What Is Cross Country Nurses?
Cross Country Healthcare is one of the oldest healthcare staffing companies in the United States, founded in 1986. The travel nursing division, Cross Country Nurses (sometimes referred to as Cross Country TravCorps after acquiring TravCorps), has been placing travel nurses for decades. The company is publicly traded and is one of the largest healthcare staffing firms by revenue.
Cross Country operates as a traditional staffing agency with a massive scale. The company has facility relationships with hospitals and healthcare systems across all 50 states, a large team of recruiters, and the infrastructure to support thousands of active travelers at any given time. As your employer of record, Cross Country handles payroll, benefits, credentialing, housing coordination, and on-assignment support.
Key features include: one of the largest facility networks in the industry; dedicated recruiters (though caseloads can be high); comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), and life insurance; housing coordination with both agency housing and stipend options; a mobile app and online portal; licensure reimbursement; and continuing education support.
Cross Country’s scale is both its strength and its weakness. The massive facility network means they can usually find positions in most specialties and locations. However, the size of the operation also means that the experience can feel corporate and impersonal, with high recruiter caseloads, bureaucratic processes, and less personalized service compared to smaller agencies.
The company has also expanded beyond travel nursing to include per diem, local contract, permanent placement, and allied health staffing. While this diversification helps the company’s bottom line, some travel nurses feel that the company’s attention and resources are spread across too many business lines.
Why Nurses Look for Cross Country Nurses Alternatives
Based on common feedback from travel nurses and healthcare professionals, here are the most frequently cited reasons people search for a Cross Country Nurses alternative:
Inconsistent recruiter experience
The most common complaint about Cross Country is the variability of the recruiter experience. With a large recruiter team and high caseloads, the quality of your experience depends heavily on which recruiter you’re assigned. Some are responsive and knowledgeable; others are slow to respond, difficult to reach, or seem unfamiliar with the specifics of your specialty. Unlike smaller agencies that can maintain consistent service quality, Cross Country’s scale makes consistency a challenge.
Lack of pay transparency
Cross Country’s online job listings often lack specific pay information. You may see general listings prompting you to “contact a recruiter” for details. Even when pay estimates are provided, they may not reflect the final offer. Nurses report spending significant time on phone calls and emails just to learn basic compensation information that modern platforms display upfront.
Corporate bureaucracy
As a large, publicly traded company, Cross Country’s processes can feel bureaucratic. Nurses report slow credentialing timelines, excessive paperwork, rigid policies, and difficulty getting exceptions or accommodations when needed. The corporate structure can make the experience feel transactional rather than personal, which contrasts with the relationship-driven approach that many nurses prefer.
Pay competitiveness concerns
Some nurses report that Cross Country’s rates are not always competitive with what other agencies or platforms offer for the same positions. As a large, publicly traded company with shareholders to satisfy, there may be pressure to maintain margins that come at the expense of nurse compensation. Without pay transparency, nurses can’t easily verify whether they’re getting a fair deal.
Slow response times
Related to the recruiter caseload issue, many nurses report slow response times from Cross Country. When you’re between contracts and time is money, waiting days for a recruiter to return a call or email about a time-sensitive position is frustrating. Nurses who are used to the instant information available on modern platforms find this pace unacceptable.
High recruiter turnover
Some nurses report experiencing frequent recruiter changes at Cross Country, losing the continuity and personal knowledge that makes a recruiter relationship valuable. Each new recruiter means re-explaining your preferences, history, and requirements, which defeats the purpose of the dedicated recruiter model.
Cross Country Nurses vs MedNomadJobs: Feature Comparison
Here's a side-by-side comparison across the dimensions that matter most to travel healthcare professionals.
| Feature | Cross Country Nurses | MedNomadJobs |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Transparency | Often requires recruiter contact | Actual weekly pay with full breakdown on every listing |
| Job Volume | One of the largest facility networks | Multi-agency coverage with verified listings |
| Recruiter Experience | Variable quality; high caseloads | Self-directed; no recruiter dependency |
| Specialties Covered | Broad nursing and allied health | Nursing, allied health, therapy, imaging, lab |
| Benefits Package | Comprehensive (insurance, 401k, CE) | Through the hiring agency for each contract |
| Application Speed | Recruiter-mediated; can be slow | Direct online application in minutes |
| Housing Coordination | Agency housing + stipend option | Stipend details shown; housing self-arranged |
| Market Analytics | Through recruiter only | Self-service salary analytics and data |
| Multi-Agency Comparison | Single agency only | Compare across multiple agencies |
| Contract Lengths | 4–26 weeks | 4–26 weeks across all categories |
| Licensure Support | Licensure reimbursement available | Compact license guide and state resources |
| Cost to Nurses | Free | Freemium (free basic, Pro from €4/wk) |
indicates the stronger option for that feature.
