March 22, 2025

684 Views

How to Work with Multiple Travel Nurse Recruiters at Once

Posted on March 22, 2025March 12, 2025 by Alex McCoy

One of the best aspects of travel nursing is the potential it affords you. Pay rate, location, shift– all are negotiable and can be shopped out to best meet your needs at any given time!

What is the best way to make sure you have the most options available in your career as a travel nurse? Have multiple travel nurse recruiters!

Why you should work with multiple travel nurse recruiters:

This is important for one main reason: exclusive contracts. Every company will have access to certain jobs based on their relationship with hospitals and vendor companies. Therefore, to have the best access to jobs, you need to have a travel nurse recruiter from a few different companies who have different relationships with different hospitals or systems.

It may sound like a lot at first, but it is totally normal and a good travel nurse recruiter will expect you to have other recruiters as well. The key to balancing all of this is to be open about it with your recruiter(s). Be up front and say something like “I just wanted to let you know I have another recruiter looking for contracts right now as well. I will let you know as soon as I sign a contract if I choose to go with them based on what we find.”

Another helpful thing is to let your recruiter know what is most important to you as they look for jobs. This can help them be more successful in their search, and you with your overall satisfaction. Don’t say you are open to night shift if you really are not, for example. If you really, really need a specific location at a certain time, tell them that!

A good travel nurse recruiter will also let you know if they simply don’t have what you need at that moment. They won’t try to draw you into jobs that don’t fit your needs if you have done a good job at communicating what those are. A good travel nurse recruiter should say something like “I’m sorry I don’t have that right now, but I’ll be here whenever your contract finishes up and we can try and find the right fit for the next one!”

If a travel nurse recruiter tries to tell you that it is abnormal or bad to have more than one recruiter–they are not looking out for your best interest. While a good recruiter might be able to do some digging or reach out to try and “find” a position that will fit your needs, they ultimately can recognize that they simply might not have the job that you need right now. However, if they are smart and courteous they will realize that building a good relationship and leaving the door open for you to circle back is more valuable than being a hard sell or discouraging you from doing what is best for you.

At the end of the day, your relationship with your travel nurse recruiters should be treated as a business relationship. The respect should be mutual, and communication should be direct and open without causing the other person to take things personally.

Remember that this goes both ways. While your travel nurse recruiter needs to be respectful and communicative to you, it helps them do their job better if you can reciprocate these actions. Don’t ghost them if you find another assignment, or if you are upset with something they are doing. Instead–communicate! Let them know why you are frustrated. Tell them you took another assignment but will be done on a specific date. A good travel nurse recruiter will not be offended, they will be appreciative that you have enough respect for them to communicate.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

June 26, 2023

2325 Views

From Conflict to Collaboration: Resolving Issues with Your Travel Nurse Recruiter

Posted on June 26, 2023June 26, 2023 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA-Travel Nurse Across America provided this article.

As a travel nurse, building a strong and positive relationship with your recruiter is crucial. Your recruiter plays a vital role in connecting you with travel assignments that align with your skills, preferences, and schedule. But what happens when you have a problem with your travel nurse recruiter? Whether it’s a lack of responsiveness or not getting the assignments you desire, it’s important to address these issues proactively so you both can succeed.

Know What the Problem Is

Have you ever found yourself in a disagreement and, halfway through the conversation, forgotten the main issue that upset you? To avoid this, jot down the key points you want to discuss with your recruiter. Having them written in front of you during the conversation will ensure that every concern is properly addressed.

While you’re writing these down, be sure to also have your assignment contract handy. Read through it to make sure none of the issues have already been addressed in the contract and to know if you need to bring up any contract details in your conversation.

Schedule a Time to Talk

While it’s important to address your concerns, remember that your recruiter is also assisting other travelers and managing their workload. Likewise, you might have odd working hours and don’t want to take a call when you’re on the job. Find a mutually convenient time when both of you can dedicate your undivided attention to the discussion. A good recruiter should be willing to resolve the issue promptly and respond within 24 hours. If the recruiter avoids engaging in conversation or fails to respond promptly, it’s a red flag.

