TNAA (Travel Nurse Across America)

As of September 1, 2026, the “best” travel nursing agency depends heavily on your specialty, state, recruiter, and whether you care more about job volume, pay transparency, benefits, or recruiter support. My practical recommendation: keep profiles with 3–5 agencies/marketplaces, not just one.

Best travel nursing agencies to start with

Highly rated “smaller / mid-size” agencies worth checking

If you want recruiter responsiveness and are willing to compare beyond the biggest brands, also look at:

• Stability Healthcare
• Travel Nurses, Inc.
• Cynet Health
• FlexCare
• Axis Medical Staffing
• Atlas MedStaff
• Triage Staffing
• Fusion Medical Staffing

BluePipes’ 2026 ranking aggregated nearly 230,000 reviews across 450+ travel healthcare companies and put agencies like Stability Healthcare, Travel Nurses, Inc., Cynet Health, Host Healthcare, FlexCare, Axis, and Atlas high on its list. That doesn’t mean they’ll always have the best contract in your specialty, but they’re real brands nurses actually review and use. (blog.bluepipes.com)

Best “products” / marketplaces travel nurses actually use

These are not all agencies, but they’re very useful for comparing jobs:

My shortlist if you want the simplest starting stack

If you’re starting from zero, I’d create profiles with:

1. Aya Healthcare — maximum job volume
2. Medical Solutions — strong all-around backup
3. AMN Healthcare — big-system contracts
4. Host Healthcare or TNAA/TotalMed — benefits/recruiter-support option
5. Vivian + Wanderly — to compare rates across agencies

Then add Fastaff if you want rapid-response contracts, and add Stability / FlexCare / Axis / Atlas / Triage if you want to shop smaller or mid-size agencies with strong review visibility.

How to choose between offers

Do not pick only by the agency name. For each contract, compare:

• Gross weekly pay
• Taxable hourly rate vs. stipends
• Guaranteed hours
• Cancellation policy
• Floating requirements
• Call requirements
• Overtime rate
• Housing stipend vs. agency housing
• Health insurance start date and gap coverage
• License/reimbursement policy
• How fast the recruiter responds before you submit

The best agency is often the one with the best recruiter + best contract for that hospital, not necessarily the biggest brand.

Best Travel Nursing Agencies (2026)

Based on current rankings and reviews, several agencies stand out consistently across review platforms:

🏆 Top Overall Picks

1. Aya Healthcare — The industry giant Aya took #1 in 2026 rankings on the strength of nearly 27,000 active travel nursing jobs, comprehensive benefits with day-one health coverage, and the deepest review base of any agency measured. The industry's largest travel nursing agency offers the broadest job pool, the most documented benefits, and 25 years of operating history — best fit for travelers who want maximum job choice, though this comes with a trade-off of a less personal experience.

2. Host Healthcare — Best for personalized service Host Healthcare has earned a #1 spot for best travel nursing agencies in some rankings, operating independently under parent company Medical Solutions and known as a trustworthy, reputable agency. Nurses who have worked with Host Healthcare report "great communication" with recruiters, and the agency is known for excellent insurance options, including day-one vision, dental, and medical benefits, plus 30-day coverage between assignments.

Other Strong Contenders

3. Axis Medical Staffing — Best for niche support Axis runs four distinct specialty programs, more than any other agency, with a standout Canadian Nurse Program that reports a 100% placement success rate for Canadian-credentialed nurses. They offer new grad mentorship, certification support, and a "Travelers of the Month" program — best fit for new travelers or those wanting structured support beyond just a job board.

4. TNAA (Travel Nurse Across America) — Best established independent TNI has been operating since 1988, making it one of the oldest independent travel nursing agencies still standing, offering a strong benefits package, more than 4,000 travel and PRN positions, plus close to 200 permanent placements.

5. Fastaff — Best for pay transparency Fastaff is the only agency to earn a perfect score on pay transparency in the 2026 methodology, using a WYSIWYG compensation model with no blended rates, hidden adjustments, or surprise tax withholdings — the pay you see is the pay you take home. Real traveler feedback echoes this: "Excellent and transparent pay. Fastaff is consistently competitive with their rates and my recruiter keeps me working quickly with no runaround."

6. Trustaff — Also frequently recommended, building lasting relationships with health professionals looking for their next job and offering travel nursing assignments across the country.

