Travel Nurses: How They Can Help Your Medical Staffing Agency
Today, hospitals require many resources. While new diagnostic systems are a welcome addition to hospitals, technology is not the most desired resource. Qualified nurses are much more highly sought after in the medical industry. At Medical Staffing Consultants, we can confirm the current opportunities at medical staffing companies including travel nurses.
What is a Travel Nurse?
Travel nurses have the same skill set and qualifications as permanent placement nurses. However, instead of remaining at one facility, travel nurses rotate to different facilities. In most cases, travel nurses work thirteen-week shifts, requiring them to relocate every three to four months. Their assigned facility is dictated by their specialty as they tend to be placed in facilities that have the highest need for their specific specialty.
While the idea of constantly traveling might seem off-putting to some, others consider it a perk; it is seen as an opportunity to experience life in different parts of the country.
Why Travel Nurses are Replacing Conventional Nurses
Travel nurses are far more accessible than permanent placement nurses. With a high demand for nurses possessing specialized skill-sets, a medical staffing agency has a greater opportunity for success because they endorse travel nurses, thereby, providing those nurses with established credibility in their industry. As temporary employees, travel nurses are not a long-term investment, therefore, it is more cost effective for facilities to hire travel nurses rather than permanent placement nurses.
As of ten years ago, large urban hospitals like Charleston Medical did not have a need for travel nurses because Baby Boomers did not have the healthcare needs they have today, and institutional restrictions were not as limiting. This year, Charleston Medical will have spent $12 million on travel nurses.
How Travel Nurses Help Your Medical Staffing Agency
We at Medical Staffing Consultants are confident that the nursing shortage will give staffing agencies ample opportunities for job placements. Medical staffing agencies can make the placement process seamless for nurses, hospitals, and other medical facilities.
Independent medical staffing agencies are better prepared to accommodate staffing needs than are medical franchises. Restrictions imposed by franchise owners prevent geographic and inter-market growth. Independently owning a medical staffing agency will provide you with the most profitable opportunity.
According to the Staffing Industry Analysts Survey, travel nurse revenue grew by 23% for medical staffing agencies in 2016. The survey also notes staffing agencies have recently shifted from primarily providing paid housing to granting lodging stipends; this takes a tremendous amount of stress off medical staffing agencies as they will not have to make housing accommodations for the patients they serve. Large facilities such as hospitals do not have time to recruit travel nurses themselves and will reach out to staffing agencies to fill these positions.
Why Work with Medical Staffing Consultants?
We are a team of individuals passionate about the staffing industry. With over 14 years of experience in the industry, we can provide your agency with actionable advice. Contact us for more information.