Highway Hypodermics

Leanne Mauldin

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 can call the facility and see why she is beginning to float further than contracted. I can express her concerns. Hopefully this will remedy the situation. This has happened before, I found a way to pay mileage reimbursement while the contract and parameters were worked out. The nurse was happy as she was further compensated while the matter was worked out.

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:

Most contracts do require floating in areas of like care. PHP does have a 24 hour line that a nurse can call at all hours. My nurses that work nights are aware to never accept an assignment that is not within the scope of care. You are always able to speak with the House Supervisor as well. I have had occasions that some nurses were floated and just used as a med nurse to pass meds or another appropriate role to help during the shift. Always let the charge nurse know what you are capable of before accepting the assignment. PHP is always just a call away as well.

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:

Housing can always be a bit unpredictable, but with internet pictures, reviews , and just previous use, it has gotten a little less tricky. PHP has a housing manager that works with the nurse and her choice of apartments. However if ever on arrival a nurse finds bugs, filth, feels unsafe, I will always have them check into a hotel until I can get them moved.

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:

The main priority is your health, cant work if you are not healthy. If the hospital admission is 2 weeks then I need to notify the facility, some will be ok to see how she does, other will need to end the assignment. Everyone is different, you may have some nurses that discharge and feel they are on asthma controlled meds and want to try to finish, others that will focus more on just finding another assignment. I think the main thing, is no one is going to accrue any fines or break of assignment due to health issues. PHP will work with each nurse for the best outcome.

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 house the nurse and pay the agreed travel reimbursement based on the original contract and start working double time on finding an assignment.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

Just let me know what is most important to you. Some it is location, other money. Some want to make sure they have a really nice apartment to come home to after a crazy shift. Flexibility goes a long way with travel nursing. I am a RN so I can match up pretty well the units and needs that would work for each traveler, so just let me know. Cant wait to help! thanks

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