Having a blast

yankeesrule · Nov 17, 2006

I couldnt agree with you more. Finding no satisfaction in my job of 13yr w/NYS i was a nurse for them for the last 5yrs. I decided to take a promotion and now am a supervisor. It has been nothing but miserable and anxiety galore. Feeling like I wanted and needed more I signed on with an agency. It was the Best decision I ever made. I go in feeling needed, appreciated and competent of something more than just a civil service employee. I am somebody when I put on the uniform and go to work. People I dont know ask me about workign for an agency then admire my guts and drive. (which something I really need to hear as I have really "lost" myself in these last few yrs. I love working for an agency. Your first timeto any facility is daunting, but thats part of the thrill of it. And I have to say Im a pretty good scavenger.. so I too am having a blast. I still work my state job full time and agency on my days off and nightshift.

signed

Happy in the hudson valley.

LadyNASDAQ · Dec 28, 2006

Hi everyone,
I made the jump out of staff Nursing Oct. 16,2000. I was a Charge Nurse in a busy ICU. I had enough pressure and trust me, I have never looked back. I have been working 6 months travel and 6 months local agency nursing and I feel free as a bird to do my own thing.
The salary is so much better but when they hire me, they hire 28 years in the profession and I'm still young so that's a benefit for both parties. ;)
I started Agency Nursing in Sept. after 13 years at a rural Iowa CAH hospital. I am having a blast. I wish I had made the jump sooner. I have found out what a rut I was in. I have worked Med/Surg and ER in a larger hospital, I have work Med/Surg at another CAH and this week I even tried some clinic nursing at a large clinic.
It has been such an eye opening experience, to go into a faculity and see all the different ways thing are done. Your savanger hunting abilities take affect very quickly.
Everywhere I have been has welcomed me and have been so appreciative that I was there to help. After leaving a position as DON, which is a thankless job and so stressful, I am getting "thank you for being here to help us out." I go home feeling very good about the job I have done.
The only drawback is, you are not sure how many hours you will have from week to week. I really hate to, but I am going to do a 13 week contract with guaranteed hours. A little more stable. We will see how that goes and I am hoping to do my first travel assignment towards the end of next year.
So, if you are planning on " jumping in". Do your research on the agencies, benefits, and wages in your area. Then just "do it". If it doesn't work out, you will probably have no problem going back to staff nursing with the shortage.
I would be very interested in hearing any stories from agency nurses just starting out.
Keep smilin'
Cris

I think you are doing the right thing.

gradRN2007, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2009

Finally a positive forum. I am seriously thinking of agency work for 1-2 shifts a week, for 3-12 7p-7a at a trauma facility in so florida and need extra money, (hubby is in construction/economy/no money), i am going to take the test and do the 4 hr orientation at cleveland clinic figuring when my hospital goes online i will be ahead of the game. Can't get extra hours where i work because no OT. So i am jumping in the game. contacted nurses 24-7 and favorite nursing staffing. pretty excited, hopefullly will do fine.

gradRN2007, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2009

also are there any imperitive questions to ask when you go to the agency? and the 2 agency's use the cleveland clinic, one is located in ft lauderdale and one in miami,. i first started talking to the agency in miami favorite staffing but the ft. lauderdale said the pay rate was higher for the same hospital, i might meet with them since they do more hospitals near me.