Flu-shot Nurses

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Hello everyone! I'm a new member and I'm looking to hear from nurses who have done flu-shot clinics. I am interested in giving immunizations during the flu season, as a way to make extra money. Anyone had experience in this? I just need to know if I should go through a staffing agency or contact the store where the clinic is being offered? I know flu season is several months away, but I want to find out what I need to do so I'll be ready when the time comes. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

I go through an Agency to do mine (Maxim). They are the ones who contract with the stores (the employees usually know very little about it. They never know how many nurses are coming, whether we're LPNs or RNs or even nurses at all, what we're paid, if we're paid, etc).

I'd call around different agencies, see who pays better, who has more flu clinics, and where they run out of. Maxim--at least where I live--holds the contracts with the CVS, Walgreens, Pathmark, and other stores. Some agencies hold contracts with large businesses (ie: a factory with 500 employees, or a day care with 30 employees), some go to nsg homes, etc.

As long as you have your info in by September you should be good. They would even probably take you later in the season as well, but the earlier, the better your schedule (as far as location, times, dates, etc).

Are you LPN or RN?

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I did the flu clinics thru Maxim also. Just watch the Sunday employment ads around September or contact maxim. Where I live, we did clinics at CVS, Brookshires, krogers, Tom thumb, several nursing/retirement homes, TI, Countrywide, and many others I cant remember.

The clinics were easy money and I would do it again. The part I hated was actually going to the main office to pick up or return the supplies. They did not pay you for that time. So, I learned real fast that if I was going to have to do that part of the job, I would sign up for a clinic that was within 5 mile radius of the main office.

Don't know about other offices, but here in Dallas, Maxim was very unorganized with the flu clinics - it appeared that they took on a job of agreeing to do these flu clinics but could not keep up the work. There were many times the staffing was messed up, supplies were messed up (usually not enough) and then the pay checks were messed up.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
The clinics were easy money and I would do it again. The part I hated was actually going to the main office to pick up or return the supplies. They did not pay you for that time. So, I learned real fast that if I was going to have to do that part of the job, I would sign up for a clinic that was within 5 mile radius of the main office.

They tried that with me-the office is a good 30min from my house. I told them I would not pick up or drop off supplies unless I got paid an extra hour (total for my driving). They did it 50% of the time. And the other half? They got someone else to do to pick up/drop off. Once one of the office guys did the pick up and drop off. He wasn't happy but oh well-no sweat off my brow.

I work full time, and I have an 8year old at home I like to see once in a while (;)). I like the clinics because 2-6hours and your done. Gas costs money, cap maintenance costs money. I'd rather not drive for work if I don't have to.

Try that next time-tell them point blank that your time is valuable to you and you need to be reimbursed for it. No negotiations (unless they're like my office and offer you a gift card to a dept store...take it or leave it, your choice. I didn't).

But yeah, easy money (if not boring and/or crazy-depending on the flow). Plan on doing it again-great for holiday cash or help pay for gas/bills/loans, etc.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

I've done them, along with cholesterol screenings, bp & fingerticks for Interfit-usually at Sam's Clubs and WalMarts. Pay is decent and quite negotiable. They also give a bonus for others that you recruit. I think they changed their name, and are the ones behind the clinics that are going to be put in the WalMarts.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I've done it several times and enjoyed it. I made sure I got paid time to draw up the vaccines. When you're in the mist of giving the injections there's just not time to draw each one up individually. I drew up at least 100 each evening for the next day and kept them in a cooler with ice. I had to have a signature/release for each flu shot given and had to collect money. I asked for help from the retirement centers and churches that I went to. They were more than happy to help. I had one person getting the permits signed and the other collecting the money.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

How else can you get hooked-up doing clinics like the ones described above? I don't have a Maxim in my city (closest is an hour away).

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Better to deal with the agencies than the store. It is nice, easy work. Just make sure that you have the Epi-shots and you are in business. I am also a vaccination nurse that goes around to different army bases to vaccinate the soliders before they are sent out overseas. Good work, and great flirting.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
They tried that with me-the office is a good 30min from my house. I told them I would not pick up or drop off supplies unless I got paid an extra hour (total for my driving). They did it 50% of the time. And the other half? They got someone else to do to pick up/drop off. Once one of the office guys did the pick up and drop off. He wasn't happy but oh well-no sweat off my brow.

I work full time, and I have an 8year old at home I like to see once in a while (;)). I like the clinics because 2-6hours and your done. Gas costs money, cap maintenance costs money. I'd rather not drive for work if I don't have to.

Try that next time-tell them point blank that your time is valuable to you and you need to be reimbursed for it. No negotiations (unless they're like my office and offer you a gift card to a dept store...take it or leave it, your choice. I didn't).

But yeah, easy money (if not boring and/or crazy-depending on the flow). Plan on doing it again-great for holiday cash or help pay for gas/bills/loans, etc.

Which branch of Maxim are you working for? Am thinking about signing up with them, too. I also live in New York. Sorry for the double post.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Try

http://www.interfit.com

Worked for them in both Dallas area and Long Island/Queens.

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Which branch of Maxim are you working for? Am thinking about signing up with them, too. I also live in New York. Sorry for the double post.

Just out of idle curiosity, how much do you guys get paid from Maxim? Here in Spokane, the pay was deplorable, like $14 an hour. I refused to work for them the next year.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i do them every year through maxim, but this year i am doing them through nursefinders for $4 more dollars a hour. i got 16 hour at maxim and i'm gettting 20/ hr at nursefinders for this years flu shot season. been doing the clinics for about 8 years now and really enjoy it...

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