Pros, Cons, Salary In Agency Nursing

Agency nursing (aka registry nursing) is the provision of nursing services on behalf of an agency. Agency nurses include RNs, LVNs/LPNs and advanced practice RNs, and they are found in a variety of facilities and specialties.

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Pros, Cons, Salary In Agency Nursing

Agency Nursing is a sub-specialty of Nursing.

The Agency Nurse is an employee of the agency; the agency sends the nurse out to various facilities to practice. Agency nurses can be found in all specialties of nursing. They may work part-time or full-time. Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN) and Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) can practice as Agency nurses. Many nurses choose to work agency as their primary job or as a secondary job to pick up extra income or experience.

The nursing practice of the agency nurse depends on the licensure and specialty of the nurse, as well as the specific assignment that the nurse is completing. The wise nurse will keep in mind their state's scope of nursing practice at all times. In addition, the wise nurse will make it a point to learn the policies and procedures of every facility in which they are employed.

Practice Settings

Wherever you can find a nurse, you could find an agency nurse. Agency nurses get sent to many different types of facilities. The most common types of facilities are:

  • Acute care
  • Outpatient
  • Home health
  • Private duty

Benefits of Agency Nursing

  • Flexible earning potential
  • Flexible hours
  • Higher salary than permanent staff
  • Same-day or next-day pay (convenient for a nurse who needs to make quick money)
  • Set own schedules
  • Odd shifts (to the equivalent of full-time hours)
  • Schedule weeks in advance
  • Schedule and/or cancel shifts on short notice

Much like per-diem nursing, agency shifts can allow a nurse to have a flexible schedule or more free time while keeping their skills and resume current. Many nurses that are raising families or going back to school look into agency nursing. Agency nursing is also a good way to break into the job market in a new location or to make yourself known to a particular facility.

Other Benefits

  • Medical insurance
  • Retirement plans
  • Continuing education
  • Potential for short- and long-term employment contracts which offer some stability
  • Option to be hired by the facility following completion of a contract
  • Some agencies are part of a franchise or chain which allows transfer to various locations

Keep in mind that the practices of and benefits offered by individual agencies can vary widely. Be sure to check with your agency for the specifics that will apply for you.

Downsides of Agency Nursing

No Guarantee

The greatest downside of agency nursing is that, much like per-diem work, the hours are not guaranteed. Agency nurses are usually the first ones to be canceled by a facility, and usually, the cancellation is done only a couple of hours before the scheduled shift. Agency nurses are also the first to get sent home should the census drop. If you NEED a stable schedule or income, you should think twice about relying solely on agency nursing to provide this.

No Benefits

Agency nurses work without benefits or PTO unless their agency offers benefits independently. Agency nurses are not eligible to join a facility's union, as they are not facility employees. Therefore, they are not offered the benefits or protection of the union. Also, agency nurses often get the worst assignments or the work that the permanent staff doesn't want to do.

Non-Compete

It is common for agencies to have non-compete clauses in their employment agreements, such as prohibiting you for working for another agency while in their employ. Or they may penalize you for accepting an employment offer from a facility that you're sent on assignment to unless a certain amount of time has passed. The agency cannot stop you from earning a livelihood, but they could take you to court to enforce the terms of any employment agreement that you sign. Therefore, be sure to carefully review the employment agreement before you sign it, and consult legal counsel if necessary.

Poor Reputation

Some agencies have less than savory reputations and practices. You should investigate the credentials and reputation of any agency before signing an employment agreement.

Again, the practices and benefits of individual agencies can vary widely, so check to see how your agency does things.

How Can I Find an Agency?

  • Search the Yellow Pages
  • Indeed.com
  • LinkedIn
  • Google
  • Bing
  • Post resume on job websites
  • Word-of-mouth

allnurses has an active forum for Agency Nurses. Nurses come to allnurses to ask about (just to name a few):

  • Short-term assignments
  • How to get started as an Agency Nurse
  • Contract problems and complications
  • Travel assignments

Please note that the Terms of Service at allnurses prohibits solicitation by or on behalf of an agency.

