Elevating Care, Cutting Costs: The Long Term Value of Temp to Perm Conversions

Healthcare facilities face a dual challenge: delivering exceptional patient care while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

This challenge has become increasingly critical, prompting healthcare leaders to seek innovative solutions. One solution gaining significant traction is the strategic transition from reliance on temporary to permanent nursing staff. A shift that not only ensures consistent, high-quality care but also offers a few added long-term benefits.

The Long-Term Benefits of Temp to Perm

• Cost Savings

Converting temporary staff to permanent employees reduces the need to rely so heavily on staffing agencies. It reduces time and resources and, according to a study by the Healthcare Financial Management Association, saves up to 20-30% of costs allocated to recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training. This allows those savings to be funneled to other critical areas of need. Over time, the stability of more long-term employees will greatly help with cost predictability, ensuring a more stable financial outlook.

• Continuity of Care

When travelers transition to permanent roles, they naturally gain a deeper understanding of your facility, its protocols, and their patients. And because patients tend to build trust with familiar faces, fewer staff changes can help a patient feel a sense of confidence in the care they receive. This familiarity develops into better patient-nurse relationships and higher patient satisfaction.

• Increased Staff Loyalty, Cohesion, and Engagement

Permanent employees tend to be more invested in a facility’s values, mission, and success. They also find working more cohesively as a team easier, having had the time to build relationships and trust. This deeper sense of belonging translates into higher job satisfaction and unit morale.

Managing the Temp to Perm Conversion Process

1. Consider traveler clinical and cultural fit.

Look for individuals who consistently demonstrate competence in their roles, adaptability to different situations, and alignment with your facility’s culture and values. According to the American Journal of Nursing, healthcare facilities that prioritize clinical and cultural fit typically experience a 30% reduction in turnover rates. Consider clinical skills, teamwork, communication, and ability to integrate smoothly into the existing work environment.

If you already have a partnership established with a healthcare talent provider, this may be a relatively easy first step. Medical Solutions uses a specialized four-step recruitment process for the best clinical and cultural match, so you know the talent you’re receiving is a perfect fit for your facility.

2. Open lines of communication.

When approaching temporary staff about the possibility of a permanent position, it’s important to start with transparent, candid communication so that your interest in their longer-term employment is abundantly clear. Set clear expectations early on about what the transition process would entail, particularly about any additional training or onboarding that might be necessary. Encourage open conversation about any concerns or questions they may have.

3. Emphasize the advantages.

In your discussions, show them a clear career pathway with a trajectory for professional growth and development with your facility. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that offering opportunities for professional development can lead to a 25% increase in employee retention. Mention opportunities for additional training, certifications, and advancement into leadership roles, and encourage them to invest in their own career development. Highlight benefit packages and other facility-specific perks you can offer as well.

4. Make it a quick and painless transition.  

Streamline your temp to perm process by minimizing administrative burdens that slow the transition process. Make sure all paperwork and documentation are organized and easy to complete. Have required onboarding materials, like employee handbooks, training materials, and policies, ready and available.

Try to tailor your onboarding and training plans to the traveler’s specific needs and prior experiences of the traveler. Focus on filling in gaps in knowledge rather than re-covering already familiar material.

Temp to perm conversions help transition valued contingent employees into valued, long-term team members— making it a win-win solution for healthcare facilities. This shift not only benefits your bottom line but also empowers your workforce to thrive in an environment that values their dedication and contributions. With a focus on strategic temp to perm conversion, you can easily unlock the full potential of valued team members who are the right professional fit.  

Medical Solutions is here to address your strategic staffing needs by providing managed services, travel, PRN, temp to perm, direct hire, international, and more. Connect with us to learn more about our healthcare talent ecosystem and the services we provide.