Beware!

I accepted a position for 13 weeks. I have 4 to go. In the middle, I got sick and missed 5 shifts. These will have to be made up. I didn't get paid for those shifts of course, and that really hurt my finances! I need to make them up and I planned to. HOWEVER, my company docked me $10/hr from my pay for those shifts this week w/o my authorization for rent!

Something to think about when on a travel assignment...don't get sick or miss shifts. It is a major hassle. I have been trying to contact the manager of the unit, but we keep playing phone tag.

This agency placed me in a dangerous position (staffing), and they are not too sympathetic. I don't think I can get out of it w/o being penalized. :angryfire

I am so sorry that this has happened to you. It is the unfortunate down side to travel nursing.Although I would like to think people have scruples and integrity the fact is many do not.It can be frightening.

Good Luck to you and God Bless!

Debbie.....

I am a Canadian RN thinking of coming south for the winter.....(snow is...like....sooooo last year....) I really am attracted to the travel nursing thing....seems you have had at least one not so good experience....any other pitfalls I should be worried about? I woul dlove to hear any other stories anyone has....

Duane

Although I have rarely been sick in the 12yrs that I been doing travel contracts, I have never been penalized by having money taken from me for housing! I have worked with at least 5 different agencies, during this time, and you must get it in writing, what happens if you're sick, or need to take emergency leave.

Nor have I ever had to make up days. I have even taken off a week to go on vacation while on contract, and suffered no problems! If there is anything you are concerned about on a travel contract, get it in writing, and work with an agency, that has great feedback from other travelers!

I did scewed once on assignment, when an agency that I had been with for 5yrs, but it was different recruiter! So if you're with a good agency, but got changed to a lousy recruiter, fire the recuiter! If the agency won't allow you to fire the recuiter, than fire the agency!

Okay, how do you fire the agency? This company sent me on an assignment to a hospital that has a lot of staffing problems. Granted, that's what travel may be about, but I have been in situations where it has not been safe! (L&D). The travel company was sympathetic when I told them about this, but offered no suggestions.

I was appalled when they took out $10/hr for 3 shifts from one paycheck. I could have handled it better if they took out one shift each week for 3 weeks. (I lost pay for not working 5 shifts...in addition to $360 for three shifts to cover the housing).

I don't want to stay any longer past my contract...ie stay another two weeks to make up the shifts that I missed because of they way I was treated. I want to get out of there!

Again, the only thing my contract states is that if I BREAK the contract, I will be responsible for the housing fees. I never even thought about sick days being on the contract. And, it probably wouldn't have been a big deal had I not been so sick. This wasn't an ordinary cold. I was very sick for two weeks.

Not one traveler has ever stayed at this facility. This hospital does not have a good reputation in its town. They even have a policy that states that if a patient or visitor complains of something, we are to appologize and offer them a $5.00 discount to the cafeteria or gift shop or have the hospital send them flowers.

I hear stories from the staff regarding mistakes made at this hospital. I can understand how many of these could be made!

I have 15 more shifts to go...I am biting the bullet unless something major comes up that is a better opportunity. I know I won't be doing travel nursing again for awhile.

It is very hard to even think about walking back into this facility. I realize that other facilities may not operate this way, but this has been a horrible experience for me.

Thanks for letting me vent and hopefully others will learn from my experience.

GET SICK DAYS AND/OR MAKING UP SHIFTS IN WRITING.

To be honest I had never talked about sick days on a contract either? Do other people? Sheesh.

renerian

To be honest I had never talked about sick days on a contract either? Do other people? Sheesh.

renerian

Yes, Suzanne4, I notified my travel agency immediately about the unsafe conditions here. They offered no suggestions. I had spoken with the manager prior to the assignment. Nothing was said until I worked a few shifts and found out how bad it is here...and that is from the staff. I often hear that not one traveler has stayed in this assignment because of the unsafe conditions. I feel sorry for the staff here. Tonight, we have 3 staff, 1 for L&D, 1 for PP, and 1 for Nsy. I am on PP with one antepartum pt. We have a border baby on oxygen in Nsy. Two pt's came in at the same time for labor checks. The shift is not over. Thank God, both pt's were sent home. If something bad comes in, we have no one on call.

I have 2 more weeks and this is over.

Do they cover you for liability?? Sounds scary.

Yes, Suzanne4, I notified my travel agency immediately about the unsafe conditions here. They offered no suggestions. I had spoken with the manager prior to the assignment. Nothing was said until I worked a few shifts and found out how bad it is here...and that is from the staff. I often hear that not one traveler has stayed in this assignment because of the unsafe conditions. I feel sorry for the staff here. Tonight, we have 3 staff, 1 for L&D, 1 for PP, and 1 for Nsy. I am on PP with one antepartum pt. We have a border baby on oxygen in Nsy. Two pt's came in at the same time for labor checks. The shift is not over. Thank God, both pt's were sent home. If something bad comes in, we have no one on call.

I have 2 more weeks and this is o ver.

To be honest I had never talked about sick days on a contract either? Do other people? Sheesh.

renerian

A traveler should always ask with happens if you are sick, or have an emergency. This should be a standard questions. Most contracts state how many hours you must work to fulfill the contract. Every contract I had ever done for every agency states this. But I have never heard of it being bought up BEFORE the traveler has even completed the contract.

Are we allowed to say what hospital? I will say it is in NC. They have a severe staffing shortage...I don't know if it is because they can't keep people there or if they are only allotted so many staff. I was told by the manager that they staff according to ACOG guidelines. I don't agree with that. I told her I was following AWHONN's guidelines. She told me I was putting the cart before the horse. I don't understand this...OB can be a very busy place. ER staffs whether slow or busy...why can't L&D?

Unfortunately, before I left, I saw a letter the manager wrote to her staff. She was threatening them with signing up for on call or turning back into an open unit. She implied that all holes had to be filled "or else!" Her words. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to work 3 nights a week and then HAVE to take call for 3 more shifts that same week!

What makes it worse there, 5 of the nurses are pregnant and all due at the same time!

If it is okay, I will say what hospital it is, but until then just know it is in NC.

Also, I offered to work extra shifts or take call and I was told she was not going to pay me overtime.