The Truth About Travel Nursing Podcast

Welcome back to The Truth About Travel Nursing Podcast with your host, Kyle Schmidt! In Episode 43, we dive deep into an often-overlooked but critically important topic: the different types of job boards used in the travel nursing industry—and how understanding them can make or break your job search. At first glance, all job boards may seem the same, but under the hood, they work in very different ways. In this episode, Kyle breaks down the inner workings of these platforms, providing travel nurses—and recruiters—with a roadmap to better and faster job searches. Whether you’re applying to your first travel contract or are a seasoned traveler, this episode will help you navigate the job board landscape more effectively. KEY TOPICS COVERED: ✅ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2705.png] HOW JOB BOARDS GET THEIR DATA * Explains how agencies push job listings from their Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to job boards using API connections or job feeds (in XML or JSON format). * Describes how job boards process this data, update listings, and manage job closures. ✅ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2705.png] 3 TYPES OF AGENCY JOB BOARDS 1. ATS Job Boards * Built into the agency’s ATS, hosted on the ATS’s domain. * Pros: Easy setup, seamless data flow into the ATS. * Cons: Clunky design, poor user experience, minimal marketing reach. 2. iFrame Job Boards * Embedded job board hosted on agency’s site via an iFrame. * Similar benefits and drawbacks to ATS job boards, often worse on mobile. 3. Bespoke Job Boards * Custom-built by the agency, hosted on their own domain (e.g., abcstaffing.com/jobs). * Pros: Full design control, better for SEO/marketing, improved UX. * Cons: More complex to build and maintain. Pro tip for travelers: Agency job boards are a great way to apply directly and ensure your info stays in-house—but you’ll only see that agency’s listings and pay quotes. ---------------------------------------- 🧭 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f9ed.png] THIRD-PARTY JOB BOARDS: NICHE VS. GENERAL ✅ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2705.png] NICHE TRAVEL NURSING JOB BOARDS Kyle highlights trusted niche platforms like: * BluePipes * Travel Nurse Source * Allied Travel Careers * Vivian * The Gypsy Nurse * Vetted Health What sets them apart: * Built specifically for travel healthcare jobs. * Feature-rich (e.g., filtered search by shift, contract length, start date). * No “backfill” jobs—they work directly with agencies. * You apply through the site, not redirected elsewhere. * Candidate tools: resume builders, document storage, pay calculators. * Transparent and scalable pricing for agencies, encouraging full job listings. 🚫 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f6ab.png] GENERAL JOB BOARDS (INDEED, ZIPRECRUITER, MONSTER, LINKEDIN, ETC.) * Accept all types of jobs, not built for healthcare or travel nurse nuances. * Limited search filters; often return irrelevant results (e.g., “ICU RN” yields NICU, CVICU, etc.). * Agencies often can’t or won’t list all their jobs here due to job slot or pay-per-click pricing models. * Clicks may be low-quality or irrelevant, wasting agency budgets and your time. ---------------------------------------- ⚠ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/26a0.png] WHY IT MATTERS Understanding how job boards function helps travel nurses: * Focus their job search on high-quality platforms. * Avoid duplicative or outdated listings. * Prevent personal info from being shared without consent. * Save time and find better opportunities, faster. Recruiters and agency staff also benefit by learning which platforms offer real ROI and how backend systems like ATS and APIs play a role in successful job marketing. ---------------------------------------- 🔜 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f51c.png] COMING NEXT… In the next episode, Kyle exposes the dark side of the job board industry—from misleading “apply” buttons to fake jobs and scam tactics that target travel nurses. Don’t miss it! The post TTATN 43: The 3 Different Types of Job Boards for Travel Nurses [https://blog.bluepipes.com/ttatn-43-3-different-types-job-boards-travel-nurses/] appeared first on BluePipes Blog [https://blog.bluepipes.com].

