Ouestion

Jolie, BSN · Mar 15, 2008

They are setting limits with you. As an agency nurse, they expect you to be flexible and be pulled to meet staffing needs, rather than pulling their own staff from their "home" units. When you indicated that your back bothered you, you effectively limited the units you were willing to work. They are not willing to accept you with those limitations.

Either you have a bad back, and shouldn't be doing ANY heavy work, or you are physically fit to work on ANY unit. They are telling you that you can't have it both ways.

elkpark · Mar 15, 2008

They are setting limits with you. As an agency nurse, they expect you to be flexible and be pulled to meet staffing needs, rather than pulling their own staff from their "home" units. When you indicated that your back bothered you, you effectively limited the units you were willing to work. They are not willing to accept you with those limitations.
Either you have a bad back, and shouldn't be doing ANY heavy work, or you are physically fit to work on ANY unit. They are telling you that you can't have it both ways.

Agreed ...

Jeffthenurse · Mar 16, 2008

I've been an agency nurse for many years and worked in New Orleans. I was also a travel nurse. There are many agencies to choose from and many hospitals to choose from; don't just work for one! I always "stacked the deck" in my favor...I did my best, I was flexible, I worked ICU and Med-Surg, and generally was very positive, BUT, I was in charge of where I worked and if I felt I wasn't treated well by the hospital or agency, and it couldn't be worked out, I just went to another agency. They can't make any money without us but will back the hospital every time so if you want to work 40 hrs/week, you should work for 2-3 agencies at a time. I also let it be known to my employers that I would work for the one agency who treated me well and the others would become the backups. Each one then worked hard to get my business. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. I became known as a "rogue" but a good nurse, too.

BrokenRNheart · Mar 16, 2008

Agency can't refuse or speak up.

It's not about your back.

Keep us informed. Watch your back if you go back to work there. And I don't mean physically. Here come the complaints.

Go sign the petition under Safe Staffing. You know that was not safe.

There is another place to tell your story at that link. Maybe not specific, but in general about nursing. I sent a story.

I'm trying to find what I can. I am so tired of hearing these stories and being a part of this. I just want to do my job. I want to take care of my patients. I want to be able to be there for them, pull up a chair if they need that, get a pain med to them when they ask for it, actually assess them and monitor them. I don't need a script to do it. I do it.

BrokenRNheart · Mar 16, 2008

They are setting limits with you. As an agency nurse, they expect you to be flexible and be pulled to meet staffing needs, rather than pulling their own staff from their "home" units. When you indicated that your back bothered you, you effectively limited the units you were willing to work. They are not willing to accept you with those limitations.
Either you have a bad back, and shouldn't be doing ANY heavy work, or you are physically fit to work on ANY unit. They are telling you that you can't have it both ways.

Rehab is rough.

Jolie, BSN · Mar 16, 2008

Rehab is rough.

I agree. But I also believe that ANY adult care area has the potential to be physically challenging to the nurse.

If the OP is unwilling to work a specific unit, s/he needs to make that known to the agency and the hospital staffing department AHEAD of time, not try to pass off an undesirable assignment by claiming physical limitations.

The beauty of agency work is the ability to pick and choose assignments. But that needs to be done in advance, not at shift report by claiming physical problems.

morte, LPN, LVN · Mar 16, 2008

I agree. But I also believe that ANY adult care area has the potential to be physically challenging to the nurse.
If the OP is unwilling to work a specific unit, s/he needs to make that known to the agency and the hospital staffing department AHEAD of time, not try to pass off an undesirable assignment by claiming physical limitations.
The beauty of agency work is the ability to pick and choose assignments. But that needs to be done in advance, not at shift report by claiming physical problems.

BUT, she was booked for med surg! i would bet she wouldnt have taken the shift had she known AHEAD of time that they would send her to rehab!!!!

Jolie, BSN · Mar 16, 2008

BUT, she was booked for med surg! i would bet she wouldnt have taken the shift had she known AHEAD of time that they would send her to rehab!!!!

I understand you point, but I would be curious to know whether the OP has anything on file with this hospital stating that she will not work rehab, and should be cancelled if that is the only assignment available.

If so, then the hospital handled it badly. If not, then she should have either accepted or refused the rehab assignment outright, not tried to weasel out of it by claiming a bad back that had never been mentioned before.

grandee3 · Mar 16, 2008

Thanks to all who replied. I was wrong to try and refuse the assignment in Rehab. But, from now on I will make sure they know what units I will work before the fact. Will keep you posted.

Miami NightNurse · Mar 16, 2008

I have been doing agency for almost a year now at an area hospital. 2 weeks ago, I went to the tele unit where I was supposed to be working that night. Got report on 4 pts. The charge nurse came to me and said I was being pulled to Rehab and I have to go right now because there is only 1 nurse down there. I told her I was not leaving until I gave report and that I wanted to speak with the Super because last time I worked down there it was very unsafe. (6 total care pts and an aide until 11p)
I called super, told her I really did not want to go down there because it hurts my back after lifting and pulling on these people all night long. I was told I had to go.
Ok, I get report on 6 pts. 5hemi, 1 cervical fusion with limited upper ext movement. Of the 5 hemi's was a very confused lady who was on the call light every two minutes. And a lady that had not had a BM for 2 wks that needed enemas until clear. A pt that got on and off the bed pan every 1/2 hour and only peed 20 ml each time. Bladder scan - not retaining.
Got threw the night, and could not wait to walk off that unit. I get home and my agency calls and says the staffing office will not let me work anymore shifts until I get a doctors note that says I do not have a back problem. Could not believe what I was hearing. Anyway, got the note, faxed it over. My agency calls and says the staffing office referred them to the Adm Sect to clear me. So the agency called Adm. They tell her we have to have it cleared with the CNO. My agency has been calling, trying to get me cleared but has not been able to get this person on phone. Today, I get a call and was told the CNO and the Nurse Mgr of the agency have a meeting on Monday to discuss my returning to the facility.
I got the note and faxed it to them and I am in the dark about why they have not cleared me yet. Can anyone help me understand this? Is this routine?

Don't go back to that facility they want to cause trouble for you for complaining. Watch your back

elkpark · Mar 16, 2008

Don't go back to that facility they want to cause trouble for you for complaining. Watch your back

She may not have to worry about it -- sounds like they don't want her back. That is one of the "dark sides" of agency nursing, the facility can decide, for any reason they like, big or small, that they don't want you back. They may well feel that they're going to "move on" to someone else.