Something Fishy Going On With My Recruiter!

[raindrop]

I’ve been loyal to a well-known and reputable travel company for 2 years, only taking contracts with them. So needless to say, I’ve gotten to know my recruiter well. 

My last contract... I did not extend; and it ended in November. The extension was offered, but I declined because I wanted to take a few months off to concentrate on finishing my MSN, and well...it was a danger to my license. My recruiter told me she has heard nightmare stories from other travelers about this hospital, and the hospital has been firing travelers without good reason from her company. 

So, yeah, contract ended in November, and I’ve been busy with school; however I did send my recruiter a standard e-card at Christmas with an amazon gift card, and I thought it was kinda strange that she didn’t reply per usual, but I didn’t give it too much thought until recently. 

So, I’m ready to travel again, and a few days ago I sent my recruiter a text telling her hello, and how I’m interested in XYZ job listings that were just posted on the job board. She quickly replied “those are filled, I’ll call you when any in those states come up.”  In the past, she’s always been big on getting  my profile updated and competencies taken so if something does pop up, I was ready for submission. So yesterday, I looked on the job board and several new listing ms were just posted. I text her about my interest, no response. And nothing today. 

I think I’ve probably been fired, likely due to a bogus “do not return” from my last hospital. I expected to be on their list, but I also thought my recruiter would ask me about it and not ignore me. And also, I have several contracts under my belt with them and I’ve always  received rave reviews from past jobs, but I guess that doesn’t really matter. 

Ill admit, I’m hurt by this. And eventually I’m going entertain getting a staff position, which means the prospective employer will ask this agency if I’m rehirable, and they’ll get a NO. 

Has this ever happened to you? Any advice? Just shows that recruiters/companies are more loyal to the facilities. 

 

[HiddenAngels]

It’s always business, remember that, try not to be hurt. They could be silent for some other reason that has nothing to do with your work personally or professionally.  At the same time focus on what you’re building new. If they no longer fit into what you’re making for yourself move on to something else, there are plenty of agencies.
 —also I’m not sure of the legalities but I thought future employers could only ask if you ever worked for a company and for how long, not the circumstances surrounding your departure 

[NedRN]

Yup, it is a danger to think a recruiter is your friend. It is completely normal for them to groom you that way as it builds loyalty and trust. They are not your friend and their first priority is to their employer, not individual travelers. It is a business relationship and only polite and friendly rules of decorum are at play. It is also only human to avoid a rejection conversation and ghost you. Not professional though and hurts.

I worked for a single recruiter for almost four years, visited her at the then largest agency in the country, was well treated with better paying assignments for my loyalty. Did a stint in England where they had a premier league soccer team with the same name as her daughter and bought a club jersey as a present. Sometime later in Seattle a hospital terminated me (unusually it was political but it didn't help that they really didn't need me - never did a case and I wasn't allowed to float to other services). I walked around the corner on Pill Hill and wrangled an interview with the OR manager who agreed to hire me on the spot. So then I called my recruiter (agency had a contract with the new hospital) who said they couldn't submit me as I was under review. Super mad and never talked to them again. In fact I forgot about a 3 or 4K annual bonus (back circa 1999 when that was real money) I had coming to me and didn't request payment in time (it was a new longevity reward system so it wasn't anything I ever thought about).

I ended up with a travel contract with a local agency at a third hospital to fill out my 3 months there - already had housing. So I learned a valuable lesson about business and immediately did much better financially as an unattached traveler with a great work history and written evals from every assignment. Good ending in my opinion although I am still bitter. No idea how the review went, they never called me again.

[raindrop]

Thank you so much for your kind responses. I’ve been consistently traveling since 2014, and have only used 2 agencies/recruiters , which includes the agency that apparently canned me. I really liked this company, especially their phenomenal health insurance. Oh well, back to the drawing board. 

[raindrop]

21 hours ago, HiddenAngels said:

It’s always business, remember that, try not to be hurt. They could be silent for some other reason that has nothing to do with your work personally or professionally.  At the same time focus on what you’re building new. If they no longer fit into what you’re making for yourself move on to something else, there are plenty of agencies.
 —also I’m not sure of the legalities but I thought future employers could only ask if you ever worked for a company and for how long, not the circumstances surrounding your departure 

Thanks so much!! It is what it is. I’m sure I’ll find an even better agency. 

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Recruiters and HR are not your friend. 

[amoLucia]

And BONs too!