AGENCY NURSING

Katnip, RN · Sep 8, 2009

Nurses contract with agencies who will place them at different hospitals in the unit of the nurse's specialty. The nurse used to be able to pick and choose from just about any hospital in the area they worked. These days hospitals are cutting way back on them because agency nurses are very expensive. If census is low, the agency nurse will be the first to be called off, so hours are not guaranteed.

Agency work can be per diem or 3-6 month contracts.

Generally, agency nurses get few, if any benefits, no paid time off, but their base pay is a lot better than a staff nurse.

In this economy a lot of agency nurses are having a tough time getting the number of hours they used to get.

starbucksnurse · Sep 8, 2009

You are so right. I have been cancelled everyday last week, and now I wish I was on staff.:stone

pat8585 · Sep 9, 2009

How do I find out where these agencies are? I am still not clear...is

this like a temp agency?

How do I know what agency the hospitals in my area use? Do i need to talk to

human resources?

rentalnurse, RN · Sep 9, 2009

Ive been doing agency and travel nursing and took a staff position in July, pay is a little lower but with shift diff and benefits its a little better. Couldnt get hrs and hard to gind a contract