Travel Nurse Credentialing Process - How long does it take?

[NedRN]

Small agencies and strike companies take the shortest amount of time (could be just hours). There are a number of ways to speed the process besides agency choice. Written references (I recommend at least three) are far far better than providing names and phone numbers, are easily verified (some agencies may not even bother) and allow easy shift to new agencies. I also recommend getting your own references on each assignment, early (to protect yourself) and several (to choose the ones that best reflect your performance). Managing your own professional portfolio is much better than depending on any agency, and while agencies also collect references/evaluations on each assignment, they will never share them with you. Having them in hand makes switching agencies much easier, thus no agency will share them. Getting references or/and verifying them is perhaps the most common slow down for agency onboarding processes. A form to hand to a referee is also much faster and easier than getting a formal letter of reference. Samples can be found for download on PanTravelers - sign up for a free membership and go to Downloads. These forms leave space for an agency to insert their letterhead.

Getting your own physical clearance annually with up to date vaccination records also cut down on time required.

Different agencies have different standards for background checks and how often they have to be performed (usually a new agency will require a new background check) but if you can obtain a copy of a background check in the last year, this can also speed things up (depending on the agency). Background checks run a gamut of just seconds to run online, to several days, and this varies depending on the agency. Again, smaller agencies generally take the faster road.

Keeping a record of your work history to submit to agencies reduces your own work in filling out paperwork - no need for resume or CV like detail. Now some (larger) agencies want everything done on their own letterhead - it looks better to facilities receiving your profile, and perhaps to the JC, but many agencies can transfer your submitted work history to their own because you are that valuable to them to do stupid stuff on their own dime.

You can find out on your own which agencies are fastest which is not going to help you initially, but may help you find agencies are best at filling fast moving desirable assignments. Putting all your eggs in one agency basket means much more downtime if an assignment cancels. I'd talk to a dozen agencies (yes, a lot of work) and pick 3 to 5 agencies that you communicate best with and have the least BS and go through the full signup. I'd suggest a mix of small, medium, and large agencies for best possibilities of choice, availability, and compensation. Then you have a plan A, B, and C. Keep them all updated with every assignment and be up front about your plan. Ditch recruiters that are not happy with your free agent status.

Admittedly, signing up with lots of agencies is a pain, even if you keep your professional profile up to date. So many if not most travelers find sticking with one agency is less work and are willing to take the risks and likely lower pay to avoid the hassles of new to you agency signup. Your choice. While it was in the golden older days of travel, I once had an assignment cancel in the middle, and started two days later at a new hospital in the same city with a new agency and stayed in my housing losing almost nothing. A bit lucky perhaps, as I had worked for only one agency for 4 years (so did not follow advice above except I did have all my references for every job ever worked), but the due diligence required was much less back then.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

A small agency can do it in less than a week, big agencies take about 3weeks on average but it really depends and how quickly they need you to start.