In Episode 41 of The Truth About Travel Nursing Podcast, host Kyle Schmidt lifts the curtain on one of the most misunderstood and often frustrating aspects of the travel healthcare world: job postings. This episode kicks off a series aimed at demystifying everything travel healthcare professionals need to know about job boards—from the nuts and bolts of how job data is handled, to debunking myths around fake jobs and bait-and-switch pay rates. If you’ve ever been confused or skeptical about what you see on a job board, this is where the clarity begins. WHY ARE TRAVEL NURSE JOB POSTINGS SO HARD TO MANAGE? Most staffing agencies today work with multiple sources for job listings—sometimes more than 25. These sources can include direct hospital partnerships, vendor management systems (VMS), or third-party aggregators. Without a centralized system, recruiters would have to manually dig through emails, spreadsheets, and logins just to tell you what jobs are available. That’s neither efficient nor scalable. To fix that, agencies centralize job data in an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) like BullHorn, LaborEdge, or JobDiva. But the real challenge? Getting all those jobs—each with dozens of unique data points like shifts, locations, and rates—into that ATS in a standardized, searchable format. ENTER AUTOMATION SOFTWARE Manually handling thousands of jobs (and their rapid turnover) is impossible, so agencies rely on automation software. These tools pull job data from various sources—emails, spreadsheets, VMS APIs—and normalize them into a standard format so that everything functions correctly in the ATS. Sounds simple? It’s not. The data formats vary wildly. One hospital might write “ICU”, another says “Intensive Care Unit”. Shift times could be “7a–7p”, “12-hour days”, or “7:00am–7:00pm”. The automation software must recognize all of these as equivalent. This is typically handled via complex mapping systems—although some systems are starting to use AI to streamline this process. One leading software solution in this space is JobRobotix, which many agencies rely on to automate and normalize their job data before pushing it into ATS platforms and job boards like BluePipes. WHAT ABOUT PAYRATES? Calculating pay used to be manual—now, it’s increasingly automated. Tools built into ATS platforms or services like JobRobotix can calculate gross and net pay based on bill rates, tax burdens, hours per week, and more. But as Kyle points out, mistakes still happen. Pay errors in job listings often stem from outdated inputs or calculation glitches, not malicious intent. DEBUNKING THE MYTHS Kyle addresses three major complaints about travel nurse job postings: 1. “This job was bait-and-switch!” Jobs close fast. Some get filled in under an hour, especially if the hospital hires a returning candidate. Automation helps, but it can’t prevent every mismatch between a listing and real-time availability. 2. “The pay listed was fake!” While some agencies do post inflated rates, most discrepancies come from errors in automated pay calculations—especially if any of the variables are off. 3. “There’s no info about the hospital or work conditions!” That’s because agencies aren’t the employer and often don’t receive that info. Most systems don’t even have fields for nurse-patient ratios or parking situations. Some agencies build canned hospital profiles, but that’s the exception, not the rule. WHY THIS MATTERS Understanding the backend chaos of job posting management helps demystify a lot of the confusion around what travel nurses see online. It sets the stage for future episodes in this series, where Kyle will cover: * How jobs get from the ATS to job boards * The pros and cons of different job boards * Warning signs of spammy or fraudulent listings Whether you’re new to travel nursing or a seasoned pro, this episode arms you with the knowledge to interpret job listings more accurately—and avoid unnecessary frustration. The post TTATN 42: Behind the Scenes of Travel Nurse Job Postings [https://blog.bluepipes.com/ttatn-42-behind-the-scenes-of-travel-nurse-job-postings/] appeared first on BluePipes Blog [https://blog.bluepipes.com].

