Highway Hypodermics

Maddie Monchnik

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 let this nurse know that as her representing agency we are here to support her and that I am going to resolve this situation. I would refer back to the terms of her contract and remind the facility of the agreed upon floating requirement. If the facility would like her to continue floating outside of the agreed upon distance, I would discuss this with Nurse Floating Flo. If she is also willing to float outside of the 10 mile radius, I would seek approval on an increase in compensation for the additional floating requirement. I would draw up an addendum to the original contract for Nurse Floating Flo and the facility with the changes to the pay rate and floating requirement.

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:

At Health Providers Choice, we have a 24/7 Clinical Support Line that connects our nurses with a clinical liaison, should they ever feel that patient safety or their nursing license is at risk. A nurse should never be asked to float to a unit that is outside of the scope of her specialty. We would bring this issue to the attention of the facility to ensure that they do not float Nurse Betty to a unit that is beyond her competency level.

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:

This would be handled immediately as the safety of our nurses is our number one priority. I would relocate Nurse Roach to safe housing while I fix this issue. I would contact management of the housing facility to ensure that they remove the cockroach and mold issue immediately. If they cannot resolve this issue, I would get a full refund from this housing assignment and find Nurse Roach clean and safe housing.

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 assist Nurse Asthmatic with HPC's short term disability so that she has some form of income while she is unable to work and check in with her frequently as her well-being is extremely important to us. I would notify the facility that Nurse Asthmatic is on medical leave for two weeks and remain in communication with them regarding Nurse Asthmatics status and plans to return to work. If Nurse Asthmatic is comfortable returning to work once she has recovered, I would suggest adding two weeks on to the end of her contract to make up for the time off and notify the facility that she will complete the contract and/or extend two weeks, if approved. If she is not comfortable continuing on this contract, I would find her a new assignment that is more fitting for her condition.

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:

Before we send any type of first day instructions, we confirm that all contracts are signed and agreed upon by both the nurse and the facility to avoid surprises like this from occurring. We have a process in place to ensure that these types of issues do not arise, however if something like this was to occur I would immediately contact the facility to secure an assignment, if this was not an option, I would search for nearby assignments. Health Providers Choice would assist in any way to turn this negative experience into a positive one!

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

Clear and honest communication is key between myself and my nurses! By working together we are able to find assignments that will be the best fit for you and create a long-term relationship that is successful for us both. Travel nursing can be a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to explore the country!

Email this Recruiter!