Highway Hypodermics

Sarah Smith

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 empathize with her regarding her concerns with the situation. I would reassure her that I would do what I could to get her back into her 10-mile radius or as close as possible. I would also reach out to the client manager to see if they could contact the facility, so we could help resolve the issue. I would stay in contact with the nurse throughout the process of finding the solution.

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 respond by ensuring safety and quality of service comes first and that we would not want to put her or any other nurse in that kind of situation if they aren’t comfortable because it wouldn’t be in anyone’s best interest.

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 empathize with her in this situation and would not want her or anyone else to be exposed to those kinds of living conditions. I would reach out to leadership regarding the situation while keeping Nurse Roach up to date. At that point, we would hopefully have an alternate housing that suits her needs.

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 express my caring concerns for her health and make sure she was doing ok. I would make sure she knew that her health and well-being came first before her current assignment. From there, I would work with the client manager to inform the hospital that the two weeks missed were due to medical/health issues. I would reiterate to the hospital that she has been a great employee and shouldn’t be punished or lose her job due to her health which is something out of her control.

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:

I would apologize to the nurse and take responsibility for the situation. I would ask her what I could do to make things right and ensure that this will never happen again. I would make sure the next contract was locked in before making the offer.

Question 6:

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

Answer 6:

Traveling is a great way to be successful and get to experience some amazing things along the way. I’m a very understanding and detailed person and would also like them to be understanding when it comes to certain situations that may not be in my control. I believe open communication, honesty, and transparency are key to any good relationship.

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