It’s no secret that nursing pay, and pay for healthcare professionals in general, shifted dramatically from 2019 until present, 2023. For example, travel nursing pay rose dramatically during the pandemic and is declining dramatically as the pandemic wanes. I recently had the pleasure of discussing the issue of healthcare pay with Zach Smith, RN, BSN. Zach is the VP of brand at Stability Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading healthcare staffing companies. Zach and I dove deep into the complexities of nursing pay and adjacent issues in the healthcare staffing industry. Zach’s expertise comes from his extensive nursing and business experience. With this unique perspective, Zach provides a wealth of insights into the current state and future directions of nursing and healthcare careers in general. In this article, we’ll summarize this insightful conversation and provide links to video and podcast versions for your convenience. Before diving in, I want to highlight Stability Healthcare, which Zach represents. With its inception in 2009, Stability Healthcare stands out in the industry for its beautiful website and seamless experience. They’re a true leader among their peers. They blend cutting-edge technology with a personal touch to provide world class service that others rarely achieve in this industry.  As a result, they consistently achieve high rankings on our annual list of the best travel nursing companies [https://blog.bluepipes.com/best-travel-nursing-companies-2023/]. This is a testament to their exceptional service and it’s backed by reviews from numerous healthcare professionals. UNDERSTANDING NURSING THROUGH ZACH SMITH’S LENS AT STABILITY HEALTHCARE “My journey from bedside nursing to the business side has been enlightening,” Zach shared as he discussed his transition from hands-on care to advocating for nurses at Stability Healthcare. This segment of our discussion highlighted the critical need for nursing perspectives in decision-making roles at healthcare organizations. Essentially, having someone who understands the front lines involved in shaping policies and practices in healthcare companies has immense benefits for all stakeholders. Delving deeper, Zach explained how his experiences as a nurse have informed his approach to addressing the challenges faced by healthcare workers, particularly in terms of work-life balance and job satisfaction. He emphasized the need for healthcare organizations to listen to their healthcare providers in order to create more empathetic and effective policies. Zach also discussed how Stability Healthcare leverages his nursing insights to enhance their services. In doing so, they ensure that their offerings are not just beneficial but also practically applicable to the day-to-day realities of nursing. THE TALE OF TWO PAY RATES: TRAVELERS VS. PERMANENT STAFF We next discussed the pay rate disparities between permanent staff and travelers. Zach observed, “We’re still splitting up the same workforce pie.” He emphasized how the pandemic caused inflation in travel nursing pay. On the one hand, we had the obvious  patient census increase which spiked the need for healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, the federal government alone pumped nearly $200 billion to healthcare organizations [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10306278/] during that time. Next, Zach described the post-pandemic shifts in pay rates. Travel nursing pay has decreased as census normalizes and government funding dries up. Meanwhile, pay for permanent staff appears to be trending up. I pointed out that Kaiser workers recently won a 21% pay increase [https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/kaiser-permanente-workers-ratify-four-year-contract-strike-wages-staffing-levels/] over 4 years and protective terms around subcontracting and outsourcing from a recent strike. Further, Zach delved into how these pay disparities have evolved over time, discussing the impact of supply and demand on nursing salaries. He highlighted that while travel nurses often receive higher pay due to their flexibility, willingness to relocate and need to pay for duplicate expenses like housing, this discrepancy can sometimes lead to tensions within the healthcare workforce. To address this, Zach suggested that hospitals and healthcare institutions need to develop more transparent and equitable pay structures that recognize the unique contributions of both permanent and travel nurses. Discussion with Zach Smith, RN, BSN: FOSTERING UNITY AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS “It’s about linking arms and standing together,” Zach emphasized the power of collective action. His perspective on the effectiveness of strikes and unity among healthcare workers, regardless of their roles, resonated deeply. He advocated for understanding and mutual support across the healthcare spectrum, highlighting the common challenges faced by all. Expanding on this, Zach discussed the importance of creating environments where healthcare workers feel valued and heard. He mentioned how vital it is for healthcare institutions to foster a culture of collaboration and respect, where differences are not just tolerated but celebrated. Zach also touched upon the importance of mental health support for healthcare workers, advocating for resources and programs that address the emotional and psychological stresses of the job. THE INTRICACIES OF HOSPITAL STAFFING AND TECHNOLOGY Zach reflected on the challenges hospitals face in staffing and technology, saying, “Hospitals are not technology companies; they struggle with modernization.” His insights into the resistance to technological innovation and the need for