Should I tell my agencies about each other?

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I am signed up with two different agencies. Should I tell them about each other or is that like cheating? Are they in competition or is it common to have more than one agency?

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No reason to mention this, but there is nothing wrong in working for more than one agency. That is how most nurses operate and all the agencies know that. When there is a scheduling conflict, one nursing director told me to tell the other agency that I am not available, and vice versa. You are available for this or that assignment, or you are not. They do not need to know that the reason why not, is because you have a commitment with another employer.

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I think the prior poster may have been thinking of local agencies and per diem. Yes, for travel it is helpful and professional to tell your recruiter you are working with other agencies. You need to be firm with them though and make sure they do do submit you to an assignment without your explicit permission. You only want the best agency for pay or service to do so first.

Having perhaps five agencies is better than just two. Wider range of assignments and the only way to find out who pays best.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Hi - when I worked for agencies in the past I didn't tell them. Occasionally both would call me about a shift - I would just tell the second call that I wasn't available but to please keep me in mind next time.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Oh, heck yeah, tell them. It is the little fire under their sit-down to make them come up with shifts for you. If one agency can't fill your

dance-card (40 hrs) you have to have a back-up. It lets them know you need to and are willing to work. Most agencies want to keep you busy with THEM.

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Oh, heck yeah, tell them. It is the little fire under their sit-down to make them come up with shifts for you. If one agency can't fill your

dance-card (40 hrs) you have to have a back-up. It lets them know you need to and are willing to work. Most agencies want to keep you busy with THEM.

I have had agencies tell me that the reason they don't offer me work is because "we thought you had work with .....". Any excuse will do, especially when everyone involved knows all too well that they are only providing the excuse of the moment. Letting them know about the other agencies is only going to reinforce this excuse.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Reckon it just depends on the agency.

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I'm wondering if the same advice above also applies to per diem jobs at hospitals. If a position states it is variable and unscheduled, I assume it's OK to turn down shifts occasionally but wonder if they need to know about a job at a hospital in a nearby town (25 miles away, not a competitor).

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Specializes in Cardiac/Med Surg.

How do you keep the agency's apart when they call you for a position? I would probably have to keep a notebook of some sort available at all times. This traveling site has been so informative and I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone.

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How do you organize different patients?

You can also be proactive and call agencies (or call them back) on your own agenda, when you are ready and prepared to discuss options.

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The answer is yes! If they don't think they have competition then they wont try to give you the best rate. If they know there is a possibility you'll go with another agency then they will give you better numbers. They might send you your paycheck but they work for you...not the other way around. My recruiter is great but she has learned that I mean it when I say I need a higher rate.

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