Working During a Nurses Strike
Hospitals rely on nursing agencies to mobilize travel nurses willing to work through strikes. This allows hospitals to continue functioning while improving their bargaining leverage during negotiations.
Overview
Several nursing agencies specialize in providing staffing to health care facilities during a strike or labor dispute. Two of the larger agencies are U.S. Nursing Corporation and Health Source Global Staffing (www.healthsourceglobal.com).
Health Source Global Staffing requires you to commit to work a 60-hour week, with the option to work more than 72 hours. U.S. Nursing Corporation guarantees a minimum of 48 hours' pay. Since the strike is for an indefinite period of time, most nurses choosing these assignments work every day for the duration of the strike.
R.N. responsibilities
Your responsibilities include obtaining the appropriate state nursing license, providing current documentation of certifications and competencies as required by the agency, and providing your own scrubs/uniforms. You must be ready to travel when the agency calls, and you must have your credentials with you.
Agency responsibilities
Health Source Global Staffing provides housing in hotels and round-trip transportation to and from the assigned facility. The staffing agency also provides daily transportation for various necessary trips for the contracted nurse. These include transportation to and from your hotel to the health care facility, as well as transportation to shopping, restaurants and laundry facilities.
Salary
The high rate of pay is one of the primary factors motivating nurses to accept assignments to work through strikes, as the salary can be very lucrative. According to David Morrison, who has 15 years of travel nurse experience and is the author of "Travel Nurse’s Bible," reports earning $55 per hour base rate and up to $82.50 overtime rate, depending on state laws.
These travel nurse assignments typically appeal to experienced nurses who are flexible enough to be available to travel on short notice. The commitment is usually for two weeks, with options to extend, although the assignment can last as little as two days.
