Cross Country Healthcare

Based on current reviews and rankings, here are the travel nursing agencies that consistently come out on top across multiple sources in 2026, along with what each is known for:

Top-Tier / Largest Agencies

Aya Healthcare – Widely considered the biggest player in the space. The industry's largest travel nursing agency offers the broadest job pool, the most documented benefits, and 25 years of operating history. It's best fit for travelers who want maximum job choice and don't mind the trade-off of a less personal experience that often comes with scale.

AMN Healthcare – One of the oldest, largest agencies by revenue. Best for experienced travelers who want access to prestigious health systems and are comfortable navigating a larger corporate structure — AMN shines when you need licensing support across multiple states. The tradeoff: the corporate feel can be impersonal, and pay packages are not always the most competitive on a dollar-for-dollar basis compared to mid-size agencies.

Best for Benefits & First-Timers

Host Healthcare – Frequently ranked #1 for overall experience. Host Healthcare ranks #1 for its strong reputation, excellent communication, student loan reimbursement, and standout benefits. It's especially helpful for graduate nurses who are looking to gain some travel experience, and can even help with tuition reimbursement in some placements.

Medical Solutions – Consistently ranks among the top agencies for traveler satisfaction, and their "Total Transparency" program shows you exactly what they're making on your contract.

Stability Healthcare – A recurring favorite in industry rankings. Stability Healthcare has distinguished itself by combining a modern technology platform with personalized recruiter support, staffing travel nurses and allied healthcare professionals nationwide, and offering one of the industry's most robust self-service job search experiences.

Best for Pay Transparency

Fastaff – Known specifically for straightforward pay. Fastaff is the only agency to earn a perfect score on pay transparency, with a WYSIWYG compensation model meaning no blended rates, no hidden adjustments, no surprise tax withholdings — the pay you see is the pay you take home.

Best for Stability/Long-Term Relationships

Cross Country Healthcare – Has been in the travel nursing business for decades, with longevity showing in facility relationships and compliance processes, and consistently ranks well for benefits quality including solid health insurance and continuing education support. Best for nurses who prioritize stability, benefits, and a long track record — a reliable choice for travelers who plan to stick with one agency long-term.

Other Notable Mentions

• Pioneer Healthcare Services – Reviewers frequently praise it for responsive recruiters, excellent communication and personalized service.
• Axis Medical Staffing – Runs specialty programs including a notable Canadian nurse pathway; their standout is the Canadian Nurse Program, which reports a 100% placement success rate for Canadian-credentialed nurses moving into U.S. travel work.
• Supplemental Health Care (SHC) – Offers a solid all-around experience with particular strength in school nursing and outpatient settings.
• TNI Staffing – Operating since 1988, making them one of the oldest independent travel nursing agencies still standing, offering a perfect benefits package and more than 4,000 travel and PRN positions.

Practical Advice

Rather than picking just one, industry sources suggest a multi-agency strategy:

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.