Opt for Phone Calls

Although it may be tempting to rely on text messages or emails, resolving important issues over the phone is usually more effective. Verbal communication allows for tone and inflection, reducing the chances of misinterpretation. While phone conversations may feel uncomfortable, they often lead to faster resolutions compared to lengthy text exchanges. Strive to have live conversations with your recruiter instead of relying solely on text.

Seek Collaborative Solutions

The key to resolving any issue with your travel nurse recruiter is to remain calm, professional and focused on finding a solution. Clearly communicate your concerns and expectations to your recruiter. Open and honest communication is vital in fostering a healthy working relationship. Don’t hesitate to follow up with an email to ensure that the discussion points are documented and understood.

Consider Escalation as a Last Resort

If all else fails, you should be empowered to contact the agency and escalate the situation. It’s important both for your career and for the agency to be able to take feedback and find a solution. If you feel like your recruiter hasn’t lived up to their expectations, let the agency know and see how they can resolve the situation.

If you have an issue with your recruiter, don’t let it fester or hinder your success. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential for a thriving career for you, and your agency will want to do what is possible to provide a positive experience for its travelers.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Uniti Med

March 24, 2023

3114 Views

5 Things to Look for in a Travel Nurse Recruiter

Posted on March 24, 2023March 24, 2023 by Uniti Med

Uniti Med provided this article.

When it comes to finding a travel assignment, a good travel nurse recruiter can be a valuable asset in helping you navigate the process. They have the pulse on all the hot jobs, what licensure you will need for each job, how to land that dream travel assignment, and more. However, not all recruiters are created equal. Here are 5 things to look for in a travel nurse recruiter to ensure that you find the right fit for your travel assignment needs.

5 things to look for in a travel nurse recruiter:

1. Communication Skills

A good travel nurse recruiter will have excellent communication skills. They should be able to walk you through the process, the job requirements, and any other pertinent information clearly and concisely. They should be responsive and timely in their communication with you throughout the process. They should work closely with you and know the best way to communicate with you so that the process keeps moving and you aren’t waiting on them because they emailed you when text is your preferred communication.

2. Focus on Your Needs

Focusing on your needs and goals throughout the process is important so that you get the travel assignments that you are looking for. They should take the time to get to know you and your career aspirations and work with you to find job opportunities that align with your experience, skills, and career goals. Even knowing the path you want to take and how you want to get there is important for them to know. If you are traveling to pay down school loans, then they need to know that to get you the highest-paying assignments. If you want to travel to a warmer climate, they will need to know that so they are not pitching you jobs in Iowa during the winter.

3. Attention to Detail

A travel nurse recruiter who pays attention to detail can be a real asset. They should be able to review your resume and licensure and provide you with feedback on how to improve your chances of landing that dream assignment. If you do not have everything needed for that dream assignment, they should be able to create a travel assignment path that will get you to your goal assignment. They should be able to ensure that all your contracts are buttoned up and have correct start dates.

4. Industry knowledge

A good travel nurse recruiter will have a solid understanding of the industry that they are recruiting for. They should be up to date with the latest changes in the industry and understand the specific skills needed and qualifications required for each assignment. A recruiter who understands the industry will be better equipped to explain why certain assignments aren’t open, why more positions are available in certain areas, and how to equip you to be the right candidate for the assignment you are looking for.

5. Ability to build Relationships

Travel Nurse recruiters must be able to build strong relationships with their candidates, client managers, hospitals, and more. They need to be able to create a rapport with candidates and understand their motivations and career aspirations. Similarly, they should be able to build relationships with candidates to understand what they are looking for in an assignment, why they travel, and what type of experience they are looking for with travel. Relationships play a key role in getting what you want out of traveling, so don’t be afraid to ask them how they work with their teammates at the office.

Finding the right travel nurse recruiter can be crucial to the success of you landing that dream assignment. Communication will be key on both sides of the relationship. Generally, enjoying talking to your recruiter will not only help you enjoy traveling more but also help you be more successful in your travel career. If you are looking for a new travel nurse recruiter, keep these 5 things in mind to help you find the best fit.

The Gypsy Nurse job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Kevin Devoto

January 17, 2023

2000 Views

5 Ways Travel Nurses Can Market Themselves

Posted on January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 by Kevin Devoto

Travel nursing has become a popular profession in recent years. This job lets you explore the country while helping those in need.

