Top 5 Best Overall Nurse Staffing Agencies

February 17, 2022 - Healthcare facilities across the country have been facing high levels of workforce shortages in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health systems and hospitals are particularly concerned about nurse staffing shortages and are turning to nurse staffing agencies to meet increased demand.

Nurse staffing agencies help hospitals fill in staffing gaps by providing temporary healthcare professionals, especially during COVID-19 surges.

Data from AMN Healthcare revealed that 96 percent of healthcare facilities hired temporary staff in 2021.

As experts predict that the healthcare labor shortage will worsen as time goes on, nurse staffing agencies may continue to grow in popularity. There are several factors for health systems to consider when selecting a nurse staffing agency.

The following nurse staffing agencies were the best performers in 2021. This company analysis was conducted by Xtelligent Healthcare Media using publicly available data, including revenue, number of employees, growth rate, employee reviews, and customer reviews.

Triage Staffing

Triage Staffing was founded in 2006 and saw a 107 percent growth in 2021. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Triage typically offers employees 13-week-long placements in nursing, radiology, lab, rehab services, and cardiopulmonary.

The agency has 930 employees and received high customer and employee reviews. The agency received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on 420 customer reviews and a 4.7 based on 380 employee reviews. Triage Staffing assists staff with housing accommodations during placements and offers medical, dental, vacation, and 401(k) benefits.

Atlas MedStaff

Atlas MedStaff is also located in Omaha, Nebraska, and was founded in 2012. While the agency is on the smaller side, consisting of an estimated 535 employees, it saw one of the highest growths in 2021 of 113 percent. Atlas received an average rating of 4.7 on customer reviews and a 5.0 for employee reviews.

The agency provides staff with many of the same benefits that a permanent position offers, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, traveling staff receive paid private housing accommodations, and reimbursement for any license or certification nurses must obtain.

Host Healthcare

Host Healthcare, located in San Diego, California, can provide health systems with nurses in every acute-care specialty. The agency also employs physical therapists and travel allied healthcare professionals. Healthcare facilities can receive assistance from Host Healthcare in a handful of settings, including respiratory therapy, radiation therapy, and radiological technology.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has created a Crisis Response team to assist healthcare facilities with high case counts.

Host Healthcare was founded in 2012 and employs around 728 medical professionals. The agency saw an 86 percent growth in 2021. The average customer rating based on 672 reviews was 4.9, while 317 employee reviews had an average rating of 4.8

Travel Nurse Across America

Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) has been around for more than 20 years and saw a 70 percent growth in 2021. The agency received an average rating of 4.9 on 266 customer reviews and a 4.3 rating on 57 employee reviews.

The agency is in North Little Rock, Arizona, and has around 1,077 employees. TNAA has a partnership with Aspen University and will reimburse tuition for individuals looking to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. The agency also provides reimbursement for RN specialty exams and recertification fees, up to $400.

Fusion Medical Staffing

Fusion Medical Staffing is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and offers job opportunities in major cities across the country, including Boston, Chicago, Seattle, and New York City.

The agency began in 2009 and saw a 109 percent growth in 2021. Fusion is the largest of the five nurse staffing agencies, employing around 1,438 employees. The agency received an average rating of 4.5 on 266 customer reviews, while 200 employee reviews had an average rating of 4.8

Fusion can provide hospitals with staff members who specialize in several different areas, including nursing, home health, therapy, lab, cardiopulmonary, and allied healthcare.