One of the key lessons healthcare learned from COVID-19 is the urgent need for innovative staffing solutions—especially for temporary roles like nursing. Nurses are the backbone of patient care, but during a crisis, finding qualified temporary nurses becomes a major challenge. This is where contract nursing proves essential. It offers a flexible and reliable way for healthcare facilities to maintain quality care even during staffing shortages. Contract nursing has become a vital support system, helping hospitals and clinics manage unpredictable demands without compromising patient care. It ensures that facilities remain staffed and operational when they are needed the most. In this blog, we’ll explore contract nursing in detail—covering five key things you should know—and how EmpowerCare is making a difference by connecting healthcare facilities with dependable, skilled contract nurses.

What is contract nursing?  

EmpowerCare, a third-party staffing agency, plays a crucial role in facilitating contract nursing. They are not just a service provider, but a supportive bridge, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for both the healthcare facility and the contract nurse. Their role is to support and facilitate, ensuring that the needs of both parties are met. These nurses work under a set contract duration, typically arranged through  EmpowerCare. 

Contract nurses can be hired for: 

• Short-term assignments (a few weeks to a few months) 

• Longer-term placements (13-week contracts are standard) 

• Per-diem shifts (daily or weekly, often last-minute) 

Why Facilities Love It: 

• Staffing flexibility during seasonal surges, vacations, or leaves 

• Rapid hiring without long-term financial commitment 

• Access to highly skilled, mobile nurses willing to travel  

Travel Nursing Contracts: Why consider this option? 

Travel nurses are a specific type of contract nurse who accept temporary jobs in different geographic locations, often relocating for assignments that range from 8 to 26 weeks. This unique arrangement enables facilities to fill critical gaps in hard-to-staff areas, reduce burnout among permanent staff, and attract new, highly motivated professionals. 

For facilities, working with travel nurses means: 

• Filling critical gaps in hard-to-staff areas 

• Reducing burnout among permanent staff 

• Bringing in fresh, highly motivated professionals 

What Travel Nurses Expect from Facilities: 

• Clear housing or travel stipends 

• Defined shift schedules 

• Professional onboarding—even if temporary 

• A supportive environment that respects their experience and role 

Short-Term Nurse Contracts:  

Not every facility needs a 13-week nurse contract. Sometimes, what you need is a short burst of help, like coverage for: 

• A nurse going on maternity or medical leave 

• A peak season in admissions (winter flu season, for example) 

• A sudden resignation or staff shortage 

• Filling time before a permanent hire starts 

These short-term travel nurse contracts, typically 4 to 8 weeks, allow you to assess staffing needs without compromising patient care. 

Best Practices for Facilities: 

• Communicate contract length and shift expectations clearly 

• Provide orientation on systems and workflows (even if brief) 

• Offer a positive work environment—happy short-term nurses can become repeat hires.  

How to Attract Top Contract Nurses to Your Facility 

Now that we have understood the different types of contract nurses, such as travelling nurses and short-term contract nurses, it is time to learn how to make an attractive offer for the job opportunity. As they are independent enough to make decisions about where to work, we need to work out carefully on the following -   

Flexible Scheduling - When contracting with nurses, it is essential to work on schedule patterns that they appreciate, as they value clarity and clear terms.  

Competitive Pay - Ultimately, everything comes down to salary or pay; therefore, when hiring a contract nurse, it is essential to consider the salary you will offer.  

Supportive Work Culture - Even though they’re “temporary,” contract nurses want to be treated like part of the team. That means respect from leadership, clear communication, inclusion in team huddles or meetings and access to PPE, equipment, and proper training.  

Strong Agency Partnership - Nurses feel more confident accepting contracts when they know the staffing agency has their back. You will be assured about the person you have hired, as the agency has vetted them before sending them to you.  

Right Staffing Partner Matters, that’s where EmpowerCare steps in

The staffing agency you choose directly impacts the quality of your contract nurse experience. A great partner: 

• Filters candidates based on licensing, experience, and fit 

• Handles logistics like credentialing, scheduling, and payroll 

• Offers flexibility for urgent needs and long-term planning 

• Maintains open communication between all parties 

EmpowerCare is proud to be a tech-enabled staffing solution, offering speed without sacrificing quality. We streamline the contract process with: 

• Real-time job matching 

• Credential tracking and verification 

• Compliance management 

• Transparent digital profiles for every nurse 

Additionally, our client support team is always ready to help you adapt to changing needs, whether that means providing one nurse for two weeks or a complete unit for the next quarter. 

Final Thought

When considering nurses’ deployment for temporary purposes, whether it is for challenging times or a specific purpose, such as providing age-related assistance or support for individuals with chronic illnesses. When hiring them, you also need to consider their benefits, schedule, pay, and supportive work culture. They even want to be treated equally like any other nurse that you see around, so what if they are temporary? However, as you are hiring, you want assurance for yourself as well; therefore, you must consider hiring from an agency. That will give you and the nurse, who is working for you, assurance as well. EmpowerCare is your trusted partner, helping you employ the right contract nurse. We can assist you in creating an attractive offer for the nurse and help you determine the contract details that will result in a win-win situation for both parties.  

Whether you are looking for short term contract nurse or travel nurse, Empowercare is here to serve you with the the best in town, whether you are looking for contract nurses to combat crisis like COVID – 19 or you need them to look after elderly, every option is available on our portal, simply login and look for the right candidate.