As pointed out in the list, word-of-mouth is also a great way to find agencies, especially as most agencies offer referral bonuses if their agency nurses bring in new talent. In addition, word-of-mouth is a great way to learn about the agency's reputation and whether people are happy working for them. Finally, it is not uncommon for agencies to recruit nurses, especially those who have posted their resume online at job sites.

Basic Education

  • Graduate from an accredited RN or LPN/LVN nursing program
    • RN: Diploma, ADN, BSN, or higher degree
    • LPN/LVN: Certificate, diploma, or degree
  • Successfully pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
  • Current, unencumbered RN or LPN license in U.S. state of practice

Experience Required

Unfortunately, agency nursing is not well suited for the new graduate nurse or a nurse looking to switch specialties. This is because agencies expect their nurses to be proficient in their area of practice. The orientation provided by both the agency and the work site is usually minimal, more of the "here is how we do things and where everything is located", than Nursing 101. Getting only a day or two of orientation is about average for the agency nurse. Therefore, almost all agencies require at least one year of nursing experience.

Some agencies, particularly home health, may be willing to take on a new graduate nurse. If you find an agency that will take you on as a new grad, be sure to inquire about the type, quality, and length of orientation and training that you will receive. The reality is that you are NOT going to get the same caliber of orientation and training that you would in a hospital's new grad program. And, keep in mind that should something happen while you are on assignment, YOU and not your agency will be held accountable.

Certification and Professional Organizations

There are no certifications that are specific to agency nurses. RNs can obtain certification in their specialty areas through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or other approved certifying agencies. Nurses often join the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the National League for Nursing for networking opportunities.

Salary (2020)

According to salary.com the average salary in the U.S. is $74,906 with a range typically falling between $67,501 and $85,635.

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Meriwhen

About Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

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Has anybody heard of Berry Staffing in Houston, Tx? Also is $ 30/hr days or nights at the low end or reasonable for agency? I have never worked agency so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

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You might want to call some of the other available agencies and ask their rates without identifying yourself.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, med/surg, LTC surveyor.

I have recently signed up for agency nursing. I thought it would be better for me. I have found that it is not what it used to be. I did agency years ago, and I was able to tell them when I was available. They were really nice and supportive. I accidently agreed to an 8 day stretch then called back and told them there was no way I could do that and be safe. Please take two days off in between. They called me and said they could not find anyone. They then told me that since I didn't have anymore work the rest of the month I should do it. That was a week before I was scheduled. I did three 12's, night shift, with 12 hours of sleep total. I then called them and told them they had to find someone else. These were shifts during the week usually not hard to fill. I would have done it had they not found someone but they did. I realized I needed to be alot more assertive and proactive. Anyone else's experience with agencies? I am thinking of signing up for some other agencies besides this one. I can't work nights. Thanks.

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No means no. Even for nonassertive people. As time goes on, you will learn to be more assertive. Think out your availability beforehand, and don't allow them to goad you into doing more than you are capable of, or willing to do.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

When I worked agency, it was such a day to day thing. I did give them my availability ahead of time, but if I needed to change it, I just did. I never had any problems. I would look into a new agency that will treat you better.

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Explain to them what you want in the way of shifts and hours per week, follow it up with an email and stick to your guns. I gave my agency my days avail each week but they knew that I did not work 3 12s in a row and did not want more than 3 in a week. They only tried to ignore that a couple of times before they realized I was serious.

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Specializes in none.
I have recently signed up for agency nursing. I thought it would be better for me. I have found that it is not what it used to be. I did agency years ago, and I was able to tell them when I was available. They were really nice and supportive. I accidently agreed to an 8 day stretch then called back and told them there was no way I could do that and be safe. Please take two days off in between. They called me and said they could not find anyone. They then told me that since I didn't have anymore work the rest of the month I should do it. That was a week before I was scheduled. I did three 12's, night shift, with 12 hours of sleep total. I then called them and told them they had to find someone else. These were shifts during the week usually not hard to fill. I would have done it had they not found someone but they did. I realized I needed to be alot more assertive and proactive. Anyone else's experience with agencies? I am thinking of signing up for some other agencies besides this one. I can't work nights. Thanks.

