My close friend who is an RN and I work per diem for an agency that sends nurses to administer vaccinations for the US Armed Services. I am licensed in NY. From what I understand, you cannot work elsewhere unless you have applied for reciprocacy. I do love the job, it is fun, the nurses work great together and they love my hard work. Sometimes, they get assignments to work New Jersey and I know for a fact that two of the nurses that go are licensed for New Jersey. They used to send my friend to assignments like this also, to Jersey, but then, because her license out there expired, they stopped using her.
Now, today, I receive a text message from the person who normally works as a clerk with us (she works with the RN who runs this agency at a medical insurance underwriter company) asking me if I wanted to work an event in PA. I immediately sent an email asking if I am licensed to work there (knowing the answer was no) and basically, I put them off until I received a response from them regarding licensure. Then, my friend who normally works with me called me and said they called and asked her. I say the same "Do you have a license to work out there" and her response is "Well, they're desperate". I told her to forget it.
Now, it just may be that because this agency services Army men that there is a loophole somewhere, however, no one sent me anything in writing making this clear. I think this should have been the first thing that came out of her mouth...either "Pagan, I would like for you to work, and I am sending you information that will clear you", or even " Pagan, I want you to work, we are taking a chance", to give ME a choice. God forbid something happens out there, I cannot envision NSO covering me for practicing out of state, and then, like the other thread that is currently going on, that I, too, will be disappointed in my visit to the BON because I let greed interfere with common sense. What do you guys think?
This actually leads to another question;traveling nurses. How are you guys covered? Are you traveling within your state? Did you have to apply for reciprocracy to work in other states, or was there a clause because of the agency that you work for? If so, did they give you anything in writing?
Because this agency called me at the last minute, asking that I go this Friday, I said 'no' because this doesn't give me enough time to make an educated decision and I'd rather be safe than sorry. In addition, this gives me a chance to see where this particular agency (or rather the nurse, herself who I work with) is coming from. Don't risk ME because you get a big buck assignment, buddy. My license and way of life is NOT for sale.
