[chris_at_lucas_RN]

Hi--Thanks everybody for the posts so far.

As a nurse extern, I have worked with staff and agency nurses. I'll be graduating in about six months and would like to hear from anyone willing to give advice or suggestions.

Should I consider applying to agencies after I graduate? To get some experience and have a sampling of the hospitals in the area? Or should I stick with the hospital where I am, but where I am known as a nurse extern rather than a nurse?

Any and all suggestions about these questions or anything else you care to offer are all welcome!

Thanks!

[Rapheal]

IMHO I think you should grab some experience before agency nursing. I recently worked with a new grad agency nurse and he was just lost the whole shift. I helped him as much as I could but I truly felt that he was missing alot of things he should not have been missing- such as intervening when a patient had a very high BP. Most of the staff at my hospital would not have helped him very much- so he was putting his license and patient at risk. Perhaps you can work part-time at a facility that will give you a good orientation. This way you can grab some experience before you are left on your own. Good luck in whatever you choose.

[graysonret]

Many agencies require hospital experience of at least a year, before considering you for agency work. At least, that's the way it is around the D.C. area. Good luck.

[Town & Country]

Ditto.
You need experience before you go agency.

[schoolnurse/dr]

You definitely need experience for agency work. You are basically on your own when you work agency, most places treat you like a scab worker covering a strike. They know they desperately need you, but they try to ignore you and most won't help you because you make more than they do, and they resent it. I've been a nurse for 30 yrs, and have worked for several agencies, you can end up on a different floor evry time you work, or in a different place eery time you work, and you have to catch on to how the equipment works in each place and where things are, because that orientation they promise you when going to a new place, doesn't happen.

[BarbPick]

Pay your dues like the rest of us, then you get to pick you own days off !!!!! BTW Xmas card is on the way

[Geeg]

You need some solid experience first. Go work in the busiest most acute unit so you can see alot in 1-2 yrs, that way you won't have to slave for the hospital for too long.

[Hellllo Nurse]

I've never heard of an agency that will hire new grads. The standard requirement is one year of experience.

[cheerfuldoer]

I agree with the posts that say get experience first, then when you feel confident enough to go agency....have at it!

[Brownms46]

Originally Posted by Hellllo Nurse

I've never heard of an agency that will hire new grads. The standard requirement is one year of experience.

OOOh their out there, but I wouldn't work for them, nor should any new grad even think about going agency, without solid experience! How long that experience should be, depends on the grad! But like it has already been posted, you have better know your stuff before venturing out as an agency nurse! Good luck, and congrats!