How
will I be notified of a job action assignment?
We will notify you once we receive
notice that the strike is going to take place, usually
ten days prior to assignment start date. Your Recruiter
will either call or e-mail you if you hold a license
in that state, or if we are having a licensing program
and can help you obtain a license quickly. You may also
check our website regularly for updates.
What
do I need to bring to my assignment?
You will need to carry a copy of
your complete file with you to every assignment. This
should include copies of your current certifications
and your current licenses. We also recommend that you
bring at least seven sets of scrubs, a credit card,
cell phone, $200 cash, and ATM card for
your own convenience.
Can
I request to work in a specific area at the hospital?
Yes, however, for job action assignments,
it is important for you to be as flexible as possible
and float to other units if necessary.
What
is the average length of an assignment?
Most job actions are indefinite
until the hospital reaches an agreement and require
a two-week commitment with an option to extend. However,
some job actions may last just a few days.
How
many hours per week will I work during a job action?
Most assignments guarantee at least
48 hours of work. Nurses will need to be flexible in
their work schedule, working overtime if necessary.
Nurses must be available to work all seven (7) days
each week. If the strike continues past two (2) weeks,
nurses have the option to extend their commitment for
this assignment. If, for some reason, you are available
to work and the facility cancels you, you may still
be paid for 48 hours of work. Most assignments offer
standby pay, which is determined on a per-assignment
basis.
Overtime, which is typically time and one-half over
40 hours, may also apply. Please note that overtime
regulations may vary based upon location.
How
will I be informed of my schedule at a strike assignment?
Each job action site has an onsite
U.S. Nursing Nurse Manager who will arrange schedules.
Unless advised otherwise, you will need to check in
daily with the onsite manager to view your schedule.
All details about the assignment will be presented at
orientation, which is typically a day prior to the strike
start date.
How
are nurses chosen for the strike?
It is our policy to place candidates
who fit the job description and who have complete files
on the schedule first.
Do
you offer permanent placements at hospitals?
We do not offer permanent placement
at facilities where we have staffed a job action.
Can
I work both strike and travel assignments?
Yes. We encourage you to work both
strike assignments and FASTAFF travel nursing assignments.
Choosing to work a travel assignment between job actions
also helps to ensure your benefits remain intact. If
you start a FASTAFF travel assignment immediately upon
completion of a strike assignment, you will receive
a $500 bonus. Ask your Recruiter for more details.
What
is it like to work an assignment for U.S. Nursing? (read
about a real nurse's experiences while working for U.S.
Nursing)
Click
here to read a real nurse experiences while working
for U.S. Nursing.
What
do your strike assignments pay?
Each assignment has it's own pay
rate, however, most strike assignment pay is higher
than travel assignment pay due to the last minute need.
How
often are you paid?
Pay periods are weekly, with the
option of receiving a live check or a direct deposit.
Do
I need to pay taxes in both states? (state in which I
work and state in which I reside)
No, you are only obligated to pay
taxes in the state you work in. Taxes will primarily
be withheld in the state you work in, however, some
complexities between the states may cause you to pay
in your home state, or both. Seek the advice of a tax professional for more information.
What
is the pay rate for an LPN/LVN or a Tech?
These pay rates are not as high
as for an RN, however, are still higher than normal
rates. Pay rates will vary with each assignment, please
contact a recruiter if you have more questions.
What
type of medical benefits do you offer?
Medical/Rx/Vision, Dental, Critical
Illness and Cancer Indemnity
When
am I eligible for health benefits?
Health benefits begin the first
of the month following 60 calendar days of continuous
employment on assignment(s) and maintain active placement
of 30 hours per month with no greater than a 30 calendar
day lapse between assignments.
What
is the maximum number of days I can be on leave without
losing my benefits?
You can take up to 30 days off
without losing your benefit eligibility. You will be
offered the option of COBRA if you plan on taking more
than 30 consecutive days off.
Can
I work both strike and travel assignments and keep my
benefits?
Yes. You may work for both FASTAFF
and U.S. Nursing and maintain your benefits as long
as you have maintained active placement of 30 hours
per month. Again, COBRA is available if you choose to
take more than 30 consecutive days off.
