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:
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Acute care
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Outpatient
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Home health
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Private duty
Benefits of Agency Nursing
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Flexible earning potential
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Flexible hours
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Higher salary than permanent staff
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Same-day or next-day pay (convenient for a nurse who needs to make quick money)
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Set own schedules
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Odd shifts (to the equivalent of full-time hours)
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Schedule weeks in advance
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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
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Medical insurance
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Retirement plans
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Continuing education
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Potential for short- and long-term employment contracts which offer some stability
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Option to be hired by the facility following completion of a contract
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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?
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Search the Yellow Pages
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Indeed.com
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LinkedIn
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Google
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Bing
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Post resume on job websites
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Word-of-mouth
allnurses has an active forum for Agency Nurses. Nurses come to allnurses to ask about (just to name a few):
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Short-term assignments
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How to get started as an Agency Nurse
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Contract problems and complications
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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
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Graduate from an accredited RN or LPN/LVN nursing program
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RN: Diploma, ADN, BSN, or higher degree
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LPN/LVN: Certificate, diploma, or degree
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Successfully pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
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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.
