Registry Work

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 3, 2013

Moved to the Agency forum for the best response.

Pros: much more flexibility in your scheduling; you can pick up shifts on short notice; contracts, if they are available, may be an option to give your schedule some stability; you're not tied down to any one facility; salaries may be higher than if you were a facility employee

Cons: hours not guaranteed; you're the first one cancelled; no benefits unless your agency offers them; facility staff tend to dump the worst assignments on the agency staff; salaries not always better--depending on the job market, they may be the same as the facility or even less; non-compete clauses may limit when you can work for other agencies or accept a permanent position at a facility (they can't forbid you from doing it, but they can levy a fine on you)

If you do decide to pursue an agency work, be sure to read the employment agreement, especially if they have a non-compete clause or other restrictions in there...because once you sign on the dotted line, you're essentially agreeing to whatever was in that agreement.

xSoCaLRNx · Nov 6, 2013

Thank you Meriwhen for moving my post. It makes sense to post in this section.

I'm wondering....I've applied to 4 different registries within the past 2 months just to get a feel for how each is different and worth signing up with....I'm finding thru my experience that they are quick in responding to your application, but the follow-up is not what I expected. I'm finding that it's not to thorough and I'm wondering why?? I'm not getting the proper follow-up response to emails and voicemails that I leave...and that's the reason I am now up to the 4th registry...I'm thinking that this is probably not what I want to pursue...and I'm not up to playing phone tag w/these people. I need a part-time or per-diem job like 2 months ago...

What are your experiences??

montinurse, BSN · Nov 7, 2013

Are you in Southern Cali? Try Integrated Health Services. Sounds like you've applied to some bad ones. IHS was helpful from the start. I'm still employed with them as I am going to college online right now. They are great to work for. I am in Phoenix, and know they have places in California...

xSoCaLRNx · Nov 8, 2013

yes, I'm in Southern CA. i think i'm getting the run around because i'm just a plain ole med-surg nurse. i'm not a specialty like er, icu, l&d, tele etc..i also think because i'm in it for 15 yrs...maybe they can't match my current pay?? ill certainly let u know if i decide to try registry so u can get your referral i'm hoping that i here from the per-diem positions that i also applied to at other places. thanks for the tip.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 8, 2013

yes, I'm in Southern CA. i think i'm getting the run around because i'm just a plain ole med-surg nurse. i'm not a specialty like er, icu, l&d, tele etc..i also think because i'm in it for 15 yrs...maybe they can't match my current pay?? ill certainly let u know if i decide to try registry so u can get your referral i'm hoping that i here from the per-diem positions that i also applied to at other places. thanks for the tip.

Registries around here in SoCal don't pay anywhere as much as you'd think. Everyone at mine gets a flat rate depending on specialty--experience doesn't seem to be much of a factor in things. I make far more per hour doing per-diem at my main facility. I just like having the flexible second job option for picking up extra cash.