Highway Hypodermics

Kristin Barton

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 suggest Flo connect with her Manager to review the specifics of the float requirement as originally agreed upon. I would also inform my teammates(Experience Specialist and Account manager) to ensure we are communicating with the facility and with the traveler about this as a Team. Lastly, I would loop in our Director of Nursing to help reach out to Flo to coach her through the conversation with her manager.

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:

Westand by the traveler's skill set and scope of practice, the traveler shouldnever be floated to 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:

Iwould suggest that she immediately speak with the housing company andcommunicate her experience. I would suggest she try to work with them to bookanother room (if it's a hotel) OR immediately start looking for another placeto stay. I would send our housing resources immediately and also hop on thecomputer myself to assist in finding other housing option ideas for her.

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:

Myfirst concern is always for the traveler's health and well-being. I wouldreinforce the need to take care of herself, seek proper care and rest.Secondly, I would thoroughly research the harvest season to better understandwhat she can expect for the remainder of her assignment. At the end of the day,her health s top priority.

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 immediately jump into action, looping in mysenior management and Account Management team to help find another assignmentthat can start quickly for this traveler. I would absolutely apologize andensure her that we will do all we can to find her something even better.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

I love to work with travelers who are true partners with me throughout submission, compliance, and while on assignment. I am available and responsive; I love working with those travelers who are equally responsive and partner with me to find an incredible assignment!

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