Is it just me or are agency nurses not treated very nicely?

Specialties Agency

Updated:   Published

  • Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surgical.

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RN1121

79 Posts

Specializes in Utilization Review.

Usually I am received well when I go from nursing home to nursing home. I feel that most of the time the facility is happy to have me, because without me they would be short(er) than what they already are. If I am not treated with respect, I will never return to that facility again. I think being confident about your skills and experience is essential when you are an agency nurse.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

I too am an agency nurse. I get to my assignment 15 minutes (or more) before shift start, this relaxes the nurse I'm replacing and I get all questions answered w/o problems or attitude. Also if the nurses are really busy I don't have a problem with answering phones and writting orders recieved from Drs. Many of the places I work at think I've been a nurse for decades, (due in part to my age) and are totaly surprized when they learn I've ony been a nurse for 2 years. I have even had a company call my agency to report that I wasn't there yet (it was 2:55) and were concerned that something had happened to me. They insisted my scheduler call me to make sure I was ok. Being helpful, a big plus as you then have regular employee's ready to get your back when attacked by the 1 mean nurse you always find.

NurseguyFL

309 Posts

Becoming frustrated and crying are exactly the things you shouldn't do. I don't take trash from anyone, but I don't get 'attitude' from too many nurses most places I work because they realize pretty quick that I'm there to work and that I couldn't care any less whether they like me or not. I'm not an unfriendly person, but I don't tolerate foolishness. I try to do as much as I can for the patients on my own and when I need help I ask for it. I've had to work with a few nursing assistants who refused to help me care for the patients...and when that happens I don't sweat it, I just ask the charge nurse for assistance, and he/she usually resolves that problem quickly.

When I first started doing agency, I realized that some places really do give the 'heaviest' patient assignments to the agency nurses. Most of the time I don't mind it because it keeps me busy and the time flies right by. If the place is really bad then I just call the agency and tell them I will not go back there.

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i am a agency nurse and agree 100%. this is the way you must approach agency nursing or you will get walked all over..

becoming frustrated and crying are exactly the things you shouldn't do. i don't take trash from anyone, but i don't get 'attitude' from too many nurses most places i work because they realize pretty quick that i'm there to work and that i couldn't care any less whether they like me or not. i'm not an unfriendly person, but i don't tolerate foolishness. i try to do as much as i can for the patients on my own and when i need help i ask for it. i've had to work with a few nursing assistants who refused to help me care for the patients...and when that happens i don't sweat it, i just ask the charge nurse for assistance, and he/she usually resolves that problem quickly.

when i first started doing agency, i realized that some places really do give the 'heaviest' patient assignments to the agency nurses. most of the time i don't mind it because it keeps me busy and the time flies right by. if the place is really bad then i just call the agency and tell them i will not go back there.

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