Once you have your nursing credentials, the chore of finding a job comes to the fore. While you can put in an application with each hospital, clinic, nursing home, and health department within driving distance, this is a time consuming way to go about finding work. Another option to finding work is through nurse agency staffing. These staffing services can help connect you with nursing specialties and assignment lengths you’re looking for. You often can design your ideal job, which might include a traditional travel nursing assignment, per diem nursing, home health nursing, a short-term nursing engagement, a long-term one, or even an international nursing job.

How does nurse agency staffing work?

Nurse agency jobs are similar to permanent positions. The main difference is length of service; most nurse agency staffing jobs are temporary in nature. Because of the immense need for nursing staff in the medical industry, more facilities and practices are going the route of hiring temporary nurses to handle peak volume. Jobs for registered nurses are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Because the nursing field is large, more than half a million new jobs are anticipated to open up as experienced nurses leave their jobs and need to be replaced.

However, not all nurse agency staffing jobs are the same, nor are all nursing agencies. You need to make sure that the agency you choose offers several key services.

First, the nursing agency jobs posted need to be within your sphere of specialty. If that is not the case, then working with such an agency is a waste of time. You also need to make sure that any nurse agency jobs that you consider cover travel and housing expenses if they are required. Travel nursing can be a lucrative career choice, but not all companies treat their travel nurses the same.

In addition, you need to know the tax situation. Not all travel agency staffing services “hire” their nurses in the traditional sense. Many of them contract your services, and they will provide you with a 1099 tax form. You should know the lay of the land before signing up with any company.

Understanding licensing requirements

Nurse agency staffing jobs require travel to other areas of the country. However, keep in mind that license requirements vary from state to state. In most instances, nurses with nurse agency staffing are required to take a state’s test in order to meet knowledge and skills standards to work in that state. Be sure that the nurse staffing agency reimburses your licensing costs; it should not come out of your pocket.

Other resources:

Travel nursing: This website can help you learn more about nurse agency staffing, as well as travel nursing in general.

Registered nurse ins and outs: You can learn more about working with a company for nurse agency staffing, as well as different medical careers in nursing and beyond.

The Travel Nurse: Here, you will learn how nurse agency staffing works, as well as get a better view of travel nursing and temporary nursing.