Nursing agency jobs

AZrn99 · Jul 27, 2010

I have known many nurses who LOVE doing agency work. I am not one of them. I really think successful agency employment depends on several variables: your area of expertise, the demographics of your town or city, and the thickness of your skin. ICU, tele, ER, L&D nurses usually have their pick of assignments. I am a pediatric nurse in Tucson, AZ. Although my 11 year career has been varied, I prefer the floor to PICU and outpatient rather than inpatient. I'm not that proud though...I need to work. I jumped through all the hoops of two agencies, one of which is nationally known, only to be put on a list and ignored despite many follow-up calls. I have had some successful experiences more recently. I hope these pearls (learned through my own mistakes) will help:

Ask other nurses for agency recommendations, if they're able to get hours easily, the professionalism and accessibility of the agency staff.

Don't fall victim to the bait and switch - if you see an assignment that you think is perfect, they may try to send you somewhere else, for less pay than advertised.

Be clear on your shift preferences - if the agency tells you they have days and nights available, pick one. Don't say either one unless, with all your heart, you really mean it.

Make sure you have adequate orientation. Get all door codes, log-ons asap! Locate the clean and dirty utility rooms, linen cart, bathroom and breakroom too. Learn the unit clerk's name.

Make sure you feel safe to practice at your assignment: nurse:patient ratio, support staff, lift equipment.

I really hope other nurses out there have some positive experiences and sage advice to give you. Good luck!

gabrielle76 · Jul 27, 2010

Thank you so much for the reply. Im nervous, but I am hoping I can work that out. I am devistated that I had to leave my employer after not getting what I was promised and some other BS that comes with new management. I loved my Job as a Supervisor, and I loved my staff and patients even more!! I really needed this though, call it a career move and saving my rear befor something bad really happened. My ex facility is going down and all with a brain got out before the ship sank! The 2 agencies I am working with are nationaly known and several of my nursing friends work for them. I just hope Its works out for me. I did something not in my nature and just left my employer after 2 years. The new administration had just graded on my last nerve. 2 weeks with no sterile h20 or drain sponges.....and a promise of a day position.....ugh and the list goes on. I hope I can do this. My first assignment starts thursday.....we will see!!!

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

I loved working Agency, I was able to hone my assessment skills in a major way, new diagnoses, patients you name it. WHat I didn't like was being canceled at the last minute, being rescheduled on my day off so the agency could "make up my time" (thus not being able to make plans for my days off). At a couple places the staff expected me to know everything about thier patients (even if it was my first time there). Being scheduled to drive 1 1/2 hours to a job site. Just make sure that the agency understands they are NOT to reschedule you with out your permission, they are to keep your travel time to & from the job within the limits you set.

Simply Complicated · Jul 27, 2010

There's a difference if you are doing per diem agency, or contract agency. If you are on contract, then you will have a set # of days a week, at the same place, on the same floor, unless you float. It is generally a part of your contract, if you are allowed to be cancelled, or if you are guarenteed your hours.

If you are doing per deim agency, it's a lot less predictable. You generally don't know until 1 to 2 hours before your shift if they will need you. Which can really suck, because you will be all ready to go to work, and then not work. Especially with the economy, it can be hard to get the work. Doing per diem, you will usually tell your agency what hospitals you are willing to work at, give them your availability.. and it is luck of the draw where you work and what floor. You are basically just used to fill space where it is needed.

Honestly, I think so much of your experience really depends on your attitude. Like anything else in nursing, you will get the crappy attitudes from time to time. But if you go in ready to work, be willing to help other people with turning patients, etc.. basically go in with the same work ethic you would have if you were staff, you should be fine. I traveled for 2 years, and there were times that other staff didn't even realize I was a traveler, because I tended to just integrate myself right in. I asked questions if I didn't know, was ready and willing to help out when I could, and generally had a pleasent experience. I had one hospital that wasn't good, it was mostly due to a crappy manager.. which caused a lot of issues. I hated it there, but got out when I could and went on to have other good assignments.

I also did local per diem agency after I travelled. I was pregnant, and then after.. so I wanted the flexibility. Even 7-8 months pregnant I didn't tend to have any problem. I kept a positive attitude, showed respect and everyone honestly treated me fairly as well. The worst thing was 1) not getting shifts often enough, and having based my time on planning on working, only to be cancelled. 2) not knowing the doctors and such. But after working for a bit, you still learn who they are.

All in all, I think it is so much what you make of it! Good luck, plan on it being a success and you should be ok.

lylenrn · Jul 28, 2010

I worked agency for seven years trying to avoid the politics of being on staff. It worked pretty well. I have worked both contract and per diem. The worst part of working contract is that with guaranteed hours facilities will often try and have you work on units that you may not be comfortable with. EX: on one contract I was to work rehab/med-surg. When the census was low they would often try and have me work oncology. This was fine unless they expected me to infuse chemo. In that case i refused and went home.

Working per-diem allowed more flexibility in that i could choose the days i wanted to work. The problem with that is that when the census decreases, you would be the first to be cancelled. Usually an hour or two before the shift. The other problem i found with per-diem is that in a 12 hour shift, i would sometimes be transferred to three different units spending four hours on each. Even worse, being sent home in the middle of the shift (7p-7a) didnt like coming home at 2am.

Even with the above complaints, the only reason i stopped working agency as a full time job was because it has become seasonal in my area. Plenty of shifts from about Sept-March. Not a shift to be found during the summer months.