Highway Hypodermics

Jess McCarty

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 and foremost, I would listen to my nurse to understand the situation and hear their grievances. I would discuss scenarios and devise solutions that would best the nurse and the facility. Then I would advocate for my nurse and talk to the client manager to see if there is a positive resolution and hopefully come up with a solution that best fits both nurse and facility!

‍

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:

Safety for my nurse, safety for the patients, and safety for my nurse’s license are always top of mind. If my nurse is not adequately certified for the NICU, that would be an immediate conversation with the client manager to let the facility know she can not float to the NICU.

‍

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 sympathize with my nurse and talk them thru getting a hotel for the night. Coach them to speak to the landlord or owner of the house or talk to the housing assignment manager if housing was provided thru the facility. I would send her all available housing options I can find and get on the phone to help them find a suitable place to stay.

‍

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:

Health is always important, and knowing this assignment location will likely continue to put my nurse’s health at risk, I would most likely have a conversation with them to see if they are comfortable continuing the assignment if their health improves. If they feel they should end their assignment early and find another assignment in a location that will not put their health at risk. I would get a statement from the nurse and connect with the client manager to let the facility know why my nurse will need to end their assignment early.

‍

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:

I would inform the nurse to sit tight while I work out the back-end details and get more information as to if the assignment is unavailable or if we need to wait and possibly start later. I would hope to compensate the nurse for any housing she would need while trying to come to a resolution. I would work with the client manager to find a solution as quickly as possible and get my nurse working ASAP!

‍

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

I am here to answer all your questions! I take pride in going the extra mile and always being upfront, honest, and readily available!

‍

Email this Recruiter!