Whether you’re making the switch from staff to travel nurse or are looking to switch companies, see what an experienced traveler thinks are the best travel nursing agencies in 2024.

 After traveling for a few years, I have undoubtedly worked with my fair share of agencies.

Some good, some awful.

I’m here because I think the best way to get an answer to a question like this is to ask someone who has experience.

This is also sort of a loaded question as my experience with an agency might be completely different from yours. 

What I’m saying here is that this answer is 75% subjective.

But on the other hand, money doesn’t lie.

Nonetheless, experience is wisdom, and wisdom is hard to find these days.

So if you want to find out what the best travel nursing agencies (and the highest paying agencies) are, keep reading.

What Are The Best Travel Nursing Agencies?

First, I have to mention that one of the biggest factors in making this decision is based on how good of a recruiter you have.

You can work with the best travel nurse company in the world, but if you have a shitty, slimy recruiter who’s skimming money off the top of your paycheck to line their own pockets, well, you aren’t going to have good experience with that agency.

Before I decide to work with an agency, I always ask the recruiter a set of questions. 

If they can’t or won’t answer or I don’t like what they have to say, I’m moving on. 

I also have a list of questions to ask before signing a contract for a new travel assignment, but that comes after the vetting process. 

So, keeping in mind just how crucial it is that you get an amazing recruiter, here are my picks for the best travel nurse agencies.

Medical Solutions

I originally signed with them because their rates were higher than most other agencies, and they were ok working with new travel nurses.

Good for both New & Experienced Travel Nurses

Some agencies out there (Flex-Up Saffing) will refuse to work with a traveler until they have at least two years of experience.

So I guess you could say Medical Solutions is the best travel agency for new travel nurses or if you’re new to travel nursing.

I started with them when I only had 1.5 total years of nursing experience, and 6 months travel experience, and they were fine with that.

The Benefits

Besides the competitive pay, they are also super transparent and have great benefits (I have a whole post about this, here).

And as I mentioned above, my recruiter, Virginia, is a sweet, sassy angel sent from heaven. 

I am not exaggerating when I say that at every job I’ve had with Medical Solutions, I’ve always had the highest rate.

And that I directly correlate to my recruiter having my back.

Work With My Medical Solutions Recruiter

If you would like a chance to work with my recruiter, Virginia, this link takes you to a special form that allows you to work with her.

If you’re on the hunt for a new agency, I highly suggest you take this opportunity to work with someone who actually has your back.

And now to my second best travel nurse agency.

Aya Healthcare

I know they had some issues a few years ago, but that has since cleared up and Aya has cleaned up their act. 

I rank Aya as number two because not only are they one of the largest travel nursing agencies (which I’ll explain why is good in a minute), but they have excellent pay rates, shift bonuses, and once again, my recruiter is amazing.

Normally, I’m not one to go with the big guys.

But in the world of travel nursing, it can have its perks.

Preferred Access

When jobs are hard to come by and there are 4 times as many travelers as there are jobs, it’s often the big guys who have exclusive contracts with the healthcare facilities. 

Say there’s a job you want but you’re seeing it posted with basically every travel nurse staffing agency around — there’s a slim chance you’ll actually get the job.

Unless you were the first person to apply.

But when an agency has exclusive rights (preferred access as Aya calls it), that means the job is posted only with them, so you’re only competing with a small number of applicants, making it much more likely that you’ll land the contract.

Shift Bonus

Aya also has this great little extra shift bonus that you get when you pick up at least an extra half-shift.

If you have a high OT rate, this can become very lucrative.

Missed Shift Policy

One thing I don’t like is how much lower your paycheck is if you miss a shift.

One missed shift equals to 1/3 less of a paycheck — they take out 1/3 of your stipends for one missed day.

This is something I have never seen with any other agency.

But, other than that I am very happy with them.

Work With My Aya Recruiter

If you would like the chance to work with my Aya recruiter, Laura, this link here takes you to a form to fill out and she will contact you directly.

With how many recruiters there are at this agency, I suggest you go this route to make sure you get someone good.

Care Team Solutions

I only worked with Care Team Solutions once, but it was such a good experience, that I had to include them on this list.

Good for both New & Experienced Travel Nurses

This travel nurse agency is on the smaller side — it’s run by two brothers who hire all of their recruiters themselves.

I know I just talked about the benefits of working with a large agency, like Aya, but there are benefits to working with a small agency as well.

They are personable, it’s easy to get ahold of them, and they have less overhead costs which means more money in your pocket.

The Benefits

Besides the competitive pay, they have some unique benefits that I haven’t seen before.

They offer:

• An early pay program (you don’t have to wait 2 weeks for your first paycheck)
• Student loan reimbursements
• Free well-being tele-visits with a psychologist (for those rough shifts)

And like I said above, their pay is one of the best I’ve seen

They also have 4.8/5 stars on Vivian.

Work With My Care Team Solutions Recruiter

If you would like a chance to work with my recruiter, this link takes you to a special form that allows you to work with him.

Even if you are a first-time travel nurse, he will work hard to get you the exact job you want.

Oh, and did I mention that if you use this link, you get a $100 bonus just for signing up?

So what are you waiting for!

Conclusion

So there you have it.

My top travel nurse agencies are Aya Healthcare and Medical Solutions.

YOU GUYS.

I am literally handing you a golden ticket to work with some amazing recruiters and their agencies — and I hope you take advantage of it

If high pay rates, exclusive access to jobs, and lots of support and transparency are what you are looking for in a travel nurse company, then there you go.

I truly hope this has helped you make a very important decision and if you ever have questions, shoot me an email or leave a comment below.

FAQ

Disclaimer: I may earn commissions from purchases made through the links in this post at no extra cost to you.