Agency Nurse Etiquette

nightingale, RN · Aug 28, 2004

Oh no TxMomRN... not at all. The agencies have more then one nurse... right? It would be best to stay with one agency at one particular facility etc. You may want to check with the other agencies nurses and see who else they like in your area. I have been called off on one to only be picked up by another in the wee hours of scheduling.

It is good to hear you are excited! Welcome to the wonderful world of Agency Nursing! Let us know how we can help!

mscsrjhm · Sep 2, 2004

Most agency nurses work with two or three different agencies. Some facilities prefer certain agencies. Usually due to money, contract, connections, etc..

nightingale, RN · Jun 3, 2006

I saw this link referenced on the DiscoverNurse website (of Johnson and Johnson) so I thought I would get post again (to keep it current).

It is an older poster, but still, timely info.

luvmy2angels · Jun 4, 2006

NO!! Most agency nurses I have worked with work for 2 or more agencies.

nightingale, RN · Jun 4, 2006

Yes, I agree. I do recommend the Nurse have one Agency they use at a particular facility at a time. The facility does seem to prefer certain Agencies and it does get confusing for them to use different Agencies for one Nurse. I have often ended up calling the facility directly, and better yet, when the facility call me directly, for a shift. I also like to use the Block Booking of being placed on the schedule with Staff Nurses. Yes, it can be done to have different Agencies at the same facility but I have had a lot of complaints about this being confusing.

The Nurse should have more then one Agency to utilize at different facilites, deffinitely.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 7, 2006

Right now I am only with one agency since it was my first time being an agency nurse, and so far so good in my rural area. I have plenty of work most times, and I have gotten quite a name for myself with the hospital and am usually picked first and cancled last.

However, two weeks ago our census was so low that they sent employees home, so one full week of nada! That bit! So I toyed with the idea of more than one...and now that I finally got a car that will travel more than 15 miles without sputtering...I can travel better and can handle other facilities further away!

SO I plan on sticking with my agency and seeing what they can provide outside of where I am working, and if they don't provide many opportunities I will go with another agency along with them!

All depends on your situation :)....

MTBanRN · Jun 12, 2006

Is it breaking any rule to work for more than one agency at a time? Seems like it would be ok unless perhaps both agencies overlapped some hospitals?
I didn't see anything on the paperwork for Agency #1 about this...
Just left a staff position of many years, agency very new but exciting to me!

Actually no and with most you are able to tell them up front that you will be working with other companies. The reason is that with an agency they are trying to give all their clients what they want. By this it means that they will allow you the freedom to choose where you want to work, the salary you would like to make based on your experience, the hours, the days whether temporary or full time permanent or travel all that is necessary for you to be pleased with the job. Agencies are more geared towards giving you what you want as opposed to you just getting what they are willing to give. No, a good agency is not concerned with whether or not you are working with others for a position as a matter of fact they would prefer that you state this up front.

MTBanRN · Jun 12, 2006

Most agency nurses work with two or three different agencies. Some facilities prefer certain agencies. Usually due to money, contract, connections, etc..

Agency Nurses are the nurses who get what they want. Some work 15 weeks and then take off for 6 months go to another ageny they have and work another temporary assignment, then go and work for a compny full time permanent for a few years. It is all left up to the nurse. As far as the contract is concerned a good agencies has a nurse placed then the contract is over, meaning there should be no ties to a contract even after the nurse has been placed. You have to ensure that you ask those kinds of questions. Will the nurse be bound to the contract after placement. This will give the nurse the freedom they desire. All agencies do not allow this freedom. The good ones do. Their sole responsibility is to give the nurse what he or she wants.

Haunted · Jun 12, 2006

I am with one registry as my primary and another registry that has an exclusive contract with a particular facility. It's no one's bidness how many registries I am signed up with, although I would just tell you not to double or triple book yourself prior to a shift request.

One action you could take would be if you get cancelled for a shift, contact your other registry (or registries) right away and see if they can place you.

babynurselsa, RN · Jun 13, 2006

When I first went agency I signed with 3. Fortunately they did not contract to any of the same facilities so I never had a problem with this. I would give my primary agency availablity and then give each of the others additional availability. I made it clear though that It was first call first booked. My primary agency keeps me so busy though I finally just stayed with them.