Assignment requirement issue

[travel1year]

:uhoh21: So, i'm one week till my contract start date and have run into a problem. I've been a traveler for a year now... this is my second assignment with CCTC. 1.5 weeks prior to my official start date I get a phone call from my recruiter's assistant who says "so everything is in and looks good, just need a copy of your PALS card." This is new to me. My recruiter was aware that I didn't have it to begin with and should not have sent in my application to a place the does require it. I've worked in an adult setting for 3 years now.. and because of that have had issues with getting into a PALS class (have tried on numerous occasions... even signed up for 2 classes.. both cancelled due to lack of participants). PALS I have found isn't as easy to come by as BLS/ACLS.. and even harder now that I'm not grounded to one hospital and am in the travel nursing world. have never had any issues with my other assignments. During my interview, it was mentioned that I had ACLS and TNCC. no mention of PALS was made and I didn't know it would be a requirement. Could this be just a CCTC thing? while the assistant is calling around trying to find me a class, it seems a little unfair to hold it over my head and tell me there might be a delay in my contract. I have done my fair share of research and called many hospitals trying to find one this week before my assignment without any luck. Did I mention that this assignment is in NYC and I have already purchased a plane ticket and will have no car. Has anyone had this problem.. was the hospital lenient on allowing one to start with the condition that you get it while on assignment... or did they cancel your contract completely?

[bagladyrn, RN]

I had a similar situation pop up with my current assignment. I'm also with CCTC. They wanted ACLS (which is not always required for OB nurses) which I don't have. I called my recruiter, stated that this was not communicated to me prior to accepting the contract and had them call the facility and find out if they were willing to forgo the requirement in order to have me take the contract. They were willing to waive the requirement, so I was able to take the contract. It helps if you are in a position to say (politely, of course "This is what I have and I'm willing to walk away from this assignment if it's not suitable to you"