Cross Country

As of August 2026, I’d treat “best travel nursing agency” as best contract + best recruiter, not just the logo. The agencies nurses actually use most are the big MSP/direct-vendor players plus a few traveler-loved agencies with strong support.

My short list: best travel nursing agencies to start with

Also use these “products” to compare jobs

• Vivian Health — not an agency, but a marketplace. It lets clinicians browse jobs from hundreds of agencies and health systems, with transparent salary info and a universal profile. Good for rate-shopping, but verify every offer directly with the actual agency before submitting. (vivian.com)
• Nomad Health — use with caution as an “agency” now. In April 2026, Nomad announced it was winding down travel nursing staffing operations and shifting to a technology/marketplace model with partner agencies. (nomadhealth.com)

My practical recommendation

If I were applying today, I’d create profiles with:

1. Aya — maximum job volume
2. Medical Solutions or Host — big reach + benefits/support comparison
3. AMN — hospital-system/direct-vendor access
4. Cross Country — another large-network option
5. TNAA or Triage — traveler-support-focused alternative
6. Vivian — to monitor rates across agencies, not as your only source

Then compare the same hospital/unit/shift across agencies. Ask for the full pay package: taxable hourly, stipends, guaranteed hours, OT rate, cancellation policy, reimbursements, health insurance cost, 401(k), sick time, and whether modules/orientation are paid. The “best agency” is usually the one that can submit you fastest to the exact contract you want and has a recruiter who answers when payroll, compliance, or housing gets messy.

Aya Healthcare, Host Healthcare, Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA), Trusted Health, Travel Nurses, Inc., Axis Medical Staffing, and several highly rated smaller/mid-sized firms are among the top travel nursing agencies that nurses actually use and recommend. Rankings vary by source and criteria (job volume, pay, benefits, recruiter support, reviews), and experiences often depend more on the individual recruiter than the agency brand. Many experienced travelers work with multiple agencies simultaneously to maximize options and compare packages.

Travel nursing agencies employ the nurse (handling payroll, benefits, housing stipends/reimbursements, licensing help, etc.) and place them on temporary contracts (typically 8–13 weeks) at hospitals. Pay packages include taxable hourly wages plus tax-free stipends (housing, meals/incidentals), so total weekly take-home can range widely (often $2,000–$3,500+ depending on location, specialty, and demand). Always compare the full package, not just the advertised rate.

Top Agencies Frequently Recommended

Here are standouts based on recent rankings (e.g., BetterNurse, BluePipes, Nurse.org), volume of jobs, nurse reviews on Reddit (r/TravelNursing), Glassdoor/Indeed, and real-world usage:

1. Aya Healthcare (Often ranked #1 overall or for job volume)
   Largest privately owned travel nursing/allied agency with the most available jobs nationwide (tens of thousands of listings). Strong proprietary app/platform for easy searching and onboarding. Pros: Reliable payroll, paid sick leave (a standout perk), day-1 or quick benefits options, 401(k) matching after a period, continuing education, and solid support (especially for first-time travelers). Cons: Pay is competitive but not always the absolute highest (larger cut as a big player); recruiter responsiveness can vary due to high volume (some nurses report 50+ nurses per recruiter). Frequently praised on Reddit for consistency, insurance, and assignment availability. Great “anchor” agency for beginners or those wanting options.

2. Host Healthcare (Frequently #1 or top-tier for support/benefits; often under Medical Solutions parent)
   Highly rated for recruiter quality, communication, and traveler-focused culture. Strong for new graduates/travelers. Pros: Day-1 medical/dental/vision benefits (plus coverage gaps between assignments in some cases), 401(k) matching, student loan reimbursement options, pet-friendly housing help, reimbursements, and solid bonuses/support. Nurses often describe recruiters as responsive and caring (“white glove” feel in positive reviews). Cons: Job volume lower than Aya; experiences can still vary by recruiter. Regularly tops Nurse.org lists and gets positive Reddit mentions alongside Aya.

3. Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA)
   Consistent high performer with strong personalized support. Pros: Covers many prep costs (exams, immunizations, etc.), dedicated team approach (recruiter + specialists for payroll/clinical), paid sick leave options, mental health resources, tuition help, 401(k), and good transparency. Named #1 in some older Top 10 lists. Solid for those wanting hand-holding. Cons: Pay competitive but not always top-tier. Positive recruiter shoutouts common on Reddit.

4. Trusted Health
   Unique model with less traditional recruiter commission structure, which can translate to higher take-home pay and full transparency (see detailed pay breakdowns). Pros: User-friendly platform for self-guided searching, Nurse Advocates (real nurses) for support, liability/short-term disability options. Popular for pay-focused travelers. Cons: Less “hand-holding” personal recruiter relationship for some. Good Reddit feedback on pay and transparency.

5. Travel Nurses, Inc.
   Frequently top-ranked on BluePipes (review-aggregate based, often #2 in recent years) for excellent scores across Google/Indeed/etc. Pros: Highly praised recruiters (attentive, non-pushy, supportive), good benefits, user-friendly tools/software for timesheets/scheduling. Solid independent feel with nationwide reach. Great consistency in positive traveler feedback.

6. Other Strong Contenders Nurses Actually Use

   • Axis Medical Staffing: High review scores; strong for specialty programs and support. Often top 5–10.
   • Fusion Medical Staffing, Medical Solutions, Skyline Med Staff, Pioneer Healthcare, Excel Medical Staffing: Frequently appear in BluePipes top lists or as “climbers”/high-review scorers. Smaller-to-mid size often means more personalized service and competitive pay.
   • Triage Staffing: Good for veterans/military-affiliated; positive onboarding/payroll feedback.
   • Established larger ones: AMN Healthcare, Cross Country, FlexCare, RN Network (CHG), NuWest — reliable job access and benefits, though reviews are more mixed (pay or support can lag smaller firms).
   • Niche/smaller high-praise options from Reddit: MedUS, Vital Solutions, LRS, TotalMed (responsive, competitive pay).

Vivian Health is a popular job marketplace/app (not a traditional agency) that aggregates listings from many agencies with pay transparency and facility/agency reviews—many nurses use it to compare and apply.

Key Factors Nurses Prioritize (and Tips for Choosing)

• Recruiter quality is often cited as more important than the agency brand. Ask for referrals, interview multiple recruiters, and switch if needed. Good ones are responsive, honest about pay/housing, and advocate for you.
• Pay & total package: Compare base + stipends + reimbursements (travel, licensing, scrubs) + bonuses. Crisis/high-demand locations pay more. Use calculators (e.g., BluePipes).
• Benefits: Day-1 health insurance, 401(k) match, paid sick time, CEUs, mental health support, housing assistance.
• Support & process: Easy onboarding/credentials (tools like Kamana mentioned positively), payroll reliability, clinical support, cancellation policies.
• Job access & specialties: Bigger agencies (Aya) win on volume/variety; specialists or smaller ones may excel in certain fields or locations.
• Reviews: Check recent traveler feedback on Reddit r/TravelNursing, Glassdoor, Indeed, Google, BluePipes, and agency sites. Scores fluctuate; post-pandemic, overall ratings moderated as rates normalized.

Recommendations for most people: Start with 3–5 agencies including one large (Aya for options), one highly supportive (Host or TNAA), and 1–2 high-review independents (Travel Nurses Inc., Axis, or Trusted). New travelers often benefit from agencies strong on onboarding/support. Experienced ones chase highest pay + good recruiters. Always read contracts carefully (cancellation clauses, housing details, non-competes if any) and verify current offerings, as the market shifts with hospital demand and regulations.

This is based on aggregated 2023–2026 rankings, nurse testimonials, and review compilations—individual results vary by location, specialty (e.g., ICU, ER, OR), experience, and timing. Research current open jobs and speak directly with recruiters for personalized quotes.