There are several factors to keep in mind when exploring which travel nursing agency to choose. Although there are hundreds to choose from, certain criteria should be met to parse through which companies are right for you, and which will help you succeed as a traveling nurse.
Stability Healthcare is one of the prime travel nursing agencies in California, and is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing throughout the United States. Not only is the agency reliable, but it’s also flexible. You can work with Stability Healthcare to design the best travel nursing experience for you.
Look below to see which factors you should keep in mind when selecting a travel nursing agency:
Is their website detailed and user-friendly?
One of the best aspects of being a traveling nurse is the right to choose where you go, where you live, and how long you travel. The traveling nursing agency’s website should be detailed and user-friendly, making it easier for you to reach those decisions, and to better help you have a great travel nursing experience. It’s helpful when the website is concise, but still offers in-depth information, and is organized in a way that’s easy to digest. A FAQ gives a great oversight of a company and directs you to specific pages that are more thorough, depending on what information you’re looking for.
A job page is also helpful. This gives every option broken down simply, allowing you to see the location, weekly salary, position specialty, and a review for each position. Creating a profile should only take a few minutes. Technology doesn’t make or break a nurse, but it certainly helps put you in control.
Does the agency work in your preferred location(s)?
Location is a critical decision for traveling nurses. If you’re working somewhere, you should like the city too! Stability Healthcare works with facilities nationwide and encourages you to apply for positions wherever you’d like, as long as you have an active license in the state. Additionally, you can choose to work in a variety of hospital settings, ranging from prestigious teaching institutions to small, rural facilities.
Another huge plus is that traveling nursing isn’t prohibited to just yourself. The agency you choose should offer the option to travel with other – family, pets, or another nurse to your desired location. Your travel nursing experience is in your hands, and Stability Healthcare is here to guide you along the way.
Does the agency aid in housing and are there traveling reimbursements?
Not only do you want to work in your preferred location, but you want to make sure you have a reliable roof over your head too! Housing varies depending on location, AirBnB, Craigslist, VRBO, Furnished Finder and Travelers Haven are all fantastic options to find safe, affordable housing. The agency should also provide details for rentals across the country, allowing you to more easily transition into your new position.
On the other hand, if you want to be more hands-on in finding housing, a nurse can also choose to find a place on their own accord. If they do, they are eligible for a lodging subsidy to help reimburse the costs. More information on this can be found in the GSA (General Services Administration) guidelines.
Stability Healthcare reimburses traveling expenses up to $600 for each assignment, relieving some of the financial pressure of moving.
What is the expected income and will you be insured?
Net pay depends on the agency, and you want to make sure you’re getting a package that fits all of your needs. Stability Healthcare we pay every Friday through direct deposit, so no need to make a trip to the bank! If you’re looking for a more specific breakdown on salaries, the salary page maps out the expected salary by position and by location.
Stability Healthcare offers several different packages, plus many other incentives. Starting on your first day, you will be insured by UnitedHealthcare, one of the country’s most reliable and largest healthcare providers. There are four different packages to choose from, so you can tailor to your specific experience.
Additionally, one of the most popular incentives that Stability Healthcare offers is the Extra Hours Bonus. Nurses who work extra hours are rewarded with pay above the average bonus rates. Some other incentives include paid time off (Stability Healthcare is one of the few agencies that offer this), resources to get free CEUs, and a 401(K) retirement plan (once you hit one year of employment).
Consider the need for travel nurses and the agency’s standards
One thing to keep in mind is the demand for travel nurses in the future. If you’re worried about job availability, fear not! According to statistics, the national need for travel nurses will have increased by 29% by 2020.
Stability Healthcare lays out clear standards for a successful traveling nurse. This is significant because it shows that the agency is transparent with their expectations, and illustrates how they’re motivated to make sure that their traveling nurses are eager to succeed. Some of these include, but are not limited to:
- Experience – Stability Healthcare suggests at least 18 months of experience beforehand to ensure a smooth transition into a traveling nurse position
- 1 year of acute care
- A valid license and proof to work in the US
Do you trust the agency?
Besides being able to choose where you live, your housing, and what your position is, another aspect to think of is trust between you and your recruiter. The great thing about Stability Healthcare is that it is recruiter free when you’re initially looking at positions. Instead of all of the back and forth, your recruiter can submit to the jobs that you choose. This is just another factor in the agency’s trust and flexibility. You truly are the only person making your decisions, with the aid of Stability Healthcare staff when you have questions. Stability Healthcare also has a myriad of testimonials praising the agency, which can be found on the reviews page.
