New Nurse to Work Agency

[ladylikeRN]

Hi, I am a fairly new RN with 2 years student nurse exp and a little less than a year RN exp. Today, 2 agencies called me back for hiring (as a side job). I am not sure that I have enough exp..obviously they think that I do since they looked over my resume/cover letter. However, my question to those of you who are new RN's or have experienced this issue..As a new nurse is it safe to work agency? The pay is good but I am concerned that I will get the worst assignments and just don't know what to expect. Enlighten me please.

[suzanne4, RN]

Be aware that just because an agency hires you, they still need to market you to facilities. And that is where you may have some problems. You also need to watch out for your license, the agency is not going to have it at the top of their list, only filling a shift.

The experience as a student nurse, or tech, does not count towards RN experience, they count from when you start working after you have your license.

Alot is going to depend on you and how comfortable that you feel with your skills. Remember that you are going into a facility to fill an opening in their schedule, you are not going to be getting an orientation of anything more than where their supplies are kept, how they chart, etc. Nothing on a skill checklist.

Moved this thread to the Agency Forum that we have here. Please take the time to do some reading on the forum, and you may also think about taking a per diem job at another hospital in your area, you will be given orientation there as well.

Best of luck to you. And let us know if you have any more questions.