Thinking about agency nursing

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

1- can you work for more than one agency?

yes, you can work for as many agencies as you have time to sign up for. you will probably end up settling for one or two that you really like. be aware that you can be cancelled even if you are on the schedule. generally they must give you 2 hours notice, and if census drops, you are the first to be asked to go home. so if you need a guarenteed schedule and income, it may not be for you, but if you can be flexible, you can make a lot of money, meet lots of new folks, and quickly learn which hospitals you want to stay away from!

2- if you are not a traveler, do you have to sign a contract (ie, what if you don't like the places they send you to?)

with an agency, you are strictly per diem, so if you don't like a place, you never have to go back. some agencies offer "local contracts" which means you will still make good money, but generally will not have travel or housing allowances like a traveler, but you have a committment for 13 weeks if you like. there are advantages and disadvantages to both. you just have to decide.

3- for the places that advertise 'daily pay', is that really so?

i think these places will pay daily, but there is a little more paper work involved for you, and you may have to go to the company to be paid. some places say daily pay, but they really mean they can pay you daily in an emergency, but would rather not because of the extra paperwork they must complete. most pay weekly, and that has been enough for me.

4-i'm in ny. does anyone recommend (or not recommend) any agencies? can't help you there. maybe go to the ny section and ask.

teemarie · Jan 22, 2005

i've been reading the threads here, and i have a couple of questions.

1- can you work for more than one agency?

2- if you are not a traveler, do you have to sign a contract (ie, what if you don't like the places they send you to?)

3- for the places that advertise 'daily pay', is that really so?

4-i'm in ny. does anyone recommend (or not recommend) any agencies?

thanks

well, i've been an agency nurse for about 4 years. and, if the ad says daily pay it means daily pay --the problem is that it depends on the facility u r going to work for-- so when they tell u there is an orientation at this or that place ask the question would u get daily pay at the facility.. as for the best agency to work for. it depends on u..... just be careful don't sign no contracts.. good luck

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Jan 22, 2005

so i inquired about an agency, they sent me an application packet. i told them what my experience was (on a check-off list on the internet). i checked off peds, and under 'other', i wrote in peds oncology. so i didn't follow up right away (was a little busy- holidays). the recruiter has left several messages saying 'we have plenty of prn work for you in oncology'. now i'm no rocket scientist, (and have worked in two out of three of the peds oncology places in the area), but i'm guessing they want to give me an adult assignment. ps- they haven't called me back in at least a week, i guess they know i know what they're trying to do.

teemarie · Jan 22, 2005

so i inquired about an agency, they sent me an application packet. i told them what my experience was (on a check-off list on the internet). i checked off peds, and under 'other', i wrote in peds oncology. so i didn't follow up right away (was a little busy- holidays). the recruiter has left several messages saying 'we have plenty of prn work for you in oncology'. now i'm no rocket scientist, (and have worked in two out of three of the peds oncology places in the area), but i'm guessing they want to give me an adult assignment. ps- they haven't called me back in at least a week, i guess they know i know what they're trying to do.

give them a call ...give it a chance.. dont think the worst.. it wont hurt to see what they got for u --if they tell u they only got adult peds say u r not interested and try another agency

live4today, RN · Jan 22, 2005

The agencies cannot give you any assignment that you do not agree to, so just because they call doesn't mean you are obligated to talk to them or work with them. That's what's so great about being a travel nurse or agency nurse. YOU call the shots..NOT them! :)

However....once you sign the contract as a travel nurse, you are required to complete the contract if you don't want the agency to sue you for breach of contract. So don't sign anything unless you are ready to do the job.

If you do not like the hospital you are working for as an agency nurse, don't go back. If you do not like the hospital you are contracted to work at as a travel nurse or local "in house" contractor, grit your teeth and get through it...it is ONLY 13 weeks. NEVER initially sign on for more than 13 weeks just in case you don't like it. NEVER take an assignment for the bonus offered. Look only at the unit you are asking to interview for, talk at length with the nurse manager of that unit (all this is usually done by phone if you are a travel nurse), and stay in charge of the conversation the entire time. THAT is the only time you will have to learn about a unit you've never seen. HEAR between the lines of what the nurse manager and the agency tells you. This often takes practice from dealing with travel companies. And above all else, listen to what other travelers share about traveling nursing.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do! :)

teemarie · Jan 23, 2005

The agencies cannot give you any assignment that you do not agree to, so just because they call doesn't mean you are obligated to talk to them or work with them. That's what's so great about being a travel nurse or agency nurse. YOU call the shots..NOT them! :)
However....once you sign the contract as a travel nurse, you are required to complete the contract if you don't want the agency to sue you for breach of contract. So don't sign anything unless you are ready to do the job.
If you do not like the hospital you are working for as an agency nurse, don't go back. If you do not like the hospital you are contracted to work at as a travel nurse or local "in house" contractor, grit your teeth and get through it...it is ONLY 13 weeks. NEVER initially sign on for more than 13 weeks just in case you don't like it. NEVER take an assignment for the bonus offered. Look only at the unit you are asking to interview for, talk at length with the nurse manager of that unit (all this is usually done by phone if you are a travel nurse), and stay in charge of the conversation the entire time. THAT is the only time you will have to learn about a unit you've never seen. HEAR between the lines of what the nurse manager and the agency tells you. This often takes practice from dealing with travel companies. And above all else, listen to what other travelers share about traveling nursing.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do! :)

point is .. talk to them u have nothing to loose... and I think anyone must be crazy to sign a 13 wk contract..its only 13 weeks --yeah , 13 weeks of ur life.. people r bullshitters and will tell u anything to get u to work with them.. even on interviews u will hear one thing and once u get on the floor it is a total different ball game... in NY the agencies i have worked with the assignmnets r from week to week and u r not obligated to stay no 13 weeks or sign any contract , so unless u want to be stuck.. don't sign nothing good luck

suzanne4, RN · Jan 23, 2005

Travel assignments are usually for a minimum of thirteen weeks, as they are providing your flight there, as well as housing. Per diem contracts are local and are daily or weekly, or whatever you choose.

teemarie · Jan 23, 2005

Travel assignments are usually for a minimum of thirteen weeks, as they are providing your flight there, as well as housing. Per diem contracts are local and are daily or weekly, or whatever you choose.

well, i think anyone who does travel assingments has got a lot of courage--- i would never do it --bc , if i don't like what i see im out of there--i do not want to be stuck with a bad situation-- so local contracts r the best for me

thanks for the info

kjt2004 · Mar 15, 2005

Correction: Travel assignemnts can be as short as 4 weeks if you are providing your own housing. The agencies like for you to take 13 wk assignments because it is guaranteed money in their pockets for 13 weeks of your hard labor!

If you choose to accept thier housing then you will have to take a 13 wk assignment.

Shop arrond for agencies. Be very clear about the assignment you are looking for and the rate of pay you are willing accept.

Travel assignments are usually for a minimum of thirteen weeks, as they are providing your flight there, as well as housing. Per diem contracts are local and are daily or weekly, or whatever you choose.