Starting Per Diem For a Nursing Agency

I am actually looking at signing on with Favorite too. I thought they were local in Wa state. My only input is to remind you that working agency at different hospitals has implications if you might ever want to work as staff at those hospital . There can be a year delay between your work as a temp and being able to apply for staff. I left my hospital of 19 years to travel and now will return home and take a travel position there but not until a year had passed could I do it.

Chances are if you are in a Level One trauma center, you have a ton of staff around, and many physicians. The smaller facility may have only one physician, so you will be responsible for decisions that you did not need to make before in your career.

The salary is higher because you do not get any benefits with it. And it is probably in the same realm of what you would get if you worked overtime in your facility.

You also have increased chances of getting cancelled as an agency nurse, something else to consider. In the past, agencies that paid more than others were also the first to get cancelled at a facility, because it means that their bill rates were higher.

Favorite is a national agency..............they have local offices.

Jen2,

In my experience, like with most things, there is good and there is bad. I've been doing agency nursing now for 7 months. I am not supplementing; this is it. I relocated and am living temporarily with my parents. Because I really couldn't sign on as staff somewhere b/c I will be moving, agency seemed like a great fit for me. I must say, some of the horror stories I had heard have not come to pass. For the most part, it's been a great experience for me. However, you must be FLEXIBLE. Coming from a top-knotch Magnet facility where I worked in the ICU and received high acuity patients and was trusted, I have been knocked from my pedestal a little! I remember how I used to feel as a staff nurse working next to the agency/contract nurse who made considerably more money than me........if you are familiar with that feeling, than that is how you will be looked upon (for the most part). Depends on the facility and how much they need you. In one hospital, in a tiny ICU, they actually called and pleaded with me to come in to take care of a IABP pt b/c no one there knew how..........in another larger hospital, staff are nice and accomodating, saying I'm doing a good job, but shift after shift after shift I get the gomers (you know what a gomer pt is, right?). If you are independent, have a strong skill base, and can put your pride aside to be floated every now and then and/or take less than thrilling pt assignments, then go for it, and smile when you make twice as much as staff b/c you know what....... I always tell the "critical ones", just about any nurse can make the effort and sign up with a local agency and join in, right? I look forward to supplementing with agency, not totally relying on it; I think that's probably the best fit. If you are able to take advantage of your husband's insurance benefits, or look into BlueCross Blue/Shield for insurance. I am still coming out way ahead and I have a pretty thorough inexpensive insurance policy. Don't forget to get nurse liability insurance, too. Should have that even if you are staff. If you have any other questions, be sure to let me know. I've learned alot in a short amount of time doing the "agency gig."

I worked with an agency for 3 years and loved it! The only reason I stopped was because I'm a single mom and the travellling was getting to be farther from home. That was hard for me and for my children.
I only had a problem with a rude staff person at one facility. Otherwise, my experience was that the staff was so grateful for help, they were super nice and helpful. Remember that you can set the tone for that. If an agency nurse has the attitude of "I'm a better, more experienced nurse and I've worked at better places," the staff will let them fall on their face. No help at all. They want to know that we are there to help them and be a part of the team. If we are, 99% of them will be our best ally and source of help.
Good luck and have fun!

Thought I would let you all know I have worked for Favorite since 1991. First as a CNA, then an LPN, then an RN. Have had very good luck with them overall.
Good Luck

This is my first posting and I have a question. I am an LPN with 4 years experience. I will be moving with in the next two weeks and I am interested in working agency. I have worked Med/Surg, LTC, and am currently working in a small military hospital in a general surgery clinic. I deal mostly with post surgical patients and assist with minor surgery and EGD/C-scope's. I also float to ENT and OB/GYN clinics. Is agency a good choice for me or would I be better off working PRN for a specific hospital? Any input would be greatly appreciated.