Travel Nursing

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 6, 2016

Welcome to AN!

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 6, 2016

Welcome to allnurses.com

Thread moved to Travel Nursing forum.

NedRN · Feb 6, 2016

Forget the myth of better agencies. Every single agency out there has their big fans, even the "bad" ones. The most important single factor to success as a new traveler is your relationship and communication with your recruiter. That is far more important than the agency brand. The same is true of much in your life. You don't pick your significant other based on their last name, or your friends, but rather if you click and communicate well.

Since your friends are different than other peoples friends, name dropping and referrals are not going to save you work. Rather, I suggest calling lots of agencies and picking perhaps five recruiters you like best and feel like you can trust to work further with. If for no other reason than the amount of work to sign up with a new agency, make your recruiter picks carefully first.

8-ball, BSN · Feb 7, 2016

I agree with what Ned said it all about the specific recruiter. I am with 4 agencies I was with 5 but I didn't like one of the recruiters I was talking with and I just dropped them...I would suggest getting with a mix of large companies (think Cross-country, or American Mobile) and small companies (think Flex care, medical solutions...etc.) I am with those 4 I just mentioned. I have had no issues with those 4 but I will say I switched my recruiter with American mobile since the first one was really pushy and I didn't like him.

Also when you sign up with one company if it is a big one your name and info will go out to all thier sister companies and you will have multiple recruiters from what seems like multiple companies, however its really not different companies as each recruiter has access to the exact same jobs. The reason I tell you this is so you can spread the wealth and have better competition for contracts.

Julius Seizure · Feb 8, 2016

have had no issues with those 4 but I will say I switched my recruiter with American mobile since the first one was really pushy and I didn't like him.

dont be afraid to ask for a different recruiter if you arent clicking but want to work with that agency because of a particular contract that they have or whatever. it took me over a year to do this as a new travel nurse, and it really wasnt as big of a deal as i made it out to be.

Julius Seizure · Feb 8, 2016

Search facebook for travel nurse groups to get lots of advice - theres a few major groups and lots of smaller ones!

NedRN · Feb 8, 2016

dont be afraid to ask for a different recruiter if you arent clicking but want to work with that agency because of a particular contract that they have or whatever. it took me over a year to do this as a new travel nurse, and it really wasnt as big of a deal as i made it out to be.

I did this before I took my first assignment but not since (in 20 years). There are just too many agencies out there to be worth the drama and unless you have already been submitted, there are invariably options at any hospital. I'm glad it wasn't a big deal for you, but it is kind of like telling your boyfriend that he isn't doing if for you and you are going with his brother. It is higher up on most people's pain list than negotiating. Yes, it might end up being low drama, but very few will perceive it that way beforehand.

samanthadaisyRN · Feb 12, 2016

Definitely talk to lots of different agencies! That was the best advice I got before finally settling on my recruiter. It took me a lot of talking to different recruiters, and honestly sometimes I just didn't like the way they talked or the way they answered questions. I was looking for someone more nice and willing to answer all my questions without making me feel like I was wasting their time, and luckily I ended up finding that, and I am very happy with my recruiter and the agency so far! Good luck to you!