I am a new grad and hired with 2 nursing agencies

caliotter3 · Jan 8, 2015

My friend, as a new grad, was advised by someone to lie and say that she had two years of nursing experience. She did this, and for some reason got away with it, but when I talked to her, she was struggling. I lost contact with her so I don't know how long she did this or what area of nursing she moved to afterwards. She told me the agency was sending her to LTC facilities.

tami101481rn · Jan 9, 2015

I am not trying to be ugly with my following comment so please don't take it that way. As a new nurse, you lack the experience to be an agency nurse. Even if you made the best grades in your class and studied all of the time, there are things that you are not accustomed to in the "real world" that you really need to be prepared for as an agency or float nurse. As a new nurse, you also lack a solid foundation in time management, patient assessment, disease processes etc to consider taking a position such as this. Agency and float nurses are expected to function at an independent and competent level, and are not given any slack for being new or unfamiliar with an area. It is a patient safety issue, and unsafe for you and your new license. I have been a nurse for 5 years in an ER and recently went to our hospital resource team, and even with experience it has been difficult. Please consider taking a job within a hospital or long term care facility to learn good time management, charting, patient assessments etc.

tami101481rn · Jan 9, 2015

That is what I was thinking as well.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2015

Be wary...very wary.

Keep in mind that when it comes to agency nursing, the facilities you are assigned to usually offer the agency nurse minimal orientation, as in "this is where everything is on the unit," and will expect you to catch on and pull a full load almost immediately. They'll expect you to know what you are doing as a nurse in general and in the specialty area you've been hired for. They're not going to teach you L&D, psych, etc., if you don't know it.

And their patience with you as you work your way through your first year nursing ropes is going to be limited, especially since they're paying your agency more for your services than they're paying their typical staff nurse. The staff nurses aren't going to be too excited if they have to pick up your slack either, since you're actually meant to be making their workload easier by your presence.

Most agencies aren't going to spend a lot of effort or money on training you either. Anything you get will be more likely because they have to meet the facility's requirements (e.g., infection control, safety, etc.)

And remember that it's now YOUR license on the line should you get in over your head and something bad happens. The agency--as well as the BON--will say, "well, you as a nurse shouldn't have accepted the assignment if you knew you weren't competent enough!" The agency won't take the blame for sending you on assignment, and the BON isn't going to hold them liable when it was your responsibility to refuse an assignment above your skill level.

IMO, I would wait until you have a year or two of experience if you try agency. If you do push ahead with this, try to get as much training out of your agency as you can...also, you may need to put a lot of study hours on your own time to be able to keep up.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2015

Agency nurses are assumed to be competent enough to hit the floor running with no more orientation than, "Here's the linen room, med room, and supply cabinets." It is irresponsible (and maybe even actionable, in my non-legal opinion) for an agency to hold out to clients that the staff they send them are competent when they are new grads with no meaningful experience; it is dangerous for the patients, and dangerous for the nurse. Do not ever accept an assignment like this until you can meet that skill set. You are responsible for refusing an assignment that you aren't competent to handle, not the people who hire you or book you. You.

BTW, you DO have malpractice insurance, right? Do not pass go. Call and get it NOW, today. If you have any questions about whether it's a good idea, search in AN for the many threads describing it...and for the stories from people who are screwed because they didn't.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2015

I'm not sure and it's not like I completely lied about my experiences. I thought this would have been a chance to gain experience and with endless opportunities by going to different units. I did not research enough about agency nursing at the time and was a bit misinformed.

I don't know that anyone thinks you did lie. It's very possible that to the agency, you're simply a warm body with a license who can earn them a looooooot of money. :uhoh3: I can see where it would seem like a good idea initially, especially given that as a brand new grad, you don't know what you don't know. (I'm guessing by your posts that after a second thought, you have an idea though.)

I interviewed for an agency once. I didn't end up working for them because all they wanted to schedule me for was flu shot clinics for glorified CNA pay. I was like, "Nope, no time for this" and got another job soon after that. But I do remember that that interview was the easiest of my life!! Actually I don't remember them asking me a thing about my experience or what made me capable of being what the hospitals needed.

But yes, you're expected to be a fully functioning floor RN after maybe one shift of orientation if you're lucky. I'd be terrified to be honest, even after being an RN almost 12 years, and after floating to different units in my hospitals...to jump in knowing nothing about that facility OR the pts on the floor. LTC assignments sound just as scary, if not scarier!! SOOO many residents per RN/LPN, and not knowing a thing about them? Even how they take their meds? And remember, LTC residents don't wear hospital ID bands, because they're in their home. I'd be scared to death of giving someone the wrong meds unless they are A&O and can clearly ID themselves. :nailbiting:

mmm333, LVN · Jan 9, 2015

Remember, managers like to hire people who are already employed. It means you won't waste their time, because you just passed someone else's screening process so you'll probably pass theirs as well. You become a "safe bet"... Your first few jobs are rapid stepping stones. As soon as you get one, start working on that "next step up" immediately. Update your resume again and get it out there. Integrate any lessons learned from each job interview. For a new grad, go give shots or clinics for an agency right out of school. Boom, suddenly you are not an unemployed new grad without any experience. HR managers hate that "fresh new grad" title so shed it immediately. A few weeks later, apply to an LTC / nursing home. They'll probably hire you and give a short, limited orientation. Work for a few weeks and start applying to Med Surg units aggressively, be ready to work nights or eves. If you can't find a med surg, go for a SNF that is more post-acute or more subacute (with trach patients). If you can't find that, look for a Home Care position or hospice. But don't give up on LTAC, post surg recovery / stepdown, or med surg. If you fall into the SNF realm, you could get stuck there until you either burn out or just get used to that being your life. You'll be hard pressed to find a SNF with a healthy work environment. You may be too tired to apply to hospitals while working in SNF, but make sure you keep applying, and make a move before you burn out.

mmm333, LVN · Jan 9, 2015

Also if you are targeting a specific job/practice area like hospice, dialysis, or med surg, then try to complete a CE certificate in that area so that you can put that prominently on your resume. This will show that you've done something substantial to orient yourself to the job. One CE course is not very substantial, but a certificate showing broader exposure to that area may at least get the attention of a hiring manager and give them something to justify hiring you. Even better, a training course with a residency (if you can find one and afford it) will give you a clear inroad and could lead to a job right where you do the residency.

tuxedopenguino · Jan 9, 2015

My friend, as a new grad, was advised by someone to lie and say that she had two years of nursing experience. She did this, and for some reason got away with it, but when I talked to her, she was struggling. I lost contact with her so I don't know how long she did this or what area of nursing she moved to afterwards. She told me the agency was sending her to LTC facilities.

this is horrifying that she would follow such advice and got away with it.

elomi18 · Jan 9, 2015

I have just recently applied to a critical care course online that runs for 8 months and hopefully will help advance and give me a better chance in getting a job *fingers crossed*

Career Columnist / Author · Jan 9, 2015

They put you in a really bad spot, shame on them! (the agency), A reputable agency would require 1 year acute care experience. You are wise to question, you already know inside it's too risky.

Good luck, you will have more opportunities come your way!

Beth

Stephen123 · Jan 10, 2015

Wait a minute. Ive been a nurse for a lot of years worked agency, long term care etc. How about get on the phone call the agency and tell them you want an orientation before you work some place? Most places I know would be happy to help. I've even called direct to speak with staff at places the agency wants to send me. When you are at the hosp (where ever) go talk to the in service ppl and explain the situation Where ever you go ask for help before you do something that you are not comfortable with. An orientation is a great way to get the feel for a place and a situation you may not want to put yourself back into.