As soon as you've decided to take the plunge and give travel nursing a try, you must make another important decision: Which travel company is right for you? While it can be a difficult choice to make, there are several steps to take that will make your decision an easier one.

Do Your Homework on the Travel Nursing Company

There are literally dozens of travel nursing companies out there. The easiest place to research them is in nursing trade journals or online. Most travel companies advertise extensively and have Web sites.

Perhaps the best way to find out about travel companies is by asking your colleagues. Chances are some of them have traveled or know someone who has; you may already work with a traveler or two. Ask them who they've worked with, how their experiences have been and if they have anyone they can refer you to.

Narrow Your Travel Nursing Choices Down

Applying to a number of companies can be time-consuming and complicated. Narrow your choice of travel companies down to two or three. This should be easy to do once you've received recruitment packets. Ask yourself these questions:

• Are the recruitment materials clear, concise and professional?
• Is the information pertinent to what you're looking for?
• Do the materials instill a sense of quality and commitment from the company?
• ; Are the types of available assignments, compensation packages and benefits easy to understand?
• Who's offering the best pay, benefits, insurance plans, etc.?

You can tell a lot from a travel company's recruitment materials. The best companies usually present themselves as just that.

Shop Around All Travel Nursing Companies

After you've received your materials, it's time get started. Keep in mind that once you've called a few travel companies to request materials, they're going to remember you. Expect follow-up calls from them since they'll want you to join them. You, of course, don't have to make any immediate commitments, but you'll have a lot of questions to ask.

Review all the information carefully. Contrast and compare: Whose pay rates are the best? Do they all offer the same types of health insurance? How about 401(k) retirement plans? What about assignments? Ask for complete, current lists of available positions. And who will you be working with? How long has the company been around? How many people will work with you once you become a traveler? It's your call. You have to decide what's best for you. But the best companies will help you find the answers you need.

Pick up the Phone and Call a Travel Nursing Company

Once you've narrowed your choices down, establish relationships with company recruiters. You're going to ask a lot from them, but remember this: they're working for you.

Keep a journal of contacts you've made and the results. Were your questions answered to your satisfaction? Did you receive any additional materials you requested? How were you treated on the phone? Was the recruiter professional, courteous and knowledgeable? Were your calls returned promptly? Did calls promised to you actually occur? Did the recruiter make you feel relaxed, confident and important? Once you get close to making a decision, you should trust in the person who will be handling your first assignment. The best recruiters will make you feel that way from the start.

Questions, Questions and More Questions about Travel Nursing

There are no such things as dumb questions; it's only dumb not to ask them. Ask your recruiter this: Who pays your salary, the facility or the travel company? If the facility pays, you'll receive a check from them at work. If the travel company pays, you'll get a check in the mail or you'll have to pick it up at the facility staffing office (Some travel companies offer direct deposit, so this may not be an issue.). Who pays for your housing? Do you have to share an apartment or can you live alone? If not, who would your roommate be? Can you bring a spouse, child or pet? If the travel company provides "free" housing, find out how "free." Some companies calculate benefits based on the total number of hours worked during the assignment; if so, ask your recruiter if the company would continue to pay your housing in full if the hospital should cut your hours.

Other important questions concern pay rates, health insurance, bonuses and other benefits. How are the pay rates? Are they negotiable? Are there sign-on and completion bonuses? Which assignments have the top pay rates? Who pays for health insurance? When does eligibility begin? Are there co-payments? Is dental and vision included with medical? Are spouses or dependents eligible? Find out if there is a 401(k) program. Does the travel company match contributions? Is there a waiting period for eligibility?

What about other "perks?" Does the travel company offer frequent flyer programs or other reward programs? Can you get discounted services or products, like scrubs or luggage, or discounts on hotels, rental cars or cellular phones? And can you exchange reward points for cash? How flexible are these reward programs? And what about continuing education? Does the travel company provide the methods for you to complete annual continuing education requirements, or help you develop your professional career?

The Big Traveling Nurse Step

As soon as you're ready (and not a moment before that), sign on and complete the application process. You can join more than one company at a time, and it will be your call which assignment, and company, you eventually choose. It may be an overwhelming process, and it's not to be taken lightly. But if you follow the guidelines we've listed here, your decision to become a traveler should be a lot easier.

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