A travel nurse has many options when it comes to choosing a healthcare staffing agency. We recently spoke with a recruitment branch manager for the nursing division at Aureus Medical, Emily Peterson, about what travel nurses need to look for when making a decision.
Choosing the right healthcare staffing agency
Peterson stated that of the hundreds of medical staffing agencies to choose from, each have their own strengths and areas of expertise.
“One of the biggest differences between companies is just the sheer size,” Peterson explained. A larger company may have a larger network and significantly more travel nursing jobs available as well as being able to offer a broader range of benefits. They may also have in-house specialists who handle housing and travel arrangements versus outsourcing to another provider.
In addition, there are “differences between the types of positions and settings that staffing agencies offer. For example, there [are] agencies that … only staff in hospitals. And then there [are] some agencies that also staff in home health, corrections and skilled nursing.”
“A nurse’s choice depends on career goals and location.”
Peterson went on to explain that approximately 95 percent of the positions that Aureus Medical places nurses in (both travel nursing and direct hire jobs) happen to be in hospitals, but this is not always the case. If a nurse has recent experience in home health or corrections, there are agencies that can place them in those settings. Knowing their own professional wants and needs can help nurses narrow down their agency options.
Peterson also said that travel nurses need to select their staffing agency based on where they want to work.
“If … the only place you’ve ever wanted to travel to is Texas, and a company you talk to rarely, if ever, has jobs available in Texas, it’s probably not going to be the right agency for you. Where they staff, I think, is important,” Peterson explained.
The roles of account managers and recruiters
Having a trusted relationship with a recruiter and/or account manager is critical. Travel nurses should find out how the healthcare staffing company is structured, in terms of who they will be working with day to day before, during and after their assignments and what support is in place. Will they be working solely with one person, a recruiter, or is there also a team in place that is also working on their behalf and can serve as a backup if the recruiter isn’t available?
With some agencies a recruiter is the only person that a nurse will speak with, Peterson explained. However, other companies assign a dedicated recruiter, but also have account managers who focus on a regional territory and have working relationships with the hospitals. They really get to know the client base.
For instance, travel assignments might be very different in Oregon compared to Massachusetts, and the account manager is going to be well-versed on how a nurse’s particular skill sets and career goals will best suit travel nursing assignments in these respective regions.
This team approach, which is one of the key perks of Aureus Medical, allows nurses to have additional support when on assignment and during the time in between when they are searching for the next one.
Access to 24/7 customer services is also crucial. Nurses who work a night shift must be able to contact someone with the staffing agency, even if their recruiter or account manager is not available during this time. After hours support is something a travel nurse should inquire about.
Nurses need to find a healthcare staffing agency that works with their career goals.What nurses need to know
From the very beginning, travel nurses need to determine ahead of time what is most important to them. From money and assignment location to consistent and steady employment, goals can vary widely. This is yet another reason why maintaining a good relationship with a recruiter is so important. He or she will able to filter through various travel nursing jobs based on a nurse’s individual needs or wants, but it requires an open dialogue and harmonious partnership rooted in clear communication.
“I think it’s important to rank … ‘what’s the most important to me?,’ because that’s going to help determine what agencies are going to be the right fit for you,” she explained.
It’s also important to understand the options when it comes to housing. Look for companies that include housing in the package but also offer the choice of a stipend. While most nurses opt to work through the healthcare staffing agency for housing, especially if they have pets or are traveling with family members, others may prefer to take a stipend and find their own accommodations. Having a choice is ideal.
“Availability and a solid relationship with a recruiter are important.”
Benefits and how you get paid are also important considerations. Insurance, PTO, 401K options and reimbursements need to be on the checklist of any travel nurse.
How often you want to get a paycheck could influence your decision. Some agencies pay weekly or bi-weekly. For instance, if you are on the road frequently, you might want to get paid weekly in order to keep up with additional expenses. Peterson also mentioned that direct deposit is important. Often, nurses are away from home and need to know that their payments are being processed consistently as they work remotely.
Another thing to keep in mind, according to Peterson, is pre-employment expenses. Some companies don’t pay for drug tests or necessary paperwork needed to fulfill the position, and these requirements can get expensive. As such, travel nurses need to make sure any tests or form fees are covered by the agency.
Other tips
When narrowing down healthcare staffing agencies, ask for references. Peterson explained that talking with nurses the agency has worked with can give them a better idea of whether or not the company will be a good fit for them.
There are also some red flags to be aware of. Peterson said that nurses shouldn’t choose a company that bad-mouths other agencies. Recruiters shouldn’t feel the need to cut down a competitor, but rather show why that agency is the best. Another red flag? Your recruiter should not be submitting you for jobs without your permission. This is a clear indication that the recruiter has violated the nurse’s trust. Recruiters should also never pressure a travel nurse to take an assignment – instead, he or she should work with what a nurse needs and wants in his or her career.
Travel nursing could give professionals the ability to work and earn their BSN.All agencies pay a little bit differently, according to Peterson. However, nurses should be wary of pay packages that may put them at risk of an audit. In particular, nurses should keep their eyes peeled for the really low taxable wage packages, as a nurse could end up owing a lot in taxes further down the line.
Tuition reimbursement, which is also offered by Aureus Medical, could play a huge role in a nurse’s choice. In 2020, most providers will require nurses to have a BSN, according to Peterson. Having a company that will help pay for that is a big benefit, and nurses can work and travel while they get their degree.
However, overall, Peterson said that your initial instincts are the best way to judge.
“Do trust your gut.” Peterson said. “The recruiter and traveler relationship is so important and can make or break your experience as a travel nurse.”
These were some interesting points, especially about why a larger staffing agency might be the better option. After all, it does make sense that a bigger company would have a much wider network. That way nurses, physicians, and any other healthcare providers can find work much quicker.
It’s good that you talked about considering the benefits and how you get paid when looking for healthcare staffing agency. I agree that it is advisable that you know what benefits can you have and the salary system of the agency. After all, as a medical personnel, you would want to get the best package you can get.
Thank you for pointing out that when you are narrowing down healthcare staffing agencies it is important to ask for references. Healthcare is an important part of some peoples daily lives and having a well-staffed healthcare facility seems like it would be beneficial. Hopefully, facilities look into hiring the best staffing agencies possible.