I'm sitting here, gutted, confused, and so frustrated. I signed my first contract on Dec 5, was ready to go for Dec 13, but the facility made me a Dec 27 start. Still exciting. I ran around like a bloody chicken with my head cut off trying to meet onboarding deadlines....which I did! Including bloodwork that was almost impossible to get and writing exams not even relevant to NICU.I held up my end, but the ball was definitely dropped on the other side.
For several weeks the facility and the company were very wishy washy about what I would need in order to start, and the facility even stated they had meetings scheduled to discuss this, which never actually took place, so it started to get very stressful. All of this over the Christmas holidays, after I had already given up my staff position with sick time, holiday pay etc.... I was fully invested. I was told last week that the facility had decided to go ahead with international nurses and they were just ironing out the details!!! Finally some answers.... swiftly followed by.... we still don't know what the extra requirements will be....and then to: the only new requirement will be a visa screen!!! Are you getting nauseous from all the back and forth yet ??? I sure am....but still Yay because I have a visa screen so no problem! 🤢
Just before this point I had requested to have my start date changed because I still hadn't been cleared 100 percent to start from the facility. I waited and waited to hear back. After a few frustrating days, I finally got word that "the facility has stated you can start the Monday after your file gets full clearance and they have adjusted your start date in the system to Jan 10!!!" Amazing, I need to start booking stuff!!! Finally!!!
That message came through at 1130 at night yesterday and by noon today I was told that not having a ssn still might impact my ability to start..... what in the actual eff???? I thought the whole point of this rigamaroll was deal with the fact that I don't yet have that????
Starting to feel super confused, and stressed, but still hopeful that my international background check would satisfy the state requirements....but after waiting on hold for 3 hours to book my flight out, I got the call that after all of this..... the facility had just decided to cancel the contract. Literally the worst thing that can happen to a travel nurse. You might think.... well at least you hadn't left yet, but actually that's not true......had I left.... I would have been approved for my TN Visa, would have been able to keep my appointment with the social security office, and would never have to be in this position again..... but instead, I'm back to square one..... only now, if I don't book an assignment within a week or 2 of that appointment, I will need to reschedule the appointment, and be back in the same boat of waiting a million years to get in.
It really should not be so hard for us and the more I am dealing with this, the more my inner advocate is being triggered. There has to be a better way. Especially since according to the ssn office, and the USA government, there is literally no reason an employer should not allow me to work while I wait for my ssn..... but somehow the hospital systems, the facilities....they don't understand that. What gives?? Makes no sense in the midst of a pandemic in which Minnesota is losing the battle by the way, to turn down a fully qualified, highly experienced RN due to a technicality.....a requirement that the government itself says there is a 90 day grace period to obtain.....
So now what??
I don't even know anymore, but
I have reached out to the team at Trusted to see if a start date after my ssn appointment would be doable and so I'll see what they say. They encouraged me to keep applying to other postings in Minnesota, which there are zero of so that's not helpful... I messaged the unit manager to let her know the facility had canceled me and to thank her for the opportunity, and I've started looking to other agencies that actually have some experience with this process. My Arizona license is still pending so maybe something will come up there, but for right now, there is alot that I can't control.....again. I have emotional whiplash from the constant back and forth of this facility, and now I've signed 2 contracts, and haven't even left my hometown. I'm not happy, and having a hard time even being hopeful at this point. Maybe I need a time out....on the beach.....somewhere hot....with bottomless margaritas..... who's with me?
Alana
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