Travel nursing has become an increasingly popular career path for nurses seeking higher pay and flexibility to explore new locations.
However, with the rise of travel nursing agencies promising enticing compensation and benefits packages, it can be tricky to determine which agency is the best fit.
Two of the most well-known national agencies are Trusted Health and Aya Healthcare, but they vary significantly in their offerings and reputations. This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between Trusted Health and Aya to help nurses make an informed decision when choosing an agency.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Trusted Health | Aya Healthcare |
| Years in Business | Founded 2016 | Founded in 2001 |
| Size | Smaller company | One of the largest agencies |
| Focus | Specialize in travel nurse staffing | Offer other workforce solutions too |
| Application Process | Quick, simple online application | Extensive multi-step application |
| Locations | Operate remotely with in-person meetups | Have recruiters nationwide |
| Pay Potential | $1,500-$2,500+ per week | $1,500-$2,500+ per week |
| Benefits | Health insurance, stipends. No 401(k) matching. | Robust benefits including 401(k) matching |
| Bonuses and Reimbursements | Milestone bonuses at 50 & 100 weeks. Reimburse licenses,certs, etc. | Sign-on and referral bonuses in the 1000s+. Higher reimbursements. |
| Job Variety and Availability | Curated job selection. | Wider variety and availability. |
| Recruiter Support | Assign several recruiters to each nurse. | Provide a dedicated, single recruiter. |
| Career Development | Offer career coaching and resume help. | Provide professional development funds and leadership paths. |
| Reputation | Not BBB accredited. Higher Glassdoor rating. | BBB A+ rating. Lower Glassdoor rating. |
Overview Of Trusted Health And Aya
Trusted Health and Aya Healthcare are both large, national travel nursing agencies that connect nurses with travel assignments at healthcare facilities across the United States.
However, they have some notable differences:
- Reputation – Trusted Health is newer, founded in 2016, while Aya has over 15 years of experience. Aya is one of the largest agencies, while Trusted has a smaller but growing presence.
- Services – In addition to travel nursing staffing, Aya offers other workforce solutions like allied healthcare, locum tenens, and more. Trusted is focused specifically on travel nurse staffing.
- Application Process – Applying with Trusted Health is quick and simple through their online form. Aya has a more extensive multi-step application requiring skills checklists, interviews, etc.
- Location – Aya has recruiters nationwide. Trusted operates remotely but provides in-person meetups.
Detail Comparison Of Trusted Health And Aya
Pay and Benefits
Pay and benefits are often the biggest factors for travel nurses when choosing an agency.
- Pay – Both agencies offer competitive pay, with the ability to earn $1,500 – $2,500+ per week depending on the contract. Pay depends on skills, experience, location, etc. Rather than a set pay scale, nurses are encouraged to negotiate.
- Benefits – Standard benefits like health insurance, lodging stipends, meal stipends, and more are provided. Aya offers 401(k) matching; Trusted does not. Aya claims to offer higher tax-free stipends.
- Bonuses – Both offer sign-on and referral bonuses, with Aya’s stretching into the thousands for high need areas. Trusted offers milestone bonuses at 50 & 100 weeks.
- Reimbursements – The agencies reimburse travel expenses like licenses, certifications, and more. Aya may offer higher reimbursements.
- Overtime – Time and a half overtime pay is standard. Aya offers a more extensive overtime program.
Overall, Aya offers robust compensation and benefits packages, while Trusted provides advantages like speed and simplicity of application.
Travel Nursing Jobs
Trusted and Aya both provide access to a wide range of assignments nationwide.
- Job Selection – Aya has a larger job inventory, while Trusted offers a curated selection. Both allow browsing openings online.
- Job Support – Hands-on recruiter guidance for the job search and application process is offered. Aya provides a dedicated recruiter while Trusted teams nurses with several.
- Contracts – Short- and long-term contracts for all major specialties are available. Contracts can be extended.
- Locations – Assignments span all 50 states focusing on high need areas. Rural and urban openings are accessible.
- Facility Types – Roles in all healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, schools, and more are offered.
