Trouble with employment agencies

[bonkersrn]

I recently decided to look for temp or per diem work while I finish my MSN.

I had three promising temp offers and decided to take one because I had a good interview and enthusiastic message from my recruiter that I got the job. I went through all the paperwork, background check, drug screen, etc. Then the day after Christmas I get an e-mail that the company I was supposed to start with is "no longer hiring". I know that I was told I had a job before the company actually said yes, but no one will admit it!! I'm talking about a large, nationwide agency!!

What ticked me off was that I turned down another job that would have already started!!

Anyone else have a bad experience with agencies??

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Be careful with those. Don't sign anything that looks like it's gonna tie you to them. I say this because some will demand that they get a cut from any company interested in you that they have a contract with. If you should apply to a company on your own, say through a job posting by that company on a job board, or directly on that company's website -- the agency might try to ask for cash from that employer.

I've recently filled out applications that asked if I have a relationship with any hiring agency of any kind. This, to me means that they want to know if they might have to pay someone else a fee if they should hire me. I take this as a negative considering the poor job prospects for nurses these days.

Based on your experience and those of people I know, these agencies will force you onto employers that several other agencies also are forcing applicants on to. You will have very little chance of being hired as they often handle things poorly - not understanding your skill match or lack there of, as well as not being well-liked by the companies they try to sell you to.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

This has happened to me. Told basically I had a job, and then nobody contacted me. This was temp work @ a hospital. The manager seemed confused when I got hold of her as to why I was trying to clarify things with her. I hung up feeling angry and dismissed.

Ring and call the person and clarify as to what the hell is actually going on. I always confront people now.

If this doesn't work, or you feel like ur getting the run around, just tell them not to waste ur time and you will be going thru another agency. I don't look back on things now, I just move ahead. U have 2 find an agency that suits you and that can take a bit of searching sometimes.