Unfortunately, the increased competition has made it hard for travel nurses to find work. You need to market yourself to employers to secure one of the few available positions in this field. Just as a businessman comes up with a sales plan to help him meet his revenue goals, you must create a strategy for locating and obtaining new assignments. Here are some tips for promoting yourself and your skills.

Travel Nurse Marketing tip:

1. Make Sure Your Resume Is Polished and Accurate

Many potential employers first get to know a traveling nurse by reviewing her resume. Keep your resume up-to-date and highlight any credentials or certifications you have obtained. Have a trusted friend or family member review the resume for any spelling or grammar errors.

If you are fluent in a foreign language, you should mention this on your resume, as well. This skill could be useful for international jobs.

Since hiring managers do not always read entire resumes, you should put your most valuable qualifications at the top of the resume. You may also want to make your own skills checklist. Most agencies require traveling nurses to fill out one of these checklists, so having one ready in advance will demonstrate your preparation.

2. Create a Website

A website is another way to show off your credentials. Yet it should not just be a carbon copy of your resume. Instead, your website should feature a blog demonstrating your personality and experience as a traveling nurse.

Take advantage of search engine optimization techniques to increase the chances that a hiring manager or agency will locate your blog. If you are not an SEO expert, hire someone who is. You may also want to write guest posts on other websites to promote yourself further.

3. Utilize Social Media

Before making any hiring decisions, potential employers will search your name online. This means they will look at your various social media posts. You should thus delete any inappropriate pictures or comments immediately. You may also want to make your personal Twitter and Facebook accounts private.

However, you should maintain an active LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn allows you to find job listings and connect with others in the industry. Your profile should include a link to your professional website and the latest version of your resume.

4. Find a Recruiter

LinkedIn can also help you find a recruiter who can match you with your ideal job. Try speaking with several recruiters until you find one who best fits your needs.

Once you have chosen a recruiter, stay in contact with him so you will remain at the top of his mind when a position becomes open. Communicate with the recruiter constantly, so he understands which types of assignments you prefer.

However, do not feel pressured to take every job the recruiter finds for you. If something about the position does not seem right, or if the job does not fit your needs, you should respectfully decline.

5. Interview Well

Your job interview is also a piece of the marketing process. Since it will likely be conducted over the phone, you should make sure your cell’s voicemail message is appropriate and professional.

Once your interview is scheduled, practice answering questions ahead of time. You should also do plenty of research into the company that is pursuing you. Come prepared with questions to show that you have done your homework. Do not forget to send a follow-up thank-you note after the interview, as well.

There are only a limited number of traveling nurse jobs available. By following these travel nurse marketing tips, you can increase your chances of landing one of these coveted gigs.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

By Fusion Medical Staffing

December 9, 2022

3145 Views

What Your Recruiter Really Wants to Tell You

Posted on December 9, 2022November 11, 2022 by Fusion Medical Staffing

Fusion Medical Staffing provided this article.

As a travel nurse, your recruiter is your number one advocate.

One of the marks of great travel nurse recruiters is that they’re friendly, honest, and actually excited to communicate with you. Here’s what they want you to know to kickstart your career success.

Be open-minded and flexible.

Your recruiter wants to give you the best experiences, but lots of other candidates are vying for similar positions. What if your top destination picks aren’t available?

Be honest about your ideal job. Good recruiters can suggest things you might not even know are options but are a perfect fit for you! They can’t do that if they don’t know what you value and what you’re looking for.

(Besides, if you’re dead set on travel nursing in Hawaii, you might miss out on some of the same perks in the continental U.S. without the travel expenses.)

Best questions to ask travel nurse recruiters.

Knowing the right way to ask questions can make all the difference. Here are the top questions to ask travel nurse recruiters before your next assignment.

Where do you have the most jobs?

Alternatively, ask if they have lots of jobs in a specific place. This helps get your expectations in line with reality. Just asking if they staff somewhere might not give you the full picture of where you’re likely to be placed.

It’s easy to decide on travel assignments before you even talk to a recruiter, but it’s in your best interest to trust their suggestions!

