I'm an RN and want to become a travel nurse. What are the best travel nursing agencies to work with?

Absolutely. If you're an RN looking to make the jump into travel nursing, I’d avoid choosing one agency based solely on its advertised weekly pay. Your recruiter, assignment availability, benefits, cancellation policy, and the actual pay package all matter.

As of 2026, these are the agencies I’d put on your initial shortlist:

My top travel nursing agencies

Current 2026 rankings consistently put Aya, TNAA, Medical Solutions, Host, AMN and other large agencies near the top, although rankings vary considerably depending on whether they emphasize pay, reviews, job volume, or recruiter support.

1. Aya Healthcare — my first agency to contact

I'd strongly consider Aya for a first travel assignment because of its enormous job inventory and relatively easy-to-use platform. Aya says it currently has thousands of nursing opportunities and lets nurses view jobs and pay packages online.

Another advantage is the support structure: recruiter + credentialing specialist + payroll/travel support rather than relying on one person for everything.

Best if: You want lots of choices and don't yet know exactly where you want to travel.

2. TNAA — excellent recruiter-focused option

TNAA is one I'd absolutely have in your comparison group. Current 2026 review-based rankings put it particularly high for recruiter support and pay packages.

Best if: You want a more personalized recruiter relationship rather than simply having the largest possible job board.

3. Medical Solutions — one of my favorites to compare

Medical Solutions is worth contacting because it has a strong reputation for recruiter support and pay transparency. It's particularly worth comparing if you're ICU, ER, OR, or another higher-demand specialty.

Best if: You value your recruiter and want someone who will actually help you negotiate and find assignments.

4. Host Healthcare — great for benefits/support

Host frequently scores well for overall traveler experience, benefits and recruiter communication.

Best if: Benefits and having a supportive agency are more important to you than squeezing out the absolute highest possible weekly rate.

5. AMN Healthcare — huge network

AMN is one of the biggest and longest-established players in travel nursing. Its size can be particularly useful if you have a specific hospital system or geographic area in mind because of its extensive facility relationships.

Best if: You want access to major health systems and lots of locations.

6. Fastaff — interesting once you're experienced

Fastaff is different from the typical 13-week travel model. It specializes in rapid-response assignments, including shorter contracts. It advertises assignments from 2–13 weeks, guaranteed hours, premium compensation and paid travel/housing.

Best if: You're an experienced RN who wants short-term assignments and potentially higher compensation.

Here's what I would actually do

Don't pick just one agency.

I'd sign up with 3–4 agencies simultaneously, preferably:

1. Aya
2. TNAA
3. Medical Solutions
4. Host

Then give all four the exact same assignment criteria:

"I'm looking for a 13-week contract, ___ specialty, ___ shifts, within ___ states, minimum ___ weekly gross." Then compare the offers.

This is important because the best agency isn't necessarily the agency that pays the most for a particular contract. The same hospital/unit can produce noticeably different packages between agencies, and current industry comparisons specifically recommend getting multiple offers before committing.

Don't compare hourly rate alone

Look at:

• Weekly gross
• Taxable hourly rate
• Housing stipend
• Meals & incidentals stipend
• Guaranteed hours
• Overtime rate
• Call requirements
• Completion/extension bonuses
• Travel reimbursement
• License reimbursement
• Health insurance start date
• 401(k) match
• Cancellation policy
• Floating requirements
• Holiday requirements
• Whether housing is provided or you take the stipend

For example, Aya's current benefits include medical/dental/vision beginning on the first day of an assignment and a 401(k) program with matching eligibility after specified requirements.

One important thing before you start

Your specialty and years of experience make a huge difference in which agency/assignments I'd recommend.

If you tell me:

• Your RN specialty (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, OR, L&D, NICU, psych, etc.)
• Years of RN experience
• Whether you have a BSN
• What states you're interested in
• Whether you're primarily chasing money, location, or work/life balance

…I can narrow this down to the 3 best agencies for you, tell you what kind of travel contracts you should realistically target, and give you a step-by-step first-time travel nurse checklist.

I'd strongly consider Aya for a first travel assignment because of its enormous job inventory and relatively easy-to-use platform. Aya says it currently has thousands of nursing opportunities and lets nurses view jobs and pay packages online.

Another advantage is the support structure: recruiter + credentialing specialist + payroll/travel support rather than relying on one person for everything.

Best if: You want lots of choices and don't yet know exactly where you want to travel.

