Agency/New Grad- Too risky?

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

If you show up, and find the job too overwheming, and leave before your shift ends you will be brought up on charges of "patient abandonement". This usually ends with your license being taken away.

What you and the agency is planning is a recipe for disaster.

nurseontheway · Apr 10, 2009

What I mean by leaving is that I would call the agency first and have someone replace me- I would never just walk out because that is just plain stupid! Thank you everyone for your advice!

krystal39 · Apr 10, 2009

I am glad I read this post because I am a new RN grad too. I looked for jobs for months at hospitals and LTC and couldn't find any and finally came across the job posting by an agency at Craigs list. I called them and told them that I am interested in the position but I do not have any experience and the lady on the phone asked me if I've worked as an STNA before and I said yes. She said she would consider that as an experience to work at LTC and asked me to come to her office. Anyway, I was desperate for the job so I went and filled up the paperwork at the agency yesterday without having any clue that there will be no training.

I need the job to pay the bills but based on the comments posted here its clearly not worth the risk.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 10, 2009

Agencies and facilities just want warm bodies...the risk of the license is an individual choice. It seems that this nursing home is used to people being sent over without experience. Another consideration may be this...if you can speak to the DON or supervisor of the facility, say you are from this agency and ask if you can shadow someone for a few days. If they say 'no', then, it really shows that they have no interest in patient safety or you.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

unbelievable!! wow, i'm speechless!!

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2009

I have heard of a couple of situations in whihc the agency has lied to the facility about the experience of some of the nurses they have sent to a facility.

I bet the DON of this LTC has no idea that the agency is wanting to send a nurse with no experience at all-

She obviously needs more staff, but probably doesn't have the budget or staff to train, orient and precept a new grad- which may be why she called an agency in the first place!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 10, 2009

I have heard of a couple of situations in whihc the agency has lied to the facility about the experience of some of the nurses they have sent to a facility.
I bet the DON of this LTC has no idea that the agency is wanting to send a nurse with no experience at all-
She obviously needs more staff, but probably doesn't have the budget or staff to train, orient and precept a new grad- which may be why she called an agency in the first place!

I have seen this, also. Sad, but true. I am concerned about a few things...this is a nurse that has not been able to gain experience (seems to be the going trend these days). She needs to start somewhere, but at the same time, should not risk her license trying to get in the door. I guess this is wishful thinking on my part, but I do believe that most DONs and nsg supervisors have been around for awhile and know the deal. If I were one of them, I would be happy to try and show a person who took initiative to learn a chance to do so, and not risk my patients, so, I'd let her shadow someone for a few days to see if she can handle the situation.

I worked in Ambulatory Care the majority of my years working in my facility. They sponsored my education to become a practical nurse. I was under the assumption that once I graduated (because they spent thousands of dollars on me by paying my salary for the entire time I was on leave as well as tuition), that I would be sent to work on med-surg permanently. My nursing administrator decided to keep me, but at that time, all new grads had to do 6 weeks on med-surg. It was a horror to me, and I literally ran away on the first thing smoking back to my clinic after those 6 weeks. I did realize, however, that it was important to obtain those bedside skills, so, I did just that. My facility will encourage nurses that work in different departments to sign for the agencies they use rather than pay overtime. I went back a year later and asked a supervisor if I can shadow an LPN for a few days, with no pay. They jumped at this. I gained my confidence this way, and then, I signed for the agency and had two days of official orientation. By then, I recalled all that I needed to know to work med-surg and I still do it occasionally (not as often as before, but enough to keep my name on their minds). Sometimes, we have to be a bit creative to make a situation work for us.

A few months after I got settled in my clinic, I worked as a flu nurse for two months. When that was over, the agency asked me if I was interested in home care. I was only a six month old nurse, but I spoke to them and said that I wanted to know all I can find out about the case and even visit the family/patient before I went with the other nurse there. Did that, and took that case on Saturdays. I re-learned trach care, suctioning, respiratory care. Then, I asked again if I can visit another nurse that had a vent case. That didn't pan out for another wild reason, but, I tried to make it work the best way I could.

So, to the OP, I would probably speak to someone in charge...just see what happens. The worst thing they can say is 'no'. Everyone here is correct...you should not risk your license. I also see your need to gain experience...somehow. At times, we have to be a bit creative on how we obtain it. Best of luck to you!

gradRN2007, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2009

been an RN for 2 years and I just had orientation for a hospital as an agency RN for extra money...I am nervous and have been nursing...also, had to have 1-2 years experience before this agency would hire you...call the agency and tell them no..but don't leave them in a lurch at the last minute

good luck