How Vera Actually Works
Travel nursing without the middleman.
The Problem With Agencies
Here's what happens when you get placed through a traditional staffing agency: The hospital sets a bill rate — say $100/hr. That's what they pay for YOUR work. But you never see that number. The agency takes 35-50% off the top for their margin, their recruiter's commission, their overhead. By the time the money reaches you, you're seeing $50-55/hr. Half your bill rate disappears into a system that adds less value every year.
Offshore agencies on platforms like Vivian offer slightly better rates by cutting their margin — but they also cut the service. No dedicated support, no housing help, no one picking up the phone when your paycheck is wrong. Either way, you lose.
Vera Eliminates the Middleman
Vera is a licensed staffing platform that places you directly. No recruiter taking a cut. No agency skimming 40% of your bill rate. No offshore operation ghosting you when you need help. Here's exactly how your money flows on Vera:
$100/hr Bill Rate · 36 hrs/week
With Vera
~$2,667/wk gross
Traditional Agency (25% margin)
~$2,592/wk gross
Vera puts an extra ~$75 in gross pay every week — and significantly more in take-home because Vera optimizes your stipend structure.
What Vera Handles For You
No recruiter doesn't mean no support. Vera handles everything an agency does — just without the markup:
Credentialing & Compliance
AI-powered document management, license verification, automated compact state checks
Payroll & Benefits
W-2 employment through Vera, direct deposit, tax-free stipend optimization, benefits access
Housing
Curated furnished housing near your facility, roommate matching to save thousands
VMS Submissions
Vera submits you directly to the hospital's vendor management system
Ongoing Support
Dedicated account managers and 24/7 support chat for any issues during your contract
Extension Management
Vera advocates for your extension directly with the facility
Your Reliability Score = Your Fee
On Vera, your track record directly controls what you earn. As your reliability score increases, Vera reduces its platform fee — giving you an even bigger share of the net bill rate.
The average agency takes a 25% gross margin and never gives you a discount no matter how reliable you are. On Vera, you start at 8% and every contract you complete earns you a lower fee. Our best nurses pay just 5% — keeping 95% of the net bill rate. No agency in the industry comes close.
The net bill rate is what's left after the MSP takes their 4% fee. A traditional agency then takes a 25% gross margin — meaning if the net bill rate is $96/hr, they keep $24/hr and pay you $72/hr. Vera doesn't take a margin — we charge a flat platform fee after costs and pass the rest to you.
Rebuilding
< 2.0
12%
Vera fee
New
2.0 – 2.9
10%
Vera fee
Established
3.0 – 3.9
8%
Vera fee
Proven
4.0 – 4.5
7%
Vera fee
Elite
4.5 – 4.8
6%
Vera fee
Top Tier
4.9 – 5.0
5%
Vera fee
Your Vera Journey
Contract 1-2 · Established
You're already earning more than any agency
Contract 3-5 · Proven
Your track record is paying off
Contract 6-8 · Elite
Top-tier nurses, top-tier pay
Contract 9+ · Top Tier
The best economics in travel nursing
You start at 8% — already lower than any traditional agency markup.
Top Tier nurses keep 95% of net bill revenue. Traditional agencies give you 63%.
Complete Contracts. Earn More. It's That Simple.
Your Vera Reliability Score starts at 3.0. Every contract you complete raises it. Every extension gives you a bonus. The higher your score, the less Vera takes, and the more money goes in your pocket.
What Earns Points
What Hurts Your Score
Vera doesn't penalize you for not extending. Completing your contract is success. Extending is a bonus.
Nurses who walk off hurt everyone — they cost thousands, damage the hospital's trust in travelers, and make it harder for the next nurse. Vera is the platform for nurses who show up and do the work. If that's you, you'll earn more here than anywhere else.
Why Nurses Choose Vera
Agencies pay you $50-55/hr on a $100 bill rate. Vera pays you $70-78/hr.
You see the actual bill rate for every contract. No hidden math.
Your reliability score earns you more money over time.
Housing is handled before you accept.
You know exactly what the unit is like before Day 1.
Real support when you need it — not a voicemail.
The Vera Guarantee
If you complete your contract, your score goes up and your next contract pays even more. Walk off without cause, and your score drops. It's simple: show up, do great work, and earn more than you would anywhere else in travel nursing.