How to Build a Checklist for Vetting Travel Nursing Agencies

There are literally hundreds of travel nursing agencies. And, contrary to conventional wisdom, there are major differences between them. As a result, it’s really difficult for travel nurses to determine which agencies are the best fit for them. In this article, we’ll provide a series of questions to help you build the ultimate checklist for vetting travel nursing agencies. This way, you can quickly vet agencies to find those that are best suited to meet your unique needs.

I’m doing this because I routinely see travel nurses on social media asking for advice on which travel nursing companies are best. This is perhaps the worst approach to finding an agency.

First, you’d be better off researching travel nursing company reviews. More importantly, the best travel nursing companies are those that can meet all your needs. Do they have contracts in your desired locations? Do they have the benefits you need? And so on…

Now, knowing what you want and/or need may require some research. For example, knowing whether you want to take company housing or find your own is a more complicated decision than it sounds. Therefore, you should do your research before you actually start vetting travel nursing companies.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This article provides links to all our corresponding articles.

You will save tons of time by doing this research and building your checklist. You’ll also avoid working with travel nursing companies that are wrong for you.

Okay, let’s break this down into distinct categories.

Where do you want to travel nurse?

Where you want to travel nurse includes states, cities and specific hospital considerations. Answer these questions to help build your checklist:

1. What states are you willing to travel to?
2. Are there specific cities you are willing to travel to?
3. What type of hospital do you want to work in?
4. Will you only work in large teaching facilities?
5. Will you only work in small rural hospitals?
6. Will you work in teaching hospitals?
7. Will you work in trauma hospitals?
8. Will you work in HCA hospitals?
9. Will you work in Kaiser hospitals?
10. Are there hospital systems you refuse to work with?

Must ask questions regarding location:

Here are some questions you must ask the agency when you’re vetting agencies on the location-related items above.

1. What hospitals do you work with in (city/state)?
2. Do you have a direct relationship with these hospitals or are you a sub vendor on the contract?
3. If you’re a sub-vendor, do you go through a Managed Service Provider, or just a Vendor Management System like Medefis?
4. Who is the Vendor Management Service?
5. How many healthcare professionals do you have working in the city/state or at the specific facility?

Travel Nurse Taxes

Depending on your situation, some companies might be better suited to handle your specific tax status. Answer these questions to help build your checklist:

1. Will you have a legitimate tax home?
2. Do you want to maximize your tax-free stipends?
3. Do you prefer to have no stipend at all and take only taxable wages?

Travel Nurse Housing

Housing options are different from one company to the next. Answer these questions to help build your checklist:

1. Do you want company housing or the housing stipend?

Company Housing

If you want company housing, then answer these questions to build your checklist:

1. Will you accept an Extended Stay Hotel, or do you require an apartment?
2. Will you be bringing pets?
3. Do you want the apartment fully furnished?
4. Do you need a house-wares package (pots, pans, linens, towels, and silverware)?
5. Do you need a cleaning package (vacuum, etc)?
6. Do you need a washer and dryer in unit?
7. Do you want a specific type of parking at the complex?
8. Do you want utilities to be covered by the agency?
9. Do you want cable and internet covered by the agency?

Provide your own housing

If you want to provide your own housing, then answer these questions to build your checklist:

1. Do you want the housing stipend maxed out?
2. Do you want/need the agency to assist you with finding the housing?

What compensation components do you want?

Different companies offer different compensation options. Answer these questions to build your checklist:

1. Will you take company medical benefits or provide your own?
2. Do you need day 1 Medical Benefits?
3. Do you need dental benefits?
4. Do you need vision benefits?
5. Do you need a 401(k)? With employer match?
6. Do you need a travel stipend?
7. Do you need a rental car?
8. Do you want license expense reimbursement?
9. Do you want certification reimbursement?
10. Do you want the company to cover all your credentialing expenses?

What service level do you want?

Different travel nursing companies offer different services. Answer these questions to help build your checklist:

1. What pay frequency do you want (bi-weekly, weekly, same-day)?
2. Do you need access to your pay stubs on-line, or can they be mailed to you?
3. Do you need a 24-hour customer service line?
4. Do you prefer one single point of contact for all issues, or can you work with multiple departments?
5. Do you need or want a recruiter or do you prefer self-direction?
6. Do you want to self-submit for jobs?

Again, you should research these issues and build your checklist prior to beginning your search for agencies. Additionally, you should organize the items in to categories. I recommend the following categories:

1. “must haves”
2. “prefer but not necessary”
3. “don’t needs.”

Your list will allow you to control the discussions you have with agencies. This way, you can immediately determine if an agency can meet your needs.

For example, if you must have medical benefits, company provided housing, and a 401K, then your first 3 questions for any agency should be on these topics. If the agency can’t provide them, then kindly ask to be removed from their list. Or, asks them to contact you only when they are able to provide these items.

Why discuss anything else? It would be a waste of your time if the agency is unable to provide your requirements.  Rather than letting the recruiter control the conversation, which could take a ton of your valuable time, you’ll be able to quickly determine if the agency is a fit for you.