2. TNAA — excellent recruiter-focused option

TNAA is one I'd absolutely have in your comparison group. Current 2026 review-based rankings put it particularly high for recruiter support and pay packages.

Best if: You want a more personalized recruiter relationship rather than simply having the largest possible job board.

3. Medical Solutions — one of my favorites to compare

Medical Solutions is worth contacting because it has a strong reputation for recruiter support and pay transparency. It's particularly worth comparing if you're ICU, ER, OR, or another higher-demand specialty.

Best if: You value your recruiter and want someone who will actually help you negotiate and find assignments.

4. Host Healthcare — great for benefits/support

Host frequently scores well for overall traveler experience, benefits and recruiter communication.

Best if: Benefits and having a supportive agency are more important to you than squeezing out the absolute highest possible weekly rate.

5. AMN Healthcare — huge network

AMN is one of the biggest and longest-established players in travel nursing. Its size can be particularly useful if you have a specific hospital system or geographic area in mind because of its extensive facility relationships.

Best if: You want access to major health systems and lots of locations.

6. Fastaff — interesting once you're experienced

Fastaff is different from the typical 13-week travel model. It specializes in rapid-response assignments, including shorter contracts. It advertises assignments from 2–13 weeks, guaranteed hours, premium compensation and paid travel/housing.

Best if: You're an experienced RN who wants short-term assignments and potentially higher compensation.

Here's what I would actually do

Don't pick just one agency.

When looking for the best travel nursing agency, the "right" choice often depends on what you value most—whether that's maximum pay transparency, robust day-one benefits, a massive selection of jobs, or a hands-on recruiter.

Top-rated agencies consistently lead the industry according to nurse-voted rankings on platforms like The Gypsy Nurse and BluePipes:

• Aya Healthcare – The giant of the industry with the largest selection of active jobs nationwide. They offer robust tech tools, paid sick leave, and free continuing education, though their massive size can sometimes mean a less personalized experience depending on your recruiter.
• Host Healthcare – Frequently ranked at the top for customer satisfaction and traveler support. Known for excellent comprehensive insurance options, matching 401(k), and dedicated loyalty/perk programs.
• Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) – Highly rated for traveler advocacy, transparent stipends, strong mental health resources, and robust sick leave policies.
• FlexCare Medical Staffing – Renowned for their "single-point-of-contact" model and transparent pay matching, allowing you to see upfront what a contract pays without hidden margin drops.
• Triage Staffing – Popular for a straight-shooting, no-nonsense company culture and competitive pay packages.

Nurse Experiences

“Aya's website has been the easiest for me to use and they consistently offer more competitive pay rates than other agencies for the same position. Theresa J.”

To help narrow down which agency or recruiter style fits you best, let me know:

• What specialty do you work in (ICU, Med-Surg, ER, etc.)?
• Are you looking to travel locally or cross-country?

Finding the "best" travel nursing agency largely depends on what you value most—whether that's the absolute largest job board , a boutique agency with a hyper-responsive recruiter, or robust day-one benefits. In the travel nursing community, most seasoned nurses agree that your recruiter matters more than the company logo , but starting with a reputable, well-organized powerhouse or a top-rated mid-sized agency makes a massive difference in your onboarding and payroll.

The top-tier travel nursing agencies break down by category:

Major Industry Giants (Best for Job Selection)

• Aya Healthcare – Widely considered the industry giant with the largest volume of active listings nationwide. They offer day-one health insurance, a slick app interface, and structured onboarding, though their massive scale can sometimes make the experience feel a bit corporate or impersonal.
• Medical Solutions – Highly rated for consistency, solid traveler support, and day-one comprehensive benefits. They generally receive high marks for transparency and keeping things running smoothly between contracts.
• AMN Healthcare – Another colossal agency that functions as a managed service provider (MSP) for many major hospital systems, meaning they often get first dibs on exclusive job contracts.

Highly Rated Mid-Sized & Boutique Agencies (Best for Recruiter Relationship)

• Host Healthcare – Frequently raked near the top of traveler satisfaction surveys on forums and ranking sites. Known for transparent stipends, strong dedicated support, and day-one benefits.
• Triage Staffing – Noted in the community for a straight-shooting, no-nonsense culture and very competitive pay packages.
• Fusion Medical Staffing – Popular for a fun, supportive company culture and great touchpoints from recruiters, alongside day-one insurance options.
• Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) – Known for taking good care of their travelers with robust benefits, sick leave policies, and strong compliance/clinical support teams.

Real Traveler Insights

“It doesn't matter, they're all salespeople.”

“Search engine Vivian. Adamant there is no "best." Choose your necessities, pay, location, etc.”

Pro-Tips for Choosing and Working with Agencies

1. Never rely on just one agency: Most experienced travelers work with 2 or 3 different agencies at a time to compare pay packages and leverage job availability.
2. Watch out for Day-1 Insurance gaps: If continuity of health coverage is important to you, double-check that your choice offers immediate day-one medical benefits rather than a 30-day waiting period.
3. Use comparison platforms wisely: You can cross-shop rates and check independent user feedback using platforms like Vivian Health or job boards like BluePipes to see what different agencies are offering for the exact same hospital listing.

Are you leaning toward a specific specialty (ICU, Med-Surg, ER, etc.) or a target geographic region for your first assignment? I can help tailor what kind of pay and agency strategy fits best.

Absolutely. If you're an RN considering travel nursing, I’d start with 3–5 agencies rather than committing to one. The “best” agency is often the one that gives you the best combination of pay package + assignment options + recruiter quality + benefits for your particular specialty and destination. Current 2026 comparisons consistently put several large agencies near the top, but rankings differ.

My shortlist for you

Aya would probably be my first profile to create. It has a very large job inventory, lets nurses view pay packages and facility information online, and offers day-one medical/dental/vision coverage, housing or a housing stipend, licensing/relocation reimbursement when applicable, and 24/7 support.

TNAA is especially worth comparing because current nurse-review rankings put it very highly for recruiter support and overall satisfaction.

Medical Solutions is another one I'd seriously consider. It offers day-one health benefits, housing or a stipend, weekly pay, 401(k) matching and 24/7 support.

The biggest mistake I'd avoid

Don't choose an agency because someone says “Agency X pays the most.”

Travel pay can change dramatically based on your specialty, hospital, state, shift, contract length and current demand. Even for the same assignment, different agencies can offer meaningfully different weekly packages.

Instead, I'd have 3–5 recruiters competing for your business.

For example:

“I'm looking for a 13-week contract in X specialty, preferably in these states. I'm comparing agencies and will choose based on the complete compensation package, benefits and recruiter support.”

Then compare:

• Weekly gross pay
• Taxable hourly rate
• Housing stipend
• Meals/incidental stipend
• Guaranteed hours
• Overtime rate
• Completion/retention bonuses
• Health insurance cost and start date
• 401(k) match
• License reimbursement
• Travel/reimbursement allowance
• Cancellation policy
• Whether benefits continue between assignments
• What happens if the hospital cancels your contract

And importantly, compare the entire weekly package, not just the advertised hourly rate.

One other thing I'd want to know about you

Your specialty and experience level make a big difference in which agencies I'd prioritize.

If you tell me:

1. Your RN specialty (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, OR, L&D, NICU, etc.)
2. Years of experience
3. Whether you have compact-state licensure
4. Where you'd ideally like to travel (California, Florida, Colorado, anywhere, etc.)
5. Whether your priority is maximum pay, best locations, or work/life balance

…I can narrow this down to the 3 best agencies for you specifically, and I can also tell you what you should realistically expect to make per week as a traveler.

Absolutely. If you're an RN looking to make the jump into travel nursing, I’d avoid choosing just one agency at first. The smartest strategy is to register with 3–4 agencies, get comparable offers, and then go with the recruiter/package that is actually strongest for your specialty and destination. Current 2026 comparisons consistently recommend this approach because pay can vary substantially between agencies for the same assignment.

My 2026 shortlist

🥇 If I were starting today

I'd probably sign up with Aya + TNAA + Host + Medical Solutions.

Aya is particularly useful because its enormous job inventory gives you lots of locations and facilities to compare. Current rankings put it at or near #1 overall, particularly for job availability.

TNAA is worth adding because recent rankings put it at the top for recruiter satisfaction and overall nurse ratings.

Host is one I'd seriously consider if this is your first travel assignment. Recent evaluations specifically highlight its recruiter support and benefits.

Medical Solutions is another strong comparison because it emphasizes personalized traveler support and has Joint Commission certification.

