Nursing staffing agencies specialize in the employment of nurses. Staffing agencies help nurses find temporary employment and assist hospitals in finding qualified personnel to make sure the hospital is staffed properly. Starting a nursing staffing agency can be a great way for someone with a health care background to open their own business.

Things You Will Need

  • Office space

  • Application forms

Find office space. The ideal nursing staffing agency office should have areas for personnel records, a waiting area and an area where candidates can be interviewed privately. Look for an office that has windows so you can see how candidates look when they show up. You should have the ability to keep the office open later in the day in order to interview candidates who may have just returned from a late nursing shift or those who prefer to work evening hours.

Get contracts with local hospitals. Contact local hospitals. Find out their nursing staffing needs. Present yourself as someone with a health-care background who can help management officials fill their staffing needs. Emphasize any prior credentials you may have such as a registered nurse state license. Make sure that you have all contracts in writing before you start. The contract should spell out the sum of money you will be paid as well as what is expected of the employees that you will provide.

Find candidates to fill positions. Place ads in local newspapers and national nursing journals. Contact local schools of nursing and colleges that offer nursing programs. Work with officials at career placement offices to let them know of your services. Create a flyer to hand out on campus with details about requirements and payment offered. Emphasize the benefits of working temporarily such as high wages, flexible hours and the ability to work in different hospitals.

Screen candidates. Set up interviews in your office. Create standardized forms for candidates to fill out. The forms should have all pertinent information such as the employee’s background and state licenses as well as any special certifications. Create a place to store copies of all applications.

Hire additional employees to help you run the business. Hire a receptionist to answer the phones and supervise candidates as they wait. Hire someone to complete payroll and help schedule nurses for shifts. You may want to hire additional people as your business grows.