Jump to content

Nueva Koehler

  • Posts

    39
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    24

Posts posted by Nueva Koehler

  1. Whenever I contact NURSA support with an issue, I am met with an apology that is nothing more than a band-aid solution. I have found that there is rarely any accountability, as the issue does not get fixed.

    When I arrived for a shift, there was no "I have arrived" button on the app. I contacted NURSA support immediately and the agent I spoke to assured me I should have no problem with instant pay since he manually entered my clock in time.

    Upon finishing my shift, I submitted my shift report. However, I did not receive instant pay. Upon contacting NURSA support again, the agent informed me that the shift report preceded the tech team manually adding the "I have arrived" button. At this point, I expressed my confusion and notified the agent of the previous agent's manual clock-in and the assurances provided. The agent does not know why I was given this information and apologizes for the inconvenience this has caused. In addition, I was informed that the facility must submit a verification report and once it is received there should be no delays and will receive payment the following day. The verification report was submitted, and the app reflected payment for the 13th. However, when searching for shifts in the evening, I noticed payment was pushed back and for the third time, I reach out to NURSA support and I am told they delay is caused by my clock in time not being entered before submitting my shift report. Upon explaining the situation, the agent responded, "I'm at a loss for words." Well, I too am at a loss for words. 

  2. There was a brief thread in July regarding facilities that post shifts but do not respond to clinicians who request them. In my previous post, I mentioned that there are certain facilities that post shifts that are not actually available, and it is misleading to clinicians and ultimately a waste of time.

    On Tuesday, I requested a posted shift for Friday, 12/08. I informed the scheduler about the shift this morning and included a snippet of her response. Screenshot_20231207_082040_Messages.thumb.jpg.39cdb1c00ecb281a847abf061e8d49e8.jpg

     As far as I know, the facility is not known for doing this, and I hope it does not become a long-term problem. What measures has NURSA taken to discourage facilities from posting shifts 'just in case'?

    • Insightful 1
  3. Every self-employed nurse should have liability/malpractice insurance which also includes license protection. The facilities' liability insurance extends to their staff only. Something to keep in mind, even if we as nurses did not make the error, we can still get sued. Unfortunately, we live in a highly litigious society and the reality is that; we will get sued whether or not we were the ones who made the mistake. Liability insurance for a self-employed nurse can run anywhere from $300-$700 for the year. Its worth every penny for peace of mind. 

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 3
  4. Have you ever experienced a bedside nursing situation that you wish hadn't occurred for the simple reason that it made you appear foolish? Please do share. One night, I was working on the LTC unit at a facility where I frequently picked up shifts, so I had developed a good rapport with the residents and the staff. I check on a resident who had their call light on. He was looking for Robert, his CNA, to change his colostomy bag. Although I offered to do it, he declined. It was quite a relief for me, but not for the reason one might expect. As of that point in my career, I did not even remember having a patient with a colostomy, and the last time I provided care for a colostomy was during my clinical training. In spite of the fact that I knew how to do it, I was certain that Robert would put me to shame.  A little more than an hour had passed, and the same resident had his light on and was once again searching for Robert.

    Because I had only seen Robert once during the previous couple of hours, I assumed that he was having a very busy night.  I informed him that Robert was with another resident; however, I am able to assist him. He insisted on waiting for his CNA, but I convinced him to allow me to help him. In addition to stool, his ostomy bag was fully inflated due to gas.  I REPEAT, the ostomy bag was fully inflated due to gas, and do you think I had the sense to slowly let the air out prior to completely removing the bag from the wafer? Not at all! As I detached the bag from the wafer, I heard a sound similar to removing a cork from a bottle. Behind the resident was a wall covered with you know what, including the resident's forehead and glasses. The only thing I could say was I am sorry. There was no other explanation except that my brains had decided to take a vacation at that very moment leaving me without any sense. In addition to feeling horrible, the residents' reaction to what I had done made me feel even worse. He apologized for the situation we were both in at the time. He was concerned for me. HUH?! I put at end to that real quick and immediately redirected his attention and explained to him that my brain fart was to blame. I often became this resident's nurse when I picked up a shift, which made perfect sense since we shared a bond. It was a bond that neither of us spoke about, not even to each other. 

