Working with an agency?

[scallywags]

I have a part time (24 hrs) week job as a LVN in an outpatient clinic. I have also been working per diem at a local hospital, but not in nursing. This is a job I have had while going to school. I continue to work there because it is extra hours and extra money. They do not have any LVN jobs open at this time, so transferring into nursing is not possible.

I want to work a 40 hour week and would like to find a few shifts to supplement my work during the week. I was thinking of signing up with an agency. Any input on doing agency/registry work? I did call one and they told me that I had to have one year of med/surg experience to work with their agency. I am not sure all agencies work this way.

Any suggestions?

[caliotter3]

There are agencies that will hire new grads with no experience at all or with very little experience. You just have to look around to find them. One of my classmates was told to tell prospective employers that she had two years experience in order to land a job with an agency. I don't know how she pulled that off with the pre employment checks that most employers utilize. Perhaps she was steered to an agency that was known to not be very diligent in their checks. I don't know. However, if it is facility staffing, acute care hospital or nursing homes, I strongly advise you to get more experience first. These are some of the hardest jobs there are. You are sent to a facility and are expected to be able to walk on the floor and function with very little orientation. In most places, agency people even encounter negativity and an unwillingness to help from the FT staff. Remember, these facilities would not be utilizing agency nurses if they were the greatest places to work at. You can get on part time at a nursing home and would be able to get the hours and experience you want. As far as the one year experience rule: try Maxim Staffing Solutions. They may hire you with less than one year. Good luck.