Some nurses record testimonials because they’re asked to. Royal recorded his during his lunch break, so others could hear it from him straight.
After seven years at the bedside, he wasn’t just looking for another contract or a paycheck. He was looking for a partner he could trust. And what he shared in his video gets to the heart of what many travel nurses are really looking for:
“I am a traveler with Advantis, one of the best agencies that I have ever been involved with.” — Royal
His story is simple but telling: real support that actually delivers, real communication that actually gets through, and an onboarding experience that gets you up and running without a hitch.
For Med Surg nurses looking for a travel partner—or considering making the jump between agencies—Royal’s experience offers a much-needed dose of reality on what really matters.
From Med Surg Floors to Travel Nursing: Royal’s Background Story
Royal brings seven years of hands-on nursing experience to every new assignment. His background is in:
- Med Surg/Tele
- Med Surg
- Psych
- Rehab
“I do have seven years of experience in nursing. Most of my background is in Med Surg/Tele, Med Surg as well, and also Psych.” — Royal
This gives him a pretty unique skillset: the ability to think on his feet, stay organized under pressure, and de-escalate tense situations with ease.
He knew the medical side of the job inside and out. What he wanted was more control over his schedule, more flexibility, and an agency that actually made the process feel personal rather than just a transaction.
In his testimonial, he talks about something that really matters to travel nurses: being heard and feeling like you’ve found a partner who gets you.
The Reality of Switching Agencies – And Why Royal Was On Edge
When travel nurses switch agencies, it can sometimes feel like a bumpy ride. Many worry about paperwork getting lost in the system, delays with their credentials, gaps in pay, or having to start over with a new recruiter. Royal felt those same worries, especially when it came to onboarding.
But instead of chaos, he got the opposite with Advantis Medical.
“He has really made my experience even, transitioning from my previous agency to this one… he has made this transition beautiful!” — Royal
That one word, “beautiful”, tells you all about how easy the team made the whole process.
Most travel nurses switch agencies to find something better. Royal found something that actually made him want to stay.
Why Recruiter Relationships Matter More Than Anything Else
When travel nurses rave about a great experience, it almost always starts with one person: their recruiter.
For Royal, that person is Michael.
“Shout out to my recruiter, Michael. He’s awesome, super professional, but he’s also super-duper down to earth.” — Royal
For a Med Surg nurse working long shifts in new environments, having a recruiter who actually listens and responds quickly is not a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Royal felt that support from the get-go, because Michael got him, understood his strengths and goals, and communication just flowed.
“His communication is ‘A1’. I never had any issue with reaching him.” — Royal
What a Stress-Free Onboarding Experience Really Looks Like
If you ask most travel nurses what stresses them out the most, many will say credentialing—because that’s the one area where things often fall through the cracks.
Royal came in worried about that exact problem, having had so many bad experiences with onboarding in the past. But Advantis changed that expectation right off the bat.
“One thing I would like to say is that the onboarding process was extremely stress-free… Migrating over to Advantis, I was a little bit concerned about the onboarding process, but it was extremely smooth.” — Royal
A smooth onboarding is a sign of how well an agency operates behind the scenes. For Royal, it meant no hair-pulling, no scrambling, no delays. The Advantis credentialing team took care of all the details so he could enjoy his time off and walk into his assignment ready to go.
Feeling Seen and Supported
Royal’s testimonial gets at something that travel nurses are always searching for but rarely find: a genuine relationship. He didn’t feel like a mere file number in a database; he felt like a valued partner.
“So far, so good. I highly recommend Advantis. I’m looking forward to the future with Advantis as well.” — Royal
That’s the heart of the Advantis Gold Standard: building long-term partnerships, proactive communication, and a focus on each nurse’s experience, preferences, and career goals.
Takeaways for Other Med Surg Nurses
If you’re thinking about joining the travel nursing scene or thinking of leaving your current agency, Royal’s experience offers some practical advice:
1. Find A Recruiter Who Really Listens. A top recruiter does a lot more than just sell; they really get to know you. Take Royal, for example; his Med Surg and Psych background was taken into consideration from day one, which led to getting assignments that really played to his strengths.
2. Check Out The Onboarding Process Before You Commit. The way an agency treats you when you first sign up is usually a pretty good indication of how they’ll treat you later on. Disorganized onboarding is a major warning sign—which is why Royal was smart to choose an agency that’s got its act together.
3. Demand To Be Kept In The Loop. If you’re having trouble getting hold of your recruiter, then that’s a pretty big red flag. You deserve to be treated like a priority—after all, you’re a person, not just a transaction.
4. Look For Someone Who Treats You Like A Colleague. When an agency actually makes you feel like part of the team rather than just another placement, then that changes everything, from how satisfied you are with your job to how much of a chance you have to grow your career.
Royal’s Advice in One Sentence
“Don’t waste any time taking your career to the next level.”
For Royal, that next level meant choosing an agency that respected all the hard work and experience he’s put in and actually helped him reach his goals. And for you, it might mean something completely different, better pay, a new location, or just a recruiter who treats you like an actual human being.
A Travel Nurse Agency That Actually Cares About You
At Advantis Medical, we genuinely believe that travel nurses deserve partners who actually listen, who communicate clearly, and who are actually on your side. Royal’s story just goes to show that travel nursing doesn’t have to be a solo struggle; it can be a real partnership and a really supported journey.
At Advantis Medical, we know that Med Surg nurses need more than just a job to show up to every day—you need a team that’s got your back. That’s why we focus on building long-term relationships that make travel nursing a real walk in the park and not a source of stress. With an amazing 700+ five-star reviews and dozens of real testimonials from nurses like Royal, we’re incredibly proud to be one of the top-rated agencies out there that put clinicians first.
With the Advantis Gold Standard, you get personalized support and access to more opportunities. So come and see what’s possible today and check out our high-paying travel nurse jobs—start your next adventure now.
FAQs: About Switching Travel Nurse Agencies
Is it difficult to switch travel nurse agencies?
The process of switching agencies is usually much smoother than people expect if you choose the right agency. If you find an agency with a solid operations team, they handle the heavy lifting. A good transition means they guide you through every step so your documents are ready long before your start date.
How much experience do I need for travel nursing?
Most contracts require one to two years of recent bedside experience in your specialty.
Why is the recruiter relationship so important for travel nurses?
Think of your recruiter as your lifeline. A responsive recruiter helps you navigate contract details, housing, and facility expectations. That accessibility is often the difference between feeling stressed out and feeling supported.
What should I look for in an agency’s onboarding process?
Look for organization. You want a team that gives you clear instructions, handles the background checks efficiently, and sends timely reminders. If they are organized, it prevents delays and protects your start date. Basically, good onboarding should be boring—meaning no last-minute scrambling and no unnecessary stress.
Are Med Surg/Tele nurses in high demand for travel assignments?
Absolutely. Med Surg/Tele nurses are consistently in demand nationwide. If you have strong skills and can adapt to new floors quickly, you will have plenty of options to choose from for travel nurse assignments.
