New Agency nurse

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I'm so glad I found these boards! I have been a nurse for 20 years working Med-Surg and recently started Agency nursing. So far its been pretty good since I'm booked at one facility, but recently the cancelling has gotten pretty bad. I applied for a per diem position at another hospital to get a baseline number of days(they don't cancel!) and was shocked to find out that their contract with my agency would prohibit them from hiring me!!! Long story short, it worked out OK since I had never worked at the new facility through the agency, but is this standard practice for agencies. I never signed a contract but it would appear that any hospital that I go to through the agency would not hire me on a per diem basis(and pay the fee!)

I want to stay with the agency but now am concerned about branching out to different hospitals since it will limit future employment opportunities.

Thanks Laurie

Brownms46

1 Article; 2,394 Posts

Specializes in Everything except surgery.

Hi Laurie,

I have been agency for a long time now, and the way I deal with the non compete clauses when working agency is this. I don't work for agencies that have non compete clauses with hospitals. Many hospitals sign a contract with agencies that they won't compete, as they apparently did with your agency. There are agencies that don't have these clauses, and I only work for those that don't.

I don't do per diem anymore...but I do travel assignments now. There are also agencies that have local travel assignments, and this would help you not get cancelled. I wish you good luck in the future.:cool:

mattsmom81

4,516 Posts

When I hire on at an agency, I always check on the agency policy regarding this. Some require the facility pay a 'poachers' fee', some only a 90 day notice, for example, of intent to hire by the hospital.

But I've found this has been quite negotiable in my area, as the agency does not want to lose the hospital's business, nor do they want to lose you completely. Both may occur if they don't negotiate.... ;)

lsyorke, RN

710 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

Thanks for the info. I wish I had found this board before I signed on to ANY agency. I guess I'm correct in assuming that the agencies don't tell you this upfront? Live and learn.

Thanks again and I look forward to reading all the info you all have to offer.

Laurie

graysonret

155 Posts

Around Virginia, it's usually a 90 day notice with agencies, but that can be negotiated. I once left an agency to go directly to Hospice (since I was doing nothing but hospice cases anyway). They "negotiated" with each other, and I was hired full time. Stayed 3 1/2 years and went back to agency work. 1 good piece of advice is to sign up with more than 1 agency. That way you can pick and choose many times, what you want. Good luck.

Brownms46

1 Article; 2,394 Posts

Specializes in Everything except surgery.

lsyorke,

You're correct! Many agencies don't tell you about the non compete clauses. Non compete clauses also can mean, that you may not be able to work at a hospital, that another agency has sent you to. Ask about this also. Mattsmom and graysonret are right about negotiating. I negotiated a contract with a hospital, I thought I might want to go perm with. The agency agreed to not charge the hospital anything if I went perm with them BEFORE I took the contract. Unfortuantely many of us didn't have a forum like this when we started. So take advantage of us, and ask all the questions you need to, as you will find an abundant of help here.:cool:

nursejenrad

28 Posts

Hi Laurie,

I work for an agency and I was not told a thing about anything really. I later found out that I could not work anywhere that I had worked through the pool. The general rule was 6 months. If you hadn't been to the facility in 6 months then it was good to go. But if you had, then the agency can "charge" for you. I really was not told about any of the little things you need to know but it has been a few years and I guess I have a little more then no clue! I quit the pool FT about 3 months ago because I was getting cancelled more then called and I was going to the poorhouse. I make less money but I have a mon-fri job and I like it. Hang in there and remember, if a place really likes you, they will pay for you to be a regular.

Take care!

Jen

lsyorke, RN

710 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

"I make less money "

This is where I'm at now. I've signed on for a local hospitals float pool where they very rarely cancel. I'd rather make less per day but work more days!! Today I was called by the agency and cancelled at 4:30am and then called back begging me to work(at the same facility!) at 7:00am. Enough is enough!! Having to work one weekend a month is a small trade off for a little consistency with days worked.

Laurie

Nurse Hag

32 Posts

There is something to say for consistency. I had been begging for shifts, due to a lot of cancelations for the past 5 weeks. I even started looking for a part time position. Now this week I am scheduled for 60 hours and you guessed it I can't get cancelled to save my life. I only took all these shifts thinking some would be cancelled then I might get 32 hours this week. Oh well I will be ready for a day off after 11 in a row but I will have money in the bank to enjoy. The life of an agency nurse. :)

nightingale, RN

2,404 Posts

It is wonderful that we have so many options. Vivla difference!

nightingale, RN

2,404 Posts

It is wonderful that we have so many options. Vivla difference!

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