Groundbreaking Study Supports the Value of Temporary Nursing

Old Perceptions Shattered by Results of New Study

Results of a new study were released in the July/August issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration regarding Supplemental Nurse Staffing in Hospitals and Quality of Care. This study is particularly meaningful in addressing and dispelling unfounded concerns about safety and quality patient outcomes when using supplemental staff. 

In one news release, Richard Wahlquist, the President/CEO of the American Staffing Association said, "This study shows what we have known all along -- that temporary and contract nurses are highly skilled professionals who provide high-quality care. They play a vital role in our health care system, and this research validates the positive impact they have on patient outcomes."

Contrary to commonly-held misperceptions about the value of temporary nurses, the study found:

• The use of temporary nurses actually reduces nurse burnout and improves patient outcomes.

• Nurses employed by staffing companies are as well as or better qualified than permanent nurses employed by hospitals.

• Temporary nurses are more likely to have baccalaureate or higher degrees and to have received their education in the past 10 years.

• Most temporary nurses work primarily as hospital staff nurses, and their temporary jobs are secondary.

At Favorite, we've always known that temporary nurses provide a wide range of valuable services and quality patient outcomes for our clients. The study noted that 75% of hospitals currently use supplemental nurses.  

To explore per diem and travel opportunities that may be available for you, email gotravel@favoritestaffing.com or visit our job search page to find the right job for you!  For more information, read the entire JONA article.

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401(k) Open Enrollment & Investment Changes

Enroll in the 401(k) Retirement Plan or make changes to your current plan elections
by September 28, 2007!

Open enrollment for the Favorite Healthcare Staffing 401(k) plan will run through September 28th for all employees. And, we have exciting new changes to the Plan!

Investment Additions:
We have added some new funds to the plan, including the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series Funds, the Oppenheimer International Diversified Fund, and the Pioneer Global High Yield Fund. See the investment changes letter for more details. This would be a great time to review your investment elections!!

New Deferral Percentage:
Employees can now defer up to 50% of their salary.

Catch-Up Contributions:
The plan now allows for catch-up contributions. If you are over age 50, you can contribute an additional $5,000 per year above the maximum IRS limit of $15,500.

Highly Compensated Employees:
Highly Compensated Employees are now allowed in the plan. There are some restrictions, which will be communicated to those employees affected.

Open enrollment provides the opportunity for employees to begin participation in the 401(k) plan and current 401(k) participants to change their contribution percentage. Branches should have packets on hand. All forms must be signed, dated, filled out completely without error, and received by September 28, 2007 in order to be accepted in this open enrollment. Changes made will be effective October 1, 2007, please check your pay stub to ensure that changes were made. The next open enrollment will be in December 2007, with changes taking effect January 1, 2008.

Participants may also enroll or change contribution percentages via the website at www.myretirementfuture.com, or by calling the Interactive Voice Response at (800) 291-1585. For questions regarding the website or interactive voice response, call CPI Qualified Plan Consultants at (800) 279-4015 x206 during regular business hours (CST) and speak with a customer service representative.

Travel to Massachusetts

Destination Spotlight: Massachusetts, A Fall Favorite!

Massachusetts, noted for many historical sites and diverse regional flavors, has much to offer the prospective traveler.  The eastern Massachusetts Bay area, with Boston as its hub, is trendy and metropolitan.  Here you can find great cooking, fresh seafood, and an intense concentration of colleges and universities.  

South of Boston is Cape Cod, a tremendously popular vacation spot and home of the politically influential Kennedy family.  West of Boston is the Blackstone Valley National Corridor, a vast expanse of rolling hills and small towns, as well as some of the East Coast's most unique vineyards. Western Massachusetts is more rural and home to the Berkshire Hills, Appalachian Trail and excellent snow skiing.

Autumn is an ideal time for a visit to Massachusetts. Leaf-peeping is a favorite fall pastime, often built into day and weekend trips to Vermont, New Hampshire and Northern New York.

With Favorite offices in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield, you're bound to find just the right per diem, contract, or travel assignment to fit your needs.  Travelers can email gotravel@favoritestaffing.com or call Travel Nurses Services at 800-755-1411.

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Fall Foliage Across America

Delight in the Spectrum of Autumn Colors!

From East to West, North to South, the brilliant colors of fall will be on display from now until mid-November. Here are some of the top fall foliage areas around the country with links to our corresponding branch offices.

Portland: Drive along the Columbia River Gorge scenic highway and follow I-84 to view dramatic forests and waterfalls.

Phoenix: Just 2 hours from our Phoenix branch is a drive along Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona in northwestern Arizona. The pink and red rocks offer a breathtaking contrast to the gold aspens and red oaks.

Denver: Check out the beautiful Aspen area, where the fall gold of the town’s namesake tree is an ideal contrast to the blue of the sky.

Kansas City & St. Louis: Think the Midwest is flat? Visit the lovely Ozarks and think again! Not only are there beautiful rolling hills but the foliage is spectacularly framed by the picturesque lakes.

St. Paul: Travel the National Scenic Byway of Highway 38 through the great North Woods for some breathtaking fall foliage.

Nashville & Raleigh: Don’t miss the Blue Ridge Parkway, featuring the Great Smoky Mountains and their spectacular displays of fall color.

San Antonio: The Lost Maples State Natural Area, offering amazing fall scenery, is just 88 miles from our branch office!

Hartford: The popular Litchfield Hills area offers an abundance of trees blazing with autumn color.

Cleveland: Check out the drive in the Wayne National Forest in Southeastern Ohio to see the well-known covered bridges and beautiful fall foliage.

All across the country, Favorite has per diem and travel opportunities just right for you! Call any of our branch locations or visit our job search page for the most current job listings.

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