I've been giving this a lot of thought lately, and I'm sure I am not the only one to have thought about this. Supplemental Nurse staffing is a very big business, and I'd like to know why the Federal Government can't get in on the act. It generates millions upon millions of dollars annually.
First, as a part of the Federal Nurse Supplementation Organization (FNSO for short), nurses would receive a FEDERAL license that would allow them to work in all 50 states without having to have that particular state's license. I know the various states would complain because that's revenue that is out of their pockets, but so what? This business generates a lot of money for the respective companies, and I say if the Government gets in on the act, it could be a way to generate funds to help with overall universal healthcare. The hospitals who need supplemental staffing are the ones who pay for just about everything, so the government wouldn't have to spend a whole lot of money with this. Some of these companies are making millions upon millions of dollars and still don't treat the nurses who make the money for them as well as they should. I don't know too many hospitals that don't look for federal dollars in one way or another, and they should have to use the Federal Nurse staffing company. The nurses who work for this agency would be entitled to the same government benefits as any other federal employee. I really think this is something worth looking into. I know that the existing travel companies wouldn't like it very much, but they would still have the option of staying in business and if the can provide equal compensation as the newly formed Federal Nurse Staffing organization, they wouldn't have to worry about their nurses leaving. Also, there are nurses who simply want to do local agency and those who will remain staff nurses, so the Federal program wouldn't necessarily close the door to others in the industry. I am currently working on this option myself, but would appreciate any and all suggestions from not only nurses, but business people who could help put something like this together to be presented to the government. I think it's a viable idea and look forward to any and all suggestions! There are a lot of really intelligent people who are a part of the Daily Kos community, and I'm seriously looking for your suggestions and ideas. For those nurses out there, I really look forward to reading what you have to say. I sent the suggestion to the Obama people, but who knows if they will actually read it.
UPDATE: To help get around the states whining, the nurse can only work in a new state while on the federal traveling assignment. If he/she decides they want to stay or work in another facility, they would have to get that particular state's license.