systems supporting flexibility revealed the hurdles in adapting to the evolving demands of healthcare. Zach further explained how this resistance often stems from a lack of understanding of the potential benefits of technology in streamlining operations and improving patient care. He argued for a more proactive approach towards technology adoption in healthcare, suggesting that hospitals partner with tech companies to develop solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of the healthcare industry. Zach also highlighted the potential of data analytics and AI in enhancing patient care and reducing the administrative burden on healthcare workers. CHAMPIONING FLEXIBILITY TO PREVENT BURNOUT IN HEALTHCARE “Nurses and healthcare workers want flexibility,” Zach stated. He highlighted the critical need for varied roles and schedules to sustain healthcare workers’ well-being. Although he noted a lack of optimism about hospitals’ current capabilities, he called for a paradigm shift towards more innovative and flexible solutions. Zach elaborated on the different forms flexibility could take, such as offering part-time positions, remote work options for administrative roles, and flexible shift patterns. He stressed the importance of healthcare institutions recognizing the diverse needs and life circumstances of their staff. By providing more flexible working conditions, Zach argued, healthcare providers can not only reduce burnout but also attract and retain a more diverse and talented workforce. THE COMPLEX JOURNEY TO ESTABLISH A PER DIEM MARKETPLACE On the topic of per diem marketplaces, Zach explained, “The challenge is balancing opportunities with available staff.” He outlined the difficulties in creating a functional per diem marketplace, discussing the need for a balance between shift availability and the qualifications and availability of staff. His insights pointed to the potential benefits and the significant challenges in this endeavor. Zach went on to discuss how a successful per diem marketplace could revolutionize the way healthcare staffing is managed, offering more autonomy to healthcare workers and helping facilities manage staffing shortages more effectively. He also touched upon the technological and logistical hurdles that need to be overcome, such as creating a user-friendly platform that In wrapping up our enlightening conversation, it’s clear that Stability Healthcare is not just about innovative technology. Their commitment to maintaining a personal touch in an ever-evolving industry sets them apart. This blend of technology and human connection is what places them at the forefront, as evidenced by their high rankings and positive reviews from healthcare professionals. For anyone interested in exploring what Stability Healthcare offers, I highly recommend visiting stabilityhealthcare.com. My heartfelt thanks to Zach for joining us and sharing such valuable insights. His expertise has undoubtedly shed light on many aspects of the nursing profession, offering guidance and perspective in these changing times. The post Navigating the Shifting Tides of Nursing Pay: A Conversation with Zach Smith [https://blog.bluepipes.com/navigating-changes-nursing-pay-conversation-with-zach-smith/] appeared first on BluePipes Blog [https://blog.bluepipes.com].

Hey everyone. Welcome to the truth about travel nursing podcast. My name is Kyle Schmidt and I’m your host. This is episode 40 and we have another amazing guest with us today. We are joined today by Ryan Sendow. Ryan is an experienced travel nurse who specializes in psych. He’s currently taking some time off to focus on completing a Nurse Practitioner Program. He’s also the owner or operator of two very intriguing social media accounts that you will definitely want to follow. One is on Instagram and the other is on snapchat. They are both referred to as “Travel Nurse Takeover”. I can’t wait for you to hear about these unique and inspiring social media accounts and find out how you can benefit from them and even contribute to them which is what makes them really so awesome. SHOW INTRO But first I want to get a little housecleaning out of the way. As you know, this is episode 40 of the podcast. I want to make sure that you’re aware that the first 38 episodes of the podcast are what are commonly referred to as evergreen content. That’s a fancy way of saying that they aren’t based on current events; that they’ll most likely always be relevant and useful. The reason is that the first 38 episodes deal almost exclusively with the business of being a travel health care professional. Things like how to find housing how to evaluate pay packages. Tips for finding companies extra time pay rates and much more. So I highly recommend starting at episode 1 and listening from oldest to newest. Trust me there’s tons of great information to help you get the most out of your travel health care career. Second, I want to invite you to connect with me and with BluePipes on social media. You can find me on Facebook at Facebook.com/kylebluepipes, that’s Facebook.com/kylebluepipes. Send me a friend request I promise to accept it. Of course, you can connect with BluePipes on Facebook at facebook.com/bluepipesinc. That’s facebook.com/bluepipesinc. And on Instagram @bluepipesinc. It’s really one of the best ways to get all of our new content and you know hear about everything that’s going on in our world. OK, so Ryan, thank you again so much for joining us. Take us back to the beginning and let us know how you got started in travel nursing. HOW RYAN GOT STARTED IN TRAVEL NURSING [Ryan] Yeah. Hey guys. Hi listeners. Thank you Kyle for having me on the show. I appreciate it. As far as getting started in travel