FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do you pre-screen your nurses?

All nurses utilized by Advantage undergo an initial skills assessment. This includes reviewing copies of prior work histories, education, licenses, certifications, immunizations, etc., verifying prior employment, and checking references. We require a pre-employment drug test, and obtain a comprehensive criminal background check. We also check with the nursing boards in the various jurisdictions where we operate, or where a nurse may have practiced, to make sure there are no encumbrances on licenses. Additionally, we routinely administer competency tests for ER, ER medications, CCU, ICU, CCU/ICU medications, L&D, Med-Surg, Psych, and Telemetry.

Who performs the clinical evaluation (interview) of your potential nurses?

All our nurses are interviewed by one of our RN division managers. Michael Montana, President & CEO, conducts final interviews and assessments. Mr. Montana is an RN, and holds both a BSN degree, and an MPA.

How do you maintain a high competency level for your staff?

We believe the path to maintaining high competency begins on the front end, during the initial interview and skills assessment process. We strive to attract nurses who are the top performers in their particular areas of specialty. To ensure a high level of competency on an on-going basis, we conduct regular skills assessments, encourage continuing education above and beyond the minimum requirements, and perform competency testing and competency skills refreshers as needed.

How do you track performance of nurses?

Performance of nurses is tracked by several methods, including feedback received from our hospital clients, conversations with staffing departments and/or charge nurses, and a regular schedule of performance feedback solicitation by our HR department.

How do you track evidence of current RN licensure or certification, i.e. ACLS, PALS, CPR, etc?

We require all nurses to provide us with physical evidence (copies) of licensure and certification before they begin working with us. Copies of all licenses and certifications are maintained in each nurse's permanent file. Our web-based staffing system includes a diary feature that reminds us to obtain updated copies. Additionally, our background verification process allows us to check for currency of licensure and encumbrances, if any.

How does a hospital request nurses?

Our staffing department will work closely with the appropriate staffing departments of each hospital to maintain up-to-date information on staffing needs, whether per diem or travelers. We maintain up-to-the-minute information on nurse availability, to enable us to meet as many needs as possible. All requests are handled by our staffing customer care center where the staffing specialists operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.