Stability Healthcare vs. Tailored Healthcare Staffing: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison

Stability Healthcare vs. Tailored Healthcare Staffing: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison

An important note before diving in: Tailored Healthcare Staffing (THS) merged into Health Carousel Travel Nursing in April 2022. If you’re searching for THS, all operations now fall under the Health Carousel brand. Here’s how Stability Healthcare compares to the agency that THS became.

Quick Comparison

Important: THS Is Now Health Carousel

Tailored Healthcare Staffing was recognized as a Top 10 travel nursing agency for 5 consecutive years by BluePipes (650+ reviews, 92.56 average score) and repeatedly named to Gypsy Nurse’s Top 10. In April 2022, THS merged with Medical Staffing Options and Next Travel Nursing to form Health Carousel Travel Nursing (HCTN).

Key THS features that carry forward under Health Carousel:

• Nurses described as “Super Nurses” — treated as employees, not contractors
• Same Day One benefits and retirement contributions
• Professional development and education investment

Pay Comparison

Stability Healthcare posts weekly pay ranges upfront — a transparency advantage. Nurse case manager pay runs $2,300–$3,820/week including bonuses, insurance, and travel/housing allowances. However, some nurses report pay below the stipend allowed for their area, and mixed reviews on pay accuracy.

Health Carousel (formerly THS) advertises standard positions around $1,800–$2,200/week, with high-demand positions like Labor & Delivery reaching $3,000+/week and MSTELE positions at $8,800–$12,000/month. THS-era nurses described pay as “competitive and in line with job boards.”

Winner: Stability Healthcare for pay transparency and higher advertised ranges for experienced travelers.

401(k) Comparison — Critical Difference

This is where the two agencies diverge significantly:

Stability Healthcare:

• 401(k) available, administered through ADP
• Eligibility begins after 1 full year with Stability
• The 1-year wait is a real drawback for nurses who work shorter contracts or switch agencies

Health Carousel (formerly THS):

• 401(k) available from Day One — no waiting period
• 50% match on the first 6% of compensation — one of the most generous employer matches in travel nursing
• You can also roll over previous 401(k) accounts into a Health Carousel 401(k)

Winner: Health Carousel (formerly THS) by a wide margin. Day One eligibility + a meaningful employer match vs. a 1-year wait at Stability.

Benefits Comparison

Stability Healthcare:

• Day-one United Healthcare coverage with 4 plan options (medical, dental, vision)
• PTO for all travelers — explicitly called out as “an absolute rarity in travel nursing” by nurse reviewers
• Automatic life insurance policy for employees
• Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval
• Some nurses report the agency is smaller, with fewer reimbursements compared to larger agencies

Health Carousel (formerly THS):

• Day One health, dental, and vision
• 401(k) from Day One with 50% match up to 6%
• Professional development investments — advanced education and career programs
• “Full Circle of Support” program
• Insurance through period between contracts may vary — check your specific contract

Winner: Stability Healthcare for PTO (genuinely rare). Health Carousel for the 401(k) and professional development.

Recruiter Experience

Stability Healthcare: Nurses describe loyal, responsive recruiters who check in frequently and help navigate Trauma 1 hospital placements. Being a smaller agency means fewer resources but more personal attention. Some nurses mention a tight-knit culture where staff “genuinely care.”

Health Carousel (formerly THS): THS-era nurses praised 5-year relationships with the same recruiter. The agency’s track record of 650+ reviews with a 92.56 BluePipes score reflects consistently strong recruiter performance. Under Health Carousel, the experience continues with the “Full Circle of Support” model.

Winner: Tie — both agencies are known for strong recruiter relationships.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Stability Healthcare if:

• PTO matters to you (one of the few agencies that offers it to travelers)
• You’re based in or near California (where the agency has its deepest roots)
• You value Joint Commission-accredited agencies
• You plan to stay with the agency for 1+ year to earn 401(k) eligibility
• You want transparent pay posting and access to Trauma 1 facilities

Choose Health Carousel (formerly Tailored Healthcare) if:

• Day One 401(k) eligibility and a 50% employer match are priorities
• You want a proven record — 5 straight years as a Top 10 agency under THS
• Professional development and career investment matter to you
• You want to roll over existing 401(k) accounts

Bottom Line

For retirement savings, Health Carousel (formerly THS) is the clear winner — Day One 401(k) access with a 50% match on 6% is among the best in the industry. Stability Healthcare’s biggest differentiator is PTO, which almost no other travel agency offers. Both have strong recruiter reputations. If long-term financial planning is a priority, Health Carousel’s 401(k) structure is hard to beat. Use our travel nurse pay calculator to model your net compensation under each agency’s package.