Cancelled

My first agency job was a 'local' agency. Was working at the VA. When hired on, I had limited experience with G-tubes. It was in the application. One night I was put on the g-tube floor by myself, and I had never done a g-tube feeding so I called the super to ask if they could send someone up to re-show me one time so I can do it myself. That's all it takes with me, one time and I get it.

Needless to say, that was the last night I worked there. Because I didn't have g-tube experience. Even though I said I had limited exposure to it.

Second agency experience was really bad. Went to another state, showed up on time (it was in the middle of freakin no where) and they weren't even expecting me. They had no idea what to do with me. Said they'd call that night, never did. So I went home and never returned (called agency of course and left a nasty little message for wasting my time).

Stupid me, continues to apply to agency jobs. They are a pipe dream financially, but half the time turn out as a nightmare. In my case, every time. Yet I still try, sometimes I never understand myself.

I've had ALL my shifts canceled for almost two weeks straight while I worked agency and in many cases, it has nothing at all to do with the agency. Sometimes the docs walk through and d/c a lot of patients the day before, and once the census drops significantly there's no longer a need for agency help. Or, if they have staff who are willing to pick up extra shifts, it is financially advantageous for the hospital to cancel the agency nurse and use their own staff to work those hours because it costs them less to pay time and a half than to pay full bill rate to an agency.

If you decide to work only agency you have to have enough $$$ set aside to cover yourself during those days when work isn't available, because cancelations happen---and sometimes they happens a lot.

I worked through an agency part time and had heard a lot of stories about being cancelled. We used to talk about it on one of the floors that I worked on, about cancelling agency people first to save money.

:monkeydance: I just resigned from maxim. I was with them for 5 months and I didn't get alot of good assignments from them. I got more work from the 2 other agencies I work for, so it was time to get rid of the dead weight!!! Right now I'm also currently working prn at a rehab/ltc and I plan to sign on prn with at least 1 more ltc facility.

I worked for Maxim for 5 years. They do not appreciate the nurses that work for them. I now work for RNtensive, they are great. They are hard to get on with, but it is well worth the wait. They stand behind their nurses, and stick up for them. It is an agency that is made up of nurses that were Agency nurses and got tired of being treated like dirt. If you are anywhere arround St. Louis, Mo. you should go to them. You will not be disappointed.:yelclap: TBH

I have never heard of being "cancelled" with an agency. I thought that, and have been told that, because I have a contract, they can't cancel me, and I can't cancel them. I was told by Onward that I can't leave and go home (I am 9 hours from home) without paying the housing. I have a family emergency, but SHE doesn't care!! I have been here 2 months, and they told me I have to pay them d--- near $2000.00!!!!!!!!!!! If they can cancel me, why can't I give notice, which I did, and go home????

's RN

The nurses in this thread were talking about working "per diem" with agencies. It sounds like you have a travel contract. I currently work with a local agency, I choose from open shifts they have available and am only obligated for the shifts I pick up. The facility can cancel me with 24 hours notice. I have not signed a contract with any the facilities. You need to read your contract; your hours may be guaranteed and you may be responsible for fees for breaking your contract. It should all be in the papers you signed.

Thanks--Sorry to be such a dumb-dumb. I am new at this travel stuff, and I thought that it was all the same thing.

's RN

I used to work 2 different agencies in addition to my full time job. I started noticing that one of the agencies always had shifts for me, but then I would very often get cancelled for the shifts. Found out that the agency would call me and schedule me for a shift even though the hospital had not called in a need. That way he had me locked in just in case they did call a need in. When they didn't, he would simply cancel me. I would turn down shifts with my other agency (that did not pay as much) because I was already scheduled. We finally figured this scam out after I had conversations with several other nurses with the same agency that had the same problem and then speaking with the staffing coordinators at the individual hospitals involed.

My first time for the agency calling me and telling me the facility didn't need me for the whole day. Is this common in agencies? I think its a little unnerving as this may be my families most steady income for a while. I am considering leaving to find something a little more stable. Any experience out there?

Yes...you hit it right on the head. However, if you are going to be an agency nurse then get used to it because you will be ready and set to go to work and get a call saying that the job has been cancelled. I couldn't go to work for getting cancelled when I first signed up with Maxim...I got so upset that I refused to work for them. Agency work can be great due to flexibility and pay...put it can also be stressful...for the same reason.

I used to work 2 different agencies in addition to my full time job. I started noticing that one of the agencies always had shifts for me, but then I would very often get cancelled for the shifts. Found out that the agency would call me and schedule me for a shift even though the hospital had not called in a need. That way he had me locked in just in case they did call a need in. When they didn't, he would simply cancel me. I would turn down shifts with my other agency (that did not pay as much) because I was already scheduled. We finally figured this scam out after I had conversations with several other nurses with the same agency that had the same problem and then speaking with the staffing coordinators at the individual hospitals involed.

Wow - this is an informative post.

A scam agency with no bookings - keeping nurses locked in - with promises of a higher pay.

Never mind that the nurse gets cancelled and no pay!!

This is my first time signing up with agency and it is horrific so far! I was told i would work as many or as little shifts as I'd like--well they were not joking about as little. I have only worked 8hrs with them and that is it. The hospitals that they are contracted with the census has been low.

I resigned from my former job which was a good paying job but couldnt deal with the antics and manager that was not to be trusted. :nono:My self esteem and worth were much more important to me.

I am now seriously considering traveling nursing--but i want a travel company that provides a car if i go out of state. UGH!! I have never had to hustle like this before. I wonder at times should i have put up with a lying manager that paid well or continue on my search for a travel assignment. I just dont know what to do......:uhoh21: