What's Up With Agency Nurses?

I have worked agency off and on since '87, and I gotta agree with you. When I started agency, an agency nurse was expected to walk into a facility and perform, (which we did), then agency got so big that now they ORIENT an agency nurse for 4 hours. 4 hours. The way I see it... if you aren't quick enough, or experienced enough to walk in and do the job, how is 4 hours gonna help?
Never needed orientation. Have patients, MAR, cart, chart... going to work. Don't need anyone to show me the linen room, I will ask when I need it.
Big changes in nursing, not always good.

We did have a choice of where we went, but if you got picky, you didn't work.

Sometimes the bravado and prima dona attitude is really just a cover for the fact that someone is too proud to ask how to do something -- maybe they are afraid they don't know what the hospital policy or procedure is.


Or they are insecure -- don't know anyone, new place, new faces....

OR maybe they really are prima donas and we are blessed to have been graced by their presence on our lowly unit.

I thnk it is the last... although, why don't we ever FEEL blessed?

When I did agency- I was expected to walk in and know everything and run the shift- well didn't know everything but did run the shift- I had Med Tech's in most places I went to so didn't have to worry so much about meds-Agency Nurses are suppose to do the same things as the nurse that they were sheduled to work for did

I am really glad everyone is so down to earth it is funny I was going to do agency nursing but realized that long term care is where my heart is! Thanks everyone for your wonderful posts

My experience with agency lately has been in the negative! We only use them a few shifts a week, if they do show up (it must be easier to Call off working for agency) they are etheir A) great experienced nurses or b)could not obviously kept a nursing job anywhere else For some reason the A's have went somehwere besides our faciltiy!

CapeCod Mermaid....I am not defending the traveler in question, but I am a traveler, and I doubt seriously she is making that kind of money, and least not unless it is overtime if she is not working a strike. Basic traveler pay is higher than most staff but not by as much as you might think. I usually make $28-30 per hour, plus a housing allowance. California is a bit higher, I have a friend making $38 in Bakersfield. I know Mass may pay more, but under ordinary circumstances it is not $56/hr! I wish it was. I have heard all kinds of rumors about how much certain jobs pay, but when you check them out, most is just rumor.

I have worked as a traveler and have worked with travelers, and while some may be prima donnas, it think most try to fit in and do the job they are contracted to do. I have always felt very welcomed by the staff and have usually extended my contract at least once and several times longer. Actually I have only had a few bad experiences with travelers. So while there are some bad apples in every basket, keep in mind all of the regular "staff" over the years who have been pretty useless too, when you complain about travelers.

I'm with you, Dixie- I've worked staff and travel jobs all over the country, including MA, and no nurse there is making $56 an hour. That is likely the bill rate the agency charges the facility for her.

CapeCodMermaid- The agency gets $56 an hour, out of which they they pay for the nurse's salary, benefits, housing, and their own costs. The nurse is probably getting $24 - $30 an hour, plus having her housing provided. If that nurse has a home she pays for then she should have housing provided- I wouldn't want to pay rent or mortgage twice! If she does not have a home that she pays for then the housing money is taxed as income.

If staff RNs add the cost of their benefits (usually about 1/3 of your salary I believe) to their salary, then add the necessary cost of the middle man (agency) the totals are pretty much the same.