Highway Hypodermics

Jason D'Addario

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 be 100% on the Nurses side on this one; especially if this was not discussed in the interview as well as on the contract. I would thank them for being flexible on the first few but then take it directly to the Account Manager/Facility and make sure this is resolved immediately. Before something like this even happens I would make sure these specifics are discussed and everything is detailed in the contract. If the facility wanted to make changes moving forward and Nurse Flo agreed we could come up with a new contract that would be honored.

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 immediately connect them to our Chief Executive Nurse for a full evaluation on Nurse Betty and if she is suitable to be floating to NICU. During that time I would contact Nurse Betty and discuss with her the situation to make sure she is aware that she is not required to float to any of the areas if they are not in her contract as we would never jeopardize her license. This would be promptly taken care of and made sure to not happen again.

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:

750 miles (or any distance) is way too far to drive and to run into a situation such as this one…this would be top priority as soon as I hear of this to get suitable housing arrangements done right away! I would call and search nearby hotels and/or extended stays immediately to seek out new housing options. If this is all that is available then I would contact the assignment housing management to make sure something is done immediately for accommodations, refunds, etc.

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:

Since it has been 3 years I have known Nurse Asthmatic, I would make sure I know the severity of any health issues and would use this knowledge when presenting possible assignment locations to avoid any issues like this from occurring. I would get her our short term disability paperwork and then see if she is hoping to return or will need another assignment lined up. I would contact the facility and advise them of the health issue for our nurse and if they would be willing to hold the assignment and wait on recovery, or if I need to make it a top priority and line up another assignment for her.

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:

HPC, as a company,prides ourselves on our “zero failures to start” policy, of course you run into situations but we work very closely together to get these issues resolved so surprises like this won’t become an issue. The first 1-2 weeks from when an offer is made, there is constant communication between HPC and the facility so that if any issues do arise they are resolved immediately. If, somehow, this did occur we would immediately contact the facility to obtain a contract and continue with the assignment or seek out nearby assignments if this was not an option. We would assist in any way (travel cost/lodging/etc.) possible to create a new positive experience and make things right.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

The more open and honest you are with me as your recruiter, the easier it will be for me to do my job and keep you happy! We are here to work as a team and begin a long-term relationship to both be successful. Also, try to be realistic in what you are looking for and always keep in communication. It is my job to find my nurses exactly what they are looking for and need, or at least get pretty darn close. I am a team player and will always have my nurses back and hope when you join my team you can do the same!

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