Nurses search firms exist to help healthcare organizations with staffing needs for myriad positions and durations. They can assist with anything from short-term, even daily, nursing assignments, to longer-term commitments like those offered through travel nursing programs. What’s more, nurse recruiters can help you fill permanent positions, often with prescreened, qualified professionals who are already in their database.

Before choosing a nurse search firm, consider the following:

1. Look for licensed nurse staffing services that have temporary staffing options.

2. Research licensed nurse search firms that have travel nursing programs.

3. Find nurse executive search firms that can provide candidates for permanent nursing positions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find nurse recruiting firms that can provide temporary staffing

It's impossible to predict just what your medical staffing needs will be in a given year. You may have an RN go on maternity leave and need a long-term, albeit temporary, fill-in, or you may find yourself facing a short-term nursing shortage and need to fill several positions. Most medical staffing agencies offer contract and temporary positions.

I recommend: CyberCoders makes it easy to find the best nurses to fill your temporary positions. There is no cost to sign up and start searching; however, you will pay a fee if you hire a candidate found through the service. Healthcare Personnel can assist with contract nursing assignments and other temporary positions for all types of healthcare organizations.

Choose nurse recruiting firms that tap into travel nurse staffing

Travel nursing has become a major part of the industry, providing qualified staff to healthcare organizations that are facing a nursing shortage in their area. Consider nurse search firms that have tapped into this growing trend.

I recommend: AMN Healthcare specializes in travel nurse staffing and can provide all types of staffing services, from temporary to permanent positions. MedStaff is a leading travel nursing recruiter and can provide solid candidates for all types of healthcare facilities, from small, rural hospitals to multihospital systems.

Research licensed nurse staffing companies that focus on staffing permanent positions

Most nursing recruitment firms can fulfill any type of staffing need, but some tend to lean toward full-time, permanent positions. Consider these to find candidates that will best meet your needs.

I recommend: StaffPointe is an excellent option for finding permanent nursing staff. Best of all, most of its recruiting services are done online so you can control the process. Bristol Associates is a nurse executive search firm that specializes in placing nurses in management positions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take the time to research several nurses search firms before settling on one. Call their previous clients and make sure you have a comfortable rapport with the people you'll be dealing with directly.