Travel Nurse Across America

Choosing the best travel nursing agency depends on your specialty, preferred locations, pay packages, benefits, and the level of support you want. There’s no single “best” — but these are the agencies travel nurses actually use most, based on reputation, job volume, and nurse reviews:

Top Travel Nursing Agencies

1. Aya Healthcare

• Why it’s popular: Largest job board, tons of assignments nationwide, strong benefits, and a user-friendly app.
• Best for: Nurses who want variety and high job volume.
• Perks: Day-one insurance, 401(k) matching, housing assistance, and dedicated recruiter support.

2. AMN Healthcare

• Why it’s popular: One of the biggest healthcare staffing companies; owns multiple brands (e.g., MedTravelers, American Mobile).
• Best for: Nurses who want a huge network and assignments at major hospitals.
• Perks: Career counseling, clinical support, and solid benefits.

3. Cross Country Nurses

• Why it’s popular: Long-established (40+ years), strong hospital contracts, and good pay packages in many regions.
• Best for: Comprehensive benefits and reliable assignments.
• Perks: 401(k), health insurance, travel/housing stipends, and referral bonuses.

4. Host Healthcare

• Why it’s popular: High ratings for recruiter responsiveness and transparency.
• Best for: Nurses who want a more personalized experience.
• Perks: Day-one insurance, free housing or stipend, clinical support, and a popular in-house rewards program.

5. Medical Solutions

• Why it’s popular: Very strong pay packages and a huge selection of jobs, plus a highly rated mobile app.
• Best for: Nurses who prioritize pay and ease of booking.
• Perks: Health insurance day one, 401(k), housing help, and a loyalty program.

6. FlexCare

• Why it’s popular: Known for fast credentialing, strong pay, and high satisfaction scores.
• Best for: Nurses who want efficient, no-nonsense staffing.
• Perks: Flexible schedules, insurance, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

7. Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA)

• Why it’s popular: Excellent internal culture and high retention among travelers.
• Best for: Nurses who want strong support and mentoring.
• Perks: Bonuses, housing, 401(k), and insurance, plus a well-reviewed onboarding process.

8. Aureus Medical

• Why it’s popular: Good for both new and experienced travelers; large healthcare network.
• Best for: Nurses looking for a mix of travel and permanent placement.
• Perks: Strong benefits, payroll reliability, and supportive recruiters.

How to Choose the “Best” for You

• Pay: Compare weekly take-home pay, stipends, and overtime. Don’t just look at the hourly rate.
• Housing: Some agencies offer free housing; others give stipends. Make sure you understand the math.
• Benefits: Check if insurance starts day one, 401(k) matching, and licensure reimbursement.
• Recruiter quality: A good recruiter makes or breaks the experience. Look at Glassdoor and nurse Facebook groups for feedback.
• Job availability: Larger agencies like Aya and AMN have more jobs, but smaller agencies can offer more personalized attention.

Pro tip: Don’t just apply to one agency. Register with 2–3 agencies and compare actual offers. Many nurses negotiate by showing one agency’s offer to another — that’s common in travel nursing. Also, join travel nurse communities (like on Facebook or the Travel Nurse subreddit) to get real-time reviews on current agencies.

The top travel nursing agencies in the U.S. include Aya Healthcare, Host Healthcare, Axis Medical Staffing, Fusion Medical Staffing, and Travel Nurses, Inc., offering high pay, comprehensive benefits, and strong recruiter support.

Top Agencies and Highlights

1. Aya Healthcare

Aya Healthcare is the largest travel nursing agency and ranks #1 for 2026 due to its vast job pool (~27,000 active RN jobs), day-one medical, dental, and vision coverage, matching 401(k), pet-friendly company housing, license reimbursement, CEUs, and the Canadian Nurse Program Better Nurse+1 . It’s ideal for nurses seeking extensive job choices and institutional support. A potential drawback is less personal recruiter interaction compared to smaller agencies.

2. Host Healthcare

Ranked consistently in the top positions, Host Healthcare is praised for its reliable communication, student loan reimbursement, day-one insurance benefits, pet-friendly housing, and support for new graduate nurses Nurse.org . It is part of Medical Solutions, giving access to multiple assignment options while maintaining traveler-friendly service.

3. Axis Medical Staffing

Known for its specialty programs, particularly the Canadian Nurse Program, Axis provides mentorship for new travelers, certification support, and recognition programs like “Travelers of the Month” Better Nurse . It is a strong choice for nurses looking for structured support beyond basic job placement.

4. Fusion Medical Staffing

Fusion has gained attention for a values-driven and recognition-focused culture, including programs like FuseClub Rewards, Compassion in Care Scholarships, and Traveling Hearts Awards Better Nurse . This makes it appealing for nurses seeking both competitive pay and a workplace that prioritizes acknowledgment of effort and achievements.

5. Travel Nurses, Inc. (TNI)

TNI is one of the oldest independent travel nursing agencies, providing over 4,000 travel and PRN positions, day-one benefits, and flexibility between contracts Better Nurse . It’s ideal for travelers valuing comprehensive benefits from an established independent agency.

Other Notable Agencies

AMN Healthcare: Best for continuing education with access to RN.com Learning Center, tuition discounts, and career advancement 1 . Fastaff Travel Nursing: Known for pay transparency, using a WYSIWYG model for clear, upfront earnings 1 . NuWest: Strong for regional travelers, offering weekly pay, telehealth support, and non-public job listings 1 . Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA): Focused on wellness, mental health resources, paid sick leave, and travel reimbursement 1 .

Tips for Choosing the Right Agency

Compare Multiple Agencies: Work with several agencies to find recruiter compatibility and contract fit. Check Day-One Benefits: Look for immediate health coverage, PTO accrual, and licensure support. Consider Culture and Support: Agency reputation, recognition programs, and personalized attention can impact your experience. Evaluate Specialty Programs: If you have a specialty or are a new graduate, agencies offering mentorship or structured placements may be beneficial.

In conclusion, choosing a travel nursing agency depends on your priorities: Aya Healthcare for the largest job variety, Host Healthcare and Fusion for strong support and recognition, Axis Medical Staffing for specialty programming, and TNI for independent agency perks Better Nurse+1 .