I am an LPN in LTC with 8 months experience. I am seriously considering quitting my job - my first job as a nurse - and going to work for an agency. I am frustrated with work, but I would stay if there wasn't so much politics going on among the staff. I am beginning to feel out of place.
I wonder what it is like to work as registry - is it tough to go to a different place every shift? How well received would I be by an agency, when I only have 8 months experience?
At my job, registry are kind of looked down on because they are "outsiders" - even tho everyone is so happy to see them at shift change... anyway... I want to hear from registry nurses.. share your experiences!!
I would not work in skilled facilities as a nurse as you are resented because you are making more money if you would work registry. I would work in homes for a registry in fact I am considering it at the moment. You have one on one care and usually pleasent working conditions. Take care-Tropical Bound
I am just now considering going back to agency. I loved it! I had very steady positions at some really interesting clinics. I worked for 2 different agencies, that way I didn't have to worry so much about not having any hours. The paperwork can be a challenge, but that never hurt anyone. Your patient care is always the same. If you have a CF pt, you treat a CF patient. The paperwork you can get done. And, as far as family calls and questions regarding patient history, your CNAs are your best resource. Find someone who has been there a while and knows the people and then keep them close! The agencies I worked for took care of taxes and I even had benefits! Most agencies like 1 years experience but it never hurts to talk to one or two.
i have been a nurse for 15 years, (5 agency , one travel) i have to wonder with 8 months exp, are you confident enough with your skills to do agency? you will get the worst of the worst & bad attitudes to boot!
maybe you should try a few prn shifts before jumping all the way to agency
that sounds like real crap that you guys are going through. i could not survive like that. i work for an "internal agency" which means i go to one of about 10 facilities in the nursing network. its nice because i punch in and out (no time slips !!) and the paperwork and procedures are the same. i also get the benefits of floating and not being tied down anywhere unless i want to. for the next 12 weeks i contracted to work at one facility for 40 hrs a week. i have my schedule through july and i dont get cancelled. i even work overtime. obviously im more blessed than i thought. the nurses treat you great because everyone has gone to work with the agency at one time or another and we all work for the same company. if you find a facility you like you just jump into an available position without having to apply again. $32.00/hr all shifts lpn $42.00/hr all shifts rn and on staff at these facilities is 24-28 depending on shift and years of experience. you guys hang in there. i live for travel nursing, contracts and agency. im a great nurse and a lousy politician.
I have not worked for agency for over 10 years. At that time I had been a nurse for 15 years. I made great money ( over $34 an hour as an LPN for one weekend shift) But you had to be able to stand on your own to work agency! The ability to walk into a unit and take up the job and work it. That is why we got paid well. Most places did not like agency nurses...we came in and worked, but did not have to follow-up with anything. No continuity in care. But I can say, that it taught me to think on my feet and develope good skills. I was able to go to Dr.s offices, do home heath, work in clinic's and do some ER work. Go for it if you want some fast expirence, but not if you want stable income.
If you have no prior experience, I highly recommend to moonlight with an agency before making a total commitment. I've done agency on et off for many years. Sometimes part time, sometimes full time, sometimes three agencies at the same time. I love agency work, but eight month total experience is not enough, because you'll be completely on your own as far as the clinical setting is concerned and you'll also be the low man on the totem plole as far as assignments are concerned.
That is a good question. There are no registries where I live, so I don't know first hand, but I believe a registry is more like a dating service. They introduce the parties, but that's it. The nurse doesn't actually work for the registry.
I currently work for 3 different home health agencies, but haven't had much work in the last 6-8 weeks. In this time span, I think I worked only 4 hrs. total. Prior to this time, I may had 5 one hour patient visits a week. This is really beginning to frustrate me! Unfortunately, being newly licensed in 2008 and no experience at the time no one would hire me due to lack of experience. Next month I will have one year's experience, but I am still having difficulties finding a job in a hospital, clinic or assisted living, because I do not have the right type of experience. I like my agency work that is one hour visits with patients, because you set up your own daily schedule based on frequency of vists for the patient for the week,and the pay is good, but the major draw back is it is not stable work. Your either busy or slow. If you need a stable source of income, then working at an agency is not for you.
I work in Long Term, I understand the need for Agency Nurses and the need for nurses to work for agencies. I don't feel positive about them at all! I find MANY medication errors, I see how some do treatments ( if they actually do them). They don't do any of the routine things, like PPDs!They spend alot of time out smoking!They don't take direction from regular nurses on the units. I have even seen them on their cell phones WHILE they are giving meds ( thus the med errors!). There have been some who come in from one job and work a double shift at the facility!They use poor judgement and are too tired to do the job properly! Frankly, they frighten me!
tropical bound
19 Posts
Hello,
I would not work in skilled facilities as a nurse as you are resented because you are making more money if you would work registry. I would work in homes for a registry in fact I am considering it at the moment. You have one on one care and usually pleasent working conditions. Take care-Tropical Bound