ArleneNC99

RNPD Thank you for your reply. I understand exactly what you mean about some agencies. We are very careful to qualify our nurses, making sure they are competent and can function independently. I try very hard to orient my nurses to a manageable number of facilities so that they do know the routine. If possible we contract for guaranteed shifts to provide continuity for the facility and our staffing associates. All of our nurses are processed according to JCAHO regulations. As a nurse myself, I would not want to have to depend on a nurse who did not act in a professional manner by working hard and independently side by side the facility staff. We readily seek feedback through evaluations of our nurse associates on a regular basis. A problem occurs at times when staff nurses see the agency nurse as a "dumping" ground for all the duties (read as chores) that are distasteful. If we are all sensitive to why we are in a nursing shortage and what has prompted many nurses to join agencies, we may be able to avoid hard feelings and animosity. We nurses are all representing the same profession. As you said, agency nurses are "usually very competent nurses". I endeavor to treat the nurses that work for my agency as the professionals they are. ------------------ Arlene [This message has been edited by ArleneNC99 (edited March 13, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ArleneNC99 (edited March 13, 2001).]

Janeen Smith Thank you for your reply. I work very hard at sending only professionals to the hospitals and facilities I staff. I do some contracting for guaranteed shifts and I understand what you mean. It is unfair to those who are loyal to the hospital they work for to lose a shift to an agency nurse. I wish I had an answer to the problem. My nurses for whatever reason work as supplemental staff nurses. They too count on their shifts to pay bills. I see both sides to the story.......there is no easy solution. ------------------ Arlene

Sometimes we nurses are our own worst enemy. I empathies with you. It is difficult for us to remember when we were in need of mentoring......but all of us were. Try to "buddy" your seasoned nurses with those in need of mentoring using a team approach. I think it becomes overwhelming to think of being the sole person responsible for preceptoring (is that a real word?) a new graduate or a nurse entering a new specialty. Many times you will find a nurse who enjoys a particular part of their job or is outstanding in a particular area. Giving them the opportunity to shine as well as giving credit where credit is due may be your solution. i.e. Sally is great at admitting patients, Sue is super when it comes to patient teaching , Joe has superb documentation.....get my drift? It is worth a try. Let me know what you think. ------------------ Arlene

I am the owner of an agency. I am also a nurse who is proud of my profession. I am striving toward providing a professional atmosphere for my fellow nurses while offering the quality staff I would be proud to work beside had I remained in the hospital setting. The staffing industry has a negative connotation when providing "professional" nurses to the facilities that are in dire need of staff. I feel at times I am fighting an uphill battle. The nurses that work for me are quality yet they are lumped in with those who are not. Although we are lucky that the nurses who fall into the "non" quality field are few and far between, it takes only one bad experience to lump all of us together. I am constantly looking for feedback from my fellow professionals. The staffing industry does not have to be an enemy. I am looking for nurses that are willing to share some of their insight and professional experiences with me in regard to working with agency nurses in their unit or facility. ------------------ Arlene