Travel nursing not only allows nurses to explore diverse cultures and landscapes but also challenges them to adapt swiftly and provide exceptional care in ever-changing environments.
Over the last few years, travel nursing has become a more popular career choice for nurses looking for new experiences, flexibility, and good compensation.
Filling temporary positions in a wide variety of healthcare environments from hospitals to ambulatory care centers, travel nurses help boost staffing levels when there are nursing shortages.
The nursing positions offered in travel nursing are numerous and cover multiple specialties from working in med-surg to the emergency department to case management.
Travel nurses typically earn higher pay rates than regular staffers. And they have the added advantage of experiencing a new location for work and for fun and exploration of on their days off.
For those who prefer short commitments, finding the best travel nurse companies that specialize in short-term contracts is essential.
Why choose short-term contracts?
Short-term contracts typically last from 8-to-13 weeks and offer several advantages for travel nurses. Highlights include:
- Experience with different healthcare organizations
- Work in different practice nursing units and specialties
- Ability to schedule time off between assignments
- Help to reduce burnout from long-term commitments.
What to look for in a travel nurse company
When searching for the best travel nurse companies for short-term contracts, there are several key factors to consider:
- Reputation and reviews: Look for travel nurse companies that have positive reviews from other travel nurses.
- Contract flexibility: Make sure the company offers a variety of short-term assignments with the contract length you’re looking for.
- Benefits and pay: Compare compensation packages, including pay rates, housing stipends, and health benefits offered.
- Support services: Evaluate the level of support provided by the company, such as 24/7 access to recruiters and clinical liaisons. Many of the best travel nurse companies have their own smartphone apps. These offer an added convenience for communicating with the company
- Job availability access: Determine if the travel nurse company has a system in place for you to check the availability of assignments in your desired locations and specialties.
Some of the best travel nurse companies for short-term contracts
1. Aya Healthcare
Aya Healthcare is one of the largest and most reputable travel nurse companies in the United States. They offer a wide range of short-term contracts, providing flexibility and excellent support for their nurses. Aya Healthcare is known for its competitive pay rates, comprehensive benefits, and a large database of job opportunities nationwide.
- Contract flexibility: They offer both short-term and long-term contracts, with numerous options for 8-to-13-week assignments.
- Benefits and pay: Nurses receive competitive pay, housing stipends, health insurance, and a 401(k) plan.
- Support services: They provide 24/7 access to recruiters and clinical liaisons to ensure nurses have the support they need.
2. Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA)
Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) is well regarded for its dedication to nurse satisfaction and comprehensive support services. TNAA offers a variety of short-term contracts, making it a great option for nurses seeking temporary assignments.
- Contract flexibility: TNAA offers a range of short-term assignments, typically lasting between eight to 13 weeks.
- Benefits and pay: Competitive pay rates, housing stipends, reimbursement for travel and health benefits.
- Support services: TNAA provides 24/7 access to recruiters, clinical liaisons, and a dedicated housing team to assist with all aspects of the assignment.
3. FlexCare Medical Staffing
FlexCare Medical Staffing is known for its commitment to transparency and nurse satisfaction. They offer a variety of short-term contracts and are recognized for their "S1NGLEPOINT" service, which provides nurses with a single point of contact for all their needs.
- Contract flexibility: They offer numerous short-term assignments, allowing nurses to choose contracts that fit their schedules.
- Benefits and pay: FlexCare offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and housing assistance.
- Support services: The S1NGLEPOINT service ensures nurses have one dedicated contact for all assignment-related needs.
4. Medical Solutions
Medical Solutions is a leading travel nurse company that offers travel nurse jobs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Guam. They offer a wide range of short-term contracts. They’re known for their excellent customer service and solid support network.
- Contract flexibility: They provide a variety of short-term assignments, ideal for nurses looking for flexibility.
- Benefits and pay: Competitive pay rates, comprehensive benefits, and housing stipends are part of their packages.
- Support services: Medical Solutions offers 24/7 access to support services and a robust onboarding process to ensure nurses are well prepared for their assignments.
5. Fusion Medical Staffing
Fusion Medical Staffing is known for its personalized approach and wide range of job opportunities. They offer many short-term contracts and are dedicated to matching nurses with assignments that suit their preferences and specialties.
- Contract flexibility: They offer numerous short-term contracts, making it easy for nurses to find assignments that fit their schedules.
- Benefits and pay: Fusion provides competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and assistance with housing and travel costs.
- Support services: They offer 24/7 access to recruiters and support staff to assist with any challenges that may arise.
5 tips to choose the best travel nurse company
When selecting the best travel nurse companies for short-term contracts, consider the following tips:
- Research and read reviews. Look for reviews and testimonials from other travel nurses to assess the company's reputation.
- Ask questions. Don't hesitate to ask recruiters detailed questions about the length of their contracts, what benefits they offer, and what support services they provide.
- Compare offers. Evaluate the offers you receive to find the best fit for your needs.
- Consider your goals. Think about your career goals and personal preferences regarding the overall benefits and support services offered.
- Stay informed. Keep up to date with your nursing skills and knowledge along with healthcare industry trends. Doing so can help you make informed decisions regarding your selection of assignments and the overall trajectory of your travel nursing career.
Finding the best travel nurse companies for short-term contracts can significantly impact your travel nursing experience and professional development. Some of the best travel nurse companies like these offer countless job opportunities, support, and benefits for travel nurses seeking temporary assignments.
Travel nursing can be an exciting career option for nurses who want to explore new locations, gain new and diverse experiences, and receive competitive pay and benefits. However, not all companies are the same, and finding one of the best travel nurse companies can make a big difference in your satisfaction and success.
By considering factors such as support, flexibility, compensation, and opportunities, you can narrow down your options and choose the best travel nurse companies that fit your goals and preferences. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a newer to travel nursing, companies like these can help you find your ideal assignment and make the most of your travel nursing journey.
Whether you're actively seeking a new role or assessing your next steps, explore Nurse.com's talent marketplace to help match your experience and skills to the best-fitting role.
