Personnel leasing vs. permanent employment in Switzerland:
What is really worthwhile for nurses?
An in-depth comparison for nurses, health professionals and healthcare professionals
The shortage of skilled workers in nursing in Switzerland has been worsening for years. At the same time, the demands of everyday working life are increasing, while many nurses are increasingly attaching importance to work-life balance, flexible working hours and fair remuneration. Therefore, the crucial question arises for many:
Permanent employment in nursing or temporary work via a personnel leasing company – which working model suits better?
Both permanent employment in the healthcare sector and personnel leasing in nursing in Switzerland offer clear advantages. However, the decisive factor is not which model is objectively better, but which one is better suited to your current phase of life, your career goals and your need for security.
In the following comparison, we highlight the most important criteria for nursing jobs in Switzerland: security, flexibility, earnings, career and personal development.
1. Security: Permanent Employment Nursing Switzerland vs. Personnel Leasing Nursing
Permanent employment – classic security in the care job
Permanent employment in nursing in Switzerland is still considered the epitome of professional stability. Nurses are directly employed by a hospital, nursing home or healthcare institution and are firmly integrated into a team.
Advantages of permanent employment in nursing:
- Permanent employment contract
- Clear team and hierarchical structures
- Plannable duty rosters
- Internal training and career paths
This model offers security, especially for nurses EFZ and dipl. Nurses with family obligations. However, even permanent positions are not completely risk-free, as restructuring or budget cuts are increasingly a reality in the healthcare sector.
Personnel Leasing Care Switzerland – Security through Clear Structure
A common misconception is that temporary work in nursing is unsafe. In fact, personnel leasing in the healthcare sector in Switzerland is clearly regulated by law (AVG).
Nursing professionals are employed by a care agency or a personnel service provider and benefit from:
- Regular employment contracts
- Full social insurance (AHV, IV, ALV, BVG)
- Transparent payroll accounting
- Regulated notice periods
Security here is not so much about a fixed place of work, but about a stable network of care assignments in Switzerland. A reputable provider can guarantee continuous temporary jobs.
2. Flexibility: Flexible care jobs in Switzerland in comparison
Permanent employment – clear structures, limited scope
In a classic permanent position, working hours, workload and location are usually clearly defined. Changes are possible, but require internal coordination.
Typical features:
- Fixed duty rosters
- Limited co-determination in the area of application
- Change usually only via termination or internal transfer
For many, this structure is pleasant, others find it restrictive in the long term.
Personnel leasing – flexible working models in Switzerland
A decisive advantage of temporary work in nursing is the high degree of flexibility. Nurses can often have a say themselves:
- Workload (part-time or full-time)
- Duration of assignment
- Region (e.g. nursing jobs Zurich, Bern, Lucerne)
- Department and Institution
This makes flexible care jobs in Switzerland particularly suitable for professionals with further training plans, returnees or a desire for variety.
3. Earnings: Hourly wage for nursing in Switzerland vs. fixed wage
Permanent employment – stable income in the nursing profession
In permanent employment, the salary is based on internal salary bands or cantonal requirements. This ensures predictability, but restricts individual negotiation.
Benefits:
- Monthly constant income
- Plannable wage development
- Partial bonus and further training models
However, additional burdens or short-term assignments are not always remunerated proportionally.
Personnel leasing – often higher hourly wages in nursing
In the Swiss Nursing Staffing Agency, the hourly rates are often higher. The reasons for this are:
- Short-term personnel requirements
- Specialized care profiles
- High demand for nursing professionals
Surcharges for night, weekend or emergency operations are clearly regulated. However, it is important to clarify holiday regulations and precautions transparently.
Career & Development in Healthcare
Permanent employment – classic nursing career
Permanent employment offers structured career paths in the healthcare sector:
- Technical and management responsibility
- Specializations
- Project and management functions
Personnel leasing – horizontal competence development
In personnel leasing in the healthcare sector, nurses gain experience in various institutions and teams. This strengthens:
- Breadth of expertise
- Adaptability
- Professional network
- Market attractiveness on the Swiss labour market
Many use temporary assignments specifically as an intermediate step towards a later permanent position.
5. Conclusion: Permanent employment or personnel leasing nursing – what suits you?
Permanent Employment in Nursing Switzerland is suitable if you:
- Seek long-term team affiliation
- Prefer clear structures
- Aspire to a classic nursing career
Personnel Leasing Care Switzerland is ideal if you:
- Want flexible working hours
- Looking for variety and new experiences
- want to increase your market value
- Getting back on board after a break
Not better or worse – but suitable or inappropriate
There is no general answer to the decision between permanent employment and temporary work in nursing. Both models offer security, development opportunities and fair remuneration – but with different emphases.
If you are currently thinking about changing nursing jobs in Switzerland, it is worth taking a personal assessment.
👉 Would you like to know which nursing assignments or jobs really fit your situation?
Then contact us now without obligation and let us advise you personally on nursing jobs, temporary assignments and permanent positions in Switzerland.
An open consultation can help to clarify these questions in a structured way. Would you like to find out which model suits your situation better?