Frequently Asked Questions

Local Staffing Agency
A local staffing agency connects healthcare professionals (nurses, CNAs, allied health staff) with nearby facilities within commuting distance.

Key Features:

• Assignments are typically short-term or per diem, with some longer contracts.

• Staff live locally — no long-distance travel required.

• Minimal or no travel stipends needed.

• Ideal for filling last-minute shifts, vacation coverage, or seasonal demand.

Travel Staffing Agency
A travel staffing agency places healthcare workers in temporary roles far from home, often to meet high-demand staffing needs across the country.

Key Features:

• Contracts usually last 4–13 weeks and include housing stipends or accommodations.

• Professionals temporarily relocate for assignments.

• Higher pay with tax-free stipends for housing, meals, and travel.

• Appeals to those seeking adventure, diverse experience, and premium compensation.

At Caring Nurses Staffing Agency, we ensure our healthcare professionals are prepared and confident before they begin an assignment. The length and type of orientation varies depending on the facility, role, and level of care required.

Hospital Assignments:
o Nurses: Typically receive 1–3 days of on-site orientation to become familiar with unit procedures, charting systems, and facility protocols.
o Nursing Assistants: Usually receive 1 day of orientation covering patient care expectations and facility-specific guidelines.

Long-Term Care Facilities:
o Nurses: Generally, receive 2–4 hours of orientation focused on resident care routines, documentation, and facility policies.
o Nursing Assistants: Typically receive 1–2 hours of orientation, including an overview of daily responsibilities and safety procedures.

We partner closely with each facility to make sure our team members get the site-specific training they need to provide safe, high quality care from day one.

At Caring Nurses Staffing Agency, we are committed to offering competitive pay that reflects your skills, experience, and the demands of each assignment. Due to the variability of pay in different areas and specialties, the pay will be negotiated on an individual basis.

We’re dedicated to supplying partner facilities with qualified, dependable, and compassionate professionals—while ensuring patient safety and well-being.

To join the Caring Nurses team, applicants must:

• Hold an Active, Unrestricted License:

  • Valid license or certification in the state of employment

  • Compact license accepted for travel contracts (where applicable)

• Pass a Background Check:

  • Clear comprehensive criminal background

• Pass a Drug Screening:

  • Pre-employment drug test required

• Verify Work History:

  • Document previous employment and relevant experience

• Provide Professional References:

  • Two references from current or former supervisors

• Submit Immunization Records:

  • Up-to-date records as required (e.g., TB, flu, COVID-19)

We seek professionals who meet these standards and share our values of compassion, positivity, and exceptional care.

At Caring Nurses Staffing Agency, we build lasting partnerships with facilities to ensure consistent access to qualified, compassionate professionals.

Ongoing Partnerships:

• Most facility contracts are long-term, offering year-round staffing support.

• Easily fill planned or unexpected gaps without restarting the hiring process.

Individual Staff Assignments:

• Healthcare professionals typically work 4–13 week contracts.

• Assignments can be extended or renewed to maintain continuity of care.

We manage recruiting, screening, placement, and ongoing support—so you can stay focused on delivering excellent care.

At Caring Nurses Staffing Agency, we offer flexible contract options to match your lifestyle and meet facility needs.

Typical Contract Lengths:

• Most assignments last 4–13 weeks.

• Many contracts offer extensions and can lead to long-term placements.

• Local per diem shifts and last-minute coverage available for added flexibility.

Whether you want short-term, seasonal, or extended work—local or travel—we’ll help you find the right fit.

Each nurse is hand-picked by owner Karen O’Donnell, who has over 30 years of bedside experience.She requires certain characteristics of her employees including compassionate demeanor, exceptional nursing skills and the ability to work well with others.

A nurse healthcare navigator and advocate is a registered nurse who helps you and your family make sense of a complicated care journey. Your nurse helps you organize medications, appointments, specialists and medical information, prepare for visits, and understand what your care team recommends, so nothing important gets lost.

It’s for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their healthcare, whether you’re managing your own care or helping a parent, spouse or other loved one. It’s especially helpful when there are several doctors or specialists involved, or when family members live far away and want to stay informed.

• Bringing medications, providers, appointments and health concerns together in one clear picture
• Preparing your priorities and questions before appointments
• Joining your visit when appropriate to take notes and track recommendations
• Sorting through tests, treatments and specialist recommendations
• Keeping an up-to-date medication list and flagging questions for your clinicians
• Following up on referrals, appointments and next steps
• Keeping family members informed and organized

No. Your nurse navigator works alongside your existing doctors and care team, not in place of them. Medical decisions stay between you and your clinicians. The navigator’s role is to help you understand your options, prepare the right questions, and make sure your concerns are heard.

When appropriate, yes. Your nurse can join your visit, take notes, help communicate your concerns, and keep track of what your healthcare team recommends so you can focus on the conversation.

Yes. Many families use a nurse navigator when they can’t be there in person. Your nurse can help your loved one stay organized and keep you informed, so everyone understands the care plan and next steps.

Karen meets with clients in person throughout New England, and also offers virtual sessions, so you can get support wherever you or your loved one lives.

Nurse navigation is led by Karen O’Donnell, RN, founder of Caring Nurses Staffing Agency. Karen has more than 30 years of bedside nursing experience, much of it in emergency departments across New England.

It starts with an initial consultation. Call Karen at (603) 305-0841, email karen@caringnursessa.com, or fill out the form on the Nurse Navigator page. We’ll listen to your concerns, review your situation, and talk about where support would help most.

We’re always glad to hear from experienced nurses who are interested in navigation and patient advocacy. Apply online and choose “Becoming a Nurse Navigator” under the kind of work you’re interested in.