Choosing battles as a visitor

PMHNP10 · Apr 24, 2004

As an agency, or travel nurse, has anyone ever run into a situation during an assignment which for whatever reason frustrates you quite a bit? For purposes of this discussion, I'm not referring to anything regarding the pts? What happened that bugged you (eg. sexual harrassment, malicious rumors, threats, unprofessional behavior, etc.) and how did you handle the situation (eg. turn a blind eye, fight back, passive-aggressive approach)?

PMHNP10 · Apr 27, 2004

any stories out there?

wanderer04 · Apr 27, 2004

Ok, well, lemme start things. There is a fellow travel nurse at my workplace who happens to live with a nurse supervisor (non travel nurse). It goes without saying...they are friends. IMHO, this is very unprofessional, but I'm a guest in someone's house, so to speak, so I have no problem not caring about that; problem is, that is not all the story. Add to the mix that the nurse comes and goes with her sup roomie (coming at 0800; leaving as early as 1330). I have been told by someone who saw the traveler's timesheet that while the traveler might leave at 1330, the time sheet reads 1600. Of course, now the time sheets from week to week are nowhere near the pile of other registry timesheets. Again, it's not my money, so not really my problem. The one thing I can't overlook is that this traveler takes on a supervisory attitude. Of course if you have a problem with what she tells you to do, the sup will hear about it. This directly affects me, so now I have a problem. What can I do? I have a real problem not speaking my mind. Has anyone faced a similar situation, and if so what did u do--bite your lip and grin and bear it or take a stand?

LoriPRN · May 29, 2004

Hi Steph,

You will always come accross difficult personalities as you go through life. You just meet alot more of them when you are a traveler. I have learned over the years as a traveler to always approach each facility with a positive attitude. Kind, but firm. Remember, you are a guest in their hospital. We are not there to change the way they do things. You can make a suggestion regarding things you have seen in other facilities, but always remember you are there for a short time, they have been there a long time, and will continue to be there long after you are gone. I have had little to no problems since I learned that lesson the hard way. Hope this helps, Lori

As an agency, or travel nurse, has anyone ever run into a situation during an assignment which for whatever reason frustrates you quite a bit? For purposes of this discussion, I'm not referring to anything regarding the pts? What happened that bugged you (eg. sexual harrassment, malicious rumors, threats, unprofessional behavior, etc.) and how did you handle the situation (eg. turn a blind eye, fight back, passive-aggressive approach)?