What to Look for in a Nursing Staffing Agency in Central Florida

Healthcare employers in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties compete hard for good nurses and aides. When a shift goes unfilled, patients wait and your team burns out. A nursing staffing agency can close the gap, but only if it is the right one. Here is what to check before you sign.

1. License and certification checks you can see

Every RN and LPN should hold an active license, and every CNA should hold a current Florida certification. Florida is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so some nurses work here on a multistate license issued by their home state. Ask the agency how it verifies each license and how often it checks again.

2. Background screening that meets Florida rules

Many healthcare roles in Florida require Level 2 background screening through the state’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Ask whether the agency handles screening, how long it takes, and how results are shared with you.

3. The right mix of roles

A good partner covers more than one type of worker. Look for an agency that can supply RNs, LPNs, CNAs, medical assistants, and home health aides, so you are not juggling several vendors.

4. Real local coverage

Central Florida is spread out. A nurse who lives in Sanford may not want a shift in Kissimmee. Ask where the agency’s workers live and how it handles coverage across Orlando, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Kissimmee, and St. Cloud.

5. Clear answers on timing

Ask how fast the agency can fill a same week shift, a next day shift, and a longer contract. Beware of any promise that sounds too good. A partner who gives you realistic timelines is easier to plan around.

6. A plan for when a placement is not a fit

Even good matches sometimes miss. Find out how the agency handles feedback and how quickly it can send a replacement.

7. Respect for your protocols

Your patients and clients expect consistency. The agency should brief staff on your policies, documentation, and culture before the first shift.

Questions to ask on the first call

• Which roles can you fill this month?
• How do you verify licenses, certifications, and background checks?
• Which parts of Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties do you cover?
• Do you support per diem, contract, and temp to hire?
• Who is my point of contact, and how do I reach them after hours?

Staffay provides nursing and medical staffing in Central Florida for home care agencies, clinics, assisted living and long term care, and hospitals. For more background, read why healthcare providers trust staffing agencies for CNAs and RNs.

Frequently asked questions