What are the company-provided amenities, benefits, and services? Are there referral bonuses?

When you know how they handle housing arrangements, insurance, bonuses, and compensation, you’re better equipped to narrow down those questions for travel nurse recruiters. Help them help you!

Do you offer direct deposit? Overtime pay? Guaranteed hours? What does the overall pay package look like?

As you go into your next travel assignment, these questions shouldn’t be a mystery to you. You want to know how you’ll be paid!

The ideal pay package puts the biggest slices of the “pie” into non-taxable income, so you end up with the most cash, but if something isn’t working, let your recruiter know and see if it can be rearranged! Staffing agencies need to follow state and federal guidelines, but your recruiter wants what’s best for you as a traveling nurse, too.

What about reimbursement for necessary costs?

Licensing fees, continuing education classes, certifications, verification, and even the cost to mail in your application might be reimbursed by your staffing agency or employer. If you haven’t heard anything about it, ask!

Is it expensive to be a travel nurse?

While you’re mostly considering how much money you’ll bring home, you should also consider how much you’ll be spending.

Make a list of how you’ll travel to your assignment, any hotel costs, entertainment and activities on the way, deposits if you’re setting up your housing, etc.

Plus, you won’t get your first paycheck for a couple of weeks since you’ll be waiting for the next pay period to finish. So make sure you’ve budgeted correctly!

What if you hate your travel assignment?

Depending on the issue, you might be stuck. After signing a contract, there can be legal ramifications to backing out.

Call your recruiter anyway – sometimes, you need a sounding board or advice. And definitely get in contact if you want to leave your assignment because your license or health is at risk. Safety should be your recruiter’s top priority, too.

To avoid assignments, you’ll want to cancel in the first place and ask questions during your interview with the facility. Learn about the unit, ask if they have CNAs and LPNs, how often they use traveling nurses, and if they consider themselves traveler-friendly.

If you uncover possible challenges, you’ll be ready when they turn up.

Rock your facility phone interview

This interview can offer intel about the entire assignment. Try these suggestions from recruiters to optimize how it goes.

Give your recruiter your work schedule to ensure that the interview is planned when you’re 100% free.
Schedule calls for a specific time. Then make sure you’re in an area with service and your phone is on.
Research the facility. Your recruiter should tell you what you need to know, but this is the time to ask those questions to help you decide if this is the best fit for the next 13-26 weeks.

No matter who they are, your recruiter should believe in you! Use these tips to make the most of your working relationship and to hit the ground running on your travel nursing journey.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By RTG Medical

November 1, 2022

2056 Views

Why a Great Relationship with Your Recruiter Matters

Posted on November 1, 2022November 10, 2023 by RTG Medical

RTG Medical provided this article.

As a traveling healthcare professional, it’s critical to have a great relationship with your recruiter. Traditional recruiters find candidates for permanent positions, whereas recruiters for the best healthcare travel companies work together with their healthcare professionals on an ongoing basis. Contracts are typically 13 weeks, and what helps your recruiter find the right assignment each time is getting to know you.

RTG Medical knows how important relationships between our traveling healthcare professionals and recruiters are. A good relationship allows you to get the most out of your career and overall leads to your success. There are several characteristics that create a strong relationship with your recruiter. Let’s walk through them and discover the benefits of a solid relationship.

Why a Great Relationship with Your Recruiter Matters

Key characteristics of a good traveler-recruiter relationship

The key to any strong relationship is communication. This is the same for traveler-recruiter relationships. Having open communication while you’re trying to get the position will ensure your recruiter knows you’re engaged throughout the process. After you accept the contract, let your recruiter know how it’s going and provide them with any updates. Continual communication helps build a successful partnership. It’s also important to establish preferred communication methods with your recruiter.

Transparency, trust, and honesty are a few other characteristics necessary for a good traveler-recruiter relationship. Transparency and trust go hand in hand. Let your recruiter know if anything good or bad happens while on assignment. The more your recruiter knows, the better they can assist you from contract to contract.