Where MedNomadJobs Wins Over Cross Country Nurses
Instant, Complete Pay Transparency
Every listing on MedNomadJobs shows the actual weekly pay with a full breakdown: hourly rate, housing stipend, meals and incidentals, and bonuses. You see this before creating an account, before talking to anyone, and before sharing any personal information.
This is a stark contrast to Cross Country, where getting pay details often means calling a recruiter, waiting for a callback, and having a conversation before learning basic compensation information. MedNomadJobs lets you evaluate dozens of contracts in the time it takes to play phone tag with a Cross Country recruiter about one.
Consistent, Predictable Experience
With MedNomadJobs, every contract listing follows the same transparent format with the same level of detail. You don’t need to worry about recruiter quality, response times, or caseloads. The platform delivers a consistent experience every time you use it.
This predictability is a significant advantage over Cross Country, where your experience hinges on the recruiter lottery. A great Cross Country recruiter can be wonderful; a mediocre one can be maddening. MedNomadJobs removes this variable entirely.
Multi-Agency Competitive Pricing
MedNomadJobs shows contracts from multiple agencies, creating price competition that benefits nurses. When agencies compete for the same nurse, rates tend to be higher than what any single agency would offer unilaterally.
Cross Country’s rates are determined by their own bill rate negotiations and margin decisions. With MedNomadJobs, you see the competitive market and can choose the best-paying option. No guessing about whether Cross Country’s rate is competitive. You can see for yourself.
Speed and Efficiency
MedNomadJobs is built for efficiency. Search, filter, compare pay, and apply in minutes. No phone calls, no waiting, no back-and-forth. For nurses between contracts who need to secure their next assignment quickly, every day of downtime is lost income.
Cross Country’s recruiter-mediated process, with its potential for slow response times and bureaucratic delays, can cost you valuable earning days. MedNomadJobs’ self-service model lets you move at your own pace, which, for most people, is fast.
Data-Driven Career Strategy
MedNomadJobs’ analytics tools show average pay by specialty and state, compensation trends, and market demand data. This information lets you plan your career strategically: targeting the highest-paying markets, timing your contracts for peak demand, and benchmarking every offer against real market data.
With Cross Country, your market intelligence comes from whatever your recruiter shares. With MedNomadJobs, you have direct access to comprehensive data you can analyze on your own terms.
Where Cross Country Nurses Still Has an Edge
We believe in giving you the full picture. Here's where Cross Country Nurses maintains advantages over MedNomadJobs:
One of the Largest Facility Networks
Cross Country’s decades of operation have built one of the largest facility networks in the industry. For nurses seeking assignments in specific or unusual locations, Cross Country’s breadth of facility relationships can mean access to positions that newer or smaller agencies don’t have. This scale is a genuine asset, particularly for less common specialties or rural markets.
Comprehensive Benefits and Support
As one of the largest agencies, Cross Country offers a full suite of benefits: health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, licensure reimbursement, and continuing education. They also provide 24/7 clinical support and housing coordination. For nurses who want everything managed by one large, established company, this infrastructure is valuable.
Industry Longevity and Stability
Cross Country has been in business for nearly four decades. They’re publicly traded and financially stable. For nurses who value working with a company that will reliably be around for the long term (handling payroll, maintaining records, supporting benefits claims), Cross Country’s stability provides peace of mind that newer platforms can’t yet match.
Pay Comparison: Cross Country Nurses vs MedNomadJobs
Average weekly pay ranges across popular travel healthcare specialties. Ranges reflect typical contract pay packages including stipends.
| Specialty | Cross Country Nurses | MedNomadJobs |
|---|---|---|
| ICU / Critical Care | $2,500 – $3,400/wk | $2,800 – $3,600/wk |
| Emergency Room (ER) | $2,200 – $3,200/wk | $2,600 – $3,400/wk |
| Operating Room (OR) | $2,400 – $3,000/wk | $2,700 – $3,200/wk |
| Med-Surg / Telemetry | $1,800 – $2,500/wk | $2,100 – $2,700/wk |
| Labor & Delivery | $2,200 – $2,900/wk | $2,500 – $3,100/wk |
| NICU | $2,100 – $2,800/wk | $2,400 – $3,000/wk |
| Physical Therapy | $1,600 – $2,200/wk | $2,000 – $2,500/wk |
| Respiratory Therapy | $1,500 – $2,100/wk | $1,800 – $2,300/wk |
Pay ranges are approximate and based on market data as of March 2026. Actual pay varies by location, facility, and agency.
