4 replies to this topic

[Lela]

This is not the first nor will it be the last posting on this site regarding the unacceptable conditions for traveling nurses at UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was hired to help staff the MICU here on a 6 month contract for a LARGE completion bonus. I questioned this during my telephone interview, and it was explained that the # of beds in the MICU was doubling (from 12 to 24 beds) and in order to open those beds, the staff must first be in place. I also questioned the floating policy, and was told that the policy was that travelers would float first, but that

"the nurses in MICU never have to float because our accuity and cesus are so high, we float people in. Floating is not an issue that you need to worry about" !!!!! (HA)

I have been here for 3 months now, and as it turns out, there was no urgent need for nurses to staff the extra beds, because there are no patients to put there!!! As a matter of fact, the census (of the existing 12 beds is not 100% Therefore, the University hospital has hired enough traveling nurses to create a traveling nurse float pool to staff not only ICU'S, but also the stepdown units and MED/SURG floors. Most of these Critical Care nurses have many years of ICU experience, and LITTLE TO NO floor experience, so you can imagine the discomfort, anxiety, and fear of placing our lisences in jepardy.

There are SO MANY issues I don't know where to start!

This is a UNION Hospital, and it appears that the administration is afraid of their UNION EMPLOYEES!

During the past pay period, I personally floated 5 out of 6 scheduled days.
The pay period before that, I personally floated 4 out of 6 scheduled days.
THIS WEEK, I floated 3 out of 3 scheduled days.

There are 2-3 nurses being floated EVERY SHIFT, EVERY DAY!!!!! (EVERYWHERE).

Please remember these things if you travel or are considering traveling in the future. 1) A big completion bonus is a RED FLAG!! 2) Get everything promised in your interview in writing. (Including days off which you already have plane ticket for during your contract--if it's not in writing, even if the interviewer tells you it's ok--they don't HAVE to honor it.----this also has happened at UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL) 3)Ask if you are working for a UNION hospital 4) Get the float policy in writing.

I hope at least one person learns from my mistake!!!

Lela

[jahrn]

The same is happening all over the country. I took a travel assignment at a large university hospital in the state of Wisconsin. Likewise, this hospital is a union facility. Likewise, travelers are ALWAYS floated first. And likewise, they use their travelers as a "float pool", even when promises had been made to do otherwise. Many travelers, including myself felt very much like "second-class nurses". It was truly my worst assignment ever. I have learned, the old adage that states, "there is more no life than money" certainly rings true when someone is waving a huge bonus in front of my face.

[bettyboop61]

Hi I had the same experince at a union hospital. I learned my lession, that was part of the problem why I was cancelled.

betty boop 61

[july7553]

Thanks for sharing your stories about the completion bonuses. Thanks to you guys, the word will finally get around. I have a WONDERFUL travel company. It is Netis Healthcare Staffing. They come up with some really great assignments all over the country and they are so good and personable to work with. Their address is
www.netisstaffing.com

Good luck to all of you!

[Traveler]

What does your agency tell you to do? Do they back you up, or let the hospital continue to abuse the staff?