How to Start a Traveling Nurse Agency

A traveling nursing agency is an employment agency that specializes in placing nurses in temporary positions all across the country. Traveling nursing agencies help nurses see the United States while at the same time filling nursing shortages in critical areas. Starting a traveling nursing agency can be the opportunity to combine your interests in business, medicine and travel.

Instructions

1. 

   Find the right office space. You will an office to interview candidates, store records and work with nursing employers. Look for a space that is quiet yet easily accessible. The right space should have a space where a candidate can wait to be interviewed as well as space where employees can work with hospitals and other nursing employers. You should also have spaces for people to answer the phones and work on payroll records. Put up travel posters to indicate to candidates where they can choose to work. If possible ask a nurse who you know who works to pose for a picture of herself at work.

2. 

   Contact hospitals and other employers. Work with local and national hospitals to help provide a wide range of employment opportunities for prospective employees. Visit hospitals in person if possible to introduce yourself. Many hospitals have affiliates in various states. Find out if the system will honor candidates from other states for employment.

3. 

   Design forms for the employees. As part of your job you will have to verify the employment credentials of candidates. You will need to make sure that all employees have the right educational credentials as well as current state licenses. You will also have to check that a nurse's certifications are up to date and accurate. Create standardized forms for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. The forms should have basic information about the nurse such as her name, date of birth and social security number. Forms should also have information about her experience and her undergraduate coursework. Create additional forms for nursing specialties such as pediatrics and nurse anesthetists. These forms will help you quickly find information about candidates.

4. 

   Research all state laws pertaining to nursing. In order to practice nursing a nurse must have a valid state license. To get the state license she must pass state licensing exams. Exams vary from state to state. Some states have reciprocal agreements with other states. Other states require candidates to sit for new exams for each new state license. Investigate carefully. Make it easy for a nurse to get additional state licenses by providing study materials and helping the nurse to sit for any new exams.

5. Advertise for nursing candidates. Emphasize the wide variety of opportunities you have to offer as well as the ease of employment. Consider advertising in journals devoted to nursing.