Highway Hypodermics

Jennifer Belzer

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 go over the hospital float policy and see the facilities she would have to float to if needed. If they are sending her to one that is not in the radius I would contact the facility and go over the contract and point out that they are only required to travel to the ones listed. If they continue to float her to ones not on the list I would then ask if she would like to give her two weeks notice and reimburse her for the gas.

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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:

As soon as The nurse contact us with that info we would contact the facility immediately we do not want any nurse to feel uncertain specially that it is beyond her competency level as this is not safe for the patients or the nurse. We will not allow her and advise not to go on that floor.

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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 ask if she contacted the landlord immediately and ask if they can have a cleaning crew come over, another option she calls a cleaning crew over and gives bill to landlord, in the meantime I would have her go to a hotel and reimburse her for hotel stay while that is getting done.

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:

First I would call the nurse and make sure she is ok, then I would contact the facility and have them extend the contract for the two weeks missed. If the nurse feels this will keep happening I would then ask the nurse if she would like to put her two weeks in and we will find a location that she can handle.

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:

With Arm Staffing this would not happen as we have a whole credentialing process and will work with the nurse and set them up every step of the way. The recruiter also is in contact with the nurse and makes sure they have their First day instructions and that they are cleared before start date. If this did happen I would contact the facility and see what we need to get them cleared asap and expedite it.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

Just communication as long as there is direct communication at all times this makes things run smoothly. Always be upfront and honest and have fun with the assignment.

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