Agency and liking it...

[kitcat3968]

My name is Cathy and I am from Cleveland. I have been working as an agency nurse for about 3 years. Yes, I have had some hard times with staff, recruiters and facilities. But, I have to say, the good far outweight the bad. I fully enjoy the scheduling flexibility, the higher pay, choice of assignments and ability to cater my work around the rest of my life. It works for me. And, yes, I have had some bad times too - B****y female staff, grunt assignments and heavy travel distance. The way I look at it, you have to shop your agency. I am not a fan of working for more than one only because I began having a hard time making sure I completed the correct time cards for the correct agency that sent me to a facility. I have found an agency that I love. When shopping for an agency I think the personality of the recruiter is important - outgoing, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, HONEST; the overall company says a lot too - is it small "mom and popish?," able to help me at any time of day or night, able to keep track of my schedule better than me? These are things I think are important. I have also worked as a local traveller. My agency handles both - another point in their favor. A local travel assignment is the best of both worlds, short assignment usually 13 weeks and higher pay than any staff position I've ever held in my 10+ years as a nurse. So, I guess everyone has to decide for themselves what is important to them in an agency, even if warm and fuzzy and coddling are the rules of the game, I'm sure those types of agencies are out there. I am new to this site and am glad I found it. I am learning alot about other nurses experiences and opinions. Cathy, RN, BSN, Cleveland

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I just switched from LTC/ALF to agency three months ago, and I must say I love it!!!!! The flexibilty beats all, and is exactly what I needed!

Sadly they float me so much, even with specific shift acceptance...holly cow I hope they don't do that to me tomorrow, I am pulling my first 12 hour in 5 years...and I chose a floor I am familiar with, and am scared they will float me to this other one where I am not only uncomfortable but feel I need more guidance than what they can provide! Oh well..par for the course!

My hubby wants (well needs actually) me to get a job that is more stable though...we need the money assurance. But I keep telling him that if he wants me to have the days off he does, holidays off, hours that work with family needs too, and heck...I get more hourly pay...then agency is the thing...even if you have to take the occasional dip in work days (I only got one this week, which is rare so I hear!). I am happier and more perky then I was in my full time job...I think that should count for something...and I am trying to find a job I can do at home too to help make ends meet! I just don't want to leave agency!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!

[kitcat3968]

I have found that signing up with more than one agency works well, provided you are a good calendar keeper - and I mean GOOD. Two is just about the max for me, each day has it's own abbreviation for which agency I'm working for that day and which facility, floor, and time. I like to rotate shifts every now and then. By signing up with more than one, you have that needed money assurance. Should you get cancelled by one, you call the other and let them know your available. Recruiters from both agencies call me every Monday and ask for my availability. Since I have already decided which days I want to work that week, I split them up and give a couple days to one and a couple days to the other. It seems to work for me and my paychecks tend to be pretty steady and without much fluctuation. Hope this works for you. Cathy - Cleveland