Highway Hypodermics

Abby Day

Question 1:

In a large metropolitan area, Nurse Floating Flo contracts to float between three hospitals within a 10 mile radius of her housing. Starting in the 6th week, the company ask her to float to a hospital 15 miles away, the 7th week she goes to one on the other side of the city, that is 30 miles away, plus one that is 17 miles away. The nurse is willing to take the first few, but after the behavior continues, she has had enough and voices this to her recruiter.

Answer 1:

My first suggestion would always be for the traveler to speak directly with their Manager, hoping to come to a solution efficiently. If that option fails, one of our Client Managers would reach out to the facility. If the contract specifically states that she can float between three hospitals within a 10-mile radius of her housing, we need to do absolutely everything we can as Flo’s recruiter to ensure that her contract is being honored. I would be more than willing to work closely with the traveler and the Client Manager to come up with a solution where everyone is happy at the end of the day 😊

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Question 2:

Baby Nurse Betty is a skilled labor and delivery nurse, who also can float to post-pardum care after the delivery as well as the well-newborn nursery. At 7:30pm, the staffing company hotline gets a call stating that they want her to float to the NICU, which is beyond her competency level. What is your company’s response?

Answer 2:

Betty should not work outside of her licensure. I would let her know that she should decline the float, and I would then have the Client Manager reach out to the facility. I would not want any of my travelers to work an assignment that they feel is outside of their realm and could put their reputation and licensure in danger. I ask that my travelers reach out to me immediately with any concerns that they may have, and I will do everything I can to resolve the situation.

Question 3:

Nurse Roach is all excited about her first travel nursing assignment. She drives 750 miles to her new assignment housing. After getting the keys from management, she opens the door and three cockroaches scurry across the floor. After further investigation, she also finds a ring of mold in the shower. She can’t stand it and immediately texts you with pictures. How do you respond?

Answer 3:

I would find temporary housing immediately, such as a hotel or an Airbnb, while the Nurse calls the property manager of her housing. If the Manager isn’t responsive, I would then offer to speak with them directly while also keeping my team leads and Client Manager in the loop.

Question 4:

You have worked with Nurse Asthmatic for 3 years now and she has done a great job for you, when she takes an assignment in Southeast Colorado. She envisions magic mountains that reach to the sky, only to find that she has landed in wheat country. Not wanting to cause problems she continues to work and everything is fine, until harvest. She has an asthma attack, ends up in the hospital, and is told that she is going to miss at least 2 weeks of work related to asthma induced pneumonia. How do you work things out?

Answer 4:

I would like to work something out in order to end the contract. Once they have recovered, I would work diligently to relocate the Nurse to an assignment that doesn’t put their health at risk.

Question 5:

You have worked hard to find Nurse Roulette a job in Las Vegas. You send the nurse a contract that she readily accepts, signs, and sends back. The next morning the bags are packed and Nurse Roulette is on the way to the assignment of her dreams. At 0800 she is out the door and to the hospital. Checking in with HR, they inform her that there is no contract between the hospital and the company, related to the fact that it has not been approved by HR. About the same time, the recruiting manager comes to you and tells you not to send Nurse Roulette on the assignment. This shouldn’t have happened, but unfortunately it does happen. What do you do?

Answer 5:

First, I would like to reach out to the Nurse to apologize that she has been put in this situation. Secondly, I would team up with my Client Manager to see if there is something that we can work out with the hospital. Lastly, if that doesn’t work out, I would ask our leadership team how we can financially compensate the Nurse for her troubles and work diligently to find her a new assignment.

Question 6:

What would you like travel nurses to know about being a great traveling nurse and making your job easier?

Answer 6:

Please, please, just ask a lot of questions! I would want you to be very clear about all of your expectations and hopes for your next assignment. I want to make sure that you have an amazing experience while you are on assignment and traveling with me! I will be asking lots of questions myself to try and get to know you, your needs, your wants, your goals, etc. Never hesitate to reach out. My phone is on 24/7!

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