Staffing agencies have several advantages over health care institutions and draw a steady stream of nurses. Agency nurses cannot be required to stay beyond their scheduled shifts. Nobody likes to be mandated. And most agencies pay higher wages. MSN regularly advertises its rates.
Some agencies even provide benefits.
InteliStaf places mostly RNs and LPNs, but also CNAs, respiratory therapists and X-ray technicians. Its roster has grown from about 50 people eight years ago to more than 300 now. Although some people work full-time for the agency because they prefer the flexibility to working set shifts for one facility, Newhall says the majority of agency nurses sign on to supplement their income at their regular job. Trance is one example. So far, Trance has chosen to work only one shift a week through CareStaf.