What do you love and hate about agency nursing?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 17, 2005

1. You make your own schedule.

2. You pick the facilities where you will work, and where you won't.

3. You only have to work holidays when you want.

1. The hospital can decide at any time to quit using agency with only a day or two notice and you had month pre-scheduled there. That is why it is never advisable to put all of your eggs in one basket.

2. The hospital decides to contract with another agency, one that you hate working for, but you love the hospital.

3. The agency screwing up your schedule........that is why it is the best if you can do it yourself and just let them know. No middleman to mix things up.

Hope that this helps............... :)

live4today, RN · Apr 17, 2005

What Suzanne said! Right on! Stone cold truth. :)

bulletproofbarb · Apr 21, 2005

the first three "likes" are what Suzanne said.

Dislikes:

1. Driving long distances to different places

2. Not being part of a team and getting staff education ect

3. the pay isn't that fantastic when you consider that you don't get holiday pay ect plus the shifts are only 6 hours as opposed to 8 if you are a permanent staff member so the pay is pretty equal.

I'm not in US, I am in West Aussie though so things might be different.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 21, 2005

In the US, you usually get the holiday pay, plus most of the shifts are 12 hours...........

Ashera, LPN · May 7, 2005

What I like???

Besides everything Suzanne said...

Is that wonderful feeling when your pencil starts all that calculating on scrap paper...when the agency has begged you to take a 12h shift the next day...at time and a half or double time because XYZ hospital is 'absolutely desperate' and you commit to 12 hours - saying no to someone else... you go to bed early - you get up at 4:30 - your hair works, your scrubs feel good, you are actually awake.....

What I hate????

rrrriiiiinnnnnggggggg......

crybarber · May 29, 2005

the thing i like best is you don't get mixed up with the politics of a hospital. which to me in todays world is ruining the way we do nursing, for the people, not for the buisness.

Haunted · Jul 6, 2005

I hate getting cancelled. Granted I do limit my chances by telling my agency where I prefer to work, that I prefer 8 hour shifts etc. It seems here in California and Orange County especially we have a flood of RN's and the hospitals are snapping them up. It seems like the situation has improved as far as working conditions at most local hospitals also, and census has been low so I'm not to concerned yet.

Being cancelled never is convenient when you count on that paycheck but I have unemployment in place which picks up the slack if I don't get any work for a week, since I am now going on week 2 of steady cancellations. Thanks for letting me vent!

live4today, RN · Jul 6, 2005

I'd love to hear what your pet peeves and favorite things are with regard to agency nursing. How about 3 examples of each? It would give me a great idea of what to expect if I join an agency.......................

What do you love about agency nursing?

1) calling the shots on when I work and when I don't.

2) only working the shifts of my choice

3) the hourly wage is much higher than when working as a staff nurse

What do you hate about agency nursing?

1) getting cancelled at all the wrong times

2) not knowing when or if I'll get to work

3) no stability, no benefits

misschelei · Jul 11, 2005

Love:

1. I can pick up and go whenver I want without having to request time off or try to switch with someone for impromtu needed time off.

2. More pay...Less hours....More family time!!!

3. No being in charge......No meetings....No getting sucked into the unit dynamics.

Hate:

1. Having to deal with agencies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Wear and tear on vehicles due to traveling.

3. Waiting for a an ID # for the pyxis.

gypsyatheart · Jul 16, 2005

Being cancelled never is convenient when you count on that paycheck but I have unemployment in place which picks up the slack if I don't get any work for a week, since I am now going on week 2 of steady cancellations. Thanks for letting me vent!

How does this work....getting unemployment and working agency? If I you don't mind me asking....Thanks!

Haunted · Jul 18, 2005

How does this work....getting unemployment and working agency? If I you don't mind me asking....Thanks!

Since my work with registry is considered "temp" I just put down the hours I worked and how much I made during that week. I have been cancelled a LOT lately and even though I would rather be working, at least I don't have to stress about an income.