Second Job: Agency vs. Pool pros/cons

[MB37]

Any advice? My husband has been out of work for over six months now, and our savings are quickly disappearing. He's avidly looking, but we all now what the market is like at the moment. We have a mortgage that we can easily afford with two incomes, but that's a struggle with just one. I need a second job. I'm looking into both agency and PRN/casual positions, but I haven't applied or gone in to talk to recruiters yet. I know that that's an easy way to get some specific questions (i.e. hours, pay, cancellation policies) answered, but right now I'm just looking for some anonymous internet advice from anyone who's done both. Which did you prefer, and why? Anything I should watch out for, or suggestions for specific questions to ask recruiters? About me - I've been an RN(BSN) for a year and a half now, I have current BLS and ACLS, and I work in critical care. Thanks!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I have a second job working PRN on another acute care peds floor and I like it. My hospital requires me to work 3 shifts a month, and 2 of the three have to be weekend shifts. They say I can be canceled before any of the other staff, but I have yet to be cancelled. See, I get floated before all other staff, so I am constantly being sent to other peds floors, ped step down, or even PICU.

I would recommend PRN, but only if you are doing in in the same/similar area that you work full-time, as you will more than likely get next to no training. I was expected to hit the ground running, and only given one week of on the floor training.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

So sorry you are having to deal with this. Hopefully, it won't last very long and you can get back to normal again.

I would agree - PRN is best because your schedule would be more secure. Schedules are usually created in this order: full time folks are slotted in, then the unit-based part-timers are added in and the remaining slots are filled in with PRNs. These days, no one uses external agencies unless they absolutely have to - and they will cancel at the last minute if they can get an employee to take the shift.

Be prepared for how you are going to handle conflicts between your primary & secondary employer schedules. Ethically, you should probably let your primary manager know about your second job but I would certainly understand if you don't feel that you can. It may prove awkward if you are never able to respond to her requests to be come in for an extra shift or flex your schedule.

[scoochy]

I did agency work for 1.5 years after I resigned from an acute care hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed it. That being said, however, I researched the numerous agencies out there. One of my assignments was a substance abuse treatment facility. I had no knowledge of this type of nursing. The facility gave me a week of orientation, and then I was off and running. It was very fast paced; I screened clients for admission. I had a medical assistant working with me who knew her job and was an immense help to me. I wanted to go on staff there, but could not be hired for 90 days as part of the contract between the agency and the facility. The agency I worked for was superb. The executive nursing director screened her employees carefully. I had to take all the yearly competencies (OSHA, HIPAA, fire safety, TB, etc..) at hire, drug screen, etc. Quarterly, the facility I was contracted with had to fill out an evaluation of my work performance for the nursing agency. I even got health insurance and a week's paid vacation, though no sick time. The pay was phenomenal! The downside: sick calls were not looked upon favorably at all; if you did call out sick, you were counseled. Secondly, you were responsible for keeping up with mandatory competencies, and if you didn't you didn't work. In the end, it was a great experience, but the economic downturn forced the facility to terminate their relationship with Nursing Agencies.

Some agencies are infamous at canceling shifts because the facility has found someone to take the shift. That is why I did research before I signed on with one. If you choose to work for an agency to supplement your income, ask many questions. I would bet most of your assignments would be LTC, but it really depends on what area of the country in which you live.

[MB37]

I think I'll try for PRN, and then I could always sign on with an agency if I still wasn't getting enough hours. How does scheduling usually work when you work PRN? I don't think it will be a problem if my current work finds out, and you would think they would understand that I wouldn't be looking elsewhere if they didn't keep cancelling my OT. As long as I can make my schedule at my full time job first and then tell the second place my availability, all will be well. The only problem I could foresee would be with a weekend commitment at a second job, since I work weekends full time. I can stop into the hospitals near my house though, and see what they have available.

[guest2210]

I worked wth a few agencies. With one in particular, I was cancelled more times than I worked for them. PRN at a nearby LTC could be an option. They are always looking for RNs. Even to do a 4 hour meds. shift. Nursing Informatics might be an option as well. Some larger facilities hire them PRN to help with implementation and support. Good luck and I hope things get better for you real soon.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I work PRN pool corrections at least one day a week and like it. No Press-Gainey or Studer group surveys, no waitress requests, and no families. There is NEVER low census call offs. I could work more if I wanted, but 4 days a week is enough for me!