and documentation. I finished my 9pm meds pass at 12am. I would like to know if this is the norm out there for agency nurses to do?

[coco3299]

I am not going to necessarily say yes, because as an Agency nurse you are expected to have the SKILL SET as a staff nurse there, not the knowledge of paperwork and usual unit routine/flow but someone should have been there to orient you esp since it was your first day. Also many facilities such as LTAC units do not offer a formal orientation they just sort of throw you in there. So the charge nurse should have stepped in to help assist you in what you were doing. It takes a while to get accustomed to how to stand up for yourself in the realm of agency nursing. After while you will learn that sticking up and advocating for your self if of paramount importance, if not they will do you this way each and every time. In addtion there is no way that I would have stayed until 3am. I would have passed my meds and let the oncoming nurse know that the paperwork could not be completed because of time constraints. It kills me that facilities allow their nurses to be treated this way. I worked at facilities that would NOT! Allow admissions/ Discharged around an hour or so before or after the change of shift. Although you did have time you were new. So similar to staff nursing I would have politiely said "I did not have any help or any time to complete this, I must pass it on." Thats all there is. There are so many ups and downs to agency nursing that you must learn and one is that you speak up at your own peril. If the facility feels that you are too bossy or not letting them run you over they may find a way to DNR you (DO NOT RETURN). ALways be on your P's and Q's. Although I have heard horror stories about this I am not one bit apprehensive in telling you that I got sick of it and said (to myself) that if I was DNR's for no reason that I would seek legal action because this is how nurses allow ourselves to get played. That are equal employment laws at work here than are usually overlooked for the sake of a working relationship between the facility and your agency and nurses are expendable, but remember the agency has an obligation to protect you as well- Don't forget. And always remember dummies work hard, you have to learn how to work SMART. Its all a learning experience good luck to you and email me if you have any questions although I am not on here often. And please don't listen to people who make it seem as though you have to put up with this crap. Im sure you have realized that many staff nurses (which many of the answerers may actually be) are angry at your increased pay rate and greater flexibility and are basically haters. HANG IN THERE

[Big Smurf2007]

i agree: we are not miracle workers.. i have seen the attitude toward agency not just on hosp floor but at ltc and it is not right. i felt bad for oncoming agency nurse who knew nothing @ facility and when she asked @ who was on other end of facility ( nurse wise) the other nurse got real nasty and it was a simple question--" yes- someone will be there 2 help u" i was leaving and felt bad i couldnt stay to help but i showed her the main things---and i also told her pt blank if u need help u ask.-- they should have helped u out with that but i was staff at facility and even then even don wouldnt help-nor send extra nurse down.. passed 3-6p meds at 730p leaving time.~~ Best of luck and do the best u can.