Don't choose based on the headline weekly pay

This is where new travelers can get burned. Compare the entire package:

• Taxable hourly rate
• Weekly housing stipend
• Meals/incidentals stipend
• Guaranteed hours
• Overtime rate
• Cancellation policy
• Travel reimbursement
• Health insurance start/end dates
• 401(k) and match
• License reimbursement
• Extension rate
• Completion/retention bonuses
• Whether the agency pays for required certifications

And ask every recruiter for the same assignment when possible. A $2,600/week offer isn't necessarily better than a $2,450 offer if the latter has better guaranteed hours, insurance, reimbursement, or cancellation terms.

Also, don't assume the agency with the highest advertised rate is best. Current 2026 comparisons note that there is no single agency that consistently pays the most, and comparing several agencies is the better strategy.

One more thing I'd check

Look for Joint Commission Health Care Staffing Services certification. It's not the only thing that matters, but it's a useful quality/compliance signal because the certification involves independent evaluation of staffing firms and standardized measures for travel/per-diem clinical staffing.

If you tell me your RN specialty (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, OR, L&D, NICU, etc.), years of experience, and the states/regions you'd like to travel to, I can narrow this down to the 3 best agencies for you and tell you what I'd look for in your first contract.

Choosing the "best" travel nursing agency largely depends on what you value most—whether that’s maximum job volume , robust support infrastructure , transparent pay , or a self-service tech platform . Because most experienced travelers work with two or three agencies at a time to compare rates and options , there is no single correct choice.

Top-rated agencies stand out across different categories in the industry:

• Aya Healthcare — Best for Job Volume & Tech
  • Pros: Consistently the largest agency in the country , meaning they have the highest number of active open assignments and deep exclusive facility contracts . Their proprietary app allows real-time pay visibility.
  • Cons: Because of their massive size, the level of personal touch can vary depending on your assigned representative.
• Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) — Best Support Infrastructure
  • Pros: Frequently voted a top overall agency by traveler communities like The Gypsy Nurse . They use a full-team model providing a dedicated recruiter, housing specialists, and clinical/compliance support . They also cover licensure fees and offer strong sick leave policies.
  • Cons: Application and compliance processes can feel rigorous and structured.
• Host Healthcare — Best for First-Time Travelers
  • Pros: Highly praised for personalized customer service, transparent stipends, day-one insurance options, and solid educational support for nurses stepping into travel nursing for the first time.
  • Cons: Job inventory in niche or remote geographic locations might occasionally trail behind mega-agencies like Aya.
• Medical Solutions — Best for Recruiter Consistency
  • Pros: Frequently ranks high for traveler satisfaction and high recruiter retention . Their team is known for building long-term, stable professional relationships rather than treating you like a transaction.
• Trusted Health — Best for Independence & Transparency
  • Pros: Operates on a modern, self-service marketplace model where you can browse shift details, requirements, and exact pay rates without being forced to talk to a traditional recruiter first.

Real Traveler Insights

Many seasoned nurses emphasize that the quality of your individual recruiter matters far more than the brand name on your paycheck.

“Get a referral from a traveler who has a good recruiter. The best recruiter at the worst agency is better than the worst recruiter at the best agency.”

“There is no best travel agency, just good recruiters that you develop trust with”

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Your clinical specialty (ICU, Med-Surg, ER, OR, etc.)
• Where you want to travel (specific state or region)
• Whether you prefer maximum pay or guaranteed support/benefits as a priority

I can help tailor which agency or recruiter approach fits your goals best.

Absolutely. If you’re an RN looking to make your first move into travel nursing, I’d avoid choosing a single “best” agency. The better strategy is to sign up with 3–4 reputable agencies, have recruiters submit you to comparable jobs, and compare the actual contracts. Current 2026 comparisons consistently show meaningful differences in pay and recruiter experience for the same assignment.

My shortlist for 2026

1. Aya — my first agency to contact

Aya is enormous and currently advertises a very large inventory of nursing positions, along with health insurance, 401(k), housing options and travel reimbursement. The biggest advantage for a new traveler is sheer job volume.

The downside is that a huge agency can sometimes feel less personal, and your experience can depend heavily on the individual recruiter.

I'd definitely put Aya on your list.

2. TNAA — excellent second choice

TNAA has historically been particularly well regarded for recruiter relationships and pay transparency. Independent 2026 comparisons continue to put it near the top.

One thing to know: TNAA merged with TotalMed in 2025, so the organization is somewhat different from the TNAA many veteran travelers remember.

I'd pair TNAA with Aya and compare the two.

