Highway Hypodermics

Rena Pagano

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 contact Nurse Floating and ask her to communicate with me where she was asked to float and when. I would then review the contract to confirm if the floating information we were given matches the distance Nurse Floating has been asked to travel to. If this agreement is indeed not matching what Nurse Floating has been asked of, I would contact the facility and make them aware of the travel requests asked by Nurse Floating and let them know which assignments were outside the 10-mile radius and that this is something that cannot continue. I would get confirmation from the facility that this will not continue, and that Nurse Floating will only be asked to travel 10 miles or less from her housing.

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:

First, I would have a conversation with Nurse Betty and ask her exactly what was asked of her, if there was any reasoning the hospital had and ensure I can collect all the facts before contacting the hospital. I would then make the facility aware that Nurse Betty is able to float to postpartum care and the well-newborn nursey, but it is beyond her competency level to float to the NICU and she is not comfortable doing so. I would also let the facility know that these expectations to float to the NICU were not included in the contract and that Nurse Betty is only able to float to the areas previously discussed that match her competency level. She must also receive an orientation for these units she has been asked to float to.

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 contact Nurse Roach and let her know we are looking into this issue and contacting housing management, I would also ask her to bring any other issue she finds to my attention to discuss with housing management. After our conversation I would contact housing management and share what Nurse Roach has found upon their arrival and share the photos that were sent to me. I would ask that we come up with a solution and place Nurse Roach in a different unit that is fit to live in. If there is no other option with housing management, I would search for a new living space that is fit to live in and clean for Nurse Roach. I would ensure Nurse Roach that we will take care of her until we find proper housing and let her know that I understand her frustration and offer my support.

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 immediately contact Nurse Asthmatic and offer my support during this difficult time and let her know we have her best interest in mind. Then, I would contact the account manager to discuss what options we have for Nurse Asthmatic, and request that she may continue her assignment once she is physically fit again. In the meantime, I would have a conversation with Nurse Asthmatic to discuss options while she is out of work, such as disability.

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:

At Health Providers Choice, we have policies in place to ensure that these types of situations do not happen. Once a travel nurse has accepted an assignment with Health Providers Choice and signs their new hire terms, our quality department then works directly with the nurse and client/hospital to complete all compliance requirements needed for that specific assignment. All proper confirmations should be received and reviewed at that time prior to Nurse Roulette preparing to leave for assignment. However, if this did occur, I would present Nurse Roulette with the back up opportunities we had previously discussed when sourcing for positions prior. It is always important to have a plan B or even C so we can be prepared and work together as a team. If this were a situation where the hospital cancels the assignment, HPC also has cancellation policies and procedures in place in order to present other job opportunities to Nurse Roulette in a timely manner.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

Communication is the key to success in every relationship, including the relationship you build with your recruiter. Being on the same page as your recruiter and communicating any questions or concerns, will only strengthen the relationship and ensure the process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. As your recruiter and advocate, I want to provide you with a safe and memorable experience as you live out your journey as a healthcare hero.

Email this Recruiter!