Cross Country Healthcare Travel Nursing Review (2023)

Cross Country Healthcare collaborates with nearly any type of healthcare professional, including nurses, to meet staffing needs across the country. The company specializes in travel nurse contracts as well as local and per-diem nursing opportunities. 

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This article was reviewed and fact-checked by our Editorial Team.
Cross Country Healthcare Travel Nursing Review (2023)

Table of Contents

Cross Country Healthcare Travel Nursing Overview

Cross Country Healthcare worked with 4,756 healthcare facilities and filled more than 30,000 healthcare jobs throughout 2021. With nurses specifically, they employ roughly 10,000 nurses annually. 

The company is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, and they have 69 office locations nationwide.

Cross Country Healthcare staffs more than just registered nurses. They work with just about every kind of healthcare professional there is, including: 

  • Licensed practical nurses (LPN)
  • Certified nursing assistants  (CNA)
  • Respiratory therapists (RT)
  • Physical therapists (PT)
  • Occupational therapists (OT)
  • Speech-language pathologists (SLP)
  • Social Workers (SW)
  • Imaging, laboratory, and pharmacy technologists'
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Physicians
  • Nurse Managers
  • Nurse Educators
  • House Supervisors

No matter what your nursing specialty is, Cross Country Healthcare most likely has a travel nurse position for you. Some nursing positions being staffed through Cross Country today include:

  • Acute care hospital:
    • Emergency Room 
    • Intensive care unit (ICU)
    • Progressive care unit (PCU)
    • Telemetry
    • Medical Surgical 
    • Operating Room 
    • Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
    • Labor and Delivery
  • Long-term acute care hospital (LTACH)
  • Psychiatric care
  • Home health care
  • Correctional/ Prison care
  • Outpatient and Ambulatory Clinic care
  • Nursing Facilities 
  • Rehabilitation Facilities 

Believe it or not, this is a significantly modified list. Any healthcare job you can think of Cross Country Healthcare has an opportunity -- take a look for yourself. 

Cross Country Healthcare Opportunities 

Cross Country Healthcare has it all when it comes to nursing positions:

  • Travel nursing Contracts
  • Local nursing Contracts
  • Per Diem nursing positions
  • Permanent nursing Positions

If you're researching Cross Country Healthcare, you may find references to Cross Country TravCoprs, MedStaff, and Medical Staffing Network. These three brands were merged into Cross Country Nurses, now part of the Cross Country Healthcare brand. This move was made to simplify the search process and make their team of national recruiters more accessible to travel nurses, no matter where you're located. 

I worked with Cross Country through Medical Staffing Network, which focuses on per-diem local contract nursing. The application process was archaic at the time, and looking up contracted positions was only possible after speaking to a recruiter. 

Everything has appeared to change since 2018—and for the better. While I can't speak to their current application process, it's evident that Cross Country has upgraded its website and job search process to a user-friendly digitized format. You can even browse the nursing contracts available, including pay rates. 

Nursing Contract Job Search

Nursing Contract Job Search

Job Description

Job Description

Cross Country Healthcare Pay and Benefits

Based on travel nursing reviews (below) and contract rates listed on their website, Cross Country Healthcare remains competitive with its high-paying contract rates. Zippia reports that registered nurses working with Cross Country earn an average salary of $98,994 per year at an hourly rate of around $48.00. Payment is made weekly for their travel nurses, locally contracted nurses, and per-diem nurses, with the pay breakdown varying depending on the position you take:

  • Travel Nurse Contract: Weekly contracted rate with guaranteed hours, plus housing and meal stipends (unless you choose company housing). 
  • Local Nurse Contract: Weekly contracted rate with guaranteed hours, without housing or meal stipends. 
  • Per-Diem:  Hourly pay. Your weekly pay will vary depending on the hours you work each week

In addition to weekly pay and stipends, Cross Country Healthcare offers excellent perks, including:

  • Professional liability coverage
  • Free continuous education (CEU) opportunities
  • Tuition discounts (may be limited to their per-diem Medical Staffing Network)
  • Nursing licensing reimbursement
  • Employee discounts

To top it off, Cross Country Healthcare provides some of the best bonuses for travel nurses:

Overall, Cross Country Healthcare provides competitive pay rates and excellent benefits to their travel nurses, making them a great option to consider when searching for your next position. 

Cross Country Healthcare Insurance and Retirement Benefits

Cross Country Healthcare offers contracted nurses comprehensive medical insurance, with multiple options to choose from, including prescription coverage. Dependents are also eligible for these benefits. According to an Indeed review, benefits are available from day one of your contracted nursing assignment. 

In addition, they provide the following:

  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision plans
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Short-term disability coverage
  • Accidental insurance
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Pre-tax flex spending accounts
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • Identity theft programs

Retirement investment is also possible with Cross Country Healthcare's 401(K) plan, which is available through fidelity. The company even offers free financial empowerment and education courses for its nurses and healthcare professionals.

