how does it work

elkpark · Dec 1, 2014

It's like doing secretarial "temp" work. You are employed by an agency, and hospitals or other healthcare employers who need temporary nursing help (might be one day, might be a longer assignment) contract with the agency for nurses. The agency sends you to work for different employers. Typically, you're not guaranteed full-time employment; it's more of a prn type arrangement. You might work full-time for 8 or 12 weeks to fill in for someone on maternity leave, and you might go days or weeks without getting any work. It just depends on how many requests the agency gets, and how many nurses the agency employs.

Naity · Dec 1, 2014

Thanks elkpark for your explanation, was really wondering what type of Nursing it was, :up:

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 1, 2014

Think of agency (sometimes called registry) nursing like a per-diem hospital position. You'd be used to fill in staffing gaps. There's also no guarantee that you'll get any hours, so it would be unwise to rely on one agency job to make ends meet.

been there,done it · Dec 2, 2014

Agency work means you will be staffing the facility on an as needed basis... through the agency you work for. Your employer is the agency, not the facility. The agency makes money WHEN and if you work. They typically bill the facility for twice the hourly rate you end up with.

The facility needs a shift to be filled.. they call your agency.. the agency asks you if you will work that shift. This can be 2 hours before the need is identified. NOT permanent employment.. but you should make one and a half times facility pay. No benefits, not consistent... but I made it financially through years of agency work.

It's a tough gig.. you need solid skills.. be able to find the door.. the unit and run with it.