Questions about per diem agency work

Specialties Agency

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I've never done any kind of agency work before, so I don't really know how this works. We're having a real slump at work the past couple of months and not getting any overtime (in fact, some weeks I know of people who are having to use PTO to get their regular hours) due to low census. Some people say, "this happens every year, it'll turn around" but it's never been quite this bad. I don't have the option of relocating right now and there aren't many openings at other hospitals. My wife is a stay at home mom and we're getting ready to have a second baby. I really NEED that OT! :-) I got a post card in the mail today from an agency looking for nurses to work at the local VA. I'm a surgical (specifically CT surgical) ICU and ER nurse and I've heard that the local VA's ICU is actually pretty nice (unlike the rest of the hospital) so I thought maybe some per diem agency work might be a good solution. But, I'm a little leery to jump into it without knowing much about how it works. Can anyone fill me in on the details? How does this work? What can I expect? I don't want to get myself locked into a bad situation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Bryan

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I switched from staff nursing to agency nursing (2.5 yrs now) and it's not that bad. You take a few tests to get started in the area of your nursing expertise and then the agency will sign you up for shifts at facilities/hospitals according to your availability on a weekly basis. Some facilities or hospitals will require computer training (paid for through your agency) before you can pick up shifts there. Other facilities will orient you to their unit the day of your shift..so show up a little early. If the staff likes you, they will request for you ( over other nurses from your agency) to work when they need extra staff. You will take a time card with you to each shift and fax it into your agency each week to get paid. Good luck!

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This might be a perfect opportunity to find a new home and get some great Beni's for your new family. I would apply in a heart beat but be prepared for the hiring process to take FOREVER. The VA is notoriously slow at processing the background checks, known as VetPro. Since VetPro is such a nightmare, when they do start hiring Perm RNs, those that are in the system are given hiring preference.

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Update: I went to the website listed on the card and searched for jobs. There were NONE listed in the entire state! I don't know why you'd send out a card like that without having jobs posted on the website. There was no other contact information listed on the card. I'm wondering if that's not a bad sign...

Anyway, things are starting to pick back up a little and I've been able to get some additional prn work, so for now, it's all ok. I looked on the actual VA site to see if there were positions listed, but there was nothing in critical care (my specialty, plus I've heard that the ICU is the only decent place to work in the local VA, supposedly the med-surg and tele floors are horrible).

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Specializes in ER.

Glad things started picking back up for you. Another thing to keep in mind, both agencies I work for have a no compete clause. I cant work for any facility that I work at while with the agency for 1 year after my last hour worked. So keep that in mind if youre thinking about changing jobs in the future.

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Specializes in school RN, CNA Instructor, M/S.

Often an agency will not post jobs available because they want to interview each candidate and obtain all the candidates info to see if they are a good fit., Another reason is if a job seeking nurse see a job on an agency site they can go directly to the facility and say "i saw it on so an so's website" and that nurse may not be a good nurse. Now the facility says "Wow, I can't believe so and so sent us such a crappy nurse and now ther facility may not contact that agency anymore or now ANY NURSE coming from so and so agency will start out prejudged if they are seen at all. Its a way an agency can protect their reputation and quite honestly their income.

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First bear in mind the government is pushing for returning vets to be hired. The VA has to hire veterans first. Yes the Vetpro is ridiculously long. Many VA's pull you as needed also from your assigned units if needed or the ICU is closed or on bypass. I f you are agency then you may not be allowed to be pulled if contracted to that unit from the agency. However they can send you home if not needed. Done many times at the VA I worked at.

Secondly my problem I want to seek employment at an agency and heard they give you a competency test. one is pediatric. i have not done Peds nursing in over 11 years. I have been scouring my old books but don't know what areas to focus on....any suggestions from anyone???

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I wanted to apply for an agency but heard they give a pediatric competency. I have not worked in Peds in over 11 years. any ideas what they would focus on.

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Do you have PALS? I wouldnt even stress the PEDs competency exams.. First, most VA Hospitals dont have PEDs and second if its an agency just tell them you dont do PEDs. They will find somewhere else for you to work.

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