[Michael Malecki]

As the owner of an agency I find it very enlightening to read the posts of this thread.

First, I find it disappointing to hear some of the horror stories about calls in the middle of the night for routine issues that can certainly be handled during normal business hours. Anytime an agency does something like this it hurts the entire industry. It is our policy that calls are never made after 11pm and not until 6am unless there is an urgent matter (change of shift, cancellation, etc.)

I am also intrigued at the backlash I have read against agencies offering alternative hospitals. During our hiring process we make it clear that it is our job, our obligation, to offer our staff ALL staffing opportunities that cross our desk. Many times we will hear, "No thanks" (and that is okay), but we never want it to be said that we didn't offer.

Isn't that one of the advantages of agencies - having the ability to work at multiple hospitals thus allowing for maximum flexibility?

I enjoy the postings and learn from each of them - keep up the good work.

[Geeg]

Put a block on their phone number.

[mattsmom81]

Originally posted by Michael Malecki
As the owner of an agency I find it very enlightening to read the posts of this thread.

First, I find it disappointing to hear some of the horror stories about calls in the middle of the night for routine issues that can certainly be handled during normal business hours. Anytime an agency does something like this it hurts the entire industry. It is our policy that calls are never made after 11pm and not until 6am unless there is an urgent matter (change of shift, cancellation, etc.)

I am also intrigued at the backlash I have read against agencies offering alternative hospitals. During our hiring process we make it clear that it is our job, our obligation, to offer our staff ALL staffing opportunities that cross our desk. Many times we will hear, "No thanks" (and that is okay), but we never want it to be said that we didn't offer.

Isn't that one of the advantages of agencies - having the ability to work at multiple hospitals thus allowing for maximum flexibility?

I enjoy the postings and learn from each of them - keep up the good work.

The backlash is against agencies that have heard over and over 'no' and do NOT call, but continue to apply pressure. I quit my agency because of that. Plus they would promise me a wage when I booked, then deny they said that...giving me (of course) a lower rate of pay.

[Infinityrn]

I Can't help feeling sorry about nurses in the agency being stressed out by their agency for any reason at all. You are taking away the best thing that any nurse should have working through an agency. I don't know about you guys, but my agency work hard for me.
I made it clear to them that I make my schedule not them. I call them not them call me. I call in for reason, no questions ask. (Just make sure you give them time to find another nurse to cover you) I work am shift, so as much as possible I call in the night before. Very, very seldom I called in 2 hours before. That's for emergency only.
I'm very specific with them. I usually give them my schedule on Sundays for the week. I instructed them to call me at 6 am to wake me up for work. Not the night before nor 4 or 5 am. Then I will have to wake up again at 6 am to dress up for work. Evey time they call me before the time I specifically insructed, I warn them that next time they'll do it, I won't work that day. And I will.
I choose the hospitals, shift, units, etc. not them.
I sell myself to the hospitals not them. I never met my staffer but I have a very good relationship with them. I don't play, they don't play.

[cannoli]

I'm so sick of people making money off my back, my license, and acting as if they own me. The agency is just as bad as the hospital was.

I've already told them I am not ready to schedule, that I will call them when I am ready, they have called every day since then. Today they called twice, two different people, a half-hour apart, "did someone already call you about working this afternoon", they know damn well somebody did, I don't know if the second person is just trying to be aggravating or what, do they really think I am going to come in because a second person calls? It really ticked me off, and it just makes me more determined NOT to work till I'm darn good and ready.

The hospital must have lost most of their staff again, this is one of those not so honest, in hot water with the government again places, a good place to stay out of in the first place.

I just keep telling myself, I don't work for the agency, (even though they think I do,) the agency works for me.

[azgirl]

I work for two agencies and one is perfect for listening to what I want and paying what they say they will pay.

The other one has a staffer right now who does not have it together at all and calls all day and all night and leave multiple messages on the answering machine. Will leave three frantic messages to call her on her cell phone immediately upon my getting the message. Thinking its important I call and find she has totally forgotten whatever it was that was so urgent.

I too had the problem of being told one rate and getting paid for a lower one and then the staffer insisting I had been quoted the rate I got. Echo Heron in one of her books suggested a fax machine and to have them fax it it writing to you before taking the shift so they can't pull that. Also for bonus with call ins for direct. They promise you anything and then conveniently forget.

[painslayer]

Hey, all of you! I just started doing agency myself.

Sorry, but I do not see why I need to schmooze the agency so as to get a shift. You know, if they do not give me what I want, I go elsewhere. Talk to them as a businessman, and they will “get it.”

Here is an interesting thing that happened to me this week. This should be a lesson to all nurses to make sure you understand how you are paid (W-2 vs 1099). So, here it goes.

In northern cal the guy with a strong accent calls me to tell that he found my website and has a “job” for me. "Great," said I, "I could use you." "How much," asked the fellow. "Regular," said I. (In Northern Cal it is roughly 42 per hour). He said, "No problem, Let me run it by my boss, I think I can give you 42." "Fine," said I, "Convert it to a corp to corp (1099-type) rate (come to about 50 dollars per hour), and you got a deal." "I will call you tomorrow," ***hole replies.

Today, he calls me feigning excitement, "I got the final number for you!" "Yes," said I pensively." "I CAN give you 42 per hour” almost screams he, “On 1099," softly adds he. I almost crashed my car laughing.

NOTICE A CLASSICAL BAIT AND SWITCH SCAM: the number does not change, but instead of classifying you as an employee, he now pays you as an independent contractor. That is, he makes 20 dollars per hour off you, and you are responsible for all taxes.

P.S. For those without a degree in accounting, 42 per hour on 1099 in California (with high WC) translates into less than 30 dollars per hour salary.

p.s.s. the name of the agency is a------a. they are like cockroaches everywhere. this is the third time I come across them, and this it the third time they (trying to) take me for a ride. This time I knew better and told the guy to shove it…

[Kaye]

I work for a great Agency in StLouis. The staffer I've worked with for years has gone to night time. This new person can not read or remember what shes been told. I know its written down for her as well. So every time she calls me on my cell, I don't call back till after 9pm, since it costs me minutes if I use my cell during the day. When she offers me shifts clear across town, I remind her once where I live, the next time I call the manager to let him know her reading ablilty is slipping--again. He fixes it. They understand my situation and as long as they work with me I'll do what I can for them. This said, I get the shifts I want, at the hospitals I want, and few calls, any more, for wasted things.
I've worked for agencys that called at 3am to schedule for next week. I only worked there for a week before I found a nurse friendly agency. I agree with one of the other emails, going in once a month and getting to know the people helps.