In this specific case, hospitals do tend to offer good health care plans.
Further I don't believe it is possible for a hospital with all its specialized equipment to 1099 its nurses (doesn't pass the IRS '20 questions' test on contracting).
Look up agency nurses [0]. When they're paid hourly being begged for work (as OP mentioned), it's usually for a nurse who has specialized skills that can hop between hospitals/ER/offices. Essentially, they're contractors of the agency, and the hospital pays the agency. Can't recall if they're W2 or 1099 though
Further I don't believe it is possible for a hospital with all its specialized equipment to 1099 its nurses (doesn't pass the IRS '20 questions' test on contracting).