American Association of Foreign Educated Nurses

Hello All,

There seems to be a lot of discussions regarding direct hire vs agency. The difference between Agency and Direct Hire can be a confusing one, especially if you are utilizing the services of a recruitment company. You can be hired directly by a hospital, and also use the support and knowledge base of an experienced recruitment company.

A "Direct Hire" is when you are hired, sponsored and employed directly by a specific hospital. You will sign an agreement with that hospital and become a direct employee, just a nurse that is recruited domestically. You will know exactly what hospital you will be working in and often the specific unit or ward. Contracts are typically three years in length and you would receive all of the benefits of other hospital employees.

An "Agency Hire" is when you are hired, sponsored and employed by an employment agency in the US. The agency will have agreements with hospitals throughout the United States and when you arrive, they will place you on a long term assignment within one of their client hospitals. When you sign a job offer with an agency, you will not be guaranteed a specific location. You can request that you are paced in a certain state, city or hospital, but that can not be confirmed until closer to your arrival date. Contracts are shorter in length then direct hire (usually 18-24 months) and you will be entitled to all the same benefits as any other nurse working for that agency.

However, please do not confuse an agency with a recruitment company. A recruitment company is a company, like Adevia, that will assist you with meeting all of the requirements of working in the USA, finding an employer (direct hire or agency) and immigrating to the USA. Recruitment companies do not hire nurses, but assist them with finding a suitable employer.

I hope this helps & you can find more information on our website www.adevia.com or by calling +44 (0) 870 0330 500.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any more questions.

Hope Freeman
hope@adevia.com