I need to vent! Agency Runaround!

[OBRN1994]

Hi!

I am currently on my first assignment in Maine. When I applied to several agencies this past November...I had specified that I wanted to remain in the state of Florida for my first assignment. Unfortunately, what was available for my specialty, actually paid less than what I was currently making....so I opened the field~ hence my current assignment.

I read over and over again that the recruiter can "make or break" your experience. I never got a warm & fuzzy feeling with my current recruiter and would not have accepted this assignment had I not gotten extremely "good vibes" from the manager I am working for. My manager has not dissapointed me.

My recruiter on the other hand is less than desirable. After working a night shift (which she is well aware that I do), she left me an email asking if I was interested in extending the contract. This is a very small hospital that does not need additional staff....I was hired to train her night staff. The manager made it clear from the beginning that it would only be a 13 week assignment....which I am very happy about, because I am now tired of the snow and want to return to Florida as soon as I am finished. Before I could reply to this email the recruiter called the hospital to see if they were extending my contract!!!!! What if they said they would and I didn't want to....I felt that was unprofessional of her.

Before I signed up, the recruiter told me they would reimburse for licensing. After the contract was signed, she made it very clear that it was only the actual cost of the license and that they would not reimburse for fingerprinting, photos, or verification. Fine, wasn't happy about that but what can I do at that point. I submitted my receipt from the state of Maine for $75, which was the cost of the actual license.

Somehow, I didn't notice that they only reimbursed me $60 for this on my first paycheck. I caught this error last night when I was organizing my pay stubs. I emailed payroll (that person has ALWAYS been very friendly and accommodating) telling her that I found this error and asked her if I needed to resubmit my receipt. She forwarded my email to my recruiter who responded immediately that I was not entitled to reimbursement for fingerprints or verification, and that Kim (from payroll) could forward to the nurse....didn't even address me by my name. What the h-ll? She didn't look into the matter before responding. I went on Maine's nursing website, opened the page for license by endorsement, and forwarded it to her.....in an attempt to show her that the license fee is $75. My next email from her was a repeat of the first!!!! She didn't read what I'd sent. My third email I wrote in all caps asking her to please read what I'd sent, and why is it that I have to fight for the stinking $15! Her next response was I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. No apology for NOT reading what I'd sent, or for NOT looking into the matter before responding. She will not be my recruiter in the future. That is a promise:(

Thanks for letting me vent....I can now probably go to bed! LOL

[caliotter3]

When I get treated like that, I make it a point to end the relationship at some point soon also. Good luck getting a decent recruiter next time.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Friendly reminder here - please do not post recruiter info in the body of posts, as it is considered solicitation according to our Terms of Service in terms of possible referral bonuses. This is not a handslap, just a reminder. There is a sticky at the top of the forum with this request spelled out. Thank you.