    • Like 1
    • Funny 1
  5. Last week, I picked up a shift and after 48 hours had passed without an update, I texted the staffer. It appears she had forgotten to cancel the shift that was filled by another staffing agency, not by a Nursa Clinician. @DeVante, as a follow up to your excellent suggestion, a refundable fee should be attached to every shift facility posting, along with terms and conditions.

    • Like 2
  6. @DeVante this happens a lot with a couple of facilities in Arizona. They will post shifts just in case they need someone at the last minute for call offs,  and that is the reason why you are not notified a shift has been filled. It saves them money but its a disservice to the clinician. 

    • Like 1
  7. There is a specific facility that posts openings for every shift not because they are available but it's to be prepared just in case they need someone. Of course, if they post a shift at the last minute when they need someone, the rate is much higher. 

    • Like 1
  8. It's been a while since I have used this app, and I picked up my first shift yesterday. There are a handful of facilities listing shifts as far out as one month, and I can guarantee that these shifts are not currently available. This is misleading to clinicians who pick up shifts, waiting for an answer but will never get one.  My thought is that facilities should be required to pay a fee when posting shifts and if the shift is filled, perhaps the fee can be deducted from their payment.

    • Insightful 1
  9. I am having to filter in my license & state each time I open the app which is several times a day. I never had this problem when I first started back in June. Do we have a timeline on when this will be resolved?

    • Like 1
  10.  I have to filter in my license every single time I get on the app and search for a shift. Is anyone having this issue? 

  11. I just learned about Safe Harbor. In the State of Texas, nurses can invoke "safe harbor" to protect their license and protect them from liability when they are placed in a compromising position that is not in the best interest of the patient. Examples are expanded patient assignments, and being given an assignment that is out of the nurse’s scope of practice.

  12. I don't view Nursa as an agency. For me, Nursa is like a middleman. Facilities have staffing needs, and clinicians need work. Nursa introduces facilities and clinicians to each other via app, and we as clinicians take over from there. Yes, there are app issues, and I am sure Nursa is working on them because if we are successful, Nursa will be successful. We put too much responsibility on Nursa when we are not employees of Nursa. We are independent contractors. 

    • Like 1
    • Comfort 1
  13. It’s Halloween time...has anyone had an experience at work that gave you goosebumps? I had an experience a couple of days with a resident that, to this day, gives me goosebumps when I think about it—just a bit of background. I am half Asian and half Northwestern European. I identify as Asian because I grew up In an Asian household and community. Filipinos are superstitious believers in signs and spirits.

    This past Friday, I worked the 6p-6a shifts at a facility here in Arizona. Most residents under my care have some cognitive impairment and varying severity. I use a penlight when I do rounds, especially if they are asleep because I want to ensure they are not in any acute distress.  I entered the room of an elderly female resident, went near the bed, and saw that she was asleep. I was approaching the bedroom door to exit when I heard, Lulu? She startled me because I did not expect her to begin talking suddenly. I turned around and said yes and apologized if I had woken her. She said I did not wake her. She just crawled into bed because her visitor had just left. She went on to say what a wonderful time she had. This person brought her comfort, and her presence alone was more than she could ever ask for. She stares at me like she’s looking into my soul and says, she looks just like you around the eyes.  Thank you very much, Lulu, for sharing her with me.
    Without even thinking, I asked who and instantly regretted it. Your daughter, she says. I reply with, what daughter?  Maria, Silly. I excused myself and informed her I would be finishing my rounds. I said good night, and she said, you’re a proud mama that loves her daughter. I immediately went into the utility room, and as I broke down, I got on the phone and asked my husband to check on our daughter Maria. Do not ask her if she is okay; I want you to look at her and ensure she is okay.  

    I am not a superstitious fanatic, but I do believe in certain things. This is an experience I will never forget.

    • Like 2
×
×
  • Create New...