In healthcare, the term "quality" rates second to none in importance. That's because it is often synonymous with patient safety, state-of-the-art technology and responsive, thorough delivery of care. Cross Country Staffing has worked hard to establish consistent quality standards and life-long learning opportunities that reach beyond our organization to the entire supplemental healthcare staffing industry.

Cross Country Staffing has put in place many measures to help ensure that the capabilities of our healthcare professionals meet and exceed the expectations of the healthcare facilities we serve. Through the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Cross Country Staffing offers its own university that runs the ANCC accredited Learning Center as well as the Center for Competency Assessment and Standards and Outcomes. Providing these tools, systems and resources to our nurses helps strengthen our commitment to building the quality and credibility of our work force.

Our efforts, along with that of a recent study performed by Dr. Linda H. Aiken at the University of Pennsylvania, are working to put an end to the perception that temporary nurses provide lower quality of care than permanent nurses. As exceptional traveler reviews come in, we know our dedication to higher standards is delivering results. Here is just some of the positive feedback we have received over the past year:

Baylor University Medical Center on Laurie Johnson, BSN, RN: "I wanted to send an e-mail to you about one of your nurses, Laurie Johnson. Usually when I evaluate travelers I provide a rating of "meets expectation," since they are with us for such a short period, it is difficult to rate higher, but in Laurie's case I can truly say you have an excellent nurse. Laurie consistently uses her critical thinking skills to assess her patients and provide the best practice for her patients. I commend her and her skills as a nurse. We would welcome her back at Baylor University Medical Center at any time."

University of California, San Diego on Andrea Gallant, BSN, RN: "We love this Nurse. Andrea Gallant is our first traveler to be our Employee of the Month. She is a great patient advocate."

Harborview Medical Center on Jennifer Kiggins, BSN, RN: "I wanted to pass on my experience following Jennifer Kiggins the other day. Jennifer gave an excellent report that was very detailed and well organized. All of the tubing was labeled. The bedside was organized and the patient was clean and had recently been repositioned. It was a pleasure to follow her! Thanks for sending us awesome travelers."

Banner Good Samaritan on Gloria Blackledge, RN: "Cross Country TravCorps traveler, Gloria Blackledge, RN, was presented with the Patient Safety Award for promoting a culture of patient safety excellence from Magnet facility Banner Good Samaritan."

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center on David Dewal, RN: "David Dewal comes to work with a high level of energy - he can rally the rest of the staff to the cause and keep the energy, humor and positive feeling going throughout the whole shift. David is exceptional with his patients - he is warm, caring and compassionate. His technical skills are excellent and he possesses a broad knowledge base in critical care. If I were a patient myself, David would be high on the list of nurses I would want caring for me."

Cross Country Staffing is pleased that more work is being done to demonstrate the benefits and importance of supplement staffing as it relates to quality of patient care. And while Dr. Linda H. Aiken's study validates what we have known all along - that temporary and contract nurses are highly skilled professionals who provide high-quality care - we will remain dedicated to establishing higher standards across the staffing industry by pioneering processes in the area of competency and credentialing.