Nurses are more essential than ever in today’s healthcare system, and choosing the right career path can be a game-changer.
Agency nurses and staff nurses both play vital roles but come with distinct differences and challenges. Agency nurses enjoy flexibility and variety, while staff nurses benefit from job security and stability.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between agency nursing vs. staff nursing, giving you the insights you need to make an informed decision about your future in nursing.
Table of Contents
- Agency Nurse vs. Staff Nurse
- 7 Fundamental Differences Between Agency Nurses vs. Staff Nurses
- 6 Reasons To Choose Agency Nursing With Trusted Managed Services
- Experience Agency Nursing at Its Finest With Trusted Managed Services
Agency Nurse vs. Staff Nurse
What Is an Agency Nurse?
An agency nurse is a medical professional who works for an agency that temporarily assigns nurses to a medical facility to fill in gaps in their employees. Agency nurses can work at:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Home health care
- Community outreach programs
- State-run institutions
- And more
Many nurses choose to work as agency nurses because of the flexibility and variety of opportunities given with different jobs. Some pros of being an agency nurse include:
- Higher pay
- Short contracts for those who like to change their environment
- Opportunity for a variety of work
- Flexible schedules
- No long-term commitments
- Opportunity to travel
Some cons of being an agency nurse include:
- Lack of job security
- Lack of benefits
- Less familiar workplace environment
- Opportunity for workload burnout
As an agency nurse, you are not employed by a healthcare facility but rather by a staffing agency.
When looking for an agency, it’s essential to look for one that supports your career goals and lifestyle preferences and provides benefits that help you during your assignments. Trusted Talent is a reliable agency that meets all these recommendations and more.
Contact us today to learn more about what we offer our agency nurses and get started!
What Is a Staff Nurse?
A staff nurse is permanent staff at a medical facility. They are often referred to as the backbone of the healthcare system as supplementary nurses or hospital nurses.
Staff nurses can be found at:
- Hospitals
- Rehab centers
- Psychiatric facilities
- Nursing homes
- And more
Being a staff nurse can be beneficial in various ways and can be the preferred nursing job for those wanting stability and consistency. Some pros of being a staff nurse are:
- Job security
- Advancement opportunities
- Benefits and retirement opportunities
Some cons about being a staff nurse are:
- Long working hours
- Stress
- Physically demanding
- Short staffing
- Administrative burdens
7 Fundamental Differences Between Agency Nurses vs. Staff Nurses
Both agency and staff nurses are great options for those starting their nursing careers. Some key differences between the two are essential when considering your work-life balance and future career plans.
#1: Pay
Finding a job with a good income for the experience and hours you provide can be crucial.
Agency workers have higher hourly rates but are temporary contractors who do not have benefits.
Staff nurses may get paid less but have a steady salary. Additionally, they are provided benefits like job security, sick and annual leave, pensions, and more.
#2: Work Environment
When you dedicate your life to a career, it is important to prioritize a positive and safe work environment.
Agency nurses work in different environments and tend to switch locations based on needs. They get to work in diverse environments, teams, and patient populations due to the opportunity to travel all over the country.
Staff nurses are typically assigned to one medical facility. Due to this stability, they can form reliable and close-knit relationships with their staff and teams. Due to the type of work, however, they may have more duties, such as administrative paperwork, that an agency nurse may not have.
#3: Contract Length
One of the most significant differences between agency vs. staff nursing is workplace commitment.
Agency nurses work on a temporary contract, varying from 4 to 26 weeks, but most are 13 weeks long. They are sometimes offered another contract based on the facility’s needs, but many times move on to another job.
Staff nurses tend to have permanent or long-term contracts with their medical facilities, which provides longevity and predictability in their careers.
#4: Scheduling
Scheduling between agency nurses vs. staff nurses varies greatly.
Agency nurses are filling gaps in different healthcare facilities, which means their schedules may be unpredictable. The agency handles specific scheduling requests from healthcare facilities. Although flexibility is a benefit of the position, it’s important to meet the requirements and minimums outlined in the contract.
