help? confused??

Well, here we go...I returned back to to the state/city (fl) that i worked last nov till year June 2011.  My current agency could not find me travel work in the city--except prn here and there. I mentioned to my recruiter to contact the facility I worked for, for those few months...Which they said they did. i guess the vp or scheduling has been putting them off. So i decided to contact the director of rehab myself (i had her cell phone) and ask if she needed any help (left message)....She called back and left message stating "she could use me, but without my agency,they could not afford to use a traveler--even thought I knew the OT was leaving". She asked me my rate and said she would have to talk to the vp/scheduling to see if she could bring me on. After I told her my rate, at first she said that was too much.

Then today (Sunday), I didn't hear my phone, there was this message stating:, she spoke to the scheduling and she could bring me on. I have not returned her phone call, but I am pretty sure, they want me to ditch my company and come on prn with them and are giving me the rate I asked for.

My dilemma is what do I tell my recruiter, since they have left several messages for the scheduling regarding me working there again (even prn through them) and now i have this opportunity to get some $$ and hours. Now i feel stuck in the middle!  Now I feel like I should not have contacted the director of director and let the agency handle it.

Oh, I worked at this facility through this agency--and nothing in contract stating that i couldn't work there again.

Never had this happen before.

Just need advice, stressing! And Thank you!

I think you are asking for recruiter input/opinion, but in the absense of a response, here are my thoughts.......It seems to me that you gave your recruiter the lead and opportunity to get the contract.  For what ever reason, he/she could not get you the job, but maybe is still trying?  and in the meantime you have landed the position yourself.    If you have no encumbrance, as you say, why not take the job you found.  It is a win for you and the facility.  I think that you can maintain a relationship with the recruiter for the next job, surely he/she will understand.  And if not, move on, this isnt about making recruiters happy, you are a business.  Sometimes you buy at one store sometimes at another.  Some companies have an in where another does not, you must use multiple companies.  Believe me , I have agonized over such dilemmas....and the possibility that recruiters will "blackball" me for my decisions (and posted opinions!).  
I successfully marketed myself for my current job, getting the job I wanted (SW FL) before any of possibly 6 recruiters, who each were told specifically what I wanted, could and did not deliver.  I.E.: I say "I want to go to arizona or Florida" and recruiter says "how about Ohio?"  I say "is that ohio, florida or ohio, arizona?"  
BTW  this EXACT thing happened to me in 2009, but for just a month to finish the FL "season" , I called the recruiter to get me a gauranteed position and I ended up losing the job because the agency couldnt complete a contract with them and the seasonal need ran out.    (The facility asked me to keep in touch for future without agency. )   I dont use the company anymore.  I am pretty sure the company, not the recruiter was the problem, though I would have appreciated it if he would have just been honest and forthcoming about the situation, but he was being loyal to his company......interesting to think of the shoe being on the other foot, regarding loyalty.  
Be honest with your recruiter, maybe this is a learning experience for each of you.  And enjoy the job you worked so hard to get. 

Thanks so much for your honest advice.Don't like to burn bridges since they got me he job last year. but cant afford to let this position go, since they are giving more than the local per diem rate $3 more.

Since reading your post less stressed, will make that call tomorrow to let the recruiter know and break the news.

thank you!

I agree, all recruiters know that most travelers do have a few recruiters at hand to see who can find them the best job in the most preferable place. I as well get the run around for different jobs when I ask for specific areas. Most recruiters will tell you that most companies have the same jobs but not always the case. Also don't feel guilty for telling your recruiter maybe next time because they are going to be more loyal to their company, I mean they are trying hard to make you money but more or less they want to make as much as they can as well. If your company can't offer you what your hard work found you than it may be time to self contract yourself to that company. 

I have done that in South Texas and all of the companies that I PRN'd at still say that they would take me on as a traveler or as a PRN. Stay true to yourself and  do what is best for you and maybe next time your recruiter will get it right for you. 

Good luck with your decision but don't stress. Life is too short have a good time traveling!

Thank you!

You’re fine.  Nothing to worry about here.  The client will always want to work with you directly rather than going through a staffing agency.  They’ll pay you a lot less then they’ll have to pay the staffing agency so it’s a smart move on their part.  Your recruiter and his/her company may be a little frustrated because the client will probably not want to go through them with the knowledge that you are willing to move forward without them.  It’s just business and your recruiter knows it.  If your recruiter gets upset with you then you know you’re not working with the right person.  This has happened to me a bunch of times and it only makes sense for you to move forward with your best interests at heart.  A good recruiter will not only know this but help you through the process knowing that he/she will not be making money for this particular position.  And even if you do burn a bridge you’ll have no problem finding another recruiter and agency willing to work with you.  There are a ton of great recruiters out there so don’t feel like your limited to just one.  You have to do what’s best for you every time.  No exceptions.  Good recruiters will always anticipate your return through patience and understanding.  Just make sure you’re being honest with your recruiter through the process though.  I have found that the best travelers I have worked with are the ones who have been completely honest with me.  We may not always like what we have to say but it’s the best policy.           

Hi there!

I'm a recruiter for a company called Strategic Healthcare Staffing and I've seen similair issues arise in Florida especially. For some reason a lot of the hospitals in FL were booming with needs last season, but this season they are making it more difficult for travelers to come on due to budgets. One of my fellow recruiters has an ER nurse who she staffed for 3 consecutive contracts and after the third he had to start doing per diem work through local agencies in Florida and privately with different hospitals. We don't blame the nurses for this!! We know you need to work, to put money in your pockets and food in your bellies and while I would do everything in my power to try to make sure I was the one getting you the job, if I couldn't there is no way I'd be mad at you for doing what you need to do to provide for yourself. Some recruiters would probably take it personally, but as long as there is no clause with your contract saying you can't go PRN with a contracted hosptial, they agency and recruiter should not hold it against you. Hopefully your current or future recruiter can get you traveling again and making even more than what you're making now!! If I can help answer any questions for you please let me know :) My office number is 866-537-5130 x728 and my email is bhughes@strategicnurse.com.