​A new study by the University of Rochester School of Nursing has shown that the use of supplemental travel nurses turns out to be a cost efficient strategy versus paying overtime for permanent nursing staff. The study states that prior research had shown that travel nurses are as qualified and experienced as permanent nurses. Richard Wahlquist, President and CEO of American Staffing Association states "this study shows that supplemental nurses offer the strategic flexibility that hospitals need to augment their workforces during peak times, and to address any interim labor shortages related to leave coverage, vacancies and expansion of services". The study was published in the April issue of the Journal of Nursing Care Quality. Overtime hours by permanent nurses sometimes have been shown to lower nurse and patient satisfaction. Nurses are already working in a stressful environment for long hours and overtime hours has been known to exacerbate nurse burnout and patient outcomes. Using travel nurses can alleviate this situation.

The study found:

Although the cost of travel nurses per hour may be more than permanent nurses, the use of supplemental personnel during shortages or increases in patients is cost effective.

Heavy reliance on travel nurses to meet these needs may not be the most cost efficient process.

Use of overtime hours for permanent nurses may not be cost effective when compared with the cost of nurse travelers.

Overall it seems that travel nurses used in these circumstances can provide a cost efficient alternative to paying overtime to permanent staff. Also, the use of supplemental healthcare professionals can results in better patient care and outcomes.

Mary Crawford, HealthCare Employment Network