Bad Experience Traveling! Help

Published

Specializes in ER, SANE.

I am having a bad experience. I am in a large hospital that is way understaffed. Patients in the hallway (not seen) for hours and hours. Then when they get to the back there in too few nurses, no doors, dirty floors and drapes between beds and no beds upstairs. Patients staying in hold in ER for 2-3 days. They do not divert pt to the other 6 area hospitals. I feel like everday that I go there, my license is on the line. I have voiced concerns to the agency - who are sympathetic. To the hospital mgmt - who sz we are all in the same boat. I know it is busy but this is not ER nursing it is a holding MASH unit. Sad part is I like the area but this is awful. I have always given 150% to my jobs but I am giving 200% and not catching up. I plainly asked other nurses how they do it and everyone sz the same. Some stuff just goes by the wayside. That is awful. Other travelers leave and don't come back.I have not ever broken a contract but would consider it at this point. I just do not want to be in a hassle with the company. Does anyone have advice?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You need to have a talk with your recruiter, as well as the Director of Nursing for your agency. You should not be having to put your license in jeopardy everyday that you go to work. Did they not explain to you what the facility was like before you went? What did the manager say that interviewed you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, SANE.

They told me that it was busy (well, that's okay), they said 2 - 3 patients, 4 max but usually 2/1. That is okay, however, 4 ICU pts is just too much. Everyone's response is "we know, we are all in the same boat. we are just short handed" I think the worst part is that all of the nurses, even ones been there a long time, the attitudes are horrible. :devil: And there is no excuse for dirty hospital and lack of care. I did write a letter to my agency that I will not do the second contract but I still have to finish this one. Ends in Dec. I could stop that contract because it is so far away. I am just frustrated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a traveler, and I was in a similar situation in a dialysis unit.

My recruiter was sympathetic and kept trying to get me to stay "just til we can find someone else."

Well, I couldn't take it and quit on day 31 of a 13-week contract.

I was told I would have to pay $2,000. to buy out the contract. But they found someone else to take my spot and apt, so it only ended up costing me $450. That was the best $450. I ever spent.

I have since completed another contract w/ this agency, and everything went fine.

I was willing to pay the $2,000. to get out of that awful unit. I will not risk my license or suffer stress like that. I just lucked out that it ended up not costing that much.

Your license and piece of mind are worth it.

Hope you get a great place your next time around.

The poor pts at that hospital!

Are they puposefully short-staffing, or can they really not get any nurses?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You could contact the state and also a employment lawyer.

I was working in an understffed hospital and the aids would not wake up or stop playing computer games and I complained and I was terminated by the hospital and they expected me to pay housing and it would have been almost worth it to get out of such a dangerous situation but I filed a complaint with the state and I spoke with several layers in my family and I ended up not having to pay them anything.

In fact after my hearing they will probably ahve to pay big money in penalties.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion