The Ultimate Guide to Evaluating Travel Nurse Agencies
There are many factors to consider when evaluating travel nurse agencies. Whether you are looking for a reputable agency with a solid reputation, great recruiters, or a seamless onboarding process, here are some things to look for.
Review the agency’s reputation online and in person. It’s also helpful to ask fellow travel nurses about their experiences.
Reputation
The best travel nurse agency will have a solid reputation in the industry. You can learn much about an agency by reading online reviews and talking to other travel nurses.
Look for agencies with high BBB ratings and a consistent track record of placing travel nurses in good assignments in desirable locations. Many negative comments should be a red flag but don’t automatically write off an agency because they have one or two bad reviews.
Evaluate each agency’s pay rates, housing options, and benefits package. Ensure they offer health insurance, including medical and dental coverage, paid travel expenses, professional liability insurance, and free housing. Look for agencies offering 401(k) or other retirement accounts.
Ultimately, the “perfect” travel nursing agency doesn’t exist. But evaluating each agency on this list will help you find a travel nursing agency that matches your preferences and priorities. And with a little luck, you’ll be off and running on your next travel nursing assignment!
Experience
Most travel nurses work with staffing agencies that liaise between them and healthcare facilities looking for their services. Agencies often handle paperwork, placement logistics, and other responsibilities, making them an invaluable resource for new travel nurses.
When evaluating an agency, you should consider how long the company has been in business and look for accreditations or positive feedback from other travel nurses. Review sites can offer helpful insights into a company’s reputation, assignments, and compensation packages.
Another important factor to evaluate is the support a travel nurse agency offers its employees. When a problem arises during an assignment, how quickly and thoroughly does the agency respond? Are they available for questions via phone, text, or e-mail? If the answer to those questions could be better, it may be time to find a different travel nursing agency.
Flexibility
When choosing a travel nursing agency, look for one that offers flexible contracts. This flexibility allows nurses to find assignments that meet their schedules and career goals. It also helps ensure the company has steady jobs for its nurses.
Another consideration is whether or not the travel nurse agency offers guaranteed hours. This is important because it provides security for travel nurses taking on a new location and unfamiliar job.
Finally, look for an agency that offers comprehensive benefits. This may include health insurance, housing assistance, and professional development resources. These perks can help distinguish between a great travel nurse experience and a disappointing one.
Support
Nurses should pay close attention to the level of support offered when evaluating travel nurse agencies. A dedicated recruiter and 24/7 access to a support team are essential for navigating challenges that may arise during an assignment. Look for agencies that offer additional perks like housing assistance, continuing education opportunities, or networking events.
Lastly, make sure the agency you choose is Joint Commission certified. This accreditation officially recognizes efficiency and satisfaction from a neutral third party that can increase your overall travel nursing experience.
Choosing the right travel nurse agency can be an overwhelming process. Still, by evaluating each company’s reputation, recruiter experience, flexibility, and support, you can make an informed decision that will lead to a successful, rewarding travel nurse contract. Be sure to contact other travel nurses in your field and pick their brains about the agencies they use. Word-of-mouth remains a powerful force in the industry!
Compensation
The compensation a travel nurse agency offers is usually front and center for job seekers, but it’s not the only factor to consider. Top agencies offer a wide range of perks to attract and retain nurses. These can include free travel nursing housing, licensing assistance, and professional development resources.
A good travel nurse agency will negotiate a contract for you that considers the bill rates, shift differentials, and housing stipends. They can also advocate for you to ensure that your preferences are met.
When considering compensation, looking beyond the big hourly numbers often advertised on websites and social media is important. Remember that these figures are usually just advertising and may not reflect what’s available to nurses. Also, consider whether the agency offers sign-on and completion bonuses or overtime pay. These can add up!
Insurance
Depending on the assignment, travel nurses may need to pay out-of-pocket for medical insurance. Look for agencies that offer this benefit.
Many travel nursing agencies provide their nurses with top-of-the-line medical and free professional liability insurance. These stipends typically make up a significant chunk of travel nurses’ take-home pay, so evaluating these factors is important when considering which agency to work with.
Additionally, look for travel nurse agencies offering completion, referral, and contract extension bonuses. These are all great perks that help encourage nurses to stay with their agency. They also demonstrate that the agency values nurses and their satisfaction with their assignments.
