Am I being unreasonable? Kind of LONG

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I am on my first travel assignment, which I absolutely hate going to. The hospital is extremely unfriendly to travelers. Please tell me how you feel about my agency/recruiter:

First off, I was going to accept an assignment by them in CT for 29/hr + tax free housing. They don't offer the stipend. After my recruiter made me the offer of 29/hr, I said NO. Connecticut is very expensive, and I make close to that at my *then* permanent position. She became a bit pouty and offered me 30/hr, which I still declined. She pointed out how housing was going to be free. I pointed out that my current rent was damn near free as it is (family house). She pointed out that they have a free insurance plan. it sort of sucks, but it is free nonetheless. I couldn't argue with that one, insurance at my full-time job was costing me 120/bi-weekly and I am 100% healthy. So, after I declined the 30/hr, we hung up and I didn't hear back from her until a month later when she offered me *this* assignment from HELL.

So here I am. My contract says that I am guaranteed 48/hrs a week (4-12/week) at a base pay of 30/hr. Anything over 40 hrs/week, I will get 50/hr. My last check, I had 105 hours on there. Exhausted is not the word. But, it is paying off my bills!

So many of you know the problems that I have had working here. I aked her if I could cut down to 3-12's a week instead of my contract of 4 -12's. She said NO. She then pointes out how great $$ is I am making and to keep 'doing a great job'. I explained to her that I hate it, dread it, and I give her examples of "why" it is so bad and how I wish I could just do 3 shifts/week and finish my contract that way. She still said NOPE. Other folks are telling me that legally, she and the hospital can't enforce anything over 40/hrs if I no longer want it, even though it is on contract. There is the labor law that people have to follow. She doesn't seem to care.

And she has pointed out 3 times how the hospital *must* like me, because "Randrop, you have called in 2 times. You should be thankful they didn't fire you."

I told her that I work, on average, a week more per month than her, and the hospital administrators. and other staff/agency workers and that I need to do what is best for me.......that I wouldn't have called in if I didn't need to. She just listened.

How am I going to tell her, when this contract ends, that I didn't like how she handled things and that I won't be working for them again. AM I being unreasonable to think that I am being taken for a ride?

Doesn't the pay rate suck? 30/hr, apartment, 50/hr for anything over 40/week.

I have reason to believe that other travelers are making a lot more/hour than my base pay. And the fact that she won't even attempt to change my contract to 36/hrs, knowing how badly I HATE it, doesn't smell like she is my advocate.

Or am I being unreasonable? Would you work for what I make? And what about that CT offer of 29/hr - was that pathetic or what?

And if she gives me a bad reference when others call her, like stating, "Raindrop called in twice at her last assignent" and possibly "she had a hard time getting along with others, " how will I explain to them (the prospective employer) how bad it was for me and how I called in because I am exhausted working 105/hrs/bi-weekly. Should I bring in proof of my hours to my interview - my contract/paystub,with the $$ whited out of course, so they that they,hopefully, understand where I am coming from and don't let her sway their decision.

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Specializes in rehab-med/surg-ICU-ER-cath lab.

Goodness where are you working in Connecticut? Our travelers are treated just like the regular staff. No nasty schedules, decent call - we do make sure that they do have their stuff together before letting them loose on call and we make sure they are on call with strong nurses. With a rare exception I really liked them all. We have one that is leaving traveling for a while and will after time come back to really work with us full time. The travelers are always so surprized when we don't abuse them!

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This sounds like a bad agency and bad recruiter with a bad contract. I'd learn a lesson and not work with them again, nor sign a 48 hour a week contract knowing your limitations (heck i could never work 48 hours/week). Stick with 36 hour contracts and you'll have the option to pick up extra shifts if you want. I've never heard of an agency not offering the housing allowance in lieu of free housing, either. I think this agency and recruiter are taking advantage of your lack of experience in travel nursing. There are better out there; just keep looking.

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I may not be very well liked after this post but I feel like I need to reply. I have worked at the hospital that you are at and I didn't have any trouble. I have been traveling for abit over 2 years and I fully believe that I get out of a job what I put into it. My pay has ranged from $20 an hour with tax advantage and housing to $35/hour with housing provided. Each contract offers something different and I have found that my needs have changed with each assignment but I do enjoy the traveling nurse position. I just am not sure that you, Raindrop, will be happy in a travel nurse postion. I am not sure what wages you are looking for but travel nurses do not make huge huge money an hour. $30/hour in Illinois is good money. I do wish you the best but I am not sure you are being realistic here. Sorry.

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Specializes in ER.

I can understand why you are tired, and why you want to decrease your hours, but you knew the terms when you signed the contract. I think it would be wise to just stick it out.

$30/hour sounds great to me.

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Specializes in neuro, critical care, open heart..
I may not be very well liked after this post but I feel like I need to reply. I have worked at the hospital that you are at and I didn't have any trouble. I have been traveling for abit over 2 years and I fully believe that I get out of a job what I put into it. My pay has ranged from $20 an hour with tax advantage and housing to $35/hour with housing provided. Each contract offers something different and I have found that my needs have changed with each assignment but I do enjoy the traveling nurse position. I just am not sure that you, Raindrop, will be happy in a travel nurse postion. I am not sure what wages you are looking for but travel nurses do not make huge huge money an hour. $30/hour in Illinois is good money. I do wish you the best but I am not sure you are being realistic here. Sorry.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you on some points. I do agree the money is good for IL. I worked under contract for a year at a hospital not far from where raindrop is and I got $30/ hr there with a housing stipend. Where I don't agree with you is not every floor in a hospital is traveler friendly. I have done assignments at hospitals that the floor I was contracted to treated me great and have been pulled to other floors in the same hospital was treated like a piece of garbage! So your experience at the same facility may not be the same as hers. She does need to be aware of her limitations on the number of hours she can work comfortably a week, but demeaning her by saying she won't be happy being a traveling nurse is not right. You don't know what she has to put up with on a nightly basis.

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

If your contract is for 48 hours/week, then you are legally obligated to work that many hours. If you're not happy with your recruiter, or the fact that your company will not give you a housing stipend, finish out your current assignment & then look for a new company- there are plenty of companies that will give you the housing stipend you're looking for.

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