Which is better? Working at for a nursing agency or as hospital Staff?

I'm set to graduate next year and I'm looking for options - I'd like benefits, and I've heard of a few agencies that offer them.. I know that agency pays better, but - the shifts aren't guarenteed and, unless I'm contracted, there is little job security and stability - It'll be like being hired at a new place every 3 nights!! but the money is a major draw - what advantages/disadvantages are there to Staff nursing versus agency nursing.. I'm from New Jersey, BTW

Are you graduating from high school, trade school or college? Do you have a CNA (certified nurses assistant), LPN (license practical nurse), RN (registered nurse) or could you be a DON (director of nursing)? I work for the State of West Virginia at a State Hospital. I do have my CNA's, and my title is a Recreation Specialist. The state really doesn't pay as much as people think they do, but the benefits are SUPER!!! 4 months after starting my job, I could of took 1 week paid vacation...not bad..huh, considering most places a person has to work 1 yr before they get 1 wk paid vac. So the first year working where I do now, I got 3 full wks paid vacation, 14 paid holidays, they pay for my retirement, I have good health insurance but I have to pay about $25 per month for that. If something would happen to my job in the sense of closing the doors, I would be able to go to any state run facility and start work almost immediately. The staff at the facility is really good I feel. I never worked for an agency, but I know some of the workers where I work have as well as a regular nursing home setting. Most of those people state the agencies and nursing homes pay anywhere from 2 - 5 dollars more per hr, but they don't come close to the benefits that the State has. There's also a few employees that started where I work and lefted for more pay, but came back because of the benefits. So, when it comes to making a judgement about agencies and nursing home, I'm only going by other peoples opinion. If you think about where I work, where else can a person go to work and get 5 weeks of free pay...3 wks paid vac & 2 wks worth of paid holidays the first year.

As a new nurse you really should work as a staff nurse before doing registry or traveling. That way you can learn the hospital politics and get comfortable in your chosen area of nursing. You only need to put in your 1-2 years of good solid med surg (ideally) before you will be able to switch to a specialty or start working per diem, agency, registry, traveling, whatever you like.