Meet the 2026 Best of Nursing Award Winners: Best Nurse Staffing Agency PRN Healthcare

We’ll be highlighting all of Nurse.org’s 2026 “Best Of” Nursing Award winners for you to get to know over the coming days. You can find the complete list of our winners here!

“Our story starts with a 21-year-old CNA named Pete Hietpas,” says Clare Sanderfoot, social media strategist with PRN Healthcare (@prnhealthcare). “Pete was diligently working in eastern Wisconsin with a variety of staffing agencies, but something was missing. He loved caring for his patients, but felt that staffing agencies were exchanging compassion for competitiveness. He was determined to change that.”

A young Pete founded a company called Nurses PRN in 1995, which became one of the models for healthcare staffing companies nationwide. The company soon grew and evolved to include more valued healthcare professionals, including nurses, allied health, locum tenens, CNAs, and more. 

“Our mission to create authentic, meaningful relationships with our healthcare professionals helps us set them up for success in their dream assignment, whether that be a travel contract, local contract, or per diem shift,” explains Sanderfoot. “This is all driven by the simple idea that better care for our healthcare workers leads to better patient care, and this is all supported by a dedicated internal staff.”

That driving force is what led to PRN Healthcare being voted Nurse.org’s 2026 Best Nursing Staffing Agency, and we are so proud to honor them this year. Nurse.org sat down with PRN Healthcare to take a peek inside of what makes the best-voted staffing agency tick!

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” Sanderfoot and Amber Nelson, VP of Acute Care Recruitment, report. “Being featured alongside some of the biggest staffing agencies in the industry is truly meaningful to us. This isn’t something we take lightly, and it reinforces our commitment to showing healthcare professionals that, in a world full of options, they’ll never be treated like just another number with us.”

The duo adds that they believe being named the best staffing agency of 2026 is a reflection of PRN Healthcare’s mission and vision. “Putting people first isn’t just something we say, it’s something we live,’ notes Nelson. “This recognition reinforces that commitment and the difference it’s making in the healthcare community.”

“We’re grateful for our entire PRN Healthcare team, from our leadership team to our dedicated recruiters, account managers, and support staff. Most importantly, we want to thank the healthcare professionals who trust us to support their careers. This recognition also belongs to all of you.”

“No two days are exactly the same, but they all center around one thing: connecting clinicians to the right opportunities in a way that works for both them and the facility,” says Nelson. She explains that a typical day at PRN Healthcare includes:

• Clinician connection: talking with healthcare professionals about their goals, whether that’s compensation, location, schedule, or experience
• Opportunity matching: aligning those preferences with real openings across our facilities partners
• Collaboration: partnering closely with internal teams to move quickly and solve challenges in real time
• Problem-solving: navigating last-minute changes, credentialing needs, or facility requests

What do you want nursing to understand about staffing agencies?

“Staffing agencies play a critical role that goes far beyond filling open positions,” explains Nelson. “We help ensure patients receive safe, consistent care by placing the right clinicians in the right environments at the right time.”

She adds that the role of a staffing agency such as PRN Healthcare is two-fold:

• For patients: Filling staffing gaps supports safer patient ratios and improves overall care quality
• For clinicians: Agencies provide flexibility, career mobility, and opportunities that allow nurses to take control of their careers while avoiding burnout.

“Our focus is not just on placement, but on the overall experience,” she notes. “We want clinicians to feel supported, informed, and valued from the first conversation through every assignment.”

Nelson and Sanderfoot urge nurses looking to work with a staffing agency to treat their recruiter like a trusted advisor and ensure they are the right fit.

“Your recruiter should understand your goals, communicate transparently, and advocate for you throughout the process,” they stress. “Just as they are evaluating opportunities for you, you should feel confident they’re aligned with what matters most to you.”

A few additional tips:

• Be clear on your priorities: Whether it’s pay, location, schedule, or facility type, clarity helps your recruiter find the best matches quickly
• Communicate consistently: Open and honest communication leads to better outcomes and fewer surprises
• Be open, but informed: Some of the best opportunities may not be obvious at first, but you should always feel confident in your decision
• Ask questions: A strong agency will walk you through pay, expectations, and details so you feel fully prepared

“We want to build long-term relationships, not just secure one assignment,” adds Nelson. “When that partnership is strong, everything else tends to fall into place.”

What can we look forward to from PRN Healthcare this year?

PRN Healthcare is planning a lot of exciting things for Nurses’ Week this year, including a special collaboration with Nurse.org’s very own Mel of Mel’s Crafty Corner. Mel designed a custom shirt just for PRN Healthcare nurses this year, and the team says they “couldn’t be more excited about it.” 

They’re also celebrating Nurses Week 2026 with a series of café stops across the Midwest as a small way to say thank you. “Nurses are invited to stop by, connect with our team, and enjoy a coffee or lunch on us,” says Nelson. “

Be sure to follow social media for more details and look for PRN Healthcare in these cities:

• May 4^: Grand Blanc, MI
• May 6: Cedar Rapids, IA & Madison, WI 
• May 7: Rockford, IL & Appleton, WI
• May 8:  Dousman, WI
• May 11: Fond du Lac, WI and Wausau, WI
• May 12:  De Pere, WI, and Milwaukee, WI 

What’s the best way to follow and support PRN Healthcare? 

Of course, we’d love for you to connect with our team to explore new opportunities—but beyond that, one of the easiest ways to support us is by engaging with us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. 

“Follow along, like, comment, and share our content,” says Sanderfoot. “We’re focused on creating posts that are both relatable and informative for healthcare professionals. Every bit of engagement helps us reach and support more nurses, and we truly appreciate it.”

🤔 Nurses, have you ever used a staffing agency? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.