Highway Hypodermics

Alyssa Dezinski

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:

I would listen to Floating Flo‚Äôs concerns. I would empathize with the added stress these changes have caused her. Flo and I would talk through her concerns, and I would make sure to fully understand the issue at hand. We are a team and a concern for her is a concern for me.‚ÄØI would ask Flo if she feels comfortable enough to bring this concern up to her unit manager. If not, then I would consult with our company‚Äôs clinical liaison and together we will determine the best resolution. What a great resource for our travelers to have! At Health Providers Choice we advocate for our healthcare works and will come up with a plan together to make sure our travelers have the experience they expected and deserve. After our agreed upon resolution has been implemented, I would personally follow up with Floating Flo and confirm that the issue had been resolved.

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:

Baby Nurse Betty knows she can reach out me anytime, especially if she feels her license to practice is being put in jeopardy. Having Betty float to a unit outside of her scope is not only unsafe for her, but it endangers the patient. I would reach out to our company‚Äôs clinical liaison immediately! She would act as an advocate for Baby Nurse Betty and inform the client that this cannot be allowed. If the issue arises again, I would inform Betty that I would start the process of getting her placed with a different assignment. Keeping our travelers and the patients safe is our top priority.

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:

After talking with Nurse Roach and gathering all the information, with pictures to detail, I would personally reach out to the housing manager. I would inform the housing manager of the unacceptable conditions and discuss what their plan of action would be, along with a timeframe for a full resolution. I would also request that the housing manager place Nurse Roach in a different like unit while the situation is being resolved. I would check in with Nurse Roach and make sure she is comfortable in the temporary unit. When her unit is completed, I would verify that everything is up to the standards we had previously discussed prior to moving into to the assignment housing. Our nurses deserve a safe and comfortable place to rest in between their work hours.

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 immediately get with Nurse Asthmatic and remind her that her health is a priority. I would ask Nurse Asthmatic to stay in full communication with the hospital in regard to what is going on, unless she needs me to communicate on her behalf due to her current health issue. We would have a conversation and see what she would ideally prefer to do regarding her assignments. Together we will go over the pros and cons, leading us to reach the best decision regarding her health. If she decides she can stay with implementing some new precautions, I would work with the account manager and ensure we could get the adequate amount of time off for her recovery. If the Nurse Asthmatic feels she would prefer to leave the assignment, I would work with the account manager and see if they can release her from her contract without penalty. The negotiation truly is up to the client; however, it is my responsibility to be an advocate for Nurse Asthmatic and will support her decision.

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:

At Health Providers Choice we have procedures set in place to ensure an instance like this would not occur. Once a travel nurse has accepted an assignment with Health Providers Choice and signs their new hire terms, our quality department then works directly with the nurse and client/hospital to complete all compliance requirements needed for that specific assignment. As a recruiter, I always source for opportunities with my working talent in mind. This mindset ensures, if a cancellation/ hospital backout did occur, I would be able to match Nurse Roulette to a new opportunity quickly.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

The key to a successful travel nurse is great communication, honesty, and having a positive mind-set. Effective communication limits the risk of miscommunications, ensure for a smooth placement process, and gives me, your recruiter, the ability to set correct expectations according to the nurse‚Äôs knowledge and experience. I am here to be a support for travel nurses during their entire journey and as their needs, wants, and lifestyle change, I want them to be open and honest with me. This gives me the ability to continue individualizing my efforts for the purpose of being their best resource. This industry will open the doors to explore new places and have amazing opportunities, but travel nurses must have the right mind-set! Many hospitals need travel nurses due to employee shortages, and high patient census. Some assignments might not always be easy, but the right mind-set and a strong support system can lead to amazing growth opportunities. You and I are a team and I want our team to be successful!

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