Staffing challenges in healthcare are nothing new, but the need for skilled temporary nurses has become even more critical in today’s fast-paced and high-demand environment. Whether you’re covering a sudden absence or managing seasonal surges, having the right temporary staff can make or break your team’s efficiency and the care experience for your patients. At Geri Healthcare Solutions, we support healthcare facilities across Canada in finding qualified, compassionate temporary nurses who step in with confidence and skill. One of the most common questions we hear is, “What should I look for when choosing temp staff?” This blog was created to help answer that. Below, we share the top seven qualities we believe every temporary nurse should have before stepping onto your unit.
1. Clinical Competence
A temporary nurse must be able to hit the ground running. You want someone with up-to-date clinical skills who can quickly assess situations, manage complex care needs, and handle documentation with minimal orientation. At Geri Healthcare Solutions, we only partner with licensed nurses who meet strict credentialing requirements. Our goal is to ensure that when they walk in, your team can count on them from day one. Whether you operate a long-term care facility or a hospital unit, clinical confidence matters.
2. Adaptability
Temporary nurses are often placed in unfamiliar settings with unfamiliar routines. Their ability to adapt quickly to new environments, software systems, and patient populations is critical. A flexible mindset and a willingness to ask questions go a long way. Facilities appreciate when nurses come in open to learning and ready to contribute without disruption. We encourage our temp staff to be proactive and resourceful, making transitions smoother for everyone.
3. Strong Communication Skills
Clear, respectful communication is essential for any nurse, but especially for those joining teams temporarily. Whether it is reporting changes in patient status or coordinating with other disciplines, effective communication ensures continuity of care. A good temp nurse also knows how to listen actively, clarify expectations, and document appropriately. These skills build trust within the team and help avoid common breakdowns in care. You can explore how we support this through our staffing partnerships with healthcare leaders.
4. Reliability
When you hire temporary help, you are counting on them to show up on time, complete their shift, and follow through with responsibilities. Reliability is not negotiable. We prioritize consistency and accountability in all our staffing placements. Our systems ensure that temporary staff understand their commitments and honour them. That sense of trust gives our clients peace of mind, especially during staffing shortages.
5. Teamwork
Temporary nurses need to blend into existing teams without disrupting the flow. That means being respectful of roles, offering help, and avoiding the “us vs them” mentality that can sometimes arise with temp staff. The best temp nurses contribute with humility and professionalism. They recognize that everyone is working toward the same goal, and they make it easier for others to do their jobs. At Geri Healthcare, we value this collaborative spirit in every assignment we take on.
6. Emotional Intelligence
Healthcare is emotionally demanding, and temporary nurses often enter high-stress environments. Those who can remain calm, show empathy, and regulate their emotions are better equipped to deliver safe, compassionate care.
Emotional intelligence also helps in dealing with patient families, adapting to new workplace cultures, and responding to feedback. We see this as a core leadership trait, even for temporary roles. Learn more about our nurse screening process to see how we identify these traits.
7. A Commitment to Professionalism
Temporary staff represent your facility, even if just for a day or two. Professionalism includes everything from appearance and punctuality to respect for confidentiality and ethical practice. At Geri Healthcare Solutions, we hold our nurses to the highest standards of integrity. We work with professionals who take pride in their work and treat every shift as an opportunity to make a difference.
Conclusion
Choosing the right temporary nurse is about more than just filling a shift. It is about finding someone who can uphold your standard of care, support your team, and offer patients the respect and compassion they deserve. By focusing on these seven qualities, you will be better prepared to make staffing decisions that benefit everyone, from administrators to frontline staff to residents and families. If you are curious about how temporary staffing could support your team, we would be happy to talk with you and explore the options together.