questions

I talked to my friends that were working for agencies, I decided to go with 2 and have been very pleased.

When I was interviewing, I applied at 3 agencies, and answered to the 2 that got back to me the quickest. In the end I stayed with the second offer because it paid more. Do you get more shifts for the lower paying one? No. I would go to the one that seems to meet your needs the best and staffs the hospitals/facilities you are more interested in going to.

I have another question and I think it would fit in here.......I have not done acute care since 92 but have done LTC/SNF and home health/hospice for 11 years. I want to get into a hospital per diem but no one will hire me only per diem. Do you think I could handle the unit now comparied to when I left in 92? We did primary care, no aides, no lpns, no runners no nothing. WE passed trays, did waters, all baths everything plus all our own errands. Do you find as an agency person your first time people show you around a bit? We did when we had agency.....

renerian

Hi renerian:

Usually there is little help in the beggining. Soemtimes you are llucky and someone shows you around. Sometimes you are extremely lucky and someone gives you a mini orientation.

What you might want to do is work PRN for a facility (not the same facility that you want to eventually work agency in) for a while. Brush up and bit on your skills, machine knowledge (oh those different pumps etc), and different types of nursing set ups. The drugs have probably changed so much too; or at least they seem to change everyday in cardiac care.

Let us know how we can help.

B.

I am also seriously thinking of going agency, I have a couple of friends who do it and are happy, any advice that could help would be greatly appreciated. I am tired of mandatory OT, no days off and being threatened with my job is I refuse to work extra shifts,

I wish you well stressed.. Try doing a search of the topic and see what thoughts we have had regarding this.

Let us know how we may help you.

I am currently registered with 3 agencies, but am working primarily with one. So happens that one pays the most, but they also have the most contracts with local hospitals. Before I quit my staff position I did per diem with agency and saved 3 months salary in case I got sick or something, those savings come in handy during slow times. Usually, around xmas I find I get cancelled, but even then I could work evening or night shifts if I really needed to. All in all I really like working agency. I only work day shift, no weekend or holiday requirement and no hospital politics. Just be sure to read any employment contracts that the agency gives you. Some don't want you working for anyone but them and you don't want to be locked into anything like that. Give it a try, I'm sure you'll like it.

I am going Monday to interveiw with a local agency, I have asked around at work and have found that those friends I have really like this one, I plan on keeping my job at the hospital as PRN, been there a few years now and really want kinda of a back up until I can see how things go with the agency. Thanks for all the help, the thing that gets me is I will double my salary per hour by working agency, I could not believe they are going to pay me$25.00 per hour it blew my mind.

You go girl! Let us know how we can help!