💡 How to Choose

Working with a travel nurse agency is usually the best way to get started and learn the ins and outs of how it all works, and the best way to choose one may be to talk to a travel nurse you trust for a recommendation. Since methodologies vary by review site, it's worth noting that one major industry tracker evaluated over 480 healthcare staffing agencies, aggregating over 210,000 reviews from 5 leading online review sources to calculate a score for each company — a good reminder that "best" often depends on your specialty, desired location, and what benefits matter most to you (pay transparency vs. mentorship vs. broadest job selection).

Bottom line: If you want the biggest job pool → Aya. If you want personal touch/benefits → Host Healthcare. If you're a new grad or need niche support → Axis. If pay transparency is your top priority → Fastaff. Many experienced travelers actually work with 2-3 agencies simultaneously to compare contract offers before committing.

Choosing the best travel nursing agency depends on your specialty, target locations, pay preferences, benefits, and how much support you want. There’s no single “best” for everyone, but these are the most widely used, well-reviewed agencies that travel nurses consistently recommend.

Top Travel Nursing Agencies

1. Aya Healthcare

• Why people use it: The largest travel nursing agency in the U.S., with massive job volume nationwide.
• Standouts: Fast credentialing, user-friendly mobile app, strong benefits (health, dental, 401(k)), and a huge list of hospitals.
• Best for: Nurses who want the most options and a well-established, reliable agency.

2. AMN Healthcare

• Why people use it: One of the biggest healthcare staffing companies in the country. They cover travel nursing, locum tenens, and permanent placement.
• Standouts: Great relationships with large hospital systems, solid pay packages, and lots of benefits.
• Best for: Nurses looking for high-volume job availability and major health system placements.

3. Medical Solutions

• Why people use it: Very popular among travel nurses for its transparency and support.
• Standouts: Strong pay packages, health insurance from day one, and a rewards program.
• Best for: Travel nurses who want a balance of pay, benefits, and supportive recruiters.

4. Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA)

• Why people use it: Consistently high ratings from nurses for recruiter support and housing help.
• Standouts: Free, private housing (or a generous stipend), excellent onboarding, and strong benefits.
• Best for: Nurses who value a smoother experience and a more personal touch.

5. Host Healthcare

• Why people use it: Known for high pay packages and great insurance options.
• Standouts: Offers 401(k) matching, free housing assistance, and 24/7 support. Many nurses praise their responsiveness.
• Best for: Travel nurses who want competitive pay and a flexible, supportive team.

6. Cross Country Nurses

• Why people use it: One of the oldest and most recognizable travel nursing agencies.
• Standouts: Huge job network, strong benefits, and educational programs.
• Best for: New travel nurses and those who want a big, established agency with lots of resources.

7. Trusted Health

• Why people use it: A modern, app-based platform with a focus on transparency and control.
• Standouts: You can see pay packages clearly, access your documents digitally, and communication is quick.
• Best for: Tech-savvy nurses who want to manage everything from their phone.

8. Fusion Medical Staffing

• Why people use it: Known for paying for medical benefits from day one and offering a simple, straightforward process.
• Standouts: Very responsive recruiters, quick offers, and no frills—just solid support.
• Best for: Nurses who want a no-nonsense agency with good benefits.

9. Stability Healthcare

• Why people use it: Consistent, competitive pay packages and a strong reputation in the travel nursing community.
• Standouts: Daily pay options, health insurance from day one, and excellent ratings on review sites.
• Best for: Nurses who want stability and fair compensation.

10. TotalMed Staffing

• Why people use it: High-paying assignments and flexible contracts.
• Standouts: Strong recruiter support and a focus on getting you the best pay possible.
• Best for: Experienced travel nurses who prioritize maximum income.

Also helpful: Job Aggregators / Comparison Tools

These aren’t agencies, but RNs use them to compare real travel nursing jobs:

• Vivian Health – Browse and compare travel assignments from multiple agencies side-by-side.
• BluePipes – Helps organize licenses, certifications, and creates “one profile” to apply with multiple agencies.
• Highway Hypodermics – A job board that aggregates travel nursing contracts.

How to choose the “best” one for you

When comparing agencies, always ask:

• What is the total pay package (taxable wage + stipends)?
• Are health insurance and benefits included from day one?
• Does the agency provide free housing or a stipend?
• What do FMLA, 401(k), and licensing reimbursement look like?
• How responsive is the recruiter? (This matters more than almost anything else.)
• What do current and former nurses say on review sites like Highway Hypodermics or Wanderly?

Quick tip: Don’t apply to just one agency. Work with 2–3 agencies at once so you can compare offers and negotiate. Most travelers eventually stick with one or two favorites, but having options strengthens your negotiating power.

