Host Healthcare has built a genuine reputation for holding new grad travelers' hands through their first (and second) contracts. Day-one insurance is standard — not "insurance after a 30-day delay" — and their recruiters are known for walking first-timers through the entire process: licensing, housing, what to expect in a SNF. Multiple new grad reviewers explicitly said they'd have been lost without their Host recruiter. The trade-off: pay isn't the highest you'll find, and some experienced travelers say they "outgrow" Host after 2–3 years.
Read Host Reviews →ProTherapy's owners are DPTs — they've been new grad travelers themselves. Reviewers note that their recruiters understand the clinical side of therapy in a way that generic healthcare staffing recruiters don't. They help with multi-state licensing (a real pain point for new grads) and are available when questions come up mid-contract. The highest pay rating among all agencies also means new grad travelers aren't sacrificing compensation to get support. The catch: smaller job inventory than the major agencies.
Read ProTherapy Reviews →| Rank | Agency | New Grad Score | Overall Rating | New Grad Strengths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best new grad hand-holding; day-one insurance standard |
4.7 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | Day-One InsuranceNew Grad ProgramHousing Help | Reviews |
| 2 | PT-owned; clinical understanding; highest pay |
4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.9 | Clinical MentorsHighest PayLicensing Help | Reviews |
| 3 | Strong benefits; consistent support |
4.1 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | Day-One Insurance OptionGood Benefits | Reviews |
| 4 | Personal recruiter relationships |
3.9 | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | Personal TouchResponsive Recruiters | Reviews |
| 5 | Large volume of assignments |
3.7 | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | Large Job Volume | Reviews |
| 5 | Responsive support |
3.7 | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Responsive | Reviews |
| 7 | Personal feel from Omaha base |
3.6 | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Personal Touch | Reviews |
| 7 | Good for SLPs in schools |
3.6 | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | School SLP Focus | Reviews |
| 9 | Schools and outpatient |
3.5 | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | SchoolsOutpatient | Reviews |
| 9 | Experienced placements but less new grad focus |
3.5 | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | Versatile Placements | Reviews |
| 11 | 3.4 | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | Therapy-Focused | Reviews | |
| 12 | Large volume; new grad scholarship available |
3.3 | ★★★☆☆ 3.5 | AMN ScholarshipMost Jobs | Reviews |
| 13 | 3.2 | ★★★★☆ 3.7 | Tech Platform | Reviews | |
| 14 | 3.1 | ★★★★☆ 3.7 | Volume via AMN Network | Reviews | |
| 15 | 3.0 | ★★★★☆ 3.6 | Inconsistent Support | Reviews |
"I graduated in May and started my first travel contract in August. The idea of doing that terrified me. My Host recruiter essentially held my hand through every step — she helped me pick a setting that made sense for a new grad (not a 40-patient ICU), explained the stipend structure three times without getting annoyed, and actually checked in during my first week to make sure I was okay. Insurance started day one. I was covered from my first shift."
"ProTherapy was recommended by a classmate who said her recruiter was a DPT. That mattered to me — I wanted someone who understood what clinical mentorship means and which settings are actually manageable for a new grad. They helped me get licensed in two states and the pay was honestly better than what my classmates got with the big-name agencies. I still feel like a small fish, but I never feel alone."
"I went with Supplemental Health Care for schools specifically because they're known in the SLP school space. My recruiter knew the difference between a SPED caseload and a general ed caseload, which most people don't. I had questions mid-contract about documentation requirements and my recruiter actually got me connected with another SLP who'd done the same district the year before. That kind of peer connection is hard to find."
Can I travel straight out of PT/OT/SLP school?
Yes, with some caveats. You'll need a full unrestricted license (not temporary), which typically means passing your board exam and completing any post-graduation supervised hours your state requires. PT Compact and OT Compact make multi-state licensing more accessible. Most agencies strongly suggest your first assignment be an outpatient clinic, SNF, or school setting rather than a high-acuity acute care or ICU environment — but that's guidance, not a rule. Agencies like ProTherapy, whose owners are clinicians, will help you evaluate whether a specific assignment is appropriate for your experience level.
What does "day-one insurance" actually mean?
It means your health coverage begins on the first day of your assignment — not after a 30-day waiting period. This matters enormously for travelers moving between contracts. If you have a gap between contracts, some agencies' insurance will lapse. The best agencies (Host Healthcare prominently) offer day-one coverage as a standard feature. Always confirm the exact start date of coverage before signing.
How do I find mentorship as a new grad traveler?
Several paths: (1) agencies like ProTherapy Staffing can connect you with experienced travelers in your discipline; (2) the travel therapy community on social media (Facebook groups like "Travel Therapy Mentor" and Reddit's r/traveltherapy) are surprisingly helpful; (3) traveltherapymentorship.com maintains a mentorship database; (4) some facilities assign a clinical supervisor as part of their orientation protocol. Ask about this before accepting any assignment.
Should I take the highest-paying contract or the best-supported one?
For your first contract, prioritize setting, supervisor access, and agency support over raw pay. A slightly lower-paying contract where you have a strong facility mentor and a responsive recruiter is worth more than the highest-paying assignment where you're isolated and struggling. After you have 2–3 contracts under your belt, you'll have the clinical confidence and market knowledge to maximize pay. ProTherapy is somewhat unique in that they score well on both pay and support — but for pure new grad hand-holding, Host's support infrastructure is hard to beat.
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We'll match you with agencies that specialize in new grad travelers — mentorship, day-one insurance, and real support included.
Also see: Full New Grad Travel Therapy Guide · Mentorship Resources · Licensure Guide