With the continued demand for nurses due to ongoing staffing challenges, many healthcare organizations turn to travel nurses to fill the gaps. During the pandemic, travel nurses were sought out to stem the flow of qualified staff from hospitals throughout the country. The demand skyrocketed, and while travel nurses are still highly sought after, it has since leveled out.
However, the travel nursing industry is projected to experience steady growth over the coming decade. There are several reasons for the anticipated growth in travel nursing. Among them:
- Continued need for healthcare organizations to fill staffing gaps
- Increased flexibility for nurses who want more than a permanent position can offer.
- The desire to explore new places while providing patient care.
- The interest in learning new skills and working with a diverse patient population.
Questions Southern Employers Ask About Travel Nurses
For a healthcare organization, travel nurses can provide an ideal solution, especially as demand for staff surges or falls depending on the needs of the community. Southern employers considering travel nurses may wonder if that’s the right call for their organization. How can you find out? Here are five questions southern employers ask about travel nurses.
1. What is The Commitment and Cost?
Budget demands require southern employers to know just how much they need to commit to travel nurses. This bottom line should include all costs such as agency fees, billing, overtime, and any other potential compensation.
Southern employers also need to know and understand the specifics of the contract. Are you committing to license reimbursement? What are the specific commitments as outlined in the contract? Does the agency offer 24/7 support? The agency must define the specific requirements, expectations, and support.
2. How to Confirm the Travel Nurse Has the Necessary Skills?
While requiring specific skills seems elementary, you need to inquire about those skills to know if the travel nurse will be a good fit. In other words, how does the nurse’s skill set and work experience align with the needs of your facility? Does the nurse’s experience in patient care match your patient population? Has the travel nurse garnered any experience with your type of facility?
3. How is Onboarding Handled?
Another major concern is how well the travel nurse can integrate with the organization from day one. Does the agency ensure the transition is a smooth one? What happens if the travel nurse doesn’t fit well or integrate? How are those challenges addressed? Onboarding success can make or break the staff relationship.
4. Does the Agency Provide Ongoing Support?
Should issues arise with the travel nurse before the end of the employment assignment, will the agency provide support? Is there a contact within the agency available 24/7 to address issues or concerns southern employers might have with travel nurses? Knowing you have agency support ahead of time can prevent a lot of strife should any issues arise.
5. Who Provides Management of The Travel Nurse?
Does the agency work with southern employers to measure performance? How do you work with our organization’s team to make sure our staff and patients are satisfied with the travel nurse’s performance? Who manages performance issues should the travel nurse fall short?
Southern Employers Trust BOS Medical Staffing
Employers in the south have trusted BOS Medical Staffing for over 40 years. We’re based in the south, and we know the specific needs of healthcare organizations in our region. For more on how travel nurses can help you, please reach out to BOS Medical Staffing.