How to build a strong relationship with your recruiter

When you become a traveling healthcare professional with one of the best healthcare travel companies, you’ll need to ask questions and set expectations with your recruiter. When you sit and speak to a recruiter for the first time, be sure to let them know exactly what you’re looking for in a job. Think about what specialty and location you want to work in. When you’re shown contract options, ask about pay, insurance, benefits, how many days of orientation, time off policy, and perks. This all helps you find the perfect contract to fit your needs best.

Being prepared and staying organized will also help you and your recruiter stay on the same page. Your recruiter works to make sure the process is streamlined and that everything goes smoothly for you. As you hop from one assignment to the next, you will develop more skills and life experiences. Your part is to ensure your skills, licenses, records, and other documents are up to date.

Benefits of a solid relationship with your recruiter

The benefits of a good relationship with your recruiter include knowing someone always has your back, being supported in your job search, and having someone to help you understand and negotiate contracts. If you’re stressed about an upcoming assignment or run into any issues, you can count on your recruiter to alleviate some of the stress and to be there for you from the beginning of the contract to the end.

Recruiters in the traveling healthcare industry will help you schedule interviews, choose the proper placement, and guide you through the rest of the process. If you’re looking to find several successful assignments and create a lasting partnership, a traveling healthcare staffing agency like RTG Medical can ensure a good experience!

Get connected with a recruiter at the best healthcare travel companies!

There are many reasons to become a healthcare traveler with RTG Medical. We employ healthcare professionals to travel across the country in various healthcare settings. We want to be your traveling partner. If you’re ready to become a traveling healthcare professional, contact us today!

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Triage Healthcare Staffing

May 13, 2022

1977 Views

What Your Travel Nurse Recruiter Wishes You Knew

Posted on May 13, 2022October 27, 2022 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

Triage Staffing provided this article.

Travelers and recruiters go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly or Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg. They’re each better when they’re together. However, even the best traveler/recruiter relationship can have a few bumps along the way. If you’re a traveler working with a recruiter, here are a few things that your recruiter wishes that you knew about them.

#1: We know you’re working with other agencies

Some travelers feel like they need to hide that they’re working with other agencies. Nothing is further from the truth. We understand that we might not have access to every job you’re interested in and that sometimes you might end up at another agency. We’ll do our best to still stay in touch—especially if we had a good relationship before. We know your assignment won’t last forever, and we’ll welcome you back with open arms.

#2: We’re real people

Just like nurses have outside responsibilities outside of work, so do we. If you contact us outside of normal business hours, it’s possible we can’t return the call immediately. We might be at a kid’s dance recital, coaching a little league game, or even on a date with our partner. We realize we are often your lifeline, and if it’s an emergency, we’ll return the call as soon as possible.

#3: Recruiters are always on the phone

Our phones are our lifelines in this industry. Our phones are constantly in our hands, in our pockets, or only an arm’s length away. Sometimes after spending all day on the phones, we go home, and it feels like we can’t speak another word!

#4: We’re not out to get you

The best recruiter/traveler relationships are true partnerships. We don’t want to send you to a crappy location, with a bad supervisor or in a department that seems unsafe. Good recruiters would rather be honest with you about what you can expect during an assignment instead of feeding you a line of candy-coated BS just to get you to sign on the dotted line.

#5: While texting is easy, a phone call is most efficient

It’s no surprise that we love texting. It’s fast, easy, and you can answer when it’s convenient for you as a traveler. But, there are a few things that need a phone call, especially as we’re getting to know each other. A phone call means we can get to the bottom of what you’re looking for quickly without a lot of time spent waiting for the other person to respond via text or email.

#6: We want you to be happy

We want you to be happy with the places you go and the facilities you work with. After all, a happy traveler is a return traveler. The last thing we want to do is send you to a hot mess that you’ll hate three days in.

#7: Having a profile ready to go means you’re first submitted

Good jobs go fast, especially in this market. If you have a profile ready to go, you’ll be the first one on the manager’s desk. One way to have this ready is with a universal Kamana profile. All your information is held in a secure portal, and you can share it with any recruiter at any agency. (Remember that part about us understanding you might be working with more than one agency?) For an even more complete profile, don’t forget to grab a referral from your most recent manager before you leave that position.