Cross Country Healthcare may also include company matching with the 401(K) plan. However, it is unclear if this applies to only per-diem nurses working with their CCMSN (Cross Country Medical Staffing Network) division or to travel nurses as well. 

You can contact Cross Country Healthcare for more information if you have specific questions. 

Is Cross Country a Good Travel Nurse Agency?

With 36 years of experience in the industry, Cross Country Nurses has a mix of good and bad reviews from nurses. Out of a five-star rating system, nurses ranked Cross Country Healthcare:

  • 3.9 on Indeed
  • 4.0 on Glassdoor

Comparing its ratings to some of its top competitors on Indeed: 

  • Travel Nurses Across America has a 4.1
  • Medical Solutions has a 4.1
  • Aya Healthcare has a 4.2

Some nurses have left negative reviews about Cross Country Healthcare, citing issues with recruiters, such as lowballing, misrepresenting available locations, and hidden clauses in contracts. However, there are also positive reviews from nurses who praised the company for its excellent pay, recruiter availability, and benefits that started from day one. 

Overall, the experience of working with Cross Country will depend on the quality of the recruiter assigned to you. Some travel nurses have reported positive experiences, while others have switched agencies due to negative experiences with their recruiters.

Despite some negative reviews, some travel nurses have had extremely positive experiences working with Cross Country Healthcare. An article was published in 2019 about a registered nurse who completed her 100th contract with Cross Country, having worked with them since 1992. In the article, the nurse expressed that she felt Cross Country Healthcare aligned with her values of integrity and character and that she always felt supported by them.   

In addition, Cross Country Healthcare has achieved many awards recognizing they are a great staffing agency to work for. 

  • Top Workplaces USA 2021-2023
  • Top Workplaces Regional 2021-2023
  • Top Workplaces Healthcare Industry 2021-2022
  • Great Place to Work Certified 2022
  • Best of Staffing Client Satisfaction 2023

Cross Country Workplace Awards

Cross Country Workplace Awards

Pros and Cons at Cross Country Healthcare

PROS

  • Time and location flexibility
  • Good pay and benefits
  • Licensure and Certification Reimbursement
  • A recruiter is available to help you through the onboarding process
  • Travel contracts, local contracts, and per-diem opportunities
  • Work opportunities for nurses in nearly every specialty 
  • Digitized platform allows you to review travel nurse jobs available, job descriptions, and benefits before applying

CONS

  • Contracts can be canceled
  • Lack of transparency'
  • Limited job availability
  • Difficulty getting desired shifts
  • Dependence on recruiter (pro or con depending on recruiter) 
  • Inconsistent communication from the recruiter
  • Unable to review per-diem or local contract rates before connecting with a recruiter 

Keep in mind that these potential pros and cons are based on individual experiences and reviews, therefore, may only represent some travel nurses' experience with Cross Country Healthcare. 

Cross Country Healthcare FAQ

Q: How much nursing experience do I need to apply to Cross Country Healthcare?

A: A minimum of one year of nursing experience in the contracted specialty is typically preferred by healthcare facilities when hiring travel nurses, locally contracted nurses, and per-diem nurses. Requirements may vary dependent on the healthcare facility. 

Q: Does Cross Country Healthcare provide housing accommodations for travel nurses? 

A:  Yes, if you travel beyond a certain distance from your tax home, Cross Country Healthcare will offer you the option to either secure temporary housing for you or provide a housing stipend, depending on your preference.  

If you choose a housing stipend you will need to secure your own temporary housing. To learn more about housing options and stipends for travel nurses check out our comprehensive guide on Travel Nurse Housing.

Q: How long are the typical assignments for travel nurses with Cross Country Healthcare?

A: Typical travel nurse contracts with Cross Country Healthcare are 12-14 weeks in duration and require 36-40 hours of work per week. 

You can learn more about the basics of travel nursing in our Beginner's Guide to Travel Nursing or this 14-step guide to getting started as a travel nurse. 

Original Allnurses Post

Quote

Q: I'm really considering travel nursing within the next few months. I know the economy is slow and with my experience, it may not even possible to get a job (I have 20months NICU exp but I'm open to going wherever).

I am talking with a few companies and I think I like Cross Country, but I really do not like the recruiter I am working with/talking to. Does anyone have a recruiter with this company that they would recommend via PM?

I do think that this is the right company for me, being Canadian and all but I really want a better recruiter.

A: Dear Poster, I recommend you contact your Cross Country Healthcare recruiter and request to speak with their manager.  When you talk with the manager, you can express your concerns and your passion to work with their company. The manager will then be able to set you up with a recruiter that better suits you and your needs. Personalities sometimes clash, and Cross Country should be happy and willing to get you with someone you can thrive with. 

