Highway Hypodermics

Nicole Cox

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:

Thankful my nurse reached out! This is something we want to address with the facility immediately to hopefully correct before it gets to the point of frustration that Flo wants to leave immediately and is also unhappy traveling. As a company, we would need to reach out to the hospital to let them also know what is going on and to highlight float terms as only 10 miles. If they want to ask for a larger radius and present to Flo, we can, but she can decline. Not part of the contract terms. As well, ideally push for an incentive for Flo to float further.

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 them know unfortunately, Betty can not float to NICU. I can also let them know the areas she could float to and see if any other arrangements can be made for her to float there, but that is the best that can be offered. I would not want to place someone in a setting not comfortable in.

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 immediately book a hotel to give some sort of housing option to rest after that long drive. Then I would get with the housing team to correct the situation. Unfortunately, I don’t get to see most places in person before booking housing. If not acceptable, I would need to see if a possibility to just get it cleaned, or if just not an option at all (can’t get clean, unsafe, etc.), I would get out of the lease and find new housing options, even if at the expense of the company.

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:

First, I hope that Asthmatic is ok! Very scary to be hospitalized and health going to be first priority. I would then loop in the facility to let them know what is going on. Facilities often understand in this scenario since totally out of control and not just missing work to play. I would probably need to cancel the contact all together with the nurses permission. If so, I would try to find a backfill and be clear on the area so we avoid a potential mismatch again. As well, once the nurse is ready to work again, help find a wonderful assignment that will keep her healthy too!

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:

This should not have happened. I wouldn’t give clearance for Roulette to show up until all contracts were signed. If this did happen, I would immediately try to fix the situation. Try to get a contract set and approved, and travel would be paid for the wait time (or travel home if not approved).

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

My ideal traveler is open for adventure. You have to be when traveling. So many elements are unpredictable…job assignment location, team make up, and external factors. As well, be ready to jump in and help, but also confident in your skills. Be a fun personality to work with and dependable, so they feel they got a great value out of their traveler. Also, ideally be open with your recruiter. You have to feel like we are in it together. With the jobs changing often, nice to feel grounded and have a home at your travel company.

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