First day as agency nurse, asked to do admission

In our facility, we would never allow an agency nurse to do an admit. Not because we think she can't do it, but because they don't know our policies and procedures very well, they don't have computer access to put in orders--it just isn't a good idea, for the nurse, facility or other residents.

This is exactly the reason I have avoided agency or travel nursing so far. You pretty much just get thrown out there. I have seen many agency/travel nurses get dumped on and treated bad by nurse managers and some of the staff. As a charge nurse, I always tried to be as helpful as I could to agency/travel nurses b/c without them, many nights my staff and I would have drowned without them. If you run them off, there will be no help. Many people don't understand this concept. They get so upset b/c the agency/travel nurse is making so much more than them, but fail to realize that the reason why they are is b/c they are expected to adjust quickly to an unfamiliar environment and get the job done quickly and efficiently even though they have had little or no orientation (which I believe is dangerous).

Someone could have offered their help to you or at least a quick run down of the paper work. Some facilities are better than others as far as their treatment towards agency/travel nurses. It makes a huge difference in whether that agency/travel nurse will come back or not. Maybe one day management and our fellow nurses will realize this and do a better job of making agency/travel nurses feel welcome. Sometimes all it takes is that one nurse to show you something one time, and you'll have it from there, but you must be given that chance.

Good luck to you in the future. Hopefully the experience will get better from here.

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

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.