#8: Applying to the same job with multiple agencies can get you blackballed

It might seem like applying for a travel nurse job is a numbers game right now, and if you want to ensure you get a position, you should apply multiple times. No! If you apply for the same job with different agencies, many facilities will automatically reject both applications. It’s not worth a facility’s time to try to figure out which agency applied first or should be awarded the contract, so they cut them both, leaving those travelers without a job.

#9: Sending your timesheet late is a big hassle

Most agencies pay weekly for time worked the previous week, and it’s not uncommon for timesheets to be due sometime on Monday. That gives agencies only a few working days to process the timesheet, make sure all the time matches up and ensure stipends are calculated correctly. When you send in a late timesheet or send it in scribbled on a piece of notebook paper, it takes the payroll folks at your agency more time to process everything. They know that delaying a traveler’s paycheck is not an option and often work late to make sure you get paid on time. Help them help you get paid on time.

#10: We don’t control whether you’re canceled

There are plenty of reasons why someone might be canceled—lowered census at the hospital, an internal hiring campaign for staff positions, or even over-hiring travelers. Although we hate when you’re canceled, our hands are usually tied. What we can do is search tirelessly for a new position. If you’ve signed a lease, let us know, and we’ll do whatever we can to find you a position in the same general area, so you don’t lose out on your rent money. We can’t promise all the terms will be the same, but we’ll do what we can.

Bonus #11: Lavish gifts come out of your pay package

We all hear about lavish gifts during the holidays or during Nurses Week. North Face jackets, Figs scrubs, or fancy handbags are all things we’ve seen. However, companies that give gifts THAT lavish often can for one reason—they’re paying you less. These companies aren’t sending you expensive gifts because they’re being kind, it’s because they’ve taken money out of your contract to compensate themselves for your present. What would you rather have?

Bonus #12: We’re not always a fit

We know finding a good recruiter match doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes, the first recruiter you match with doesn’t vibe with your personality, or it’s just not a good fit. In these cases, there’s no shame in breaking up with your recruiter and finding another one. Have a chat with their manager, or use the tips in our previous article, “Breaking Up with Your Travel Nurse Recruiter.”

Looking for an agency that’s committed to treating you with honesty and candor? Triage Staffing listens to what you want and then shoots you straight so you can make the decision that’s right for you. To connect with a Triage recruiter, apply for a travel nurse job on the Triage website.

We hope you enjoyed this article on what recruiters wish you knew. Do any of these things that recruiters wish you knew surprise you? Comment below. Recruiters, do you have any to add to this list?

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

April 22, 2022

1988 Views

3 Qualities of a Great Travel Nurse Recruiter

Posted on April 22, 2022April 22, 2022 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA Healthcare provided this article.

Your relationship with your recruiter is arguably the most important relationship you’ll have in your travel nurse career. And for some agencies, it’s the only connection point you’ll have with that company. You’re putting a large part of your life in their hands, so you’ll want to make sure you and your recruiter mesh well together. Here are three qualities you’ll find in great recruiters who focus on building relationships instead of just adding another traveler to the list.

Qualities of a Great Travel Nurse Recruiter:

1. Excellent Listener

Your recruiter should be asking questions and wanting to know about you upfront. Tell them why you wanted to become a nurse, what you enjoy about it, and why you wanted to start traveling. Once your recruiter gets to know you a bit, they should be plotting how to get you closer to hitting the personal and professional goals that you hope to achieve through this new career.

2. Knowledgeable Guide

On the Travel Nurse Process

If you’re preparing for your first assignment with a company, your recruiter will need to thoroughly walk you through each step to ensure you get everything completed before your first day of work. A great recruiter will make sure you understand your options, from the assignments you want to apply for to your benefits, housing, and insurance choices. If they don’t have the answer to a question you have, they should at least know how to get you in touch with the right person for the problem.

On the Travel Nurse Market

The travel nurse market is constantly fluctuating. A specialty in demand one month can see a dramatic drop in need the next month. Your recruiter should be educated on the current state of the market, which will help them be a transparent communicator. When they see changes in the market, they should coach you on how to be flexible and adaptable within your current position or start pulling new assignments that would fit you better.

