What is the difference between a Recruiter and an Agency?

There is no difference. The people that work at agencies are called recruiters. And hospitals can have their own recruiters for nursing in their HR depts.

But if anyone is trying to push you to sign anything with a cancellation fee like that, RUN as fast as you can from them.

There is no reason at all for a fee like that. If she is working on her own, she is just going to be selling you to the highest bidder. And I do not think much of slave traders.

agree with Suzanne but would also like to add I am using a recruiter from a hospital and she made sure I was well aware that I pay her nothing, the hospital would pay her fees and my contract was with the hospital and I can tell you my cancellation fees are half what you have been quoted and reduce in amount depending on length of service. I have no plans on cancelling and no matter how desperate I would be wary on signing something with a big cancellation fee. People have discussed with hospitals and have found their own lawyer and paid their own fees with a lot smaller contract and cancellation fee (or no cancellation fee cos petition has paid for everything).

And the other issue is that you stated that the recruiter was pushing you to sign a contract. That is always a very bad sign.

And there are some excellent recruiters out there, and they get paid 100% by the facility. But they never push, they allow you time to make your own decision. Sounds like this one is just interested in signing you on the dotted line and then she has you tied up so that you will not check out other facilities or recruiters. If she is doing things correct, then you would feel comfortable with her from the beginning.

Pressure is always a bad sign. Just like when you see it when trying to purchase a car. The better salesperson is there to answer your questions but does not try to push you to sign that day, they want you to have time to think about it. If they pressure, many will just leave and never come back. Not a good thing at all.