How to Find the Right Travel Nursing Agency for You
Travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding field that offers nurses the opportunity to explore new places while gaining valuable experience in different clinical settings. However, finding the right travel nurse agency that aligns with your needs and career goals can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s essential to know what to look for and how to choose the best agency for you. In this blog, Soliant Health provides you with all the information you need on how to find travel nurse agencies and how to choose a travel nurse agency.
How to Find a Travel Nurse Agency
Before you start your travel nurse agency search, it’s essential to do some research to understand what the industry has to offer. Spending some time reading about the experiences of other travel nurses, as well as the benefits and challenges of the profession, will give you a solid foundation on which to base your search.
Finding the right travel nurse agency is a crucial step in your journey to becoming a travel nurse, and there are numerous online resources available to help you find travel nurse agencies, such as:
- Online forums and social media groups: Look for travel nursing groups on Facebook or online forums where you can connect with other travel nurses and get recommendations for agencies. Many travel nurses are eager to share their experiences and offer advice to newcomers.
- Job boards: Explore travel nursing job postings from various agencies, allowing you to browse available positions and compare agencies.
- Google search: A simple Google search can lead you to multiple travel nursing agency websites, where you can learn more about their services, benefits, and job opportunities.
- Asking around: Asking for recommendations and advice from mentors, peers, professors, or other professionals in the field is a great way to learn about the different agencies out there from trustworthy sources.
How to Choose a Travel Nurse Agency
Once you’ve gathered a list of reputable travel nursing agencies, we recommend taking some time to consider what you’re looking for by making a list of your priorities. For example, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are you looking for in an agency?
- Are you solely focused on the highest pay?
- Are you more interested in the variety of locations and assignments?
- Do you need a company that offers comprehensive benefits packages or one that provides personalized support?
Knowing what you’re looking for in an agency will help you narrow down your options and ultimately find the perfect fit. Next, using the few agencies you’re interested in, it’s time to dig a little deeper and evaluate them based on the following factors: reputation, benefits, job availability, support, and compliance.
Agency Reputation
One way to evaluate an agency is to check online reviews and testimonials from other travel nurses who have worked with them in the past. This can give you valuable insight into the agency’s reputation within the travel nursing community and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to work with them. By taking the time to do your research, you can ensure that you choose an agency that is reputable, reliable, and committed to helping you succeed in your travel nursing career.
Benefits and Compensation
Compare the benefits and compensation packages offered by different agencies, such as health insurance, retirement plans, housing stipends, and travel reimbursements. Make sure the agency offers competitive pay rates and benefits that meet your needs.
Different agencies offer different benefits and pay packages, so it’s essential to compare your options. Some factors to consider when comparing agencies include:
- Base pay rate
- Overtime pay
- Non-taxable stipends (for housing, meals, etc.)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plans (401k)
- Paid time off and sick leave
- Continuing education opportunities
- License reimbursement
- Travel reimbursement
It’s important to remember that the highest-paying agency may not always be the best fit for you. Consider other factors like location variety, company culture, and support services when making your decision.
If you’re interested in pursuing a travel nursing career in a specific location or area of specialty, you should look for agencies that have a wide variety of the specific job openings you’re interested in. This will ensure that you have plenty of opportunities to do exactly what you love to do when it comes to choosing assignments.
Job Availability
In addition, choosing an agency with a wide selection of job opportunities offers you flexibility that can be especially beneficial if you have family or other commitments that require you to be in a certain location for a specific period of time.
Recruiter Support
Choose an agency that provides excellent support and communication throughout the entire process, from application to assignment completion. Your recruiter should be responsive, helpful, and easy to communicate with.
For example, at Soliant, our recruiters take the time to get to know you and your goals so that we can find the perfect position for you. In addition, our recruiters help you throughout the entire interview process and help negotiate all offers on your behalf.
It’s important to find a travel nurse agency with your best interests at heart to ensure you come out with the best possible assignment and offer.
Licensing Assistance
Ensure that the agency is diligent about credentialing and compliance, as this is crucial to maintaining your nursing license and ensuring patient safety. They should not only provide assistance with obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications for each assignment, but they should also have a team of experts who understand requirement complexities and how the requirements vary from state to state to make the process as painless and easy as possible for you.
Remember that the best agency for you will depend on your unique needs and goals, so don’t be afraid to shop around and ask questions. With the right agency by your side, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and fulfilling travel nursing career.
FAQs About Travel Nurse Agencies
Explore frequently asked questions about how to find and choose a travel nurse agency…
Which travel nursing agency is the best?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best agency for one nurse might not be the best for another. It’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing an agency. Some nurses may prioritize high pay rates, while others may value higher stipends, a supportive recruiter, or specific job locations. Take the time to evaluate each agency based on the factors discussed above and choose the one that aligns with your goals and values.
What is the best travel agency for nurses?
Different nurses have different needs and preferences. For example, some travel nurses may want to pursue openings in the operating room, while others are interested in oncology. Opportunities and specialties will vary from agency to agency; therefore, it’s essential to do your research and find an agency that aligns with your specific career aspirations and goals.
What is the best travel nursing agency to work for?
The best travel nursing agency to work for is one that offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, a wide variety of job opportunities in your specialty, and excellent support from recruiters and agency staff. Look for agencies with a strong reputation and positive reviews from other travel nurses. Remember, the best agency for you will depend on your unique needs and preferences.
What travel nursing agency pays the best?
Pay rates for travel nursing assignments can vary significantly depending on the agency, location, specialty, and current demand. It’s essential to compare pay rates from multiple agencies to ensure you’re getting the best possible compensation for your assignments. Some agencies may offer higher base pay rates, while others may provide more generous housing stipends or bonuses.
The Right Travel Nurse Agency for You
Soliant is a reliable travel nurse job agency with over 30 years of experience in the industry. We understand that there are many travel nursing agencies to choose from, but only Soliant can offer all the essential benefits and more, including personalized housing, custom job matching, ongoing career support, licensing assistance, weekly paychecks, top-quality insurance, and more.
Ready to get started? With exceptional assignments located across the country in a wide range of settings, we invite you to explore travel nursing and travel allied health opportunities waiting for you with Soliant today!