Need your opinion on this issue

[KAW1962]

Since moving to California I have had a difficult time finding full-time employment, so I signed on with an agency. I have been fortunate to work a few shifts over the past month, so my recruiter was able to get me into another local hospital. I went this morning for an orientation. To begin with, they had no idea who to assign me to. They asked one nurse when she came in and she said NO, citing the facts that she had precepted a couple of weeks ago, plus she had nursing students today. So they took me to the nurse's lounge and had me wait there until they could figure out what to do. After about a half an hour they told me I would be working with so-and-so. Nurse so-and-so had already received report on her assignment, then I find out I was expected to handle this assignment. Okay, maybe it was partly my fault for not finding out exactly what the expectations were for this orientation. Did I also mention that the orientation was for 4 hours and that it was unpaid? I knew it was unpaid going into it but was not expecting to take an assignment.

I stopped by the agency after I left the hospital and expressed my concern regarding any liability issues. In past experience, I never even charted on a patient off the clock. I was definitely not comfortable with this. My recruiter said he would talk to the supervisor on Monday about my experience, and he seemed genuinely interested in receiving my feedback. Overall it was a very disorganized morning and did not leave me with a good first impression. I spent the time reviewing their charting system, MARs, etc., so in the end the time was not wasted. I told my recruiter that if they will have me back I will be willing to do this again BUT I want to walk in there with a firm assignment, get report and go from there.

Were my concerns out of line or overblown? Was I making too much of this?

[RyanSofie]

Poor management on the part of the hospital you were sent to. Communication was certainly lacking which I have found is a common thread in nursing. I have worked with agency and Travel as an RN . 99.9% of the time there was/is no orientation. My recruiters call it "hitting the floor at a run". Use common sense and caution and do what you know. Working agency requires the ability to work autonoumously (sp?) and be confident in your skills. I asked lots of questions and requested report if I didn't get it .I admire your willingness to return and give it another shot. I am sure you are a superb nurse and would be a benefit to the nurses you are sent to assist.