Paid for background check and still no work....

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I'm a little aggravated. Got hired for an agency doing school nursing. Had to pay 57 dollars out of my pocket for prints and background check, results got to agency so I'm all clear for work. Only problem is that its been 3 weeks and I still have not worked for this agency yet.

I don't have 57 dollars to waste and this is what it feels like. ugh ! I'm so upset about this. I have called and emailed her my availability. Should I continue to pursue for shifts ?

[headinsandRN]

start applying elsewhere stat .

the job market is brutal.

[FocusRN]

I hate this. Agencies actively hire like they need people, but honestly they just want to be able to call you when anything comes up last minute. It makes me sick.

[lkwashington]

They should be paying for background checks.

[onetiredmomma]

I agree, they should have paid for the background check. Now, call em every day and tell them you want to work. Tell them you are going to call them every day. Give them your availability for 2-3 weeks at a time and then...call them, email them. Make them understand you want to work. Meanwhile, apply at another agency and tell them both your loyalty will be with the one that finds you work. Best of luck, I have been doing agency work for 6 months and, quite honestly, it stinks!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I think the choice to pay for a background check was yours, and did not come with a guarantee for work.

[BabyRN2Be]

As I had read in the Agency nurse forum, this might be the norm for agencies. If this one eventually says that they have no work for you or as much as you need, then apply to another agency but ask for the paperwork for your background checks showing you passed. It is, after all yours, you paid for it. If another agency asks for money for another background check, then show them your paperwork that it's already been done. It may save some time, and it will save you money.

You may want to ask in the Agency Nurse forum, as one of the readers had recently experienced this.

[lkwashington]

In my opinion, I feel if a potenial employee has to pay for their own background check something it is fishy.

[caliotter3]

Keep records of all of your contacts with the agency and apply for unemployment or continue your present unemployment claim until they give your work.

[ACROBAT]

Hi usually the agency pays for the background check. Recently the agencies are posting for jobs, but they just want to have you on a list so they can send out your info to companies/hospitals. The job market for nurses is brutal , even if you know someone , the nurses are being overworked and you can only get per diem work now. But keep looking and good luck. I am in the same boat.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I think the choice to pay for a background check was yours, and did not come with a guarantee for work.

I got hired for the job and was guanteed work. Obviously I'm going to make that choice because without it I would have not been able to work.