When choosing to switch from a staff nurse to a travel or per diem nurse there are multiple factors to consider. For instance, taxes, stipends, compensation, accommodation and safety in the locations on offer. All these factors can be overwhelming, especially for a new travel or per diem nurse (or a nurse unfamiliar with the rules and regulations associated with travel or per diem nursing). Which agency you decide to travel with is probably the most important of these decisions, as the right company will provide all the resources you need to be successful.
There isn’t a shortage of travel or per diem nursing companies around the country, but not all of them are created equal. Many social media posts can attest to the various experiences, both good and bad, that nurses have had over the years with different companies. In addition, a broad online search of travel or per diem nurse experiences also includes tales of some wild experiences with nurse recruiters, especially in larger agencies. By now it should be evident that choosing the right agency and the right recruiter is an integral part of the overall travel nurse experience.
It has been my experience that working with a larger travel company may have some benefits, especially in the area of contract availability. However, I have had better experiences with boutique agencies for multiple reasons. Additionally, my choice to go for a boutique agency has never resulted in taking a pay cut or compromising my location requests. I worked as a travel nurse for eight years and the for the entire duration, I worked with boutique agencies and thoroughly enjoyed my time as a traveler.
Boutique Travel Nurse Companies Have Quick Response and Turnaround Times
The first reason I am an advocate for boutique travel agencies is they have very quick response and turnaround times. When I have reached out inquiring about a contract or have questions for my recruiter, I never had to wait more than 48 hours (usually I heard back within one business day) for a response. There were times where these responses were time sensitive, and I never worried about missing important deadlines due to a late response.
Proactive Recruiters
Secondly, each of my recruiters was very personable and willing to accommodate my requests, whether for better compensation, location or any other needs I had. When I approached the end of a contract, they were proactive about inquiring after whether I wanted to renew, wanted a new location, or if I needed time off between contracts. In addition, during my contracts they would check in to see how things were going, which goes a long way in making you feel supported especially at the beginning of an assignment.
During special circumstances, like the COVID-19 outbreak, for instance, my recruiter knew I was weary of certain locations, and she tailored my choices to be more consistent with environments where I felt safe and supported. Furthermore, the boutique travel nursing agency I worked with at the time sent us weekly (at the minimum) updates on what was happening and what they were doing to ensure their nurses felt safe, appreciated and supported.
Immediate Benefits
One of the primary reasons I opted for a boutique agency over the big travel agencies was my benefits started on the first day of my contract. This was one less thing to worry about as I made the transition from full-time staff to travel nursing. Some of the larger travel agencies have a wait time before benefits are active and unfortunately life sometimes happens, and people get sick or injured. Worrying about a huge hospital bill shouldn’t be one of your concerns when you are not feeling your best and are away from ho your me.
Added Personal Touch
Lastly, in my experience with boutique agencies, there was an added personal touch. For instance, we often received gifts or little treats that were not only branded with the company logo but were also personalized with our names and credentials. Another way the boutique agency I worked with displayed the personal touch was through local meetups for agency employees in different cities. This was always a good opportunity to connect with others working in the area and also to get to know the agency leadership team.
The Bottom Line
For all these reasons discussed above and more, I love working with boutique agencies and would prefer them over the larger alternatives any day. Therefore, my recommendation to any nurses looking to enter the travel or per diem nursing field or looking to change agencies would be to research boutique agencies and look for one that fits your needs. And, it has been my experience with boutique agencies that I can call and speak with someone whenever I have questions or concerns so give the agencies you decide on a call to see if they check your boxes. All the best in your travel nurse journey!
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