What's a Nurse Staffing Agency?

If you are in the medical industry and looking for jobto a specific provider, thus declaring you as an IRS
postings on the internet, then you might be comingForm 1099 Contractor working for a specific provider.
across the phrase "Nurse Staffing Agency" a littleThis may or may not be an ideal situation for you
more frequently these days. One working definition is:when it comes to filing your own personal income
"A nurse staffing agency is a business that providestaxes. If it's not, there are medical staffing agencies out
nurses and usually health care assistants (such asthere that will bring you on as a W-2 employee and
Certified Nursing Assistants Therapy Assistants) tocan process the federal and state tax withdrawals
people and providers who need the services of healthfrom your paychecks. Again, this may be a matter of
care professionals."personal preference and the best way to find out is to
Wouldn't it be grand if life was as simple as theask your prospective medical recruiter.
definitions provided?4. License Requirements When considering taking
Though this definition is correct, the greater question istemporary medical staffing positions in other states,
what makes a good nurse staffing agency? Especiallythere might be license criteria needed prior to filling a
when so many are on the web and advertising injob. Some staffing agencies will reimburse for your
trade magazines. How can you ever possibly pick thelicense fees. Again, this is a big item as it can affect
right one with so many options available?your job availability and pay. This is something that
Here are some simple things to keep in mind whencertainly needs to be discussed prior to signing on with
considering a nurse staffing agency:a staffing firm or taking an available position.
1. Regular Job Postings In Your Career Field - There5. Ask about health and life insurance This is an item
are plenty of jobs being posted in the travel andthat tends to be overlooked when considering an
temporary medical staffing fields, but its important toagency. Some staffing agencies leave it to you to
associate yourself with an agency that actually listscover your own personal insurance needs, while
jobs in your specific job discipline. Some agenciesothers offer comprehensive health and life insurance
specialize in RN/LPN/CNA jobs versus physicalbenefits to its employees. In a job industry that
therapy and PTA job listings. This is an importantpotentially has you traveling from location to location,
first-step when considering a medical staffing firm.asking about out these types of benefits needs to
2. Know your job benefits Does the company offerstay in the forefront of your planning.
you travel pay, housing, and per diem for your timeIt would be super if every nurse staffing agency
while you are assigned? Each of these items has aprovided the answers to the above points right-up
major impact on how your pay will be affected if youfront, wouldn't it? However, the reality it is to find any
take a contract. This is a critical item and one thatgood nurse staffing agency its going to take some
must be asked of any prospective agency you mayresearch and asking questions on your own part to
be considering.discover them. So keeping these simple points in mind
3. Knowing who you work for - It's fairly commonwill help you sort out the best agency for your own
practice for medical staffing firms to contract you outcareer needs.