Highway Hypodermics

Talia Guido

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:

As a recruiter, I would first talk with the nurse and let her know that I understand her frustration and that we will get something worked out. I would then reach out to my client manager and ask if they are able to reach out to the facility and discuss what actions are going to be taken going forward. If the floating was not required from the time she signed her contract, I would express that to the CM , and tell them that the facility needs to make some changes to ensure that our traveler is happy and comfortable floating etc. If the facility is unable to make changes, the traveler and myself would need to talk about what they would like to do going forward.

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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:

Our company response would be that Baby Nurse Betty is not trained in that department and that she did not sign that in her contract , and is violating what she signed up for when taking this position. It would be a liability to have her perform in those areas of the floor if she was not trained to do so prior. Therefore, Baby Nurse Betty will not float to the NICU.

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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 first assure her that we will get something worked out. I would then assist her in finding resources to help guide her on what to do next. I would suggest that she gets in touch with the facility/building she was staying at and let them know of her situation and hopefully get a refund or the bug issue taken care of.

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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 get in contact with Nurse Asthmatic, and check in to make sure that she is okay. I would then reach out to the CM , and have them talk with the facility and explain that there was a medical emergency and see what they can do on their end. Circling back to Nurse Asthmatic, and let her know that in the future to please be up front about any severe allergies , or issues with where she is assigned so that these situations can be avoided in the future.

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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:

In this situation I would first call my traveler and explain to her that there was a miscommunication, and to leave the facility. I would then reach out to my CM and have them get in touch with the facility. If the facility is unable to clear her and move forward with the assignment, I would assure my nurse that we can find her something and continue to apologize for any inconvenience- and doublecheck ahead of time with HR before sending any travelers to their contract.

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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:

A few things that can help make my job easier is making sure you are upfront and honest with me. Showing up to assignments with a good attitude, and on time will always make a great first impression. Have great communication skills, communicating in this industry truly helps avoid %85 of future problems.

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