Two companies - same hospital and unit- different offers

NedRN · Sep 20, 2013

I don't know if you have fully signed up with these agencies, but make it clear that they are not to submit you until say go. Some agencies will submit you without your permission for two excellent reasons: 1. They know you are more likely to take an assignment that a manager has interviewed you and wants you - human nature, like buying a car - the sales critter will try to get you to drive it; 2. The first agency to submit you "owns" you for that hospital, so if you want to take it, you are stuck with the first agency.

Often agencies that play these games pay lower, so being stuck like that is bad news. When you refuse the assignment, sometimes you will find yourself blackballed by the hospital as well. So while these strategies work well for agencies, not so much for travelers wanting to get the best experience with the best agency for the best money.

So that is the background you need to know. The good news is that it is great to have two agencies with the same spot so you can use PanTravelers calculator to compare compensation on a really level playing field. What did it tell you? Be sure you have all the compensation details from both agencies of course. Left out health insurance or travel could make a significant difference.

I'm surprised that both 36 and 40 hours are available. One could be an error by one of the agencies, or their communication with the hospital. I would ask each agency if the other shift is available. Then you will have better numbers for your calculator comparison. Hopefully each agency will behave professionally when you tell them you are shopping agencies. Ultimately, you will want the agency you like best to match the offer or better (if the better offer was the other agency). You may also want to review a sample contract with each agency to ensure there are no gotchas after you've committed.

There may be a time constraint, like the assignment won't remain open forever (unless it is a hospital with huge needs), so you may have to use your judgement to shortcut some of what I said above (and I could have said much more).

Good luck, you are in an enviable spot. Let's hope it is also a great assignment, good manager and coworkers, good housing, and great city!

pinktermite · Sep 21, 2013

Good comment, however I would simplify it even more for you. Hospitals pay one bill rate. If two or more companies are hitting you about the same opening, all of them are getting the same payment for it. So if one company pays you less than another, it's simply because they want to keep more profit for themselves. Not necessarily an evil thing, it's just capitalism. If they can get you to take a job for less money they will do it. The car analogy is a good one, negotiate...and then negotiate some more.

NedRN · Sep 21, 2013

Traditionally, every agency negotiates separately with hospitals for contracts. Thus every agency can have a different bill rate and terms. Certain high needs hospitals will provide their own uniform contract versus an agency written contract. There has also been a large rise of hospitals contracting with vendor management companies that also provide a uniform contract and bill rates to all contracting agencies (the vendors).

If you are lucky enough to know that an assignment offered by two different agencies has an underlying uniform bill rate (sharp questions can reveal this if you know enough to ask), then you do indeed have an opportunity to determine which agency passes through more of the bill rate.

But simple it is not! I haven't even touched on rapid response rates that only some agencies will get, favored agencies, favored traveler, special needs, interference by hospital bean counters, and a number of other factors that can affect what a particular agency can offer on a particular assignment. Always good to have a number of agencies on tap to maximize your chances.

mustang_convt · Sep 24, 2013

What is a hospital bean counter??? I just posted a question asking why a hospital with a very desperate need for trained staff would choose not to extend my contract even though we have had zero issues in term of patient care, medications, charting, or issues with other staff/physicians. However, from talking to the other travelers I do know Im making considerably more than them. I didn't think this affected the HOSPITAL. I was also under the assumption the hospital paid one billed rate for all travelers and it was up to the recruiter and nurse to negotiate a happy medium where both side profited. Maybe I have just found my answer as to why they aren't re-signing me.

NedRN · Sep 24, 2013

Bean counter is common vernacular for accountant. It is possible that your agency's bill rate is higher than other agencies, it may also be that they have a lower target gross profit margin (more for traveler compensation). Hard to know without being snoopy or having some straight answers from the hospital or agency about bill rates. But it would be very short sighted of the hospital bean counter to term you because of a higher bill rate than a replacement traveler. Orientation costs and learning curve will cost more for a new traveler than an extension. The manager is almost certain not to make such a choice. But yes, more actual money out the door.

GleeGum, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

I was always up front with my recruiters that I worked with two or three others. I would say, oh I already put in for that with another recruiter, for example.