Nurse First vs. O'Grady Peyton: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison

Nurse First vs. O’Grady Peyton: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison

Nurse First and O’Grady Peyton serve very different nurse populations. O’Grady Peyton specializes in international nurse placement and U.S. immigration, while Nurse First operates as a smaller boutique domestic staffing agency. Here’s what you need to know.

Quick Comparison

Know Your Situation First

These two agencies serve fundamentally different needs:

• Nurse First is a domestic staffing agency best suited for U.S.-licensed nurses looking for flexible travel contracts with a boutique, personalized feel.
• O’Grady Peyton is primarily an international nursing agency — their core business is sponsoring nurses from countries like the Philippines, India, and Ireland to work in U.S. hospitals, including managing visa screening, immigration, and NCLEX preparation.

If you are a U.S.-trained nurse looking for domestic travel contracts, O’Grady Peyton may not be the right fit — most other top domestic agencies will offer more competitive pay and simpler contracts.

If you are an internationally trained nurse looking to work in the U.S., O’Grady Peyton is one of the most experienced agencies in the country for this path.

Pay Comparison

Nurse First offers flexible scheduling and competitive compensation, with nurses able to create their own schedules. Glassdoor reviewers describe a “family-style environment” with good pay, though the limited number of reviews (9 on Glassdoor) makes it harder to establish benchmarks.

O’Grady Peyton internal salaries range from approximately $55,141/year (International Recruiter) to $110,576/year (BSN-RN Staff Nurse) based on Glassdoor data from 50+ submitted salaries. However, nurse reviews raise concerns:

• No weekend differentials — a notable gap vs. domestic agencies
• Housing stipends reported as insufficient if you supply your own housing
• Pay rates often lower than competing domestic travel agencies
• Some nurses report pay delays that led to broken contracts

Winner: Nurse First for domestic nurses who want competitive travel pay. O’Grady Peyton’s pay structure is designed around a different model (immigration sponsorship + long-term placement), not typical travel nurse pay rates.

Contract Terms — Critical for O’Grady Peyton

O’Grady Peyton’s contract structure is significantly different from standard travel nursing agreements:

• Nurses must complete 3,000+ hours before they can leave the agency
• If placed on-call shifts, those hours do not count toward the 3,000-hour requirement
• Breaking the contract at any time requires paying a $25,000 fee
• The contract is shorter than some competing international agencies (e.g., MedPro)
• You can do overtime to shorten your required time

This is standard in international recruitment — the agency invests in your immigration and licensure costs upfront and needs to recoup that investment. But for U.S.-trained nurses, it’s a significant commitment compared to standard 13-week travel contracts.

Winner: Nurse First for flexibility. O’Grady Peyton contract terms are appropriate for international placement but restrictive for domestic nurses.

Benefits

Nurse First:

• Standard travel nurse benefits package
• Reviewers cite flexibility and the ability to work when/where you want
• Small team with direct access to leadership per Glassdoor reviews

O’Grady Peyton:

• Comprehensive pre-departure support (cultural orientation, housing assistance, childcare/school search)
• Guidance through RN licensure, visa screening, and immigration
• Housing assistance and relocation support
• Waiting period for health insurance — some nurses report this is not covered immediately, unlike Day One policies at other agencies
• 401(k)/retirement plan details not prominently featured in recent public reviews

Winner: O’Grady Peyton for immigration and relocation support. Nurse First for standard domestic travel benefits flexibility.

Recruiter Experience

Nurse First: Described as a “truly family style environment” with direct CEO accessibility. Reviewers note flexibility and good communication. The small agency size means nurses get personal attention, though fewer job options nationwide compared to large agencies.

O’Grady Peyton: Mixed recruiter reviews. Some nurses describe recruiters as “extremely supportive” and skilled negotiators who secure strong packages including furnished housing. Others report inconsistent treatment, vague job descriptions, and cases where they weren’t paid on time. Recruiter quality varies by individual.

Winner: Nurse First for consistent, personalized support. O’Grady Peyton is variable.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Nurse First if:

• You are a U.S.-licensed nurse seeking domestic travel contracts
• You want a boutique, personalized agency experience
• Flexible scheduling and direct leadership access appeal to you
• You want standard 13-week contracts without long-term commitment

Choose O’Grady Peyton if:

• You are an internationally trained nurse seeking U.S. placement
• You need immigration support, visa screening, and licensure assistance
• You want an agency with 40+ years of experience placing international nurses
• You are prepared for the 3,000-hour commitment and understand the contract structure

Bottom Line

Nurse First and O’Grady Peyton serve very different populations — comparing them directly is only meaningful if you are trying to decide between boutique domestic staffing and international immigration-based placement. For U.S.-trained travel nurses, most large domestic agencies (Aya Healthcare, Medical Solutions, FlexCare) will offer more competitive pay, better 401(k) benefits, and simpler contracts than O’Grady Peyton. For internationally trained nurses navigating U.S. immigration, O’Grady Peyton’s 40-year track record and 40,000+ nurse placements make it a credible option — just review the contract terms carefully. Use our travel nurse pay calculator to compare your potential earnings.