Highway Hypodermics

Levi Anderson

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 ask if the traveler has talked with a manager about this. If there has been a discussion, but no change I would talk with a client manager. We would reach out the facility or vendor to produce a solution that fits the nurse’s description (floating within 10 miles).

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:

If the nurse is not qualified and does not have the proper certifications, they cannot 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:

We would work with the nurse to find new housing immediately. I would then coach the nurse to talk with the management of that previous housing to get a refund if that is something that is possible.

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:

I would ask if the nurse has let her manager know (if able). If not we would have a client manager contact the facility immediately to let them know about the situation. I would then talk with the nurse to see if there is a solution we can provide to prioritize their health and have them taken care of – even if that means finding a new contract right away.

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:

Unfortunately, I have never seen this happen. I would call the nurse right away, so they are aware of what is going on. We would then work together to find them an immediate start at a facility nearby.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

There is no such thing as over communicating. I want to know as much as possible so that we can provide the best support possible, and help in every way.

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