Key Elements to Review in Your Contract: What You Need to Know

Travel contracts are pretty straight forward, but in this day and age…it's a simple reflex to just click on the "Agree" button or put a signature on that page. I’ve always been conscious of that reflex and even if someone at a bank or business says ‘oh it's just this, this and that,’ I still like taking my time to read. More often than not, I find a sentence or word that I ask about and I’m usually glad that I did.

What to Look for on Your Travel Contract

On a contract, it's important that you look for these few things. Dates of the contract you agreed to (ex. Sept 23rd 2023-Dec 23rd 2023); it seems obvious, but the repercussions of mixing up dates can be a problem if the facility has already accepted you. Similarly, the location of the facility you agreed to work at (there was a time where the wrong location was on my contract for me to sign), also the hourly rate/ OT pay, and the expectations that the facility has for you. Typically, once you have agreed to a contract, you have a small window of time, approximately 24 hours to return the signed contracts; although this turnaround time can vary from agency to agency. Its at this point before returning the contract to them you want to make sure all your questions are answered. A couple good questions to ask at this point is "When do I receive the reimbursement for my accommodation? Could I have an extra orientation day? Does the facility provide scrubs or do I have to bring my own?" Lastly, if you have requested any time off, you want to ensure that’s reflected in the contract as well. There have been a couple times the facility either didn't review my time off request properly and blocked off different dates or booked shifts on the days I requested off. This is an easy fix even, sometimes items get overlooked. Typically, if you’ve reached this point of reading a contract to sign, it's basically set in stone that you will be working at that facility (unless you’re cancelled, but that’s a different story). Simply, make sure that what you agreed to via email with your recruiter (or however you reached out to confirm a contract), matches up to the legally-bound document you are physically/electronically signing.

Breaching Your Contract

The reason why I’m stressing that you read the contract is because life happens, and knowing what penalties may ensue if you breach the contract will help you to make careful considerations before breaking it— if you have to. Sometimes your agency can work with you, but since we’re dealing with money, no one wants to lose out on it. That includes you, your agency and the facility you're heading to. Please take note that facilities who are hiring you, are hiring you for a reason and do need your assistance because staffing shortages are pretty bad in many places. Once they receive your name and info from your agency, they start working on your arrival: from accommodations, a vehicle, flights etc.; which takes a lot of work behind the scenes. Now, if you happen to change your mind or no longer want to go to that location, you have to pay the fees back whether it be to your agency or the facility for any costs they have already paid or even would have paid for having you there. TRUST ME when I tell you, it's not worth it friends. Thankfully, I haven’t been in a situation where I needed to cancel a contract. Adding up the potential costs of what it takes for a facility to house me alone... makes whatever thought of second guessing I had going on that contract, fade quickly. 

All that to say, read the fine prints, the bold prints and the prints you’re unsure about, and this goes for when you’re signing onto an agency as well. Ensure that before you even submit the request for a contract, you are certain about the location you want to go to and your dates. Ask your recruiter about the contract if you have any more questions and that’s pretty much it!

*BONUS TIP: Plan ahead and book your contracts early! This is how you land better contracts for what you want and don’t run out of options. Just to give you an idea, many travel nurses plan out 6 months - 1 year out to make sure their contracts are secured.

Thanks so much for reading and until next time, stay blessed!

Your friend,

Sarah