The essential questions to ask your travel nurse recruiter

Picture this: you think you’ve picked the perfect travel nurse recruitment agency and you’ve already found your dream assignment in an exciting location with competitive pay. It’s only natural to be incredibly excited but, before you get carried away, there are a few important questions you should make sure to ask your recruiter first.    

Are the specified hours of work guaranteed? 

Check the hours for your assignment and make sure to ask if these hours are guaranteed or if they will be impacted by demand. This is crucial to ensure you’re getting a steady income in line with your expectations.  

What kind of scheduling can I expect? 

This is a great opportunity to highlight any scheduling requests you may have, such as any time off you require, and gauge if your chosen facilities will allow it. Other important queries include:  

• Will your schedule be regular? 

• Are there any obligations to work specific days, such as weekends?  

• Is there overtime and what does overtime pay look like? 

• How long will your shifts be? 

What can I be expected to be reimbursed for? 

Check if you will be compensated or reimbursed for:  

• Housing  

• Travel (to and from your work location) 

• Incidentals 

• Food 

• Utilities 

• Licenses and certifications you require for your assignment 

How will you support me with housing? 

Some agencies arrange housing for you, while others offer a housing stipend. Ask your recruiter if: 

• You can choose your own housing 

• Housing is pre-arranged or if you need to secure it yourself 

• Pre-arranged housing is in a convenient location 

• There are plans and procedures in place for if there are issues with your living arrangements 

Do you have any recent testimonials from other nurses? 

It’s important to verify the agency you choose to work with—one way to do this is to ask for any testimonials they have (ideally recent and within your specialty). You can also check out the facilities you’re considering and research their staff reviews on platforms like Glassdoor.  

What support will I get from you pre-and post-assignment? 

A great recruiter stays in touch throughout your assignment. Ask if: 

• Your recruiter is available to address queries or concerns 

• They help with licensing and credentialing 

• They provide conflict resolution support with facilities 

• They have any emergency contacts and resources that can be used while on assignment 

Do you have a referral scheme? 

Referral schemes can be seriously profitable. If you have friends, family, or colleagues who are also looking for travel nurse assignments, you could stand to receive some serious perks for referring them. Take our referral scheme, for example, where we offer both the referrer and the referree up to $500! 

What benefits do you offer? 

Benefits are an essential part of your compensation package. You should enquire if working with your travel nurse agency of choice entitles you to:  

• Health coverage  

• Life insurance 

• Ancillary insurances 

• Pet insurance 

• Direct deposits 

• Daily pay 

• Professional insurance 

• Tax assistance 

If an agency offers these benefits, it's a great indicator of the support they will provide for their nurses throughout their placements.  

Your recruiter is your partner in your travel nursing journey. By asking these key questions, you’ll gain clarity on whether your assignment and agency are a good fit for you. A transparent, supportive recruiter will be happy to answer your questions and ensure you feel confident before taking on a new assignment. 

At Advantage Medical Professionals, our recruiters are always on-hand to discuss any queries you have; whether these relate to specific roles or general questions about travel nursing. If you’re ready to start your next adventure, reach out to one of our expert recruitment team today!