Staff nurses and travel nurses

NedRN · Mar 26, 2015

Have to say, we don't support continuity of care or teamwork. We are just there 3 months at a time and for Kaiser, the ever rotating travelers will weary the most friendly of staffers. Part of what the union is doing is supporting wages and I'm all for that. California is darned expensive, and if Kaiser is somehow forced to hire local, they will have to pay nurses even more to be able to live locally. I don't see this happening, it is just posturing on the part of the unions to negotiate new contracts. Don't take it any more seriously than the garbage politicians spout.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2015

Another reason I refuse to consider taking an assignment at Kaiser.

MsConstrued · Mar 26, 2015

Among other reasons! I would never work at Kaiser thanks to the great advice here on this forum.

Bluebolt · Mar 29, 2015

I've picked up on this awkward separation between traveller/agency nurse and staff nurse. Of course there is going to be some minor differences you can't get around but some facilities highlight your "red headed step child" status way too much. It's off putting and makes you feel like you aren't a part of their team. For an ICU nurse this is especially awkward because most ICU's operate on a teamwork mindset and camaraderie amongst the dying.

I've worked places where it was well known you were the traveler and would be leaving, you got floated first, but they also worked to make you feel appreciated and part of the team. They were glad you were there and appreciated the help. I'm currently working at a place that goes as far as not even having me be managed by the ICU managers but a travel/agency manager for the critical care units. They didn't even want my badge to say ICU but to say RN Float. These measures I believe are counter productive. If you need travelers and want them to continue to stay or even go staff you should attempt to make them feel valued and part of their team, even if it's for 3 months.

As far as that union contract, I wouldn't worry about their little speech, they are just trying to find leverage for future debates. Do they treat you like you aren't welcome or not a part of "them"?

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2015

I had an enthusiastic union rep approach me the other day on the unit, eager to introduce himself -- he was like "Hi!! I don't believe we've met, my name is 'John.'" The hospital is in the midst of contract negotiations and I suppose he is trying to make sure he was known to all the staff. As soon as he heard I was a traveler he kind of backed off as if I had just told him I had leprosy. He even turned his attention to someone else while I was in the middle of a sentence, which I thought was very rude. I simply walked away. In other instances, there are two unit clerks at that hospital who have been very nasty to me (I asked them simple questions in a kind voice and they respond to me without even as much as eye contact and curt as if I am a bother to them, especially the one browsing Facebook at the time, I mean really!). These were times I floated to their units and of course, they are the first point of contact when I arrive. Thankfully only had to deal with them until they went home a few hours later at their shift change but still frustrating. I think the tip-off that we are travelers is the fact that we wear scrub tops the same color as staff nurses but without the hospital logo (and the fact that our badges have our contract end dates printed on them under the department name 'Nursing').

Nurses on the other hand there are pretty much welcoming to travelers, rarely have I ever felt not part of a team. Some are even intrigued by the idea that they fish information from you on how to get started as a traveler. I am willing to come back to this assignment when I decide I want to return to the city during my travels, and thankfully my nurse mgr is open to having me back if our calendars are in sync with the need. I only extended once there, and I thought 6 months was plenty of time before moving on.