Travel nursing is more than just a job–it’s a full-blown adventure. But like any other great journey, the right travel partner can make all the difference. In the world of travel nursing, your travel partner is your agency.
A good travel nurse agency doesn’t just connect you to jobs, they become your advocate, guide, and safety net. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the number of agencies out there, don’t worry, this guide is here to help you pick the agency that fits your unique needs.
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First, What Is a Travel Nurse Agency?
A travel nurse agency connects registered nurses (some travel agencies have contracts for CNAs and LPNs) with temporary positions across the country, usually to facilities that are short-staffed. Travel agencies handle most of the logistics, like contract negotiations, and making sure pay is on time.
Basically, these agencies are the middleman between facilities and nurses, allowing nurses to focus on delivering the best care possible while exploring their new areas.
How to Research Travel Nurse Agencies
Every travel nurse agency will have its own strengths, and finding the right one for you will require some research. Cascade has been in the industry since 1988, and we recommend nurses look into a few things before they sign up:
Reviews and Testimonials
Search for reviews from other nurses and facilities on platforms like Glassdoor, Google, or Reddit. Pay attention to any feedback on pay, recruiter support, reliability, and overall satisfaction.
Ask for Recommendations
If you don’t have any friends who are currently or have worked for a travel nurse agency, check out online forums like Reddit, or Facebook groups for travel nurses. The nurses in these groups love to give advice on who to avoid and who is great to work with.
Groups and online forums are an amazing way to gain first-hand insight into what it is like to work for an agency before any paperwork has been signed.
Check Out Agency Websites
Check out agency websites for transparency on pay rates, benefits, and available assignments. Each travel nurse agency is different. Travel nurse agencies like Cascade Health Services, for example, emphasize HR and payroll support, making sure nurses never miss a paycheck.
Other agencies might prioritize certain locations over others, make sure the agency you’re signing up with has contracts in multiple states you want to go to.
What to Consider When Choosing a Travel Nurse Agency
When you’re checking out different agencies here are some of the things you should consider:
Pay and Benefits
I get it, pay is your top priority. But, it’s really important that you look at the entire compensation package, not just the weekly pay rate. Here are some other things to consider with pay:
- Hourly Rates: Compare pay rates across agencies and contracts.
- Insurance: Health, dental, and vision insurance adds up quickly, even if weekly pay seems low, having access to insurance can make up for it.
- Housing Stipends: Some contracts can come with a housing stipend or a room you can stay in while you are on assignment. Ask about these types of benefits, it can save you a lot of money and time searching for a place to stay.
See also: How to find housing as a travel nurse
Job Variety and Location
Most travel nurses start travel nursing to experience new areas or to just break away from what has become routine. To keep yourself from getting bored, look for these things in a travel nurse agency:
- Diverse contracts: Make sure the agency has contracts in multiple states and disciplines that fit your interests.
- Flexibility: The ability to take on PRN shifts in between assignments or if you need a break from traveling
Recruiter Support
A good recruiter will make or break your experience. Look for recruiters who:
- How do they communicate? During your discovery, reach out to the recruiters and see what their communication is like. Good recruiters know that everyone prefers to communicate differently. Good recruiters will respond to you quickly, and be transparent.
- Understanding your goals: They should prioritize assignments that align with what you’re looking for. If your recruiter didn’t take the time to ask discovery questions, they’re likely not searching for contracts that meet your goals. You may want to do most of the searching for yourself. That’s totally fine! If your recruiter doesn’t know what type of communication and help is needed, it’s not uncommon for nurses to find their own assignments, and then reach out to recruiters.
- Offer solutions: A strong support system is key to any successful travel nursing job. Make sure the travel nurse agency has someone available to help you solve any problems during your assignment.
What Questions Should You Ask Before Signing with an Agency?
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked when we’re recruiting new travel nurses:
What is included in the pay package?
Make sure you understand the breakdown of base pay, stipends, and bonuses.
Are there any hidden fees?
Make sure there are no fees beyond the standard taxes. Some agencies charge a fee for finding you a contract.
What is support like during assignments?
Make sure you know who to contact from HR, payroll, and recruiting in case you have any issues or questions.
What happens between contracts?
Make sure they will help you find another contract when yours expires. Remember, some agencies like Cascade offer PRN shifts that you can work in between assignments if there aren’t any contracts that match what you’re looking for.
Getting the Most out of Your Travel Nurse Experience
Travel nursing is really exciting, and it’s normal to want to take the first assignment that’s thrown at you. Pump the brakes. Make sure the agency you’re working with knows about all of your certifications. Some certifications or specialties will earn a lot more money than others–like ICU and RAD Tech.
Staying organized will help you stay on top of credentials, and help you find assignments faster. Make sure all of your credentials are up to date and easy to access.
Many agencies offer newsletters with information about upcoming assignments, industry trends, and tips. Subscribing to these newsletters can help you stay ahead.
Travel Nurse Agency Red Flags
Most travel nurse agencies are reputable, but it’s still a good idea to look out for these red flags:
- Unclear pay structures: Don’t work for an agency that is vague about their pay.
- If recruiters are dodging questions or providing incorrect information, it’s time to look elsewhere.
- High turnover could be an indication of internal issues. If your recruiter is constantly changing, it’s a red flag.
You Found the Perfect Agency. Now what?
The hard part is over. Now it’s time to apply, and let the agency do the rest. Keep in mind that each agency might have a different workflow. For simplicity’s sake, I am going to explain how we do it at Cascade Health Services.
Nurses start one of two ways, they either see a job posting and apply, or they reach out to a recruiter to see what is available. Either way, the process will start by submitting your resume. If you need help writing your resume or need a template, check out our blog about writing nursing resumes.
Once that’s done, your recruiter will get you set up with an interview. Research the facility you applied for. Researching the facility gives you the opportunity to show the interviewer you are interested in working for them specifically, not just looking for anything. By researching the facility, you’ll be able to stand out from other applicants.
Make sure you are ready to talk about your qualifications, preferences, and specific goals. Researching interview questions can help you feel more confident which will help you stand out.
Once you’ve finished your interview, maintain good communication with your recruiter. This will help you have a smooth onboarding process and support during your assignment.
Why Travel Nurse Agencies Matter
The best travel agencies simplify the process of travel nursing, which offers more peace of mind, and lets you focus on what is important–providing exceptional patient care. The right agency can make your travel nursing journey rewarding and stress-free.
Ready to take the next step in your travel nursing career? Start by researching reputable travel nurse agencies, and you’ll be on your way to finding assignments that match your skills and goals.