They have found a sucker. I have be doing agency for a while. Don't comment yourself to long assignments if you can't do them. Think ahead. Anything personal l coming up. you are new they will do anything to fill the shifts. It's how the agency makes money You have to stop thinking as a nurse and start thinking as a business person. The people that you deal with may or may not be nurses. They don't care how much compassion that you have, to them you are just a warm body that will fill the position so they can get money. I have had Coordinators cry over the phone to get me to do crazy shifts (14 days in a row.) And then tell me after I did it that I could do 15 in a row. I told them no then they said they could do without me. I said O.K. I'll just go to another agency. Then it was back to crying again. From that day to this I have never done another 14 day, 5 is as much as I can do. I didn't learn this right away it has taken years. So hang in there, Kid. The Assertiveness will come, if it doesn't there are books out there on how to be assertive and of course we are here.:yeah:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

They know u come across as weak and they're using you. I have always told agencies 'I work for me, not for you'. Agencies are like anything - you get good and really, REALLY bad ones. I had one psycho nursing agency manager who would call me at all hours for shifts (and I mean like at 2 or 3am), and get angry when I couldn't go. Bar the fact that I'd already told her I was studying and couldn't do certain shifts anyway. She really had a mental health problem. I just told her well, there are 300 agencies in and around the city I was in, think I'll just give them a call, and I found a better agency. It is worth it changing over to. Their lack of staff, as I've said, isn't my problem - it's theirs.

My gf worked for a n/agency and she told me this is how it works:

The NUMs meet about 10ish, then they do their staffing. They pre-book extra nurses ahead of time (then cancel them all later), then they try to push people into nursing home shifts first (and will always say they have no-one to fill them), then they fill other shifts as they go. My gf was told to ring people who put themselves down 4 everyday first, but one nasty manager was telling her to ring some non-assertive (weak the manager said) nurses who would 'cave in' when pressured. If anyone pressures me now, I just stop them right in their tracks and say: "No means no, thank you, bye!' and put the phone down. And I don't answer blocked numbers now - that's what they do, block their number so you don't know it's them.

Calling nurses is very psychological, you feel pressured, you cave in.

And BTW those shifts you did were insanely inhuman. There is NO WAY I would have done them, and I don't feel guilty ever if they don't have staff. Just say if they try to guilt you anymore: 'My time is as precious as yours'.

Actually, come to think of it, I wouldn't have done any shifts with them after being spoken to like that. I would have gone to another agency, and believe me, there are better ones out there. I've done one shifts with some agencies, then rung up and quit due to lack of support, being spoken to very rudely, arguments galore with allocators - your agency sounds like they need to get their act together and fast.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, med/surg, LTC surveyor.

I didn't do all of the shifts. I did the 3 12's and that was it. They magically found someone when I told them I could not physically do it. Thank u all for you advice. I have since found out they have plenty of 7-3 positions. Buuubyeeee. Movin on.

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Probably various definitions and meanings. These things change over time.

What I think of is an agency that nurses list their skills with. The nurses are assessed, tested, proof of license, etc. Hospitals contact these agencies when they need extra nurses. Hospitals pay higher salaries for these agency nurses.

I am dating myself, this was actually common years ago when there was a nursing shortage. We still occasionally use agency nurses, especially nurses with OR skill.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

We call it (fondly) 'rent-a-nurse'.

I've been an agency nurse, I have NICU skills. When a NICU has staffing needs above and beyond what they can accomodate, they call the staffing agency, the agency calls me and if I'm available, I go.

More $$, no politics and total freedom over your schedule are the benefits. The down-side? They can cancel you at the last minute and you get paid nothing. There's no guarantee of work available. It's a nice second job, but I would never depend on it for my primary income.

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