Subsidizing education and increasing wages were suggested solutions then and are in the process of being implemented again. Although agency nurses do not usually get health insurance or other benefits from their agency, many nurses cite the higher pay and flexibility as advantages. Jeffrey Fox, branch director for Nursefinders of Cleveland and Columbus, said that another advantage of agencies is that they spend a good deal of money on finding and retaining their employees. Agencies must compete for nurses with other agencies and hospitals. He said that hospitals don't want the public to know that 30 percent of nurses are provided by an agency.
Patients expect staff to be trained by the hospital.
They think the public would perceive a lesser quality of care. He said that years ago, agency nurses were viewed as less competent because they could work in staff positions, but didn't. Some work full time in a facility and pick up extra shifts to supplement their income. Others want part-time work where they can control their schedules. Simmons said that the trend is that older nurses are opting out of clinical work because it is increasingly difficult and the workload has increased so much on hospital floors.