About to call it quits before I start!

[lorster]

Well, my first assignment that I'm supposed to start the last week of January is off to a rough start. The company will not answer my questions. They will not guarentee me blocked shifts which was what I verbally based my decision to travel on and now I cannot get it in writing. I'm traveling from my home town, 140 miles each way. I want to go down, work 3 shifts, and come home for a few days. I told them that if I can't get them in a row, I cannot do it. It is 4 weeks away and this hospital thinks I'm coming to work and I do not have anything in writing about blocked shifts. I cannot afford 2 on, 1 off, 1 on, 3 off...I would be driving all the time, not to mention a huge waste of natural resources. The company says they will get back to me but I have not heard anything. I also will not take that test and have let them know this also. Have I burned a bridge by backing out 4 weeks before I'm to start? I just do not know what to do about this. I still have not signed anything.

[amy0123, BSN, RN]

The PBDS test that many hospitals are requiring travelers to take and if they fail, they are out of a job on the spot. I would rather avoid this whole hassle.

I recently took the PBDS exam. Requires much studing and the best way to prepare is to take your notebook, draw a 3 columns and write a common diagnosis (CHF, MI, PE, DKA, Hypoglycemia, post op Pain, CVA), intervention and rationale. Just got to step into Barnes and Noble with a little notepad and read through a few NCLEX books or nursing textbooks if needed.

[Bluehair]

Once upon a time I was director of ICU in a rural hospital, and we utilized contract staff. I spoke with every traveler before they came, did NOT depend on what the agency told me about them at all. I wanted to have some understanding of who was coming, what their expectations were, what my/our expectations of them were, etc. before we got into the whole thing. Scheduling was one of the things discussed. Block scheduling for the travelers was not a problem on our unit (we did self scheduling also), especially if the traveler was working nights or weekends or both. Bottom line, it might be in your best interest to speak with the nurse manager/director of the unit you are going to before you back out. I would have had no difficulty putting that into the contract when asked, but the nurse did have to ask (crystal ball technology is not as effective as desired).

Good luck!

:icon_smile:

[icunurse42066]

Once upon a time I was director of ICU in a rural hospital, and we utilized contract staff. I spoke with every traveler before they came, did NOT depend on what the agency told me about them at all. I wanted to have some understanding of who was coming, what their expectations were, what my/our expectations of them were, etc. before we got into the whole thing. Scheduling was one of the things discussed. Block scheduling for the travelers was not a problem on our unit (we did self scheduling also), especially if the traveler was working nights or weekends or both. Bottom line, it might be in your best interest to speak with the nurse manager/director of the unit you are going to before you back out. I would have had no difficulty putting that into the contract when asked, but the nurse did have to ask (crystal ball technology is not as effective as desired).

Good luck!

:icon_smile:

I totally agree with bluehair. Talk with the nurse manager before you back out. So far, all of the travel assignments I have had did give me the block scheduling in the contract. The only issue I am having is at my current assignment. It's in the contract, but the facility is not doing it. I am having to change my schedule myself, and if they don't like it, BYE!!! Good luck and don't give up hope!!!