Staff nurses rely on their management teams to make their schedules. Routine schedules often have more stability and opportunities to trade shifts or take paid time off.
#4: Specialty
Specialties vary when it comes to agency nurses vs. staff nurses.
Agency nurses have the flexibility to help in a variety of different areas of medicine, such as:
- Pediatric care
- Emergency care
- Intensive care (ICU)
- Operating room care
- Geriatric care
- Mental health care
- And more
Staff nurses specialize in one area of medicine and spend most of their careers working in that area. This provides a deeper specialization and long-term specialty development.
#5: Expenses
When it comes to added expenses for your nursing job, you want to ensure they are limited and/or tax-deductible whenever possible.
Some examples of expenses for staff nurses are:
- Uniforms
- Education and training costs
- Medical supplies and equipment
Agency nurses tend to carry some of the same expenses but need to consider added costs such as:
- Short-term lodging costs
- Travel costs
- Food costs
- Car expenses
- Multiple licenses and certifications
When using an agency like Trusted Managed Services, many of these expenses are included in your contract as stipends. This can be a great perk to being an agency nurse that staff nurses do not get.
#6: Relationships
While working as a staff nurse, you can get to know your fellow staff and the administration at your healthcare facility well. You also have the chance to grow professionally while building these valuable relationships at one healthcare facility.
As an agency nurse, you do not have the same opportunity to grow with your colleagues due to short-term contracts, but you do have the chance to work with agencies that can help support your career goals by analyzing your strengths and preferences to find a position that best suits you.
#7: Experience
Staff nurses typically work with one medical facility. You may have the opportunity to work in different departments, but being a staff nurse allows you to hone in on your passions and become an expert in one area. When working for one department, you get to be involved in more training and professional development that may not otherwise be available to you.
As an agency nurse, you have the opportunity to obtain experience in a variety of healthcare settings and industries. Due to short contracts, it may be challenging to build and grow on these particular experiences, but agency nurses have diverse experiences and skills that provide versatility.
6 Reasons To Choose Agency Nursing With Trusted Managed Services
#1: 24/7 Support
As an agency nurse, you may be met with unique questions or issues that can arise at any time of day. With Trusted Talent, you can expect:
- Best in-class communication
- A personalized support team
- Ongoing assignment advocacy
#2: Top Compensation
We know your work as a nurse is essential and should be paid accurately and on time. Our dedicated team is educated on rates across the country and works hard to make sure you have all the resources you need at your fingertips. That is why we offer:
- Direct deposit
- Overtime/double time is available
- Customizable pay packages
- 401(k) with a 4% match after 1,000 hours and one year of employment, weekly paychecks
#3: Bonus Opportunities
At Trusted Talent, we want to reward those who work hard and support your accomplishments. That is why we offer:
- $1500 referral bonus program
- Welcome box
- Loyalty program
- Discount program
#4: Health Insurance
Health insurance is a significant benefit when looking for jobs and contracts. As an agency nurse, you may be left with no health benefits, depending on the position you take. At Trusted Managed Services, we offer:
- Portable permanent whole life insurance
- License, certification, & CEU reimbursements
- Portable short-term/long-term disability insurance
#5: Wellness Benefits
You never know when illness or injury may strike, so it is crucial to be prepared and covered for any unexpected medical expenses. Our wellness benefits cover a variety of needs, such as:
- Employer-sponsored health insurance
- HRA to fully cover deductibles
- Guardian dental and vision insurance
- Wellness benefits
#6: Flexibility
We understand that as an agency nurse, your contracts are short, and your needs may be different from the next person’s. That is why we offer:
- Flexible contract options
- Full-time, part-time, and per diem work
- Housing, meal, and travel stipends
- Rental car options
Experience Agency Nursing at Its Finest With Trusted Managed Services
With so many nursing staffing agencies to choose from, we understand the need for an agency that prioritizes you and personalizes your career experience.
The dedicated experts at Trusted Managed Services offer support in every detail of your assignment, from placement to health benefits.
Our staff combines our expertise with detail-oriented management to support you every step of the way.
Contact our team today to browse jobs and get started on the next step of your nursing career.