Overall, Aya’s larger size gives them an edge for job availability and variety. But Trusted’s personalized touch can be valuable during the job hunt.
Watch this video to know more!
Traveler Support and Development
The level of ongoing career support is another point of differentiation.
- Recruiter Support – Both provide recruiter guidance for the full job cycle from search to extension/renewal. Aya guarantees rapid recruiter response.
- Onboarding – Extensive onboarding resources are offered like cheat sheets, videos, interviewed tips, etc. Aya’s online university provides CE courses.
- Career Development – Trusted offers career coaching and resume/profile services. Aya provides professional development funds and paths to leadership.
- Community – Nurses praise the online communities for networking and advice. In-person meetups are also available.
- Mentorship – Nurses can be paired with mentors who are experienced travelers and/or alumni of their school.
The ample support resources reflect both companies’ commitment to traveler success and satisfaction. Aya edges ahead with increased investment in professional development.
Reputation and Reviews
Reputation and online reviews reveal how past travelers view the agencies:
- BBB Rating – Aya has achieved BBB accreditation with an A+ rating. Trusted is not BBB accredited.
- Glassdoor Rating – Employees give Aya a 3.0 rating while Trusted has a 4.2 rating out of 5. Higher scores indicate increased employee satisfaction.
- Google Rating – Aya is rated 4.7 and Trusted 4.8 out of 5 stars based on traveler reviews. Both score highly.
- Litigation – Aya is facing a major lawsuit over pay and contract issues. Trusted has no major litigation.
- Common Complaints – Both receive some complaints around lower pay rates Vs. expectations. Aya garners more complaints about contracts.
While not perfect, Trusted’s smaller size and narrower focus on nurse staffing may contribute to slightly higher satisfaction ratings compared to massive Aya.
Also Read: Comparison Between ShiftKey And ShiftMed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There is no definitive highest paying agency. Compensation depends on multiple factors like skills, experience, location, shifts, certifications, and more. Top agencies like Aya, Trusted, Medical Solutions, and others have potential for high earnings of $1,500-$2,500+ per week. Research shows higher pay correlates strongly with higher certification levels. The key is finding an agency that empowers you to maximize your pay potential.
Aya Healthcare is facing a major class action lawsuit filed in late 2021 related to alleged violations of labor laws. The lawsuit accuses Aya of failing to pay full wages, illegally deducting pay, and enforcing contracts that are harmful to nurses. This lawsuit is still ongoing, so the outcome remains to be seen. Nurses considering travel nursing with Aya should research the details of this case.
Yes, Trusted is a legitimate travel nursing agency with several years of reputation and many positive nurse reviews. As a newer and smaller company compared to giants like Aya, Trusted is still building its brand awareness. But all indications point to Trusted being a legit staffing agency that provides abundant jobs and solid traveler support. Those interested are encouraged to connect with current Trusted nurses to hear their experiences.
Aya and Medical Solutions are two large, reputable agencies with competitive pay and benefits. Aya is significantly larger while Medical Solutions promotes a bit more of a personalized approach. For comparison:
Aya has higher average salaries reported and more job variety due to size. But their application process is intensive.
Medical Solutions is smaller but has decades of experience. They focus on personalized service and traveler satisfaction.
Also Read: Comparison Between Med Travelers And Club Staffing.
The Verdict
When selecting the best travel nursing agency, focus on your individual needs and priorities:
- Nurses wanting robust compensation, benefits, and career development may prefer Aya.
- Nurses seeking a personalized touch and streamlined application may choose Trusted.
- Feedback from fellow travelers in online communities provides useful insight.
- Consider factors like application process, job variety, career goals, location, specialty, etc.
- Get recruiter perspectives on which agency could be the best fit.
The ideal agency aligns with your individual needs as a travel nurse. With smart vetting and comparison, you can find the agency match to launch a fulfilling travel nursing career.
Overall, Aya offers more career development opportunities and higher earning potential. But Medical Solutions delivers great service and jobs without an arduous hiring process. The right choice comes down to aligning with your needs and preferences as an applicant.
