Nursefinders Inc. Signs Agreement with VHA to Provide Per Diem Staffing Services and Per Diem Nurse Vendor Management Solutions

Business Wire, July 19, 2004

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nursefinders Inc., one of the nation's largest providers of health care personnel and home health care services, has signed an agreement with the health care cooperative VHA Inc. to offer per diem nurse staffing services and vendor management services (VMS) to VHA's nationwide network of community-owned heath care organizations.

"VHA member organizations, like hospitals nationwide, are facing a critical shortage of health care professionals, particularly in specialty areas," said Amy Anthony, VHA's vice president of supplier services. "Our nurse staffing suppliers provide great value in helping members meet work force needs. Through working with Nursefinders, VHA members have access to timely, high-quality nurse staffing services that can ultimately help them enhance their clinical and financial performance."

Anthony said that VHA chose Nursefinders based on factors such as market share, geographic service coverage, industry ratings for scope of services, service quality, innovation and financial standing. "We selected Nursefinders as one of our nurse staffing suppliers because they have proven ability to deliver timely, high-quality services to VHA members. This was demonstrated through current rate of penetration and high customer satisfaction within the VHA membership," said Anthony.

Under the terms of the three-year agreement, VHA members can contract with Nursefinders for temporary needs such as per diem, short-term contract, and temp-to-perms nurses as well as permanent placement of nurses and nurse-related health care professionals. Additionally, VHA members will be offered innovative technology and workforce solutions through Nursefinders' vendor management services (VMS) program iNsite Workforce Solutions. Monitoring of user results has shown that hospitals are able to reduce administrative costs, control or reduce their total agency spending, increase predictability, improve quality and service levels through iNsite Workforce Solutions.

"Nursefinders is excited to be able to assist VHA members with critical per diem nurse staffing needs. Our work helps hospitals focus on their primary mission of delivering quality patient care in a time when America is experiencing a serious nursing shortage," said Bob Livonius, Nursefinders' CEO.

According to the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in the February 2004 Monthly Labor Review, "More than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012." For the first time, the U.S. Department of Labor has identified registered nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth through the year 2012. The American Hospital Association research found that 56 percent of health care organizations are using staffing agencies to fill vacancies.

About Nursefinders:

Nursefinders Inc., headquartered in Arlington, Texas, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2004. The company provides comprehensive home health care services in various states nationwide and health care staffing services to more than 4,200 hospitals, nursing homes and clinics across the country. Nursefinders has a system-wide network of approximately 120 offices in the United States providing RN's, LPN/LVNs, home health aides, therapists, nursing assistants, companions and other health care and medical clerical professionals for staffing needs. Nursefinders prides itself on hiring only the most highly qualified professionals.

Since 1974, Nursefinders has placed more than 3.5 million nurses in more than 10 million shifts and 32 million home care visits. The total system-wide sales from 1974 to 2003 reached nearly $3.5 billion. For more information about the company visit www.nursefinders.com.

About VHA:

VHA Inc. is a national cooperative of leading not-for-profit health care organizations that work together to improve the health of the communities they serve. VHA leverages the collective strength of the membership to improve clinical, operational and financial performance. Through the VHA cooperative, members benefit from resources that assess critical needs and identify best practices to create customized solutions that lower costs and improve clinical quality. As a cooperative, VHA distributes income annually to members based on their participation. Based in Irving, Texas, with 18 offices across the U.S., VHA was named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by Fortune in January 2004, for the fifth year in a row.

If you are interested in receiving additional information on Nursefinders or iNsite Workforce Solutions, please contact Sherry Weier, vice president of business development, sherry.weier@nursefinders.com, 800-445-0459.