Cross Country’s pay competitiveness is a frequent topic of discussion among travel nurses. As a large, publicly traded company, there is inherent tension between maximizing shareholder returns and maximizing nurse compensation. While Cross Country’s rates are not universally low, many nurses report that they’ve found higher-paying contracts through other agencies or platforms for the same or similar assignments.
The lack of pay transparency compounds this issue. Without seeing the full competitive market, Cross Country travelers can’t easily determine whether their rate is the best available. They’re relying on their recruiter’s representation, which may or may not reflect the full picture.
MedNomadJobs addresses both issues simultaneously. The multi-agency marketplace creates competitive pricing that benefits nurses, and the transparent pay display lets you see exactly where every option stands. No guessing, no trust required. Just data.
For nurses who have been with Cross Country and wonder if they could be earning more, MedNomadJobs provides the answer. Search for your specialty in your preferred location and compare the results with what Cross Country has been offering. The data speaks for itself.
Live Market Data on MedNomadJobs
Unlike static job boards, MedNomadJobs uses cutting-edge technology to constantly scan the web for travel healthcare contracts. Each listing goes through manual curation to ensure accuracy. Here's a snapshot of what's available right now:
225
$1,985
18
Top Paying Specialties Right Now
| Specialty | Avg Weekly Pay | Open Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Cath Lab | $3,037/wk | 1 |
| Operating Room | $2,651/wk | 5 |
| Mammography Technologist | $2,566/wk | 1 |
| Labor & Delivery | $2,449/wk | 7 |
| Ultrasound Technologist | $2,246/wk | 5 |
| Interventional Radiology Tech | $2,234/wk | 11 |
| Dialysis | $2,212/wk | 1 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $2,170/wk | 6 |
| Physical Therapist | $2,151/wk | 19 |
| Psychiatric | $2,150/wk | 8 |
Data updated automatically. Reflects currently active listings on MedNomadJobs. View full market analytics →
While we offer the most recent listings for free, we charge a small fee to maintain the site, keep our scanning technology running, and continue manually curating every listing for accuracy. Pro plans start from just €4/week, and you can cancel anytime.
Who Should Choose MedNomadJobs Over Cross Country Nurses?
Best for: Nurses Frustrated with Recruiter Inconsistency
If you’ve experienced the recruiter lottery at Cross Country and been on the losing side, MedNomadJobs eliminates this variable entirely. Consistent, reliable, data-driven experience every time.
Best for: Pay Optimization Seekers
If you suspect you could be earning more than what Cross Country offers, MedNomadJobs’ multi-agency marketplace and transparent pay data will either confirm your rate is competitive or show you better options.
Best for: Efficiency-Minded Travelers
If you’re tired of slow response times and bureaucratic processes, MedNomadJobs’ instant self-service platform lets you find and apply to contracts in minutes, not days.
Best for: Tech-Savvy Self-Starters
If you prefer to manage your own career without a recruiter intermediary, MedNomadJobs is built for independent professionals who want data and tools rather than phone calls and sales pitches.
What Nurses Say About Cross Country Nurses vs MedNomadJobs
Nurse sentiment about Cross Country is decidedly mixed. The company’s size means that a huge number of nurses have worked with them, generating a wide range of experiences from excellent to poor.
Positive reviews typically highlight Cross Country’s extensive facility network and the occasional great recruiter. Nurses who’ve had a good recruiter match describe a smooth, professional experience. The company’s benefits and stability are also mentioned positively.
Negative reviews overwhelmingly focus on recruiter quality: slow responses, high turnover, impersonal service, and the feeling of being a number rather than a person. Pay competitiveness is another common concern, with nurses describing discovering that other agencies offered significantly more for similar positions.
Nurses who’ve transitioned to MedNomadJobs from Cross Country frequently describe the experience as going from “blind” to “full visibility.” The ability to see exact pay across multiple agencies instantly, without any recruiter interaction, is consistently cited as the most impactful change. Many express frustration that they spent years not knowing whether their Cross Country rates were competitive, only to discover through MedNomadJobs that better options were available.
The recurring theme: Cross Country’s scale and longevity don’t compensate for the lack of transparency and recruiter inconsistency that the traditional model entails.
How to Get Started with MedNomadJobs
Switching to (or adding) MedNomadJobs is simple. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Create your MedNomadJobs account
Visit MedNomadJobs.com and sign up in under two minutes. Browse the most recent listings for free, and upgrade to Pro from just €4/week for full access to all jobs, detailed pay breakdowns, and instant alerts.
Compare what you’ve been earning
Search for your specialty in the locations you’ve worked with Cross Country. Compare MedNomadJobs’ rates with what Cross Country paid. This reality check is often eye-opening.
