If you manage staffing in a long-term care facility, you already know how much hinges on reliability.
When your agency partner delivers, life is smooth. When they don’t—shifts go unfilled, your core team burns out, and residents feel the difference.
The truth is, not every staffing agency keeps up with the growing demands of long-term care.
Here are five signs it might be time to reevaluate your current partner—and what to look for instead.
1. You’re Still Scrambling to Fill Shifts
A good staffing partner prevents last-minute chaos—not adds to it.
If you’re constantly calling, texting, or emailing your agency trying to fill open shifts, something’s wrong.
A proactive partner should:
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Anticipate your high-need times (like weekends and holidays)
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Pre-book per diem staff to cover recurring gaps
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Communicate before problems arise
If you’re always chasing them down, you’re doing their job for them.
2. Quality Has Become Inconsistent
When the quality of nurses or CNAs fluctuates week to week, it shows the agency has weak screening or poor retention.
Every nurse representing your facility should meet the same standard—competent, professional, and dependable.
Ask yourself:
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Are their nurses arriving on time and ready to work?
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Are you seeing the same faces or constant turnover?
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Do they understand the pace and demands of long-term care?
Consistency builds trust. Inconsistency creates risk.
3. You’re Paying More but Getting Less
Rising rates without rising value is a red flag.
If overtime, call-outs, and agency markups keep climbing but you’re still short-staffed, you’re funding inefficiency—not support.
A strong partner is transparent about pricing and helps you plan ahead to reduce costs, not inflate them.
At FlexForce, our goal isn’t to bill more—it’s to stabilize your staffing model so your facility can operate efficiently year-round.
4. Communication Feels Reactive, Not Collaborative
If your agency only contacts you when there’s a problem, that’s not a partnership—that’s damage control.
You deserve regular check-ins, usage reports, and honest feedback about what’s working and what isn’t.
Look for a team that listens, plans, and evolves with you.
Staffing isn’t a transaction—it’s a relationship built on communication and trust.
5. Your Core Team Is Burning Out
When burnout and turnover are rising, it’s a sign your staffing partner isn’t providing enough relief.
Agency nurses should support your full-time staff, not replace or overwhelm them.
If your core team is working doubles, skipping days off, or expressing frustration about coverage—your partner is falling short.
A staffing solution should protect your people, not push them past their limits.
Time for a Fresh Start?
Reevaluating your staffing partner isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about protecting your residents and your reputation.
If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time for a conversation with a partner who gets it.
At FlexForce, we specialize in long-term care staffing that works—proactive planning, dependable coverage, and nurses who fit your culture.
Let’s talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how to build a staffing strategy that actually delivers.
👉 Contact FlexForce today to start the conversation.