Goodwill, Trade Names, and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill balances
Aggregate goodwill acquired	$ 364,717	$ 350,379
Accumulated impairment loss	(259,732)	(259,732)
Changes to aggregate goodwill in 2015
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, beginning of period	90,647
Sale of CCE	(9,889)
Goodwill acquired	14,338
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, end of period	95,096
Nurse and allied staffing [Member]
Goodwill balances
Aggregate goodwill acquired	302,005	287,667
Accumulated impairment loss	(259,732)	(259,732)
Changes to aggregate goodwill in 2015
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, beginning of period	27,935
Goodwill acquired	14,338
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, end of period	42,273
Physician staffing [Member]
Goodwill balances
Aggregate goodwill acquired	43,405	43,405
Accumulated impairment loss	0	0
Changes to aggregate goodwill in 2015
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, beginning of period	43,405
Goodwill acquired	0
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, end of period	43,405
Other human capital management services [Member]
Goodwill balances
Aggregate goodwill acquired	19,307	19,307
Accumulated impairment loss	0	$ 0
Changes to aggregate goodwill in 2015
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, beginning of period	19,307
Goodwill acquired	0
Goodwill, net of impairment loss, end of period	9,418
Operating Segments [Member] | Nurse and allied staffing [Member]
Changes to aggregate goodwill in 2015
Sale of CCE	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Physician staffing [Member]
Changes to aggregate goodwill in 2015
Sale of CCE	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Other human capital management services [Member]
Changes to aggregate goodwill in 2015
Sale of CCE	$ (9,889)