[PhePhe]

I was cancelled 4 times last week. I called my agency and started an orientatin at another hospital. I think the ideal situation is to be flexible in your hours and in the institutions where you can work. Also, keep a stash of money for those weeks where you get little to nothing in your paycheck.

[BadBird]

I work in 3 different hospitals, the nurse managers on the units I work on ask me to prebook, I let them know when I can work then call my agency and schedule, I haven't been cancelled in a long time doing it this way. Once the managers get to know you why not ask them if you could prebook, they like it because they know we are dependable moreso than their regular staff and I like it because I know I won't be cancelled.

[boopchick]

My agency automatically rebooks me at another facility if I'm cancelled. They confirm with me 2 hours prior to every shift. I checked off facilities I was interested/not interested in working at when they hired me and they refer to that list. I just started with this agency but this system seems to work well.

[Monica RN,BSN]

I have worked in places were I too was cancelled upon arrival. My agencies always paid me for 4 hours for time and trouble when this happens.

[PhePhe]

My agency pays 4 hours only if you get the nsg supervisor to sign a timeslip for it. Without a timeslip, you only get 2 hours cause they can't bill the company. I was almost cancelled last night for a 7P-7:30 AM shift. I wasn't on the schedule when I got there. They had put a brand new nurse from an agency by herself. Since it was a busy psych floor it was suggested by the outgoing nurse that I stay on to assist her.

[dragonfly954]

I find most of my problems with nursing assistants the last two hours of a shift.They are nowhere to be found.Amazing!

[mattsmom81]

I guess we got a bit OT, but boy....some nursing assistants can be so manipulative sometimes, can't they! That type figures 'this is 'just' an agency nurse so I can get buy with stuff.."

I worked a whole shift at a new facility once (booked a double) before I even KNEW I had an aide who was supposed to be doing vitals and helping answer lights... she just helped the 'regulars'...GRRRR.

I never went back and made it clear why. 'Course the staff nurses played into this problem as well....by not including this info into the 'flash' orientation I got...

[Shell7280]

I've gotten cancelled every shift except one in the last five weeks!!! i've told them I'll go to other facilities, but they said 'it's slow time" . My rent and car payments don't understand this concept (or my fiance!) i've gone this week to sign up with two other agencies, but on a normal basis I love my current agency and facilities I go to! I hope things pick up!

[agencynurse]

I work for three agencies in a rural area and have been canceled a whole lot lately. Every year after the new grads take jobs, agency work gets slow until these new nurses find their desired positions. This year, the slump has lastest longer than I ever remember(I've worked agency for almost 20 years). Who knows what the outcome for agency nurses will be. I do know that I've never seen moral so low in regular employees and agency as I've witnessed in the last couple of years!

[mattsmom81]

You're right about the morale, Agencynurse. I'm on prn staff as well as my agency and it is sure not getting better is it. There is kind of a every man for himself attitude out there. Can't blame us really.

The young nurses come out of school with their pie in the sky ideals and then reality hits 'em square in the face. No wonder so many bail today...