Can
my spouse or dependents receive benefits?
Yes, you may add eligible dependents
to our group plan. You will simply need to complete
the enrollment paperwork and pay the monthly premium.
Do
you offer a 401(k) retirement plan?
Yes, we want to help our nurses
plan for the future, so we offer the best 401(k) program
in the industry.
401(k) Safe Harbor Plan Eligibility:
First of the month following 90 days of employment;
must be at least 21 years of age.
Company Match: 100% of contributions up to the first
3% of compensation plus 50% of contributions up to the
next 2% of compensation
Vesting: No vesting schedule - all Company
match monies are 100% vested.
2009 Contributions: Employee may contribute up to $16,500;
Age 50 and over may contribute up to an additional $5,500.
Plan Administered By: Great West Retirement
Services with a diverse selection of investment options.
* Company sponsored 401(k) and employee
participation in program subject to ERISA guidelines
Do
you offer license reimbursement?
On occasion, we have
additional licensing programs available when we have
special needs in various states. You may view our current licensing programs or ask your Recruiter
for details.
What
is the definition of overtime?
In most cases, overtime is time-and-a-half
times pay after 40 hours worked per week. California
has specific overtime laws that that pay overtime after
8 hours worked per day. Ask your Recruiter for details
about a particular assignment. The FLSA states that
overtime is to be at one and a half time normal pay
rates after 40 hours worked in one week. California
has specific wage hour regulations that state that one
and a halt times normal pay is to be paid after 8 hours
worked in one day.
If
I work a holiday am I paid at a higher rate that day?
Yes. The pay rate for holidays
will vary per assignment. Please ask your Recruiter
for details. Holiday pay rates are 1.5 times the regular
rate of pay for the hours worked on the holiday, in
accordance with FASTAFF observed holidays.
What
kind of bonus is offered at strike assignments?
Periodically we offer bonuses and
special incentives on a per-assignment basis. Please
check with your Recruiter for details.
Do
you offer referral bonuses for bringing in new nurses?
Yes! We offer unlimited referral
bonuses. For every nurse you refer who is not in our
current database and completes a U.S. Nursing assignment,
we'll pay you a minimum of $500 (in some cases more).
Contact your Recruiter for more details.
Who
will make my travel and housing arrangements?
For your convenience, our
Housing and Travel department coordinates
ground transportation and calculates mileage reimbursements
for driving to and from your assignment. When you fly
to your assignment, your ground transportation expenses
from the airport to the hotel/apartment will be paid
in your first paycheck.
If you drive to your assignment, mileage will be reimbursed
at a pre-determined mileage allowance based on each
individual assignment.
With the assistance of our full
service
Housing and Travel department we assist you in your flight plans or submitting
your documentation for mileage to payroll for your first
paycheck.
Upon leaving your assignment the return portion will
be paid in Payroll as well. This is a non-taxed reimbursement.
If you have any questions please
contact our Housing and Travel department at 888-969-9211 or email us at
housingandtravel@usnursing.com.
Do
you provide transportation from the hotel to the strike
facility?
U.S. Nursing personnel will take
you to and from work each shift at a job action; no
personal vehicles are allowed to go to the hospital.
How
far in advance do I need to arrive at an assignment before
starting work?
Usually one day prior to the start
of a job action. Orientation is normally the evening
prior to the job action start date.
Do
you offer private or shared housing?
Shared housing is the norm. However,
space permitting, private housing may be requested.
Nurses requesting private housing are responsible for
paying half of the room rate per night.
Can
we supply our own housing at a strike?
Due to security reasons, and the
possible need to be able to contact our nurses within
a short period of time, we do not allow nurses to supply
their own housing.
Can
I room with a friend?
Please speak to your Recruiter
if you would like special rooming arrangements. We will
do our best to accommodate your request, however, due
to the nature of a job action this may not be available.
If
I am a nonsmoker, will I be roomed with a smoker?
No, non-smokers will not be housed
with a smoker.
Am
I allowed to travel with my spouse, even if he/she is
not working the assignment?
Since housing is often limited
during a job action we do not house other family members
or pets of any kind.
