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October 18, 2011 - You’re not kidding! There are a lot of travel nursing companies to choose from. When I first started looking into traveling it was a daunting task to find an agency I liked. But I have learned that there are a few main things to look for in a company.

First, though, you need to know a little about yourself. Where do you want to go, and what do you want to do? Do you want to travel for a long time or just one quick assignment to make some cash? Do you want to move every couple of months or are you looking for a longer assignment, say six months to a year? Once you know what you want, then it’s time to look into companies.

You want to find a company that fits what you want to do. If you are looking for a company that will allow you to travel all over the country and even outside of the USA, I’d start with the bigger, more established travel companies. They know the market well and can get you where you want to go; they can even get you an assignment that is close to home, if you want. Now if you’re looking for some fast cash and don’t care where you go, look for agencies that specify in what they call quick-start, rapid response assignments.
 
Remember talking to a person is worth more than surfing a million internet sites. Start by asking around with other travelers. Do they like their agency? Why or why not? If you don’t know any current travelers, talk to some nurses at your hospital who have traveled in the past.
 
I would narrow it down to two or three companies before talking to a recruiter. Once you’re ready to talk, you can call or submit an online application, after which you will soon get a call from a recruiter. Let that person know right away what you are looking for. Most of these recruiters are pros and will be able to recommend some great opportunities for you. Always remember, though, why you want to travel. If you want to explore, don’t let someone talk you into going to a small town just to make some big bucks. Just like any job, you’ve got to be happy with what you are doing or you won’t last long in that field.
 
Some good questions to ask a recruiter include: How long has your company been around? How many travelers do you staff yourself? How many open jobs do you have right now? What areas of the country do you staff? How long are your average assignments? What benefits do you provide to your travelers? (Ask about housing, insurance, travel reimbursement, license reimbursement, free continuing education--the list goes on and on.) Write your questions down ahead of time so you don’t forget to ask something important.

Lastly, make sure you get along with your recruiter. He or she is your “go-to” person when you travel, and even though you may never meet, your recruiter is the closest thing you have to a buddy at work. If you’ve found someone you like and feel comfortable talking openly to, then you may have found your company.
 
To sum things up:
 
1. Make sure the company can get you where you want to go;

2. Make sure they provide the benefits you need;

3. And--this is huge--make sure you mesh well with your recruiter.

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