3. Host Healthcare — especially attractive for a first assignment

Host is another agency I'd strongly consider if this is your first travel contract. Its reputation tends to center around recruiter support and a more personalized experience rather than simply having the biggest job board. Current 2026 rankings place it near the top overall.

4. AMN — worth having in your lineup

AMN is one of the industry's largest agencies and has longstanding relationships with major hospital systems. That can matter if you have a particular hospital system or geographic area in mind.

I wouldn't automatically assume AMN will offer the highest-paying package, though. Compare the actual numbers.

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The strategy I'd use if I were you

Don't say, “Which agency pays the most?”

Instead, tell 3–4 recruiters exactly the same thing:

“I'm looking for a 13-week contract, preferably in [specialty], in [states/regions]. I'm interested in [shift], and I'm looking for the strongest overall compensation package. Please send me your current options.”

Then compare:

• Weekly gross
• Taxable hourly rate
• Housing stipend
• Meals & incidentals stipend
• Guaranteed hours
• Overtime rate
• Completion bonus
• Travel reimbursement
• Health insurance start date/end date
• 401(k) match
• License reimbursement
• Certification reimbursement
• Cancellation policy
• Whether the facility can cancel you without compensation
• Extension rates

Don't compare agencies based on the headline hourly rate. The total package is what matters.

And don't let a recruiter tell you “you have to decide right now because this job will disappear.” Sometimes jobs do move quickly, but you should still have enough information to understand the complete compensation package before signing.

One other important point for you as an RN

Your specialty makes a huge difference in which agency/job strategy makes sense. An ICU/CVICU, OR, ER, NICU, L&D, Med-Surg/Tele, psych, or specialty RN can have very different contract availability and compensation.

If you tell me your RN specialty, years of experience, whether you have a BSN, and what states you'd consider, I can narrow this down to the 3 agencies I'd personally start with for your situation and explain what kind of travel contracts/pay you should be targeting.

Transitioning to travel nursing is an exciting step! Because "the best" agency often depends on what you value most—maximum pay, top-tier benefits, robust support for newbies, or an app-based self-service model—most experienced travelers recommend building relationships with a couple of different agencies rather than relying on just one.

Top-rated travel nursing agencies stand out in specific categories based on industry surveys and traveler feedback:

Top-Rated Travel Nursing Agencies

• Aya Healthcare Aya Healthcare — Best for Job Volume & Tech. As the largest agency in the U.S., they have a massive digital marketplace, real-time pay visibility, a great mobile app, and widespread hospital system access.
• Host Healthcare Host Healthcare — Best for First-Time Travelers. Frequently top-ranked by new travelers for providing extensive guidance, robust 24/7 support, and solid insurance/401(k) matching packages.
• Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) TNAA — Best for All-Inclusive Benefits. Consistently voted a top overall agency by the community, known for day-one health insurance, paid sick leave, mental health resources, and transparent, traveler-centric policies.
• Advantis Medical Staffing Advantis Medical — Best for Personalized Support & Florida/Southeast Placements. Highly rated by clinicians for dedicated recruiter advocacy, rapid onboarding, and strong day-one benefits.
• Fastaff Travel Nursing Fastaff — Best for High Pay & Crisis Rates. Known for catering to high-earning, fast-moving assignments, though contracts can be demanding with strict compliance and rapid turnaround expectations.
• Trusted Health Trusted Health — Best for Independence. Utilizes a unique model that reduces traditional recruiter overhead to pass higher transparency and pay directly to the nurse.

Traveler Experiences

“I had great experiences with both Aya and Host Healthcare, but I also had amazing recruiters.”

To help narrow down which agency or specific recruiter model fits you best, tell me:

• What is your clinical specialty (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, etc.)?
• Are you a first-time traveler or do you already have experience?
• What is your top priority (highest possible weekly pay vs. robust day-one health benefits)?

Choosing the "best" travel nursing agency depends heavily on what you prioritize most—whether that is maximum job options, transparent pay, high-touch support for beginners, or day-one benefits . Industry rankings (like annual aggregated reviews on BluePipes and nurse feedback platforms) consistently highlight several top-performing agencies:

Top-Rated Travel Nursing Agencies

• Aya Healthcare is the largest agency in the U.S. Best for sheer volume of open assignments, a robust mobile app for document tracking, and day-one comprehensive benefits.
• Host Healthcare is widely favored, especially by first-time travelers, for its transparent pay packages, high responsiveness, and strong support system.
• Stability Healthcare consistently ranks near the top for its self-service tech platform combined with strong recruiter transparency and fast application processes.
• Axis Medical Staffing is frequently praised by independent review sites for treating clinicians with personalized care rather than processing them like a commodity.
• Travel Nurses, Inc. (TNI) is one of the oldest independent agencies, known for strong day-one benefits and flexibility across contract types.
• Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) stands out for all-inclusive benefit packages, paid sick leave, and robust mental health/support resources.