Bottom line: If you want the most jobs and a proven system, Aya Healthcare is the most-used. If you want a modern, transparent experience, Trusted Health is excellent. And if you want strong pay plus great support, Medical Solutions or Host Healthcare are top-rated choices.

Top travel nursing agencies in 2026, based on aggregated rankings, verified nurse reviews, job volume, benefits, pay transparency, and recruiter support from sources like BetterNurse.org, VaultRN, Nurse.org, and others, include Aya Healthcare, Host Healthcare, Medical Solutions, Axis Medical Staffing, Fusion Medical Staffing, TNAA (Travel Nurse Across America), and AMN Healthcare.

These stand out because they consistently appear at or near the top across multiple independent evaluations that weigh real nurse feedback (e.g., Glassdoor/Indeed reviews, recent 2-year ratings), benefits (especially day-one health insurance and 401(k) matching), pay packages, job availability, and transparency. No single agency is universally "best"—it depends on your priorities (e.g., maximum job options vs. personalized recruiter support vs. specialty focus)—and experienced travelers often recommend working with 2–3 agencies simultaneously to compare offers, as pay and terms can vary significantly for the same contract.

Top Recommendations

Here are the most frequently recommended agencies that nurses actually use and rate highly:

• Aya Healthcare — Often ranked #1 overall (e.g., BetterNurse 2026). Strengths include the largest job inventory (nearly 27,000+ active travel nursing positions), strong day-one benefits, a robust self-service app/tech platform, and the deepest review base. Good for broad options across specialties and locations. Some note it can feel less personal due to its size.

• Host Healthcare — Frequently tops or ranks near the top for recruiter support, benefits (day-one insurance, 401(k) match, housing help), and nurse satisfaction. Strong for new graduates (e.g., tuition reimbursement options) and praised in Nurse.org as a top pick. High ratings for communication and work-life balance.

• Medical Solutions — Consistent high performer with excellent benefits, transparency on pay/bill rates in some cases, and strong recruiter relationships. It has climbed rankings and earned top spots in certain 2025 lists (e.g., RNvip). Good for first-time travelers and those prioritizing retirement savings or reliable placements.

• Axis Medical Staffing — Stands out for specialty programs (including strong support for new grads and international/Canadian nurses) and high overall scores in detailed 2026 rankings. Valued for personalized service and transparency.

• Fusion Medical Staffing — Noted for strong recent performance ("comeback" rankings), recruiter relationships, transparency, and competitive pay/benefits. High traveler ratings on review aggregators.

• TNAA (Travel Nurse Across America) — Tops some verified review databases (e.g., 4.4/5 on VaultRN) for pay packages, recruiter support, and transparency. Popular among nurses seeking strong compensation and a more personal feel.

• AMN Healthcare — The largest overall healthcare staffing company with the widest facility network and high volume. Reliable for exclusive contracts and broad access, though pay is sometimes reported as average or below market compared to smaller agencies.

Other Notable Mentions

Other agencies that appear in top lists or receive strong user feedback include Triage Staffing (veterans/military), Trustaff, Aureus Medical, and FlexCare (pay transparency). Crisis/rapid response specialists like Fastaff or Krucial can offer higher pay for short, high-intensity assignments.

Key Tips from Nurses and Rankings

• Compare offers — Pay differences for identical roles can exceed $300/week; always get multiple quotes.
• Prioritize based on needs — Job volume (Aya/AMN), support/benefits (Host/Medical Solutions), transparency/pay (TNAA/Fusion/FlexCare), or specialties (Axis).
• Day-one benefits — Many top agencies (Aya, Host, Medical Solutions, Fusion, TNAA, etc.) offer health insurance starting immediately.
• Reviews and reality — Check recent verified reviews on platforms like VaultRN or BluePipes, as experiences vary by recruiter and assignment. Large agencies offer scale; mid-sized ones often provide more personalized service.
• Practical advice — Most travelers suggest starting with 2–3 agencies, verifying contract details (housing stipends, cancellation policies, guaranteed hours), and confirming current licensing/compact state compatibility.

Rankings evolve with market conditions, review volume, and company changes (e.g., Nomad Health exited traditional staffing). Verify the latest details directly with agencies, as offerings like pay, benefits, and job availability fluctuate. Sites like BetterNurse.org provide detailed methodologies if you want to dive deeper into scoring. Always cross-reference with recent nurse forums or review sites for the most current user experiences.