Need advice...what would you do next?

Published

Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

Received a call from an agency in desparate need to fill in for 2 weeks on an assignment that another nurse had to leave due to emergency situation, last Friday (weekend of July 4). I talked with my husband and pastor and prayed and decided to accept the position after also talking with my current manager who had allowed me to take a 2 week LOA to do this assignment.

I filled out many papers that were faxed to me and I faxed them back. I had questions regarding getting my health physical from a physician back to them in such a short time. I was told by the recruiter that it could wait. They wanted to get me in the position and we would work on getting the rest of the paperwork needed while I was on the assignment.

I worked Tuesday night 7P-7A because my manager couldn't let me off that night. I was originally scheduled to also work Weds and Thurs this weeks. Those nights were granted off for the assignment. I traveled 5 hours after I got off work to get there. I immediately went to the Realtor's office to pick up the key for the unit I was provided for to stay in. When I finally found it (it was many miles from the hospital), someone was already staying in the house! I called the realtor immediately and they were very rude to me. I called my recruiter immediately and it turns out (according to him) that the house was double-booked. The realtor denies this. They said the girl had come into their office and said she was me and gave them the agency name that I was with the day before. (She was with a different agency). I had called the realtor on Tues to get information about the house and they said a girl came in and picked up the key already. I told them that the unit was for me and could they please follow up on it? When I talked with the realtor later on Tuesday, they said there was a mixup and that they would have the key ready for me on Weds.

My recruitor put me up in a bed and breakfast (which I had chosen closer to the hospital) for the night. I was exhausted! I had not had any sleep in 30 hours. I went to bed immediately. Then the phone rang. My breakfast was ready and could they bring it to me? I looked at my watch and it said it was 8:00. I was supposed to be at the hospital at 8:30! I quickly ate my breakfast, got dressed, and packed up. Called for help with my suitcases and stopped at the front desk to return the key. (You are going to love this!) Turns out, it was still Tues night and I thought it was Weds morning! So I went back to my room and slept the rest of the night. Oh, yes, they brought me my breakfast again for the next morning. This time, I called for a wake-up call for 5 a.m. on Weds morning!

I got a voice mail while I slept on my cell phone from my recruiter. He said I couldn't work until I had a drug screen done or results of my last one sent to the hospital! I went to the hospital at 7:30 hoping to meet with the manager of the department before going down to Human Resources where I would contact my current employer for the needed drug screen and last PPD information.

The manager was very nice (my recruiter described her as something else that I can't type out here). It was discovered that the position was really for 4 weeks! I told her I couldn't do 4 weeks. I also told her that I was not very strong in the skills that she needed and that I had explained this to my recruiter (he brushed this off) and to the manager that I interviewed with on the phone on Monday (she was a manager in a different department because the unit manager was off for holiday). This manager still accepted me.

The manager I met with on Weds morning said she understood and said she was very unhappy with the agency and was planning to take legal recourse. She DID offer me a full-time position, though to retrain me!!!!

I contacted my recruiter immediately after meeting with the manager and explained the situation to him. He said it was bad business practice for one manager to interview me and not know what skills were needed.

I drove back home after I got lunch.

Long story short...I missed 2 shifts of work at my current position. I am going to call my current manager and let here know that I can return to work next week. When I called my recruiter to let him know, he said he wanted me to call him this morning because he had something else I might be interested in 15 miles from where I live! I already know my answer, but I am going to call him anyway just to see where it is.

My question is...do I take this further and try to get reimbursement for the 2 shifts I missed from the travel company? The manager at the hospital also said I should put in for the 2 hours that I was with her at the rate I was quoted to be paid. She also suggested that I should be paid for the whole assignment!

Any suggestions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Unless you have in writing that you could get reimbursed, you will not be able to collect. My advise is don't trust the recruiter or agency, go with another and never start a contract without everthing completed first and in writing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with BadBird. YOu can always ask and see what the recruiter / agency is made of. Most likely, you will not get acknowledged.

I am sorry this happened to you.

If it is not in writing, you have no recourse. Next time, make sure YOU have a signed copy of a contract prior to traveling or making life changing plans.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

Thanks for the responses...Everything was happening so fast and the holiday kinda put things on hold.

ANYWAY...I am not real upset over this. I did enjoy going to where I was sent. It is beautiful there. PLUS...I did get a nice room for the night at $190 which the agency paid for!!!!!

Yes, it was inconvenient, but I had a lovely time there! PLUS, I was offered a full-time job! Too bad the housing there is quite expensive and over my means.

The manager was really nice and asked me to keep in touch with her!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Received a call from an agency in desparate need to fill in for 2 weeks on an assignment that another nurse had to leave due to emergency situation, last Friday (weekend of July 4). I talked with my husband and pastor and prayed and decided to accept the position after also talking with my current manager who had allowed me to take a 2 week LOA to do this assignment.

I filled out many papers that were faxed to me and I faxed them back. I had questions regarding getting my health physical from a physician back to them in such a short time. I was told by the recruiter that it could wait. They wanted to get me in the position and we would work on getting the rest of the paperwork needed while I was on the assignment.

