5 Best Travel Nursing Online Sponsorship Agencies

February 2, 2024 Jane Canada Immigration, Immigration and Travel, Jobs In Canada 0

In the United States and other countries, healthcare centers need travel nurses to fill in the gaps.

The demand for nurses is expected to go up by 275,000 from 2020 to 2030.

“Trying out different healthcare systems and meeting new providers can be eye-opening for travel nurses,” says Rachel Norton, BSN, RN, who works at Vivian Health, a marketplace for hiring travel nurses. 

I have checked out about 30 agencies and read lots of reviews to make this list of the 5 best travel nursing online sponsorship agencies.

I’ll tell you things like how good the companies are, their customer service, reputation, pay rates, places to stay, and benefits.

5 Best Travel Nursing Online Sponsorship Agencies

Here are the best travel nursing sponsorship agencies with areas of best performance:

  • Best Overall: Triage Staffing
  • Best for Sick Pay: Aya Healthcare
  • Best for Education: Travel Nurse Across America
  • Best Customer Service: Axis Medical Staffing
  • Best Newcomer: Advantis Medical

#1. Best Overall: Triage Staffing

Triage Staffing stands out for offering a higher hourly wage and more frequent bonuses compared to its competitors. It also provides comprehensive benefits, including tuition reimbursement and immediate access to a 401(k) plan.

Key Features:

  • Pay: Employees receive their hourly wage weekly, along with overtime pay, bonuses, and per diem allowances.
  • Housing: Options include a tax-free stipend for housing or company-provided housing for 13 weeks.
  • Benefits: They offer comprehensive benefits such as health coverage, dental and vision care, life insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, paid vacation, and education reimbursement.
  • Contracts nationwide: Yes

Pros:

  • Contracts available in all 50 states
  • Insurance is available on the first day
  • Weekly payment via direct deposit
  • A dedicated support team is available 24/7

Cons:

  • Reports of poor weekend support for billing issues
  • Requires 2 years of experience for most positions

#2. Best for Sick Pay: Aya Healthcare

Aya Healthcare stands out for its comprehensive benefits package, particularly its provision of sick pay in case of illness during an assignment. This assurance of support during illness sets Aya apart from other agencies.

Key Specs:

  • Pay: An hourly wage, overtime pay, bonuses, per diem allowances, and stipends when called off.
  • Housing: Tax-free stipend or company-secured housing
  • Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; 401(k) with company match; sick pay; wellness and fitness programs; employee assistance programs; tuition reimbursement; loan forgiveness options
  • Contracts nationwide: Yes

Pros:

  • Benefits include sick pay (after 90 days)
  • Offers local and nationwide travel assignments
  • Requires only 1 year of experience
  • Contracts available in all 50 states
  • Insurance Coverage: They provide insurance coverage for you and your dependents starting from day one.

Cons:

  • Complaints about communication during recruitment
  • Large agency size might be challenging
  • 401k Eligibility: Eligibility for the 401k begins after four consecutive months of work or one year after being hired.

#3. Best for Education: Travel Nurse Across America

Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) is best for comprehensive benefits, particularly its continuing education programs. Through a partnership with Aspen University, TNAA assists nurses in earning their BSN with tuition reimbursement upon completion.

Key Specs:

  • Pay: They receive an hourly wage paid weekly, with guaranteed overtime, bonuses, and per diem allowances.
  • Housing: Tax-free stipend or company-secured housing
  • Benefits: They offer health, dental, and vision coverage, along with liability insurance. Employees also enjoy a 401(k) with company match, sick pay, travel reimbursement, free continuing education, and access to mental health resources. An employee assistance program, and a chaplain assistance program.
  • Contracts nationwide: Yes

Pros:

  • RN to BSN tuition reimbursement
  • RN specialty exam/recertification reimbursements
  • Access to insurance benefits from day 1.
  • Offers free mental health resources
  • Per diem guarantee

Cons:

  • You can’t see the payment amount on their site.
  • Large agency size might feel less supportive

#4. Best Customer Service: Axis Medical Staffing

Axis Medical Staffing offers outstanding customer service with around-the-clock support every day of the year. Its comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage and company-matched 401(k) plans.

Key Specs:

  • Pay: Pay per hour, weekly pay, perks over time, and per diem.
  • Housing: Tax-free stipend or company-secured housing
  • Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage, along with a 401(k) featuring a company match. Additionally, employees are eligible for state license reimbursement, transportation stipends, and continuing education opportunities
  • Contracts nationwide: Yes

Pros:

  • A dedicated support team is available 24/7/365
  • Wide variety of specialty contracts
  • Offers company matching 401(k) with immediate vesting
  • Can submit questions to real travel nurses
  • Provides quick email responses
  • Pays for housing and assists in securing it

Cons:

  • Not transparent about pay rates
  • Doesn’t include paid sick leave in benefits

#5. Best Newcomer: Advantis Medical

Advantis Medical provides a nurse care team to assist throughout the entire process, from setting up profiles to finding assignments, making it an excellent choice for newcomers.

Key Specs:

  • Pay: Payment per hour, weekly, overtime, per diem, and bonuses.
  • Housing: Tax-free stipend or company-secured housing
  • Benefits: The benefits package comprises health coverage, dental and vision coverage, a 401(k) option (without company match), transportation stipends, and partial license reimbursement.
  • Contracts nationwide: Yes

Pros:

  • Excellent reviews from travel clinicians
  • Quick response times from trained care team
  • Great reputation in the industry
  • The site offers multiple communication methods
  • Paid by direct deposit each week

Cons:

  • The site lacks information on a benefits package
  • No company match for 401(k)

FAQs

#1. What are the most demanded travel nurses?

Critical care nurses, medical-surgical nurses, emergency room staff, and labor and delivery staff are among the most in-demand travel nurses, according to staffing agencies.

#2. What Visa do Travel nurses use to work in the US?

To work as a nurse in the USA, you typically need to obtain either a Registered Nurse Immigrant Visa (commonly known as a “Green Card”) or an H-1B visa. It’s important to note that U.S. law mandates nurses to undergo a screening program before they can receive an occupational visa.

Conclusion

Travel nurses typically have the flexibility to choose where they work.

Many agencies operate nationwide, allowing nurses to select assignments throughout the United States.

Some agencies even offer international placements.

It’s advisable to check with the agency about their placement locations before deciding to work with them, especially if you have a specific location in mind.