Highway Hypodermics

Mikaela Cook

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 work with the client manager and the facility to possibly renegotiate the contract terms. The contract should reflect that if the nurse is required to go further than what was agreed upon. I would hope to either get a pay increase to cover the extra mileage or the floating outside of what was agreed upon to stop.

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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:

I would let the facility know my traveler lacks NICU experience, which would be outside her scope, making floating there unsafe and inappropriate.

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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 respond with empathy and ask if she’s in a contract with the housing (unsure if the traveler is staying at accommodations provided by the facility or renting on their own). I would suggest getting out of contract, having the landlord get the mold and bugs taken care of professionally and immediately, as well as getting compensation or discount due to the inconvenience caused. I would also assist in finding a new place to stay if that were the route my traveler would like.

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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 first discuss with my nurse if she were comfortable returning after two weeks and if preventative measures can be taken to ensure that she doesn’t have another asthma attack/hospitalization. Depending on that, I would work with my client manager and the facility to update, change or terminate the contract. Then do what is needed from there, whether that is finding a new contract or possibly extending the contract to make up those two weeks.

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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:

Apologize profusely to Nurse Roulette, as this should have been caught well before she left for her assignment. I would find out if I could compensate in some way for travel expenses, if the assignment is still an option, starting at a later date, etc. I would also ask my client manager, compliance specialist, and anyone else that would have an answer if there is something I could have done or if there is something I could do in the future to prevent something like this from happening.

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Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

As a former traveler myself, I know there are a lot of really great places to travel to. I also see many people have specific areas they want to go to. I would suggest being open to locations outside of what you initially thought and being flexible with scheduling. There are so many beautiful places that are so underrated or unheard of. I love that traveling allows for so many options for adventure! Travelers are compensated well for being available, so I suggest taking as little time off as possible during your assignment. I recommend booking vacations and such in between assignments. I also love that travel allows your friends/family to visit you at various destinations.

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