Need advice from agency nurses!!

[lisa41rn]

I've had it with making the minimum for what I do. I asked an agency nurse working for us about specifics and got a packet sent to me from her company. I really think I want to do this, but worry about leaving my job. I have about 15 months med/surg experience. All I want is to work two or three 8 hour shifts/week. Now I work two 12 hour shift and eow. I hate working weekends and holidays as I have three kids. I'm working on getting my BSN and am so busy, the thought of telling someone else when I will work sounds like paradise. Now I get a schedule and they tell me when to show up and then on my days off, they call me constantly to work extra. What is it like to work agency for you? I know I can handle working on a floor like my current floor, but I need to know more. Are you treated okay? Do you get assignments beyond what you are capable of? If you need help, is someone there to ask or are you expected to know everything? Thanks for your help!!

[11:11]

I think that you might want to give the agency a try if that is what you have been thinking about anyway (unless there is something you arent telling us).

If you have a few years experience then you should be fine as long as you stay within your limits (read capabilities).

I have found if you are assertive yet polite you can use the same resources as the staff nurses (ie pharmacy , lab etc).

However, Id advise anyone to bring their own such as med guide, IV drug guide, med dictionary etc. Now Im going with a PDA.

It helps to have all that at your side rather than to run around like a chicken with your head cut off.

Why dont you try the agency part time and keep your day job part time? I keep a casual job at my last full time employer and it has helped. They supply my ACLS and BLS etc etc, and Im there for them when they really need me. Its benficial to both and you can always go back in some capacity if you decide you dont like the agency gig-

Best of luck

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