Re: I need opinions! Originally Posted by jmb410s
On one hand the benefit to being a traveler is that you do not get involved in the hospital politics. Do your job to the best of your ability and then get out.
I agree with jmb up to this point.
If the quality of care at this facility sinks to the level of being dangerous, then make an anonymous report to the State Department of Health. You know that the facility administraotrs are not interested in improving the situation, or they would already be working on it. Hearing comments from you, even constructive ones will not "nudge" them into action. It will make them defensive and likely to lash out at you, which brings me to my next point: "this is not a place that I would be interested in for a full time position in the future, so I feel I cant burn any bridges."
These are famous last words. Parting on bad terms, especially as a traveler, will follow you in one way or another. You may not want to return to this facility, but you don't know that the staff and/or management there won't move on to other facilities where you may cross paths. Over time, things may improve at this hospital, and 5 years from now, when they have the best L&D unit in town, you don't want to be on the outside looking in because you upset the wrong person.
It is my opinion that the duty of travelers is to provide the best possible care to patients under their supervision, while attempting to be suppportive of the environment in which they are essentially guests. If you believe you can and want to "make a difference" on this unit, then apply for a permanent position. If not, then focus on what you
can control, which is your own patient care and your relationships with others, and leave the politics to the permanent staff.
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