First travel contract, tele unit, week three. Nobody says anything mean to my face. They just don't answer when I ask where something is. I asked for help boosting a 300 pound patient and got 'we're all busy' from two people sitting at the station. Report gets given to me like I'm interrupting something.
I know why. I know what I'm making compared to them and I know the hospital pulled shift differentials right before I got here. I get it, I'd be mad too. But I didn't do that to them.
Recruiter already asked if I want to extend. The money is ridiculous and I'm paying off loans. But I cried in my car before shift yesterday and I don't cry. Do I stick it out and just keep my head down, or is no amount of money worth walking into that every night?
Posted anonymously. Your name is never shown.
Post replyThis is the playbook every time. Admin cuts diffs, brings in travelers at triple the rate, and then gets to sit back while staff and travelers turn on each other instead of on them. Works perfectly for them.
Next time nobody helps, call lift team or use whatever equipment the unit has, and make a note of who you asked and that they declined. Not to be petty, it protects your back and your license. And honestly, finish this one and don't extend. The money is ridiculous at plenty of places that won't make you cry in the parking garage.
Have you said anything to the charge nurse or manager yet? Not as a complaint, more like a heads up. Curious if they even know it's happening.
My second contract was exactly this. Union hospital mid-negotiation, I was the face of everything they were mad about. I extended for the money and spent 13 more weeks dreading every shift. Paid down a decent chunk but I wouldn't do it again. There are units out there that are genuinely glad to see a traveler.
Staff nurse here, on a unit that also just lost diffs. Not defending anyone ignoring you on a boost, that's straight up unsafe. But some of it isn't even about the money. We orient a new traveler every 13 weeks and watch them leave, and people get tired of investing. Doesn't make it right, just maybe less personal than it feels.
Week three was the worst for me too. It thawed a little by week six but never got warm. You're not imagining it.