When I worked with CCMSN in 2018, I had a similar experience. After notifying my recruiter and asking to speak with his manager, the manager made sure I no longer needed to work with that recruiter. After that the remainder of my time with them was much improved.

Resources

Cross Country Healthcare Registered Nurse Marks 100th Travel Assignment

Caring With Purpose 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Report 

Cross Country Healthcare Home 

Cross Country Healthcare Announces New Corporate Identity and Enhanced Websites, Merges Travel Nurse Brands    

Cross Country Healthcare Travel Nurse Brands Merge to Form Cross Country Nurses

Cross Country FAQ

Cross Country MSN Benefits

Cross Country: Will I get health insurance as a travel nurse?

Cross Country Healthcare Top Workplaces

Cross Country Healthcare Awards and Recognitions

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Erin Lee

About Erin Lee, BSN, RN

(Editorial Team / Admin)

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Who is your recruiter now? Try Janet. She's pretty good : )

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

Worked for CCTC for a long time. Will NEVER again. Don't accept one of their "exclusive contracts" where they do the interview and you don't speak to anyone at the hospital before traveling a thousand miles. PM me for additional info if you like.

Rod

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Specializes in OB.

In contrast, I've been with them for 14 years and am still satisfied. Just shows that we all have different requirements and you have to find the company that suits yours. I do agree with the above that I would not take a contract without speaking to the hospital. Always remember that YOU are interviewing the facility to see if they suit you as well as the other way around.

I really don't like to put anyone's name and info out on the general internet without permission, but can give you my recruiter's name if you would like to pm me.

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Specializes in NICU.

Thanks for the responses! I definitely appreciate it. I do want to go with them because they are one of the bigger companies without being the AMN (which i will definitely not do). And most of the reviews i have seen are positive (for the most part!).

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

You may PM me. I am with Cross Country TravCore. No problems, great recruiter, same one since 2001.

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Specializes in Pre-Op/PACU, Infusion Therapy, Endoscopy.

I too have been thinking about travel nursing with Cross Country...I've never done traveling before...a bit skeptical but at the same time excited. From all my research I am learning the biggest single determinant in a successful and/or good travel experience boils down to the recruiter. I have already initiated correspondence and application with Cross Country...I found this thread helpful. So thanks.

Also, I'm nervous about giving up a salaried position for an unknown income...and some people are posting that there aren't alot of assignments out there and that this isn't a good time for traveling (referring to the economy) ...but when I check some of the job postings, such as Cross Country, I see plenty...can anyone speak to this....

Thanks

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Specializes in pcu/stepdown/tele.

Be very careful when you are looking at the openings companies put on their websites. Many use "generic" openings because "things change from minute to minute" and that just feels like bait and switch to me. Many times by the time you fill all the paperwork out for the company, it will take several days and they may not have any openings there anymore. If you want to go to a specific state or area, pick a bigger company who will have more choices. If you don't care where you go, just want to go for the fun of it, pick a smaller company that will have much better pay and benefits but will have fewer choices in where to send you.

If you want to go to orlando in the Winter, pick cross country they can probably get you there. If you just want to go to florida in the Winter, consdier a smaller company. They may send you to a different city but it will still be florida and it may not have been someplace you would have considered before. Consider making a weekend of orlando instead of an assignment. It is all in what you want more, location or benefits, choices of locations or smaller company with better benefits. Also, don't think you have to stay with one company just because they found your first job for you, try different companies. When you find a good fit of what you want, then stay with them. Otherwise, it is for you to decide that is one of the benefits in being a traveler!

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

you have to like your recruiter. it is too important.

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Julie...I forgot her last name...she was great...my husband and I travelled with them for 3.5 years and loved it.. Can't wait to go again!

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Am re-entering the travel nursing field and am researching different companies. I am currently talking with a recruiter at CrossCountry (have traveled for them in the past without any problems) but feel I am getting a "lowball" offer to work in NYC. I have also applied PHP, Fastaff and Valley. Fastaff has posted some great pay rates, but availability of assignments for med-surg seems slim. Applied to PHP and Valley as they have been listed as some of the best on Highway Hypodermics. What is the going rate for NYC positions (hourly)? Has anybody here had any experience with PHP or Valley? Would like to know how they truly rate in a "real" traveler's eyes!

Thanks,

Lois

P.S. I have 12 yrs experience as an RN: Med-Surg/Ortho-Neuro-Trauma/Step-Down/ICU/OR

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

I worked with Dijana (pronounced Deana) in 1994 and then again 2006-2009 and had great experiences with her both times. Things have changed in the past 20 years... Hospitals expect you to be nearly perfect and very flexible... Love CCTC and ready to try them again!!!!

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