11.07.13
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Aitkin Nurses Demand a Fair Contract

Aitkin-nursesAn energized group of nurses confronted their boss on Tuesday at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, spurred by their determination to achieve a fair union contract. “This agreement helps us protect our patients,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Lynda Smith, RN. “My colleagues will use every tool available to us to advocate for our patients. With a legal contract behind us, we stand up for each other and ourselves to demand what is right for the safety of our patients.”

The 48 registered nurses represented by MNA have been negotiating their contract since mid-August and another bargaining session scheduled for Nov. 8. On Tues., Oct. 5, a significant band of nurses gathered in the morning to deliver a petition the Riverwood CEO, in demonstration of the group’s solidarity. “We’ve been unified all along,” said Smith, “and this helped kick it up a notch.” The MNA negotiating team will go into Friday’s meeting feeling deeply supported and in a position of strength to advance professional gains and fight off management proposals aimed at diminishing workplace benefits and nursing practice protocols.

“This contract is an asset to retain and recruit nurses to this community,” said Smith. “We want to keep it that way so our neighbors can continue to receive the care they deserve.”

11.07.13
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Ask a Travel Nurse: Is a verbal agreement to an assignment binding?

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asian businesswomanAsk a Travel Nurse Question:  

I’m new to traveling and recently consented over the phone to an assignment (verbal only). The company notified the facility of my verbal agreement and sent out the contract to me, but I have not yet signed. Another position came up (with a different company) which is a much better fit all around. I’ve heard verbal agreements are binding and that the travel company can fine you thousands of dollars if you cancel the agreement. Is this true? Thanks!

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:  

Unfortunately, your question is one that can only be answered by a lawyer from the state in which your contract is binding. In many states, a verbal agreement is a binding agreement; however, if a travel company would choose to actually litigate would be another matter entirely. A company can always “fine” you, but how would they enforce that fine without legal intervention?

One other question I would have is what does your contract say? I have signed contracts that allow ME to cancel with two week’s notice. However, this is a rarity in the travel world and I have not traveled with this company in a few years and they may have even removed this clause from their contracts. But your contract is the governing document regarding your employment (and the instrument any court would use should any legal action result), so what language does it include regarding cancellations?

You have two concerns here. The first is obviously the legal concern. The second would be an ethical and professional concern. You DID agree to the contract and others made plans based on your commitment. Perhaps your company secured housing for you, or at the very least spent time corresponding with the facility to secure you a job. The facility may have also turned down other applicants based on your acceptance of the position. If you were to cancel the contract, if the company sought no legal remedy, at the very least, it is unlikely they would work with you again. While this might be of little concern (seeing as there are more than 200 agencies out there and it would probably be easy to find another agency willing to work with you), you do not want to acquire a reputation as someone who does not follow through on their commitments.

Would you wear a scarlet letter for your actions? Probably not. Would you suffer legal consequences? I would guess it would be a possibility, but not necessarily a probability. It really depends on how much work and money the company put into securing you the position and if the legal cost would justify seeking any sort of reimbursement. I don’t know the state laws under which your contract is governed, but I would guess that if a verbal commitment was binding in that state, then you could have a judgment against you. But again, would the cost of going after that judgment be in the best financial interest of the company?

I’m sorry if that does not answer your question, but hopefully it adds enough to your assessment of the situation to make an informed decision.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

11.07.13
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Meet Cast Member Tyrice of MTV’s “Scrubbing In”

This entry is part 5 of 6 in the series MTV’s Scrubbing InThe Gypsy Nurse recently had an opportunity to speak via phone with three of the Scrubbing In cast members. The Gypsy Nurse attempts to maintain neutrality in most situations in order to simply provide information and facts. This same stance was taken when speaking with the nurses from Scrubbing In. There is a ton of negative commentary floating around the nursing world in regards to “Scrubbing In” as well as the nurses that make up the cast.  I did the following series of interviews before ever seeing the first episode in attempt to see these nurses (cast members) as what they are…professionals, co-workers, peers and most importantly fellow Gypsy’s. I would like to introduce you to Tyrice, RN CCRN Hometown: Shreveport, LA  MTV’s Bio: “Tyrice has been a traveling nurse for three years and loves the lifestyle it provides. She is not looking for any type of commitment, but will do anything to get attention. You never know which Tyrice you’re going to get. She has the sweetest bedside manner, but if you cross her in any way (even imagined), she will unleash her temper on you and anyone around you. Despite this, she wonders why she is single and why it is so hard to get along with the group of travel nurses from Pittsburgh. You would think getting along with her fellow Louisianan, Chris, would be easy, but instead they have a classic love/hate dynamic depending on the […]

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11.06.13
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Shift Change in a Flash

The following is a Guest Post via Dawn Condee In early 2011, I have taken an assignment in Las Vegas, at one of the “better” facilities. I was working a medical/surgical/ortho/tele floor and I was working day shift, which I hate. I normally work step down but a girl has to work!! One particular week myself and a night shifter had been passing the same set of patients back and forth when during report he tells me he gave a patient five units of FFP’s. This particular patient was scheduled for a broncoscopy at 9 am because of serious lung issues. Along with the lung issues were heart issues. I asked the nurse when he started the ffp he said something along the lines of ” after I got the order after four am labs.” At this point it’s 7:25 am and I asked “omg you gave them all at once? How much lasix did he get?” The nurse looked at me strangely and asked why he would have given him lasix. Well, you know that feeling you get when your morning is about to go spiraling down the drain quickly? I jumped up and went into the room to see the patient standing in the bathroom doorway grabbing on to door jams with both hands with a look of terror on his face as he says “what is wrong with me?” I am sure many of you guess what I assess in about 30 seconds as I rush over […]

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