How many questions should I ask a recruiter?

Enough to understand pay, hours, schedule and contract terms. A short written checklist covers it, and you can send it by email so answers are in writing.

Should I ask for the contract before I accept?

Yes. Ask to read it first and look at guaranteed hours, cancellation and floating terms before you commit.

Is it rude to ask for the pay breakdown?

No. Recruiters expect it, and a good one will send the taxable and stipend breakdown without hesitation.

Can I compare offers from different recruiters?

Yes. Ask each for the same breakdown and compare take-home, guaranteed hours and terms, not just the weekly total.

Does it cost me anything to work with you?

No. Placement is free to you. The facility pays our fee.

Questions to Ask Your Recruiter Before You Accept

What questions should I ask a recruiter before I agree to anything?

Start with the questions that decide your take-home and your risk: the full weekly pay breakdown, the guaranteed hours, the cancellation terms and the exact unit and schedule. Ask for the answers in writing, because a verbal answer will not help you if something changes.

How do I get a pay breakdown I can actually compare?

Ask for taxable hourly rate, overtime rate, housing stipend, meals and incidentals stipend, and any bonus, each listed separately. Two offers with the same weekly total can differ in take-home. Our guide to how a weekly package is built explains each piece.

Taxable rate. Ask for the hourly figure and the overtime rate.
Stipends. Ask how they are set and what happens if you miss a shift.
Bonuses. Ask when they are paid and what conditions apply.
Total. Ask for the weekly figure assuming guaranteed hours only.

Which benefits questions are worth asking?

Ask when health coverage starts, what it costs you per week, and whether there is a gap between assignments. Then ask about retirement matching, liability coverage and whether any reimbursement is offered for travel or required certifications. Benefits can be worth real money, so compare them as part of the offer.

What contract terms should I ask about?

Ask for the contract before you commit and read the sections on guaranteed hours, cancellation by either side, floating, call and overtime. Ask what happens if the facility cancels your shifts, and what you owe if you leave early. Our contract red flags guide lists the terms to watch.

Guaranteed hours. Ask whether hours are guaranteed weekly and whether guarantees survive low census.
Cancellation. Ask about notice periods and any penalty on either side.
Floating. Ask which units you may be floated to and how that affects pay.
Extension. Ask how extensions are offered and whether pay can change.

How do I judge the recruiter, not only the offer?

Notice whether they answer directly, send things in writing and ask permission before submitting you to a facility. A recruiter who dodges pay questions or pushes you to decide the same day is giving you information about the agency. See how to compare travel nursing agencies for the full set of criteria.

Which agency pays the most?

No agency pays the most for every assignment. Pay depends on the facility, location, specialty, shift and timing, and a headline number can hide thin guaranteed hours or weak terms. The better question is which offer gives you the most dependable take-home for the work, so compare complete offers side by side.

Tell us what you’re looking for

Two minutes now saves a dozen irrelevant calls later. We only get in touch when something genuinely matches your specialty, your states and the schedule you actually want.

Rates and shift detail in writing before you commit

Permission asked before every single submittal

One recruiter from first call to last shift

Always free to you — the facility pays our fee

Questions to ask your recruiter before you accept a travel offer