If you are a nurse or CNA in South Florida, you have likely wondered: should I work through a nursing staffing agency or go direct hire? It is one of the most important career decisions you can make, and the answer depends on what matters most to you — pay, flexibility, benefits, or stability.
In this guide, we break down the real differences between nursing registry work and direct-hire positions so you can make an informed choice in 2026. (Tiene preguntas? Llamenos — hablamos espanol.)
What Is a Nursing Staffing Agency (Registry)?
A nursing staffing agency, also called a nursing registry, connects qualified healthcare professionals with facilities that need staff. Rather than being employed full-time by a single hospital or facility, you work through the registry and accept assignments at different locations.
In Florida, legitimate nursing registries must be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). This license ensures the registry meets state standards for screening, training, and compliance. AJE Nursing Services Inc. operates under AHCA License #30212642.
Registry nurses and CNAs typically work per diem (day-by-day) shifts, though some agencies also offer short-term and long-term travel nursing assignments.
What Is Direct Hire?
Direct hire means you are employed directly by a healthcare facility — a hospital, assisted living facility, nursing home, or home health agency. You are on their payroll, follow their schedule, and receive their benefits package.
Pay Comparison: Agency vs Direct Hire in South Florida
Here is the honest breakdown for South Florida in 2026:
- CNA (direct hire): $14 to $18 per hour
- CNA (registry/per diem): $17 to $23+ per hour
- LPN (direct hire): $22 to $28 per hour
- LPN (registry/per diem): $28 to $38+ per hour
- RN (direct hire): $30 to $40 per hour
- RN (registry/per diem): $38 to $55+ per hour
The bottom line: Registry and agency nurses almost always earn a higher hourly rate than their direct-hire counterparts. The tradeoff is that agency work typically does not include employer-sponsored health insurance, PTO, or retirement benefits.
Pros and Cons of Working Through a Nursing Staffing Agency
Advantages
- Higher hourly pay: Per diem rates are consistently higher than salaried equivalents
- Flexibility: Choose when, where, and how often you work
- Variety: Gain experience in different facilities and care settings
- No workplace politics: Focus on patient care without office dynamics
- Fast onboarding: Start working within days of being credentialed
- Ideal for students and parents: Build your schedule around school or family
Considerations
- No employer-sponsored health insurance (though you can purchase your own)
- No paid time off or sick days
- Income can vary week to week depending on available shifts
- You may need to adapt quickly to different facility protocols
Pros and Cons of Direct Hire
Advantages
- Stable, predictable schedule and income
- Benefits: Health insurance, PTO, retirement plans
- Career advancement: Internal promotions and tuition assistance
- Team relationships: Build long-term connections with colleagues
Considerations
- Lower hourly pay compared to agency rates
- Less schedule flexibility
- May be required to work holidays and mandatory overtime
- Changing jobs means going through a full hiring process again
How a Nursing Registry Works
Working with a registry like AJE Nursing Services is straightforward:
- Apply and get credentialed: Submit your license, certifications, and complete background screening
- Get matched with shifts: Available shifts at partner facilities are posted; you choose which ones to accept
- Show up and provide care: Work your shift at the assigned facility
- Get paid: Receive competitive per diem pay, typically on a weekly cycle
There are no long-term commitments. You can work as much or as little as you want.
Who Should Choose Agency Work?
Registry work is ideal if you:
- Want to maximize your hourly earnings
- Value schedule flexibility above all else
- Are a nursing student balancing school and work
- Have another source of health insurance (spouse, marketplace, etc.)
- Enjoy variety and want experience in multiple settings
- Are semi-retired and want to work on your own terms
Can You Do Both? Combining Agency and Direct Hire
Many nurses in South Florida don't choose one or the other exclusively. A common strategy is to hold a part-time direct hire position for benefits and stability, then pick up per diem shifts through a nursing staffing agency to boost income. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds: health insurance and PTO from your direct hire job, plus the higher hourly rates and schedule flexibility of registry work.
At AJE Nursing Services, several of our nurses work this way. They have a baseline position at a hospital or assisted living facility, and they pick up extra shifts through our registry when they want to earn more or when their primary employer is slow.
Who Should Choose Direct Hire?
Direct hire makes sense if you:
- Need employer-sponsored health insurance and benefits
- Prefer a fixed schedule with guaranteed hours
- Want to build a long-term career at one facility
- Are interested in management or leadership roles
Why South Florida Nurses Choose AJE Nursing Services
At AJE Nursing Services Inc., we offer the best of registry work in the Miami area:
- AHCA-licensed (License #30212642) — fully compliant with Florida regulations
- Competitive per diem rates for RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and HHAs
- Flexible scheduling — you choose your shifts
- Bilingual support — our team speaks English and Spanish (nuestro equipo habla espanol)
- Placements in hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home health throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties
- Fast credentialing and onboarding process
Many of our nurses work with us as their primary income source. Others use registry shifts to supplement a part-time direct-hire position. Either way, we make it easy to earn more on your terms.
AJE Nursing Services Inc. is an AHCA-licensed nursing registry (License #30212642) providing RN, LPN, CNA, and HHA staffing throughout South Florida. Explore our staffing services or apply to join our team.