Real Nurse Perspectives

“Aya took #1 in our 2026 rankings on the strength of nearly 27,000 active travel nursing jobs, comprehensive benefits with day-one health coverage, and the deepest review base of any agency we measured.”

“I had great experiences with both Aya and Host Healthcare, but I also had amazing recruiters.”

Tips for Finding Your Match

• Interview your recruiter: The agency matters, but your relationship with your specific recruiter matters more. Find someone who is transparent about pay breakdowns (stipends vs. taxable hourly rates) and doesn't ghost you.
• Don't put all your eggs in one basket: Many experienced travel nurses are signed up with 2 or 3 different agencies to compare job availability and gross weekly pay packages for specific target cities.
• Check job boards: You can cross-reference active listings using aggregate platforms like Vivian Health before committing to an agency.

To help narrow this down, could you share:

• Your specialty (e.g., ICU, Med-Surg, ER, L&D)
• Where you want to travel (specific states or regions)
• Whether you are a brand-new traveler or have prior experience

Absolutely. If you're an RN looking to start travel nursing, I’d avoid choosing just one agency. Your best strategy is usually to register with 3–5 reputable agencies, compare the same assignment across them, and then choose based on the actual package—not the agency’s advertised reputation.

My short list for 2026

Current 2026 rankings vary depending on methodology. For example, VaultRN's July 2026 data has Aya, Medical Solutions and TNAA among its highest-rated agencies, while Travel Nursing Central's large nurse-review database has particularly strong ratings for TNAA, Medical Solutions, Host, and several smaller agencies.

If you're brand new, I'd start with these 3

1. Aya — I'd put this at the top of the list for a first-time traveler because of the sheer number of contracts and its large national footprint. Aya describes itself as the largest travel nursing/allied-health agency and provides an app where you can search assignments and see pay packages.

2. TNAA — Particularly attractive if you want a more hands-on recruiter experience. It also ranks very well in nurse-review data.

3. Medical Solutions — A solid third agency to quote against Aya and TNAA. Having multiple agencies competing for your business is one of the best ways to determine whether you're actually getting a good package.

One thing that's really important

Don't ask, "Which agency pays the most?"

Ask:

"Which agency is offering me the best total package for this specific hospital and contract?"

The same hospital/unit can have different compensation through different agencies, and nurse reports indicate differences of several hundred dollars per week can occur between agencies for comparable assignments.

Also compare:

• Weekly taxable hourly rate
• Weekly housing stipend
• Meals & incidentals stipend
• Guaranteed hours
• Overtime rate
• Completion bonus
• Travel reimbursement
• License reimbursement
• Health insurance cost/coverage
• 401(k) match
• Cancellation policy
• Whether housing is provided or you take the stipend
• What happens if the hospital cancels your shift

I'd also favor agencies with recognized staffing-quality credentials; the Joint Commission has a specific certification program for healthcare staffing agencies, including standardized performance measures for travel/temporary clinical staff.

And don't overlook your recruiter

This may actually matter more than the agency's name.

A mediocre recruiter at a huge agency can make your travel experience miserable, while an excellent recruiter at a smaller agency can be fantastic. You are interviewing them, too.

Ask a prospective recruiter:

1. "How many nurses do you currently represent?"
2. "How quickly do you respond when I'm on assignment?"
3. "What happens if my hospital cuts my hours?"
4. "Can you show me the complete pay breakdown before I submit?"
5. "How do you handle contract disputes?"
6. "How much room is there to negotiate?"
7. "Do you have relationships with the hospitals I'm interested in?"
8. "What expenses will I have to pay upfront?"

And never feel obligated to take the first contract a recruiter presents.

If you tell me your specialty (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, OR, etc.), years of RN experience, and the states/regions you'd like to travel to, I can narrow this down to the 3–5 agencies I'd personally contact first for your situation, including which ones tend to have the strongest contracts in your specialty.