3. Personable

Last but certainly not least, your recruiter should be personable. Talking with people is a big part of their daily job, and that’s not a task everyone can handle! Great recruiters genuinely enjoy talking with their nurses and helping them land the best assignments. Do a little digging on the recruiter you want to work with to see if they make a good fit for you. One way to find out more about them is by looking up reviews or seeing if they have an agency bio.

Your relationship with your recruiter is one that helps launch your career as a travel nurse. Take your time and do your research to find the recruiter you can trust as you pursue a career that moves you.

We hope this article on the 3 qualities of a great travel nurse recruiter helps you on your travel nurse journey. Do you have any other qualities you should look for in a recruiter? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Triage Healthcare Staffing

March 11, 2022

5508 Views

Breaking Up with Your Travel Nurse Recruiter

Posted on March 11, 2022March 11, 2022 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

Triage Staffing provided this article.

We get it. Few relationships are as unique as a healthcare traveler and their recruiter. A good recruiter is there for you when you need a sounding board, understands what you want in a job, and actively searches to find you the one that best fits your needs.

But not every recruiter/traveler relationship will be a match, and not every recruiter will be your person. What happens if your previously great relationship turns sour, or you’re just not vibing with your recruiter? It might be time to have a tough conversation. While we can’t promise there won’t be tears involved, shaking up the dynamic with your recruiter doesn’t have to be painful. Here are a couple of ways for breaking up with your travel nurse recruiter.

Option 1: Ghost Them So Hard You’ll Leave Them Saying Boo

Sure, you can always ghost your recruiter. But like ghosting a boyfriend or girlfriend, they’ll be stuck wondering what happened. While that’s irritating for a recruiter, the real issue is that you’ll continue to get phone calls, texts, and emails from your recruiter wondering why you disappeared.

Instead, if you no longer click with your recruiter, send a quick text or email letting them know you’re moving on. They may reach out and ask questions, but at least they can remove you from their call list, saving your phone from a barrage of calls, emails, and texts.

Option 2: Have a Conversation About Your Needs

While this isn’t as easy as ghosting someone, it definitely is a more professional choice for breaking up with your travel nurse recruiter.

A good travel nurse recruiter wants to help you reach your goals. If your plans change or your agency’s jobs no longer meet your needs, talk to your recruiter. You never know if there’s something going on behind the scenes that might change your perspective.

Maybe your agency is working on a new contract with higher bill rates, and it hasn’t been announced yet. Or perhaps there’s a longevity bonus coming your way that you forgot about (yeah, some agencies do offer a bonus after you’ve worked a certain number of hours). If you don’t have a conversation, you might be leaving money on the table without knowing it.

We know it’s sometimes stressful having this type of phone call, especially if you and your recruiter have been close in the past. But, if you can ask for what you want in a mature and respectful manner, chances are that your recruiter will try to do what it takes to keep you on their roster.

Option 3: Chat with Your Recruiter’s Manager

What if you’re really not comfortable having a conversation with your recruiter? Maybe you can’t get ahold of them, or you’ve had an issue that you can’t get past. There’s nothing Karen-like about calling and having a chat with their manager. Don’t know who the manager is? No problem.

Call into the agency’s main number and tell whoever answers the phone that you want to talk to a manager about switching recruiters. They’ll be able to transfer you to someone within your recruiter’s chain. A good agency understands that sometimes personalities don’t mesh, even if they did in the past. The manager will have a quick conversation with you about what you’re looking for and then put you in touch with a recruiter that meets your needs now.

Don’t worry about getting your old recruiter “in trouble.” Most agencies understand that personalities can be the most important part of a recruiter/traveler relationship and won’t penalize a recruiter if you switch. You’ll get a new recruiter, and the manager will have the conversation for you, which is perfect if you’re nervous about having an uncomfortable conversation.

If you decide it really is time to make a change, look for one with a proven record of taking care of its travelers. Triage Staffing was named The Gypsy Nurse’s Best Overall Travel Nurse Agency for both 2020 and 2021. Connect with Triage Staffing here.

We hope you found this article on breaking up with your travel nurse recruiter helpful. Have you ever had to break up with a travel nurse recruiter? Share your experience with breaking up with your recruiter below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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