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What are the motivations and experiences of Nurses using employment agencies to find work?
Hello! Thanks for your question regarding the motivations and experiences of nurses using employment agencies to find work. The short version is that nurses who choose this method of work do so because they are looking for a better work-life balance, control over when and for how long they work and the choice of clinical settings to work in together with as better pay. Additionally, there are also nurses wanting the opportunity to combine travel and living in other countries whilst working to support themselves and their families.
Below you will find a deep dive of my findings.
METHODOLOGY
In researching your question I initially looked for employment agencies who sourced work for nurses, to review available testimonies. I chose agencies from the United States, United Kingdom (UK) and Australia as many of the agencies indicated that they supported nurses looking for work both nationally and internationally. I then looked for case studies and scholarly articles to see if the experiences highlighted in the testimonies was reflected in validated studies. Finally, I searched for trusted media articles that also covered this topic.
MOTIVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES
In the US, O’Grady Peyton International’s business focus is on placing internationally trained nurses into roles throughout the United States for periods of up to three years. They support the nurse to obtain their license and assist in the immigration process; arranging permanent residency for the nurse and their family. Successful nurses receive high wages and are provided with medical, dental and life insurance as well as a retirement plan. With other incentives also being offered, being an agency nurse is an attractive opportunity to travel to a new country with a guaranteed well-paying role.
International nurses found that working through the agency “paved the way for many” opportunities for themselves and their families whilst making the “transition much easier” for those coming from abroad. Some nurses find the process lengthy, however, being supported by an agency was an invaluable help in ensuring they did not regret taking the opportunity. One nurse cautioned others who were interested in working as a nurse in another country to be “open-minded and accepting of change” and to “acknowledge your limitations” whilst doing your very best.
The family-like support provided by a nursing agency is also a factor for nurses in the UK when choosing their method of employment. The provision of professional development opportunities through ongoing practical and theoretical training is also a service that is sought after. UK agencies will also work with their nurses to secure the best salary possible in their preferred clinical field.
Nurses in Australia, both Australian and international, see working through an agency as a way to better manage their work-life balance. Working through an agency allows a nurse to have the “flexibility to work the hours that suit” their needs. Agency staff work with nurses to find assignments for them that suit their “strengths and preferences”. Some nurses choose to decline permanent roles when offered them by the hospitals they work at; preferring the family-like support provided by their agency.
Nurses appreciate not being penalized if they decline a shift and that they are not required to provide a reason why. This flexibility is missing for nurses in permanent roles. Agency nurses are also attracted to the opportunity to work in “diverse clinical settings” with many choosing to continue to work as an agency nurse for their entire career; a choice that is also enhanced by better pay rates and benefits.
England spent over 3,300,000 pounds on agency staff in 2014-15, a substantial increase from the 2,200,000 pounds spent in 2009-10. It is estimated that 31% of that expenditure was on agency nurses. In an effort to constrain the spiraling costs the government placed a cap on how much money can be spent employing agency staff.
In 2016, the study by Royal College of Nursing and HCL Nursing showed the value and perspective of agency nurses is often ignored or overlooked. The study found that use of agency nurses is important in workforce planning with almost 50% of bookings made within 24 hours of the shift starting. There are greater lead times for longer assignments.
The reasons why nurses choose to work through agencies include enhanced flexibility and the ability to control the type of shifts and number of hours worked. Pay is a motivator for nurses, with 63% of respondents solely working through agencies whilst others combine agency work with other nursing roles, with increased health care expenditure resulting in below inflation pay rises.
Some respondents advised they were looking to obtain permanent employment, preferring the security and stability that it offers in leave entitlements and pensions.
The study reflects the motivations and perspectives shown in agency testimonials in the US, UK and Australia with the overriding motivation for choosing to work as an agency nurse being work-life balance, control over when and for how long they worked and the choice of clinical settings to work in together with as better pay.
CONCLUSION
To wrap it up, the testimonies on nurse agency websites reflected research findings. Nurses are taking control of their career by working through agencies to ensure that they are maximizing their work-life balance to control when, where and for how long they work. They are also looking for opportunities in a variety of clinical settings both within their own countries and internationally. In general, their experiences are positive and they find that agencies are supportive and encouraging with a family-like vibe.
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