TRUSTED HEALTH. New company, no recruiters, is this a good option?

NedRN · Jul 2, 2021

Yes. However you can ask agencies to pass along your available times for an interview.

RNAvatar · Aug 12, 2021

I wouldn't recommend Trusted for a first time traveler because you pretty much are on your own and won't have a dedicated recruiter to talk to if you have questions. And yes, they do take a while to get things done compared to other companies that have recruiters. It takes longer to get my applications submitted to facilities but when you submit, you can put your available times for an interview on the form. Most of the time, you never know when the managers will call, regardless of the company.

Once you get a travel assignment or two in, then I would consider going with Trusted. I like that Trusted has their rates posted up and you just apply to the jobs without the hassle of going through recruiters. They also have the best paying jobs so far, but that comes at a cost (no recruiter, no travel stipend, not much reimbursements for certifications/uniforms).

bluescrubs, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 24, 2021

My first hospital travel assignment was with trusted health. From starting to look for work to signature on a contract took me about 2 weeks. It's just depends on the person. Some answer fast and some take a few hours. I also have a profile with Aya and it seemed like my recruiter wasn't interested in finding me a job. The only down side is that a lot of there contracts are 13 weeks and I'm trying to get out of that. I got offered an extension but when I asked the recruiter to get a higher pay they said it was the highest pay and that they are unable to negotiate. I'm only breaking the contract because I'm going somewhere that's doubling the pay. Overall the company was OK.

NedRN · Aug 24, 2021

Negotiation is always an option. Could be the agency is hardcore, or perhaps lack of an assigned "advocate". Agencies always benefit from a contract extension, far less work for them and they have already "recruited" you so those expenses have been amortized already. So they can easily pay a buck or two more an hour and still make a very acceptable profit.

When dealing with a recruiter (or "advocate"), they often have a poor knowledge base and equate first assignment profit margin (agencies usually have a percentage profit margin that is their goal overall - some agencies keep their recruiters in the dark about their number) with what might be required to retain a current traveler in this current climate. They also may think as most assignments are filled through a vendor manager (who sits between the hospital and the agency "vendor") that bill rates (and thus traveler compensation) are fixed. They are not!

Negotiation is always possible but sometimes you really have to push for it. Most recruiters for most agencies never talk to the hospital. Instead, there is an agency account manager who sits between the recruiter and the hospital (or the vendor manager) who actually knows what the numbers are and what is possible. By the way, traveler retention is also almost always desirable for the hospital as well. They had their upfront costs (the orientation and interviewing you) already paid for, in addition you became more efficient as you finish your assignment. Which makes you more valuable even if you are not SuperNurse. And a new traveler is always a risk compared to a proven traveler who the unit already knows.

The exception to these generalities is sometimes you were getting extra pay because of crisis (or near crisis) needs. If staffing gets better, hospital bean counters are going back to a more standard bill rate. Generally hospital staffing (or HR) will allow an extension at the original bill rate though for the reasons mentioned above.

Extensions are also better for travelers (assuming the hospital doesn't suck). Less unpaid time between assignments pays off over a full year.