nursing, I just knew when I was a nursing school that I wanted to do some traveling. I grew up in Michigan for 26 years and when I was 24 years old I wanted to travel and I was ready to get out. I didn’t do much traveling growing up. I came from a poor family. So we didn’t do much traveling so I just knew that I wanted to get out and explore the country a little bit more. And that’s kind of how I started. I didn’t know any travel nurses at the time. Everyone at my nursing school, no one really knew about travel nursing, and the more I looked into it, it was really intriguing to me. So it really helped me motivate myself in nursing school to know that there will be an opportunity to travel. That my job would afford me to explore the country a bit more and get paid a little bit more. Obviously it was a positive as well. So there was a lot of different factors and I was really excited when I started out in nursing with the intention to become a travel nurse. [Kyle] That’s great. That’s great. So you mentioned that you were in that you grew up in Michigan did you. What part of Michigan did you grow up in. [Ryan] I grew up in the metro Detroit area. [Kyle] Ok. OK. So that’s a big it’s a big city. [Ryan] Yeah yeah I I love it here. Actually it was when I was growing out to be. To be honest I was like Man I can’t I can’t wait to get out of Michigan. But after traveling I actually appreciate Michigan a lot more. And that’s what’s kind of cool about traveling nurses is that I think you start having appreciative appreciation to where you came and where you. TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE: 1. Where Ryan has traveled, including Phoenix, Arizona, Modesto, California, Seattle, Washington and Hawaii 2. The benefits of travel nursing in Central, California. 3. Is it difficult for PSYCH RNs to find travel nursing jobs? 4. Working with multiple travel nursing companies. 5. How Travel Nurse Takeover started 6. How Travel Nurse Takeover is used 7. How Travel Nurse Takeover is inspiring and connecting its community LINKS: Travel Nurse Takeover on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/travelnursetakeover/] Travel Nurse Takeover on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/travelnursetakeover/] The post Travel Nurse Takeover with Ryan Sendow, RN [https://blog.bluepipes.com/travel-nurse-takeover-with-ryan-sendow-rn/] appeared first on BluePipes Blog [https://blog.bluepipes.com].

Hey everyone welcome to the truth about travel nursing podcast. My name is Kyle Schmidt. I’m your host and this is Episode 39 of the podcast. This is a very special episode because we have our very first guest. That’s right. Up until now it’s been just me bloviating into this microphone by myself so I’m certain you’re as excited as I am to have a fresh new voice to help us branch out. INTRODUCING ALEX MCCOY OF FIT TRAVEL LIFE And we have a very amazing first guest. We’re joined by Alex McCoy. Alex is a pediatric travel nurse. She runs a website called FitTravelLife.net. That’s FitTravelLife.net. It’s a website where she shares her personal passion for food fitness and travel. One of the website’s goals is to help you stay fit and healthy while you’re on the road which, as I’m sure you know, is actually a really difficult thing to do. Again that’s FitTravelLife.net. She is also the admin of the Fit Travel Life Facebook group. This is a Facebook group for healthcare travelers to connect, support and encourage each other on their health and fitness journey. So, you can find the Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/fittravellife. Alex, thank you so much for joining us and welcome to the show. How did you get started in travel nursing? Take us back to the beginning. HOW ALEX GOT STARTED IN TRAVEL NURSING Hey Kyle! Thanks so much for having me. I’m super excited to be your very first guest and excited to be on the podcast. So I started traveling a little over two and a half years ago. Initially I was close to home. My husband was finishing grad school and it was more for financial reasons than anything else at the time. And then once he graduated in May of 2017, he’s a physical therapist, we were able to travel together. I do pediatric travel or pediatric Med Surg. We’ve been to Phoenix, Wisconsin, Seattle, Georgia and then I’ve traveled quite a bit around the state of Missouri where I’m from as well. So it’s been a really great experience. We’re very lucky that both of us get to travel together that we both have careers that can work together in that way. It’s just been a lot of fun. I really, really enjoy it and I enjoy learning about the different facilities and how different places do things. I feel like as a nurse I’ve really grown as a traveler so it’s been great. TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE: 1. Gaining more experience as a travel nurse than a staff nurse 2. Did travel nursing pay better [https://blog.bluepipes.com/how-much-do-travel-nurses-make/]? 3. Difficulty finding travel nursing jobs as a couple and how to manage it 4. How Fit Travel Life started 5. How the Fit Travel Life Facebook group thrives 6. Eating healthy on road-trips and during the assignment 7. Packing your cookware when travel nursing 8. Tips for finding gyms and other places to exercise as a travel nurse 9. Tips for staying motivated and where to find support and encouragement while travel nursing. LINKS: 1. Fit Travel Life Website [http://fittravellife.net] 2. Fit Travel Life Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitTravelLife/]   The post How Travel Nurses Can Eat Right and Exercise on the Road [https://blog.bluepipes.com/travel-nurses-eat-right-exercise/] appeared first on BluePipes Blog [https://blog.bluepipes.com].