Travel or per diem nursing is a great way for nurses to free themselves of the monotony of a full-time staff position and work at hospitals in some of the country’s top destinations.
One day I decided I was tired of the same old routine and politics and took my talents on the road. It was a great decision and re-ignited my relationship with nursing. As a bonus, I was able to live in and explore some amazing places.
For nurses who are not quite ready to venture too far from home, local travel is an option. But those who are ready to jump right in can opt to take travel assignments all over the country. If you are lucky, some agencies offer a once in a lifetime opportunity for nurses to work abroad.
But the size of the travel nurse company plays a role in how your travel or per diem assignment flows. There are so many agencies to choose from and they vary in size and outreach.
Although I had a great experience with both large and boutique travel companies, here are reasons why I love working with boutique travel agencies.
One Point of Contact
With a large travel nurse company, I learned that the recruiter was not my only point of contact. Different departments handle different aspects of your assignment. For instance, a different person handles the compliance documents, housing, payroll, and insurance. The system can work but sometimes feedback is fragmented or delayed. It is difficult to get to know the team working with your contract because of how they are spread across departments.
When working with a boutique-sized travel company, my recruiter handled everything I needed for the assignment. With one point of contact, my recruiter and I were able to get to know each other. and I felt comfortable that one person would address any problems that came up.
Location and Experience of Travel Nurse Company
Location, location, location! Large agencies have a wider variety of travel contracts across the country. In fact, I was able to work in some of the most popular cities working with a larger travel agency. I enjoyed whale watching in Washington, the big lights of Times Square in New York, relaxing by the beach in California, and hot air ballooning in New Mexico. Boutique travel companies tend to cover regions or work exclusively in one state. Those assignments worked well for me when I wanted to work close to home. Furthermore, I had unique experiences off the beaten path, such as working in rural hospitals in Northern California, Missouri, and East Texas. It was in those experiences that I used my skill set to bridge into other specialties due to the needs.
Time Considerations of Travel Nurse Company Staff
Finding jobs with your preferences takes time, but to land a job at a large travel nurse company can take weeks. I learned that time was a major factor in securing jobs in highly desired locations. The nursing market is more competitive at larger agencies and sometimes an application felt like a taking number in the never-ending line of candidates. I felt pressure trying to balance having experience with trying to keep up with extra qualifications that would make me more marketable. I rarely found myself without a contract at a boutique travel agency and it was more personalized to my preferences. Boutique travel agencies may just work with specific specialties, which worked in my favor most times, both for contract renewal and securing a job.
The Bottom Line
Having an enjoyable travel assignment experience and being supported by your recruiter is the goal. Working with a boutique travel nurse company gave me a more personalized experience that led to more job opportunities that fit my preference and personality. I was able to work in unique settings, the market was less competitive, and the centralized point of contact did not leave me feeling overwhelmed. Ultimately, it’s best to consider the type of travel experience you want and that will determine which travel agency is right for you.
