Highway Hypodermics

Matt Bayer

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:

Any time a nurse has an issue, especially if it was not discussed during the interview/offer, that nurse has every right to put their 2 weeks, and leave the assignment without any repercussion. I would fully support the nurses decision. Initially, I would try and salvage the contract, by letting my account manager know immediately, in hopes they can relay the message to management at that facility. From there the nurse and I would determine what is best for them.

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:

Absolutely not, if its out of her scope of practice and competency level. We will be not putting that nurses license in jeopardy. Here at THS, we have an on site CNO that is available to chat with a nurse for any reason. Our CNO as well as myself will have your back 100% if something like this was to happen.

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 try and calm the situation down. There is nothing we cant overcome if we work as a team. After listening to the nurses concerns and comments, I would call my housing dept immediately and inform them on the situation. From there, myself, the nurse, and our housing dept would search for all possible replacement living.

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've had something similar to this happen to me, just not an asthma attack, the nurse was admitted to the ER and was out for 2 weeks. The contract was canceled by the facility, the nurse took time to recover. As soon as she was healthy, we found her a new position, luckily paying more! Bad things happen to good people sometimes, its in those moments you determine how you handle it. I personally bond with all of my nurses, so its not something I would walk away from. The nurse who was admitted and got canceled, is still currently working with me!

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:

Be honest....awkward situations like these, are only made worse if you hide from them. I've had plenty of phone calls that I hated making. But I've learned in my time of recruiting, attacking the issue and finding a solution is the only route to go. Hiding or avoiding this will only make nurses more angry and disappointed. Honesty is all you can provide in this situation, as well as a calming presence to assure the nurse we will find an alternative.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

I'm a Senior Recruiter and also a Team Lead. Meaning I've earned the trust and respect of my peers/management to train and coach new hires, sort of like a preceptor or charge! I provide nothing but transparency, in this industry, no one has times for games or BS. I cant promise you the moon and stars, but I can promise my best effort each and every day. Thank you

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