By Hourig Karalian, MSN, RN, DNP Scholar

What makes a travel clinician say, “I’d totally come back here”?

Nomad Health, in partnership with the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO), surveyed over 200 travel clinicians to find out what really earns a facility a glowing 5-star review.

The verdict? It all comes down to culture, communication, and support.

What Travel Clinicians Loved Most
Most travelers (67%) gave their facility 4 or 5 stars, and three things stood out as total game-changers:

A supportive and inclusive unit culture (78%)
Positive relationships with colleagues (89%)
Feeling heard by leadership (76%)

And let’s not forget orientation, 78% of you said solid orientation helped set the tone for success from the jump. When you’re properly introduced, have what you need, and know what’s expected, the whole assignment flows better.

Orientation contentment

Willingness to support fellow travel clinicians

Desire to extend or return to the facility

Where Things Can Go Wrong

The most common issues for clinicians were:

Poor communication from leadership
Weak patient safety culture
Lack of helpful feedback on performance
Unclear expectations around call, float, or patient mix

Here’s a stat that speaks volumes: 91% of travelers who rated a facility low said they didn’t feel heard by leadership. That’s not just frustrating; it affects morale, safety, and whether you’d ever come back

Culture isn’t a buzzword; it directly impacts retention. When a clinician feels like they belong, are supported, and are seen as part of the team, that’s when they are more likely to extend. Even better? Clinicians are ready to pay it forward. 70% of clinicians said they are open to mentoring fellow travelers. Travel clinicians are showing up and building community at the facilities they contract with.

Takeaways for Hospital Leaders

Here’s what makes the biggest impact:

Build a strong first impression. Orientation should be clear, personalized, and efficient.
Prioritize communication. Check in mid-assignment and provide structured feedback.
Create a welcoming environment. A buddy system, team intros, and inclusion in huddles go a long way.
Be transparent. Clear job postings and expectations = less stress and confusion.

These small steps build trust and repeat travelers.

Bottom Line

Facilities that deliver on the basics — inclusion, communication, support — earn loyalty from travel clinicians. And that loyalty translates to smoother staffing, better patient care, and fewer last-minute gaps. Because in the world of healthcare, culture isn’t extra — it’s everything.