Dilemma...need advice

[RedERRN]

Hi all! I work as a staff nurse at a major hospital - I've worked in the ER there as a RN for 3 years and I worked there for 1&1/2yrs while in nursing school. Recently I've become really, really frustrated with the way the hospital treats staff nurses. I only make $0.75/hr more than I made when I had just graduated nursing school - before I took the NCLEX! On top of that, our benefits really, REALLY stink. Honestly, I could go on and on and on about why I am so frustrated with this place where I used to be proud to work.

I'm starting back to school in June to complete my RN-BSN and I won't be able to put in any overtime...that means I won't be able to make ends meet financially. So, I'm thinking that I should resign from my frustrating staff job and sign on agency for local ER assignments. I have talked with 2 local agencies, MSN and AAS. I talked to the folks at my local MSN office today and the lady I spoke with quoted me anywhere from $35-$39/hr with no assignments more than 30 miles from my home - that's about $10-15/hr more than I make now. She also said that MSN offers benefits and 401K. I don't know about AAS. I have a meeting with the folks in our local AAS office on Tuesday so I don't have many details about what my options are there as far as benefits and pay.

So, what would you do in this situation?

Are you almost always able to get shifts when you want them?

Are there any reasons you regret being agency?

Thanks ahead of time for your input! :)

[LadyNASDAQ]

I would do Travel Nursing instead and enjoy Nursing more. Ask AAS about good assignments to consider. Do look at other companies. I'm a Nurse w/28 years under my belt and a very young 48 years old. I can help you. Send me a message if you want to talk more but NEVER feel backed to a wall at any time!

[horrorxgirl]

There definite benefits to working agency. Higher pay, flexible shifts, no mandation. There are of course downsides too, as in every job. You have to be confident in walking into a facility and working, even if you've never been there before. This is probably different in ER, but I know in LTC usually I don't even get any sort of an orientation. Also, sometimes in order to make sure you get all of the hours you want, you may have to take on shifts or facilities you don't really want to work. Of course, some agencies have soooo many contracts that you can still work often and be somewhat picky. The benefits is sort of tricky. I don't know a lot about them, because I use my husbands, but it's my understanding that you have to work full time to get them (or maybe if you don't you can pay the difference, I'm not sure.) But with agency, those full time hours are never guaranteed. I'm not trying to discourage at all though! I love working agency. And there is always the chance that you will always get enough hours if you work for a big one.