What is Agency Nursing?
Agency nurses, also referred to as supplemental nurses, work with an agency to fill temporary nursing positions. These nurses move from place to place, rather than working for a single organization. While some may choose to pursue agency nursing as a solution to being unable to find permanent employment with one organization, others might be drawn to this freelance work due to the exciting opportunity to work in many different settings and specializations. These individuals enjoy the challenge of a rapidly changing work environment and are constantly meeting and working with new people. Agency nursing might also offer some travel opportunities.
What Education is Necessary?
Agency nursing opportunities are available to nurses with various levels of education. According to Johnson & Johnson, one must have earned at least a nursing diploma, ADN, or BSN, and be certified as an RN in order to become an agency nurse. Some agencies may also employ LPNs, though there may be less demand for them.
Typical Agency Nursing Work Environment
The typical work environment for an agency nurse could be in almost any organization that employs nurses, including hospitals and clinics. Organizations often use agency nurses to help with a staff shortage or to fill in for employees who are on leave.
Job Outlook for Agency Nursing
Due to the current nursing shortage, there is a positive outlook for agency nurses, because there is likely to be a demand for some time in the future. Some organizations might prefer to use agency nurses as opposed to hiring them permanently, because they may forfeit many of the costs involved with employing new staff.
What Are Some Agency Nursing Expectations?
Agency nurses are expected to adapt quickly to new environments and situations. They should be knowledgeable of the field and current on best practices and policies and require little assistance when entering a new work environment. These individuals are expected to have time management skills, as they are responsible for their own schedules. Agency nurses are also expected to work well with others and to fit in well when working with new people. These nurses are skilled and able to thrive in a changing environment.
What is the Average Salary for Agency Nurses?
According to Indeed.com, the national average for an agency nurse salary is $62,000, though this information is subject to change.
