What is Direct Hire?

There are two primary options for nursing recruitment: direct hire and contract/agency hire.

Direct hire, also known as permanent placement, is beneficial for both employers and nurses. Under the Direct Hire model, candidates’s visas are petitioned directly by the healthcare organization as the employer (with our help, of course). Thereby, they are recruited to become direct, permanent members of the employer’s staff upon arrival in the USA. Employers retain traditional authority in hiring, firing, and other personnel matters. These candidates receive the same pay, benefits, and schedule considerations as other staff members.

Contract hire is also known as temporary hire or temporary-to-permanent hire. Under the Contract Hire model, candidates are recruited by a staffing agency who employs the international nurses upon arrival in the USA, and then contracts their services to various medical facilities. Candidates have little agency over their job site, and when assigned to a job site, and often receive less desirable schedules than bonafide employees of the organization. Additionally, healthcare employers are required to pay additional fees and markups to the staffing agency.

Benefits of Direct Hire

HealthStar International solely uses the Direct Hire model as we believe it best benefits both our clients and our international candidates.

As a healthcare employer, direct hire is beneficial over contract hire because direct hire nurses are your nurses. The international candidate begins, at the time of sourcing, to establish a permanent relationship and bond with your healthcare organization. When a candidate has the ability, early on, to bond with the organization and identify with the mission , direct hire arrangements lead to a stronger working relationship due to identification with the organizational culture, and higher retention once in the USA. Additionally, the Direct Hire model allows your organization to fill core staff needs with permanent solutions rather than costly contract positions. Thus delivering the fastest return on your international investment.

As an international candidate, this model benefits you by giving you the highest level of control over your future. In the Direct Hire model, your employer acts as both your employer and visa sponsor. Your job offer is permanent and full-time, and you will live and work in the specific city and facility specified in your offer. You cannot be transferred to another location without your consent. You select the place you will live and work and your future is more stable with a 2-4 year contract. Moreover, you will have the same benefits and pay as other candidates with similar qualifications and experience, unlike the agency/staffing hire model. A Direct Hire arrangement provides greater stability, allowing you to settle in one location and have your spouse and children find stable work and schools in your local community.