The segments of the nursing population that choose contract labor over permanent placement represent a substantial percentage of the workforce. One of the most important questions healthcare staffing firms has to answer, is how can we attract someone to a temporary assignment that is used to permanent placement.
Some of the more obvious criteria for such change are:
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Job opportunities
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Flexibility
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Choice in assignments
Perks like these help staffing firms not only recruit nurses but also retain them. Promoting these incentives also help encourage youth to pursue nursing as a profession.
Although rate of pay can be an attractive incentive, it doesn’t typically rank as the number one deciding factor. Rates of pay tend to be higher on the west coast as well as in parts of the Northeast. Many staffing firms have established retirement accounts for their nurses despite their temporary status.
Another attractive feature of contract staffing is the ability to temporarily relocate to another part of the country. Having a beach or mountain nearby can be an added benefit for enjoyment for a few months out of the year.
The travel contract is not for everyone. The scope and nature of family commitments sometimes makes the switch to travel impossible, but for a specific population of nurses, it’s a great fit.
