[renerian]

I wish I could do that...........I just was afraid I would not like the bouncing around...........................maybe I could do it per diem except I am starting a new job today with lots of oncall.......so I don't know how that would work.....

Good luck. What agency are you working for?

renerian

[renerian]

You know I never thought about holidays off...........................what a boom to do agency.....

renerian

[Nurse Hag]

Well so far I love agency work and wonder why I didn't do it before. I have worked at 2 different facilities and both have asked me back for multiple shifts. I work some doubles and they love that, (1 trip more money). So far so good but it would be nice to sleep without interuption. Oh yeah that never happened with my other job either, but this one pays much better.

[nightingale]

Nice Nurse Hag. It is great to hear your happy news! Thank you for sharing!

B.

[renerian]

Hag I am thinking about doing the same thing but only one shift per week since I already work full time elsewhere but I have not worked acute care since 92. Do you think it would be much different? Do they help you with the equipment that has changed since I last worked acute care?

renerian

[shoppingsuel]

Most hospitals will show you equipment if you need help.and make you aware of the paperwork for your shift, others will actually provide you with orientation. The first few shifts are always a little stressful at a new hospital because you don't know where things are, but you muddle through and the next time is easier.

[prn nurse]

How large a city are you in? Lots of hospitals?
It helps to get a contract. Then, you get agency pay and work at the same hospital just like a employee.

Watch your meds and Iv's when you first go to a hospital. New tubings, meds, etc. .....it is easy to err at a new place.

You will love agency. My one best suggestion....never forget..the agency works for you. You are in charge now.

[Kansas FNP]

I have worked for an agency over past 6 mo. LOVE the "no politics" aspect. Needed to find a "real job" tho due to cancelations in my rural area, but I will always retain my agency job for the challenges it offers.

[eddy]

Good advice and hints from everybody.

I also wanted to add that from my experience, having been in several states and cities, the name or corporate affiliation of any particular agency seems to matter little. It all comes down to the staff in the office. I have worked for a really good agency then moved, having them transfer my paper work to their office in the city I was moving to, only to find out that this new office was terrible. I have had experiences where it happenned the other way too.

As far as cancellations that Kansas FNP was talking about... been there too. I am currently in the Topeka area myself. I am signed up with 4 agencies here in town. One seems to be the dominating agency (lots of firm hours, usually highest pay and taking facilities from others left and right), the others seem to be trying to hold on to what they have left, and you seem to get cancelled more than you work with them. Pay rates vary enormously here. Orientation also varies a ton. Some places do orientation before working an actual shift. You get about 1/2 pay for orientation, but at least you are prepared for that scarey first shift. Other places it's "here's your stuff, here's your patient list, there's the nurse station, have fun."

Watch out for non-compete agreements. You'll always have to sign an agreement not to go work for the facility you go to through the agency (typically 60-120 days), but some (especially here) try to sneak agreements that disallow you from working for other agencies into their application packets! Yikes! Don't sign those, and in my case they skipped right over them, so out of site out of mind.

Don't buy into giant sign on bonuses. They have strings attached, and you'll probably retire before you accumulate enough hours for the bonus. Go for places that offer higher pay, insurance and 401k. Other little perks like uniform programs and the like are "neat" but no big deal in my eyes.

If you let your agency know where you want to go, they will work hard to get into that facility for you. If they don't, then they aren't that great in my eyes.

To keep busy in this area, you need to be somewhat flexible in what units and shifts you are willing to work. Diversity is key. One day I'm working ER the next LTC the next medsurg. I like variety, some don't.

Best of luck!
-Eddy

[KaroSnowQueen]

I quit my "real" job over a year and a half ago to work agency and I am NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER going back to a regular nursing job. I can work when I want, the days I want, don't have worry do I get off for my kids's birthdays, for Christmas Day, a dr's appt. Get better pay. I've never taken any of the benefits at any of the jobs I've worked because most places health benefits SUCK so bad, I am amzed at how health care facilities have such awful insurance that is SO expensive, so that wasn't a problem. \
Working agency has made my life so much less stressful. The first calendar year I worked for agency I was cancelled 5 days in a period from April to December. This calendar year I have been cancelled three days. Two of the days I was cancelled in the first year were in a week I had signed up for bookoo overtime, I didn't get the OT but I wasn't short of money either. This year two of the days were holidays, they didn't want to pay me double time to work them! Cancellations have not been a real big deal, I have had just a few short checks, but extra days off with no one at home are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!