Medical Staffing Network: Respiratory Fit Test

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I applied to medical staffing network for per diem, they also do travel nursing so I thought it would be good to do as a trial. They asking for a respiratory fit test at my expense.I filled out lots of forms did testing online and all I need to be hired is physical and this respiratory fit test. Fit testing is for those N95 masks which my hospital phased out in favor of PAPR's The only places I can find to do respiratory fit testing is at Urgent care clinics but those require me to buy my own masks, what if I buy the wrong fit masks then what? Is this common requirement for hiring with a nurse agency?

[NedRN]

A mask that doesn't work is no problem. It is just that they need a documented test, pass or fail. If the mask doesn't work, the fall back is PAPR (see if you can get your PAPR in-service documented). Technically, such safety tests are the financial responsibility of the employer, but there is a loophole here that allows hospitals and then agencies to pass along the financial cost. Personally, I would make them pay for it. Do they want to make money on you or not? In any case, not even most hospitals (IMO) will require a fit test before they consider your profile (like ones that use PAPR exclusively for example). So requiring you to get a fit test without knowing which hospital where you are getting an assignment at is silly.

Any free standing occupational health center will also do fit tests. Might cost less, but in my experience, different providers pricing of services can be wildly different. The lesson being to shop around.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Urgent care center costs varies from $60 to $95 I told the recruiter if he knows an affilite i can go to get it done, he said basically, no to google it. I replied I not ok with fitting the bill for these upfront costs, i filled out a tonne of paper work online passed all their tests but i am still not officially "hired".By then my "spidey sense was tingling" lol . I replied I need to hold off on my application for now.I don't know just something smelt fishy, i wondering how much other costs i have to pay for. Including this respiratory fit test, I also got to pay for a physical.

[NedRN]

Well $60 is way better than $95! If you decide to continue, occupational health centers are made for physicals. You might get a good deal on a fit test and physical. I would suggest also ordering all the titers you don't have (especially if you have health insurance or they can give you a good combined price) that will future proof you for any assignment and titers don't expire. Well, they do, but so far I've never heard of anyone requiring retests.

[jodyangel, RN]

Call your local hospital. Ask them "how much" and they'll probably give you a fit test. I just did one for $20

[CrazyGoonRN]

I am having the same issue. The N 95 mask that I am already fit tested for is not the same one that is used at my upcomming travel hospital. My credientling coordinater contacted the hospital (at my request) and asked if I can do the fit test there when I arrive for my assignment. They said I can and that it will cost $40. That is expensive but saves me a lot of hassle.