I worked Tuesday night 7P-7A because my manager couldn't let me off that night. I was originally scheduled to also work Weds and Thurs this weeks. Those nights were granted off for the assignment. I traveled 5 hours after I got off work to get there. I immediately went to the Realtor's office to pick up the key for the unit I was provided for to stay in. When I finally found it (it was many miles from the hospital), someone was already staying in the house! I called the realtor immediately and they were very rude to me. I called my recruiter immediately and it turns out (according to him) that the house was double-booked. The realtor denies this. They said the girl had come into their office and said she was me and gave them the agency name that I was with the day before. (She was with a different agency). I had called the realtor on Tues to get information about the house and they said a girl came in and picked up the key already. I told them that the unit was for me and could they please follow up on it? When I talked with the realtor later on Tuesday, they said there was a mixup and that they would have the key ready for me on Weds.

My recruitor put me up in a bed and breakfast (which I had chosen closer to the hospital) for the night. I was exhausted! I had not had any sleep in 30 hours. I went to bed immediately. Then the phone rang. My breakfast was ready and could they bring it to me? I looked at my watch and it said it was 8:00. I was supposed to be at the hospital at 8:30! I quickly ate my breakfast, got dressed, and packed up. Called for help with my suitcases and stopped at the front desk to return the key. (You are going to love this!) Turns out, it was still Tues night and I thought it was Weds morning! So I went back to my room and slept the rest of the night. Oh, yes, they brought me my breakfast again for the next morning. This time, I called for a wake-up call for 5 a.m. on Weds morning!

I got a voice mail while I slept on my cell phone from my recruiter. He said I couldn't work until I had a drug screen done or results of my last one sent to the hospital! I went to the hospital at 7:30 hoping to meet with the manager of the department before going down to Human Resources where I would contact my current employer for the needed drug screen and last PPD information.

The manager was very nice (my recruiter described her as something else that I can't type out here). It was discovered that the position was really for 4 weeks! I told her I couldn't do 4 weeks. I also told her that I was not very strong in the skills that she needed and that I had explained this to my recruiter (he brushed this off) and to the manager that I interviewed with on the phone on Monday (she was a manager in a different department because the unit manager was off for holiday). This manager still accepted me.

The manager I met with on Weds morning said she understood and said she was very unhappy with the agency and was planning to take legal recourse. She DID offer me a full-time position, though to retrain me!!!!

I contacted my recruiter immediately after meeting with the manager and explained the situation to him. He said it was bad business practice for one manager to interview me and not know what skills were needed.

I drove back home after I got lunch.

Long story short...I missed 2 shifts of work at my current position. I am going to call my current manager and let here know that I can return to work next week. When I called my recruiter to let him know, he said he wanted me to call him this morning because he had something else I might be interested in 15 miles from where I live! I already know my answer, but I am going to call him anyway just to see where it is.

My question is...do I take this further and try to get reimbursement for the 2 shifts I missed from the travel company? The manager at the hospital also said I should put in for the 2 hours that I was with her at the rate I was quoted to be paid. She also suggested that I should be paid for the whole assignment!

Any suggestions?

Question: Which agency were you signed up with? I'd like to know so that I never work with them. That was a very unprofessional and unacceptable, and very poor planned situation. I've learned from my mistakes though. EVERYTHING must be in writing. And with every contract I take....I learn something else to ad to my next contract....down to very details of what hours and days I work, etc. etc. etc. I certainly wouldn't work with that agency anymore....they were very unorganized and treated you very unprofessional. I'm very particular when I shop for an agency....and I use more than one by the way. Always have a backup plan. Good luck to you in the future. And remember....get it in writing first!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

I pm'd trvlnRN. Anyone else may contact me for the name of the agency.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It would probably be a good thing, for all the posters, for us to know who this agency is and who the recruiter is.

I hesitate to have posters post their info because of the potential for free advertising. What we are talking about are opinions and situations that have happened to us.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

Okay...the agency is "Liquid Agents" and the recruiter is Steven Laverne. I spoke with the ?supervisor also. His name is Kyle. He is blaming the ER manager. My point is that I was sent on an "emergency" fill-in and the required information was not completed and I was told that those things could be gotten at a later time! I drove to the assignment and reported as instructed. I was told from the very beginning that the assignment was for 2 weeks. The manager at the hospital says the contract was for 4 more weeks. PLUS, I was replacing a nurse that was with the same agency! So, the agency should have known how long the assignment really was for!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

webbiedebbie,

My goodness, what an experience. I'm glad you were able to put somewhat of a positive spin on your experience and get some enjoyment out of your two days!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

WebbieDebbie:

I am sorry this happened to you.

YOU are doing the right thing and moving forward. You are asking the right questions and getting some support from this board. You are getting some good advice. It would be great if you could just trust these agencies but you cannot. Getting it in writing in one way that will help. I have a fax and use it regularly.

It sounds like you made a nice impression to the DON; who knows, maybe they will have other needs that will be good for you. I know you are smart enough to use anothe agency. When I want to work at a particular facility, I often ask who that facility uses as Agency (I use several and they all know it).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good grief!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

I went online to look up the agency. Get this...they guarantee satisfaction or your money back!!!!! I have not seen another agency offer this! I'll keep you posted on what the agency will do for me.

(Loved my night in the bed and breakfast!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion