Highway Hypodermics

Haley DeRuiter

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:

First, I would listen to my nurse, work through a solution together and get an idea of what needs to happen. Then, we would reach out to the hospital addressing our concerns and come to an agreement that works best for the nurse and the hospital. Example solutions include travel reimbursement or a schedule change.

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:

I would listen to my nurse's concerns to make sure myself, the account manager, and the hospital have an understanding of the demands being asked of my nurse. If my nurse agrees the NICU demands are truly beyond her competency level, we will push back. As, I do not want to put my nurse's license in jeopardy if she/he does not feel comfortable.

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 immediately find a hotel nearby for my nurse to stay in until we can find her new housing. Cockroaches - NOT OKAY!!

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 make sure Nurse Asthmatic is okay first! Then, we would immediately communicate with the hospital to see what we can do here. Ideally, we would be able to work out a new schedule with the hospital, but if my nurse is unable to return to this environment, I would find her a new assignment..preferably one that does not threaten her health! *Important to note for future assignments*

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:

Ideally, this would never happen. However, I would reimburse my nurse for her travel expenses including any hotel stays. We would start looking for a new assignment in Las Vegas. If we don't have immediate success, I would help my nurse get back home and start the search again. I would double confirm all contracts going forward between us and the hospital.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

Flexibility and organization!! Being a great travel nurse is all about being 'go with the flow' and staying organized. :) Travel nurses are held at a higher standard than staff RN's, so the hospitals are really looking for travelers to come in and hit the ground running. I recommend keeping your certifications up to date and always have them ready to go for your next assignment.

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