Explore new markets
Use MedNomadJobs’ analytics to identify the highest-paying states and specialties. You may discover opportunities that Cross Country never presented.
Apply to better-paying contracts
When you find contracts that exceed what Cross Country offers, apply directly through MedNomadJobs. Expand your agency relationships beyond a single company.
Experience the speed difference
Notice how quickly you can find, evaluate, and apply to contracts on MedNomadJobs compared to the recruiter-mediated Cross Country process. Time saved is money earned.
Decide what’s right for you
Some nurses keep Cross Country for specific benefits or facility relationships while using MedNomadJobs as their primary search tool. Others switch entirely once they experience the difference.
Other Cross Country Nurses Alternatives Worth Considering
While we believe MedNomadJobs is the best overall alternative to Cross Country Nurses, here are a few other platforms worth exploring:
Vivian Health
Vivian Health is a healthcare job aggregator showing listings from dozens of agencies. Maximum volume but with variable quality and potential recruiter spam.
Aya Healthcare
Aya Healthcare is another large traditional agency similar to Cross Country in scale and model. Known for better recruiter training but shares many of the same traditional agency limitations.
Host Healthcare
Host Healthcare is a mid-sized agency consistently rated top for nurse satisfaction. A good option within the traditional model if you value recruiter quality over company size.
Medical Solutions
Medical Solutions is a well-regarded traditional agency known for consistency and competitive pay. Another solid option if you prefer the agency model but want better service than Cross Country.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cross Country Nurses vs MedNomadJobs
Why should I consider leaving Cross Country Nurses?+
You don’t have to leave entirely. But using MedNomadJobs alongside Cross Country gives you visibility into the full market. You may discover that better-paying contracts exist beyond what Cross Country offers. Knowledge is power in contract negotiations.
Does MedNomadJobs have as many jobs as Cross Country?+
MedNomadJobs aggregates from multiple agencies, so its total inventory is competitive with any single agency. For some specialties and locations, MedNomadJobs may offer more options than Cross Country alone.
Can I see pay without talking to anyone on MedNomadJobs?+
Yes. Full pay details (weekly total, hourly rate, stipends, bonuses) are displayed on every listing. No account, no phone call, no personal information required.
Is MedNomadJobs better for experienced travelers?+
Yes. Experienced travelers who know the industry and their worth benefit most from MedNomadJobs’ transparent, self-service approach. You don’t need a recruiter to explain contracts. You need data to optimize your decisions.
Does MedNomadJobs offer benefits like Cross Country?+
Benefits come from the agency you work with, not from MedNomadJobs. Many agencies on the platform offer competitive benefits. Compare the total package when evaluating options.
How is MedNomadJobs different from Cross Country?+
Cross Country is a single staffing agency with its own inventory and recruiters. MedNomadJobs is a curated job board showing verified contracts from multiple agencies with transparent pay on every listing. More options, more transparency, more control.
How much does MedNomadJobs cost?+
MedNomadJobs offers a freemium model. Browse recent listings for free, or upgrade to Pro from €4/week for full access to all jobs, pay breakdowns, housing stipends, salary filters, and instant alerts. You can cancel anytime.
Will I lose my Cross Country benefits if I use MedNomadJobs?+
No. Using MedNomadJobs has no impact on your Cross Country relationship. Many nurses use multiple platforms simultaneously.
Does MedNomadJobs cover allied health?+
Yes. MedNomadJobs covers nursing, allied health, therapy, imaging, and lab positions with dedicated search pages for each discipline.
Can MedNomadJobs help me negotiate with Cross Country?+
Absolutely. By seeing what other agencies offer on MedNomadJobs, you have real data to evaluate Cross Country’s offers. Whether you use this for negotiation or simply to make better-informed decisions, market visibility is a powerful tool.
Final Verdict: Cross Country Nurses vs MedNomadJobs
Cross Country Nurses has earned its place in travel nursing history through decades of service and one of the largest facility networks in the industry. For nurses who value the stability and comprehensive benefits of a large, established agency, Cross Country remains an option.
However, Cross Country’s traditional agency model (with its recruiter inconsistency, limited transparency, and corporate bureaucracy) is increasingly out of step with what modern travel nurses expect. MedNomadJobs offers a fundamentally better experience: instant pay transparency, multi-agency competitive pricing, self-service efficiency, and data-driven decision making.
For most travel nurses, MedNomadJobs provides a more empowering, efficient, and financially rewarding approach to finding contracts. Whether you use it alongside Cross Country or as a complete replacement, MedNomadJobs puts you in control of your career.
Related Resources
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Compact License States
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Highest Paying Travel Nurse Jobs
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Best States for Travel Nurses
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