Mistreatment of agency nurses by staff nurses

[babieface_7]

Hi,

I'm a LPN currently in school to get my RN, and for the last five years I have worked as an agency nurse in multiple settings, and I have encountered a-lot of horror stories. One such story was that I had been assigned to this med-surg floor of this hospital and the staff gave me the worst patients, I had all of the patient with epidurals and all of the fresh surgical patients and all of the ones with the "attitude " family members. The nurses refused to show me where anything was like the refills for the epidurals and even where the narcs were. It was my first time on this floor. I had to threaten to leave. I would ask a question and they would just walk by me as if I had not spoken to them at all. I was running up and down the hall and they were sitting and wiping smiles off their faces whenever I came up. They have the option to work as an agency nurse just as I have. I have encountered many mean and even hostile nurses. I have worked from the other perspective as well. I have been a staff nurse who has had to orient agency nurses and I have been nice to them and appreciated the help, because otherwise we would be short. Another horror story is I worked on a med surg unit on the night shift and the staff nurse gave me this patient that had just had a central line placed and soon after he began to bleed out. I asked the nurses what MD was on call as this was my first time being on that floor. They refused to tell me. I had to ask several nurses and finally one gave me the number. I thank God for this one CNA who held pressure on the site because blood was everywhere. I finally reached the MD and he told me what to do. One of the nurses told every one that she was going to help me, she came in the room and stood in the corner and held out the tape. The CNA could have done that. I applied a special type of pressure bandage and the patient didn't bleed any more that night. I guess the nurse that stood in the corner got the recognition for that. Needless to say I reported the nurses. The next time that they needed a nurse I refused to go to that unit and they had to work short. It only hurts them in the end. Why does staff treat agency nurses this way. I recently went to a prison and the nurse was so mean and she did not show me some things and it was my first time there. Even nurses in other dept were rude. What is it the pay? Any one else care to share stories. I have many more. Why can't we all just get along?:angryfire

[suzanne4, RN]

I have worked agency for most of my career, and have never encountered this. If you are finding it every place that you are going to, perhaps there is an issue where you are being sent, or possibly the way that you are presenting yourself. I have never met you, and I know nothing about you, but take a moment and step back and read closely to what you have posted. Perhaps there is a reason that you are not getting the help that you need, especially if it is happening in more than one place, and it sounds like it is.

I always work some type of Specialty Unit, and when working oer diem agency, would always ask for the patients that the staff was having problems with to give them a break form them. They are there on a daily basis, and I would be the4re for the one shift. Everyone was much happier. Sometimes that patient just needed to see a new face or someone with a different attitude towards them by a nurse that did not know them from before. And that can make a big difference.

Have you discussed this with your agency?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

That sounds like a tense situation to be in. I was always happy to see the agency nurses. It meant help for the harried, a new person to chat with and in certain cases their bringing new knowledge that could save a patient's life. Sorry you got a bad reception.

[ZZTopRN, BSN, RN]

Sorry you are not as perfect as some that have never had anything but happy experiences.

I have never seen an agency nurse on this board about being a scapegoat either. I have seen it both ways, what you are experiencing, and then there were others that were grateful you were there. I don't know where you are from, but in a big city there are a lot to choose from. Get to know which hospitals you like and the ones you want to avoid the plague. Nursing is not for the faint-hearted. Good luck, and may you find more places that appreciate your hard work.

[nightingale, RN]

Babieface7:

Sorry your experience was so awful; it does hel to know how other Agency Nurses have handled their bad experiences. When you can, take the time to read through some of the other posts here on Agency Nursing and Travel Nursing and you will see you are not alone.

You are right to remember, you never have to accept an assignment on a floor that supports you SO badly. You are right, if they are so short and treat their help that way, then let them continue to work without your excellent services.

Hopefully, you have many other facilites to work within; good luck to you and let us know how you make out.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

I too have heard far more horror stories than I wished to get into...but I finally considered agency and am happy with it..far more than what I was doing!

Yes, there are times when I am thrown into a whirlwind of stuff and have to swim to the surface! But...each time I learn more and more..and heck, I don't have to work at that place in the future if I do not wish to! I get the choice..and that is what I like about agency!

I too had NO orientation..none, but I was lucky...most staff is very understanding and helpful where I work now...and since I took clinicals there 7 years ago...I remember some and things have improved significantly at most of those places!

If you don't like an assignment..don't go back! IF the agency doesn't like that...switch agencies! That is the greatest part of agency...you are the asset, you call the shots!

Good luck to you! :)

BTW..I just went to an LTC yesterday that had more BON voliations that I could reasonably count..I will never go back, even though I need the hours! As of now I am considering reporting them to the BON...and even drafted up my letter! I was so discusted by the experience...yet saw so many underappricated people working there with nothing to gain except the love of their patients whom they care for sooooooooo much (that is the rub)...but alas...I never have to work there again if I do not wish to, and I won't believe you me....and that is good with me! (I know I must report this, it is just bittersweet...but I will...it was mostly med pass, and nothing a nurse consultant couldn't fix in a few months..but still...).

[suzanne4, RN]

Just a little caveat to add to my above post. Sure, I had couple of places where I was not treated the way thought I thought that I should have been, and requested never to return there. And that was very rare.

When I get to any unit that I am not familiar with, I ask for about five things before I will even take report. Location of crash cart, med room, bathroom for staff, kitchen, and clean linens. Makes it a much easier way to start the day, and if you can joke about it when you get there, it gets done quickly and makes for a better day. It also shows that you are concerned for caring for your patients. The staff doesn't know you, and you know nothing about them. This is a good way to "break the ice" as they call it.

If you do not get the help that you need throughout the day, discuss it with your agency and do not go back there. Unfortunately, problems arise if you do not have a selection of facilities in your area. But your license should be foremost in your mind. And not all nurses are cut out to work agency. It also takes quite a bit on their part just to be able to drop in right away and function.

[babieface_7]

Hello all,

I appreciate the supportive comments. All has not been bad. There are some places where I was treated like a part of the family and I can think of two hospitals. If you work a site long enough and the staff gets to know you then it can be different. I was talking about places that I went to for the first time and other nurses that I have talked to in the area have had similar experiences. It is for this reason that the unit that I mentioned above was very hard to fill and was always on the agency's needs list. My agency understood when I told him (the owner) that I didn't want to go back. I wasn't the first or the last. I have just been hired for a full time time position that will work with me on my school hours and I will only be doing one agency day a week at a new facility wish me luck. :) P.S. I will take your advice Freda and read some of the other stories posted.