The Rise of a Gig or Contract Nursing Workforce

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Contract Nursing

 

Contract Nursing

Nurses, the backbone of the healthcare industry, are now empowered to shape their careers in a way that suits their lifestyle and aspirations. They are the frontline heroes in patient care, ensuring that patients receive adequate care, timely medication is administered, and more. The contract nursing workforce, a growing trend in healthcare, is providing them with this empowerment. Traditionally, nursing careers were built around hospital shifts, long-term contracts, and years of service in a single location. But today, many professionals are rewriting that playbook—embracing the gig economy through contract nursing. 

From hospitals seeking urgent staffing solutions to nurses desiring a better work-life balance, contract nursing jobs near me are becoming a standard search among professionals looking for opportunities. That’s why we are bringing this blog to you: aspiring nurses looking to build their careers in the nursing field, who can also opt for this option and learn why.  

Why Nurses Are Choosing Contract Nursing 

The rise of contract nursing isn’t a coincidence—it’s a response to both industry challenges and the evolving expectations of healthcare workers. Here are some of the top reasons driving this change: 

Career Growth and Experience - As you are on a contractual requirement, you gain different and challenging experiences at each destination. Why? Because each new assignment exposes nurses to other patient populations, healthcare systems, and technologies. This broadens skill sets, making contract nurses highly adaptable and desirable candidates for future opportunities. 

Competitive Pay - Depending on your experience and how many different roles you have played in the past, you will have a better command of the negotiation for your salary. Additionally, factors such as location can also help you secure a competitive package. Many contract nursing roles pay more per hour compared to permanent staff positions. Short-term, high-demand contracts often come with incentives such as travel reimbursement, housing stipends, or sign-on bonuses, making them attractive to professionals who want to maximize their income. 

Work-Life Balance - Nurses’ roles are among the most demanding in the healthcare industry. The doctor sees the patient once or twice, or when needed, but the maximum care is provided by these nurses. If you are working on a contractual basis, you can achieve a better work-life balance. Nurses can work in bursts of intensive care, followed by intentional downtime, offering a healthier rhythm for many. 

Flexibility and Control - Nurses want more say over their schedules. Contract nursing offers professionals the ability to choose assignments that align with their personal lives, whether it’s taking weekends off for family, scheduling travel between contracts, or avoiding burnout from rigid hospital shifts.  

The Benefits of Contract Nursing for Employers 

While much of the spotlight is on how contract nursing empowers professionals, healthcare facilities also benefit in several key ways, feeling a sense of relief: 

  1. Faster Hiring – Direct care staffing agencies like EmpowerCare can fill positions quickly from their ready talent pools. 
  1. Skilled Workforce – Contract nurses often bring diverse experiences from multiple facilities, making them adaptable and resourceful. 
  1. Reduced Burnout for Permanent Staff – Supplemental staffing helps alleviate the strain on full-time employees, thereby improving retention. 
  1. Scalability – Facilities can scale staffing up or down depending on patient volumes. 

How the Gig Economy is Shaping Healthcare 

The gig economy is no longer limited to drivers or freelance designers—it has now made a significant entry into the healthcare sector. In fact, healthcare organizations are increasingly relying on contract nursing staffing agencies to fill urgent gaps. 

Here’s why: 

  • Staffing Shortages – Hospitals and long-term care facilities are experiencing high turnover rates and require immediate assistance. Contract nurses provide a bridge to continuity of care. 
  • Seasonal Demands – Certain times of year bring higher patient loads, and facilities use contract staffing to keep up. 
  • Cost-Effective Solutions – Hiring full-time staff requires benefits and pensions. Contract staffing provides flexibility for employers without the long-term commitment. 

For healthcare institutions, contract nurses aren’t just a quick fix—they’re becoming an integral part of workforce planning.  

How Nurses Can Find Contract Nursing Jobs Near Me 

For professionals ready to leap, the question is simple: How do I find contract nursing jobs near me? 

The process usually involves: 

  • Partnering with a Staffing Agency – Agencies like EmpowerCare match professionals with available opportunities. 
  • Exploring Job Boards – Many healthcare job boards now specifically highlight contract roles. 
  • Networking – Word-of-mouth and professional communities often share contract openings. 

Challenges in Contract Nursing 

While the opportunities are attractive, contract nursing also comes with challenges that professionals should be aware of: 

  • Constant Adjustment – Nurses must quickly adapt to new workplaces, teams, and systems. 
  • Benefits – Contract roles may not offer the same benefits as full-time positions. 
  • Job Security – Contracts are short-term by nature, so planning is key. 

This is where an agency partner like EmpowerCare can play a pivotal role—bridging the gap between contracts, ensuring continuous opportunities, and providing professional support.  

How can EmpowerCare be your next partner?  

As your online employment agency, EmpowerCare is more than just a platform for job opportunities. We provide a sense of community and support, understanding the unique needs of both nurses and healthcare providers. We will help you find the best-fit job, as our team will assist you in preparing for interviews and negotiating a more favourable package. On the other hand, for employers, we will provide you with a pool of vetted talent, so you can avoid wasting time in the hiring process. EmpowerCare collaborates closely with organizations to understand their unique culture, staffing needs, and patient care priorities. 

Final Thought

Nurses are the frontline warriors of the healthcare industry; they are the silent heroes who have helped us survive through the difficult phases of COVID-19, when anyone has undergone surgery, or when there is a serious case in the ICU. With the help of the contract, the Nursing workforce is embracing flexibility, independence, and competitive pay, while facilities are gaining access to a skilled, adaptable workforce. 

Yet, the key to making this model successful lies in strong partnerships between professionals and staffing agencies. This is where EmpowerCare shines—helping nurses find the right opportunities and assisting facilities in meeting their staffing needs with confidence. 

Whether you’re a nurse searching for “contract nursing jobs near me” or a healthcare organization struggling to fill urgent roles, EmpowerCare provides the bridge. With personalized support, a vast network, and innovative solutions, EmpowerCare is empowering the future of healthcare staffing.

5 Things to Know About Contract Nursing: Facility Guide

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Contract Nursing

Contract Nursing

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.