Temp industry merger mania. While a backlash from pinched hospitals has cut into revenue, temp firms see chances for growth with spiraling nurse shortage.

While hospitals may be looking for savings by cutting back on temporary personnel, staffing agencies still see potential for growth. That's one of the factors fueling the mergers that have been sweeping the field in recent months as agencies look to diversify and grow. "Big players are looking to get bigger," says analyst Barry Asin, left, a chief analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts.