With the increasing number of aging baby boomers and high-profile lifestyle diseases, there is a growing need for nurses to care for patients. Sometimes, hospitals have trouble filling open positions with qualified staff. This can lead to dangerous situations where patients are not receiving adequate care because there isn’t enough staff available.
Many hospitals and healthcare providers are turning to RN (Registered Nurse) staffing agencies for help. These agencies specialize in finding qualified nurses for short-term and long-term assignments.
They can do this because of their vast network of potential candidates, including traveling nurses and local staff members.
Choosing the right staffing agency can be a daunting task. To take chores out of the equation, consider these tips when looking for the right agency.
Be Sure That the Agency Is Licensed and Insured
Before choosing a nurse staffing agency, be sure it is licensed and insured to operate in your state. Some agencies may not be licensed because they are small operations or part-time businesses. If so, look elsewhere for help. Licensed agencies will have all their credentials on hand for you to view anytime.
Be Sure That the Agency Has Staffing Specialists
A staffing agency can help you find the right person for a job. However, if it has only one or two employees on staff who are not experts in their fields, they may not give you the quality of service you need.
The best RN staffing agencies will have at least three staff members who specialize in finding you the right person for the job. These professionals will conduct interviews with applicants, review their resumes and offer feedback on which ones are most qualified for your position.
They can also help you write job descriptions that include all essential requirements, such as experience and education. At Health Carousel, there is a full-time staff of experienced recruiters dedicated to finding you the best candidates.
Make Sure They Have a Proven Track Record of Success
An RN staffing agency need not have been in business for years or even decades to be effective. However, ensure they have a proven track record of success before choosing them over other agencies. The best way to do this is by asking for references and checking them out yourself.
When you talk to the references, ask them about the quality of staff they received from the agency. Specifically, determine if their employees are qualified, professional, and reliable. If they provide these things, the agency is good.
Find Out Their Screening Process
After you’ve narrowed down the list of potential RN staffing agencies, call them to get a better idea of what they do. For example, find out how they screen their applicants and how thorough their screening process is.
If they tell you that all applicants must pass a criminal background check and drug test before being considered for employment, this is a good sign.
Also, ask them whether they have a process for conducting reference checks. If they do, this indicates that they’re serious about hiring only qualified candidates who can perform their jobs well. And if you can get a list of previous clients or references from the agency, this is even better. At Health Carousel, there is a strict screening process for our nurses.
Make Sure They Handle All the Paperwork
Hiring an RN staffing agency is complicated and involves a lot of paperwork. This can be time-consuming and costly, so ensure the agency handles everything for you. They should be able to provide you with a contract that includes all the terms of your relationship.
They also need to take care of any training and licensing requirements for new employees, and they should have an easy onboarding process in place.
Final Word
When you hire an RN staffing agency, you want to ensure they will provide you with the quality nursing staff you need. If you are working with a reputable agency, they should be able to provide you with a wide range of qualified candidates.
They should also have a proven track record of success and be able to refer to their work.
