Offered Agency Job - Need advice badly!

systoly · Dec 19, 2008

Since you have worked in different areas, you're already familiar with changing environments. I don't think you would have any trouble with that.

My concern would be the nature of the agency position. Is it staff relieve?

Are your hours guaranteed? Do you have benefits at the hospital and if so does the agency offer them? Your life is dramatically affected by not re-

eiving child support. Can you take legal steps? (deadbeed Dads are rulers of the garbage pit)

psych4u · Dec 19, 2008

I did agency for years and there are definitely pros and cons. The biggest pro, of course, being the $$$. That being said, you have to be prepared for having everything taking twice as long as if you were in the same facility all the time. If they keep sending you back to the same place, you'll get up to speed faster. It takes time to look for things, to get to know who is who, to get to know how the residents take their pills and all the little tricks. Also, knowing who your CNA's are and how they work is crucial. The difference between night and day shift is obviously no meals, quieter. NOT necessarily un-busy, but certainly less hectic than day. Basically you need to learn what paperwork is required on each shift, who has required charting. Passing meds is routine and goes the same on either shift. Just do yourself a huge favor and ask the outgoing nurse how the residents take their meds (whole, whole in applesauce, crush, in pudding, etc.) I find this is the biggest time-saver for me. Good luck

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · Dec 20, 2008

Thanks for your answers. They definately helped. I don't think the hours are guaranteed, but I can usually get extra hours at my hospital job, but the pay is so low at work. If I work 32 hours thru the agency, I can get health benefits. One good thing, this area is the nursing home capital of the world. If I can get experience thru agency, and get layed off from the hospital, I'll have the LTC experience to get another job.

As for my child support, at this point probation won't even return my phone calls. My ex just doesn't care, has lost his drivers license for nonpayment a bunch of times, has been to jail 3 times, has a warrent out on him now, and hasn't gotten a tax return since we divorced (I get his tax money because of the nonpayment). I've tried everything. Nothing works. He moved 2hrs away. His family protects him. I've even sat at the probation department and they wouldn't see me. Lawyers can't help. All I can do is document everything, so I can move out of state in a couple of years.

Thanks again,

Deb

caliotter3 · Dec 21, 2008

As far as working night shift in LTC facilities, since you already have hospital nursing experience, you should not experience too much difficulty adjusting. But you need to be aware that if you work agency staff relief, you can expect to get the hardest assignments, and you most likely will meet fellow staff that are not necessarily friendly or helpful. I never could understand why permanent staff do not treat agency visitors better, as they are there to help. I've always gone out of my way to be helpful but that is me.

caliotter3 · Dec 21, 2008

Oh, and don't forget that while you are working agency, you will be getting exposed to the different places, and you can be forming opinions on where you would like to work part time or full time permanently, should you need a new job. Besides the higher pay, this is one of the perks of working agency.

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

I've heard horror stories from nurses working agency. I really like the idea of getting to see different places. I clipped an article out of the local paper, nursing homes in my county and the other county I would work in were rated, and what a shocker! I kept the article to use as a guide, of sorts.

Thanks all! :reindeer: