Travel nursing has become a popular career choice, offering nurses the chance to explore new locations, gain diverse clinical experiences, and enjoy flexible schedules.
By accepting temporary assignments with hospitals, travel nurses help fill staffing shortages. In return, they receive good pay and comprehensive benefits, including bonuses and tax-free stipends.
Choosing the right travel nurse company
Choosing from the over 300 travel nursing agencies in the United States may be hard. To begin your search, look for established companies, ask colleagues for recommendations, and read online reviews to find travel nurse companies with high ratings. Look for agencies that offer:
- Competitive pay
- Benefits packages that include health insurance, 401(k) plans, paid time off, and guaranteed pay (if a hospital cancels your shift).
- A wide range of assignments
- Responsive recruiters
- Licensing assistance
In addition, choose an agency that provides clear and transparent pay packages with no hidden fees and has a robust support system, including 24/7 clinical support, housing assistance, and travel reimbursements. Look for opportunities for continuing education and professional growth.
Here are some top-rated travel nurse companies to consider:
Aya Healthcare consistently tops the list of travel nursing companies, thanks to its exceptional support, competitive pay, flexible contracts, and extensive benefits. Here are some reasons why Aya Healthcare is a top choice:
• High pay rates: Aya Healthcare offers competitive salaries and generous housing stipends.
• Comprehensive benefits: Nurses receive medical, dental, and vision insurance starting on the first day of their assignment. Aya Healthcare also offers a 401(k) plan with company match and paid sick leave.
• Professional development: Aya Healthcare provides access to continuing education courses and resources to help nurses advance their careers.
For almost two decades, Triage Staffing has offered travel nurses full transparency, letting them know exactly what to expect with each assignment. Triage is consistently ranked as one of the top travel nursing agencies and offers benefits including:
• Competitive salaries: Receive payment every week through direct deposit.
• Health coverage: Nurses receive comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, as well as life insurance, from day one.
• 401(k) plan: Triage offers a 401(k) plan with company match.
FlexCare Medical Staffing is a highly regarded company known for its "S1NGLEPOINT" contact model, ensuring nurses have a single point of contact for recruiting, payroll, and personnel issues, throughout their assignment. This personalized approach, combined with a dedicated credentialing team, enhances the overall experience for travel nurses. FlexCare's benefits include:
• Top pay rates: FlexCare offers transparent pay packages with no hidden fees.
• Comprehensive insurance: Nurses receive medical, dental, and vision insurance from day one.
• 401(k) plan: FlexCare offers a 401(k) plan with company match.
• Housing stipends: Nurses can choose between generous housing stipends or company-provided housing.
Medical Solutions is a top-rated travel nursing company, known for its exceptional support and benefits including a loyalty program and pet-friendly policy, allowing nurses to travel with their furry friends. They match nurses with assignments that fit their skills and preferences, ensuring a great fit. Their benefits include:
• Competitive pay: Medical Solutions offers transparent pay packages with no surprises.
• Insurance coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance from the start of the assignment.
• 401(k) plan: Nurses can take advantage of a 401(k) plan with company match.
• Free private housing: Medical Solutions provides furnished, private housing or a housing stipend.
• Education opportunities: Nurses get access to online education programs and may qualify for tuition assistance.
Host Healthcare offers nurses round-the-clock support where they can receive guidance by text or live chat 24/7. Other benefits include:
• High pay rates: Host Healthcare offers competitive and transparent pay packages.
• Comprehensive insurance: Nurses receive medical, dental, and vision insurance from day one. In addition, medical coverage continues up to 30 days between assignments.
• 401(k) plan: Host Healthcare offers a 401(k) plan with company match.
• Paid time off: Generous PTO policies ensure nurses can take time off when needed.
• Travel reimbursement: Host Healthcare covers travel expenses to and from assignments.
• Career development opportunities: Including access to continuing education and professional resources.
Fusion Medical Staffing is known for its supportive and inclusive culture. They offer a wide range of assignments for both new nursing graduates and veteran nurses. Their benefits include:
• Competitive compensation: Fusion Medical Staffing offers transparent and competitive pay packages.
• Insurance plans: Nurses receive medical, dental, and vision insurance. They also offer professional liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
• 401(k) plan: Fusion Medical Staffing offers a 401(k) plan with company match.
• Housing assistance: Nurses can choose between housing stipends or company-provided housing.
• Paid time off: Generous PTO policies ensure nurses can take necessary breaks.
• Mentorship program: Connecting new travel nurses with experienced mentors to help them navigate their assignments and career paths.
As a travel nurse, you’ll build connections, experience new challenges and explore new cultures. By carefully considering your needs and preferences, and researching your options, you can partner with a travel nurse company that will support your career journey every step of the way.
Whether you're actively seeking a new role or assessing your next steps, explore Nurse.com's talent marketplace to help match your experience and skills to the best-fitting role.
