another question about ending my travel contract

Specialties Travel

Published

It's a sub-acute rehab facility where they have 0 standards and will admit anyone who brings with them Medicare $$$, whether they're appropriate for SAR or not (and spoiler alert! most aren't appropriate for anything except LTC or a psych facility), and then the rehab director yells at US for not being able to literally make the most un-motivated group of patients I've ever encountered get out of bed and ready for therapy. Also I'm one of only two white people on staff and the next ******* time I hear a nasty race-based insult directed at me by a patient while the other nurses/aides cackle like it's the most hilarious ******* thing they've ever heard I'm not sure if I can refrain from saying something back that would get me fired.

I don't want to be here for another 3 months. I read my contract and it doesn't say anything about owing money if I don't complete; it just says that either party (me/the company) can end the contract with two weeks' notice. I've got a PRN job and I just want to quit this contract and pick up more shifts there. But I'm worried because I used two of my PRN supervisors as references for this contract, and I don't want to make them look bad, and I don't want this failed contract to reflect badly on me at the PRN job or have consequences there (I can't imagine how it would, but idk i'm just anxious in general).

I've never ended a contract early before so I don't know what I should say or how I should give notice - to the recruiter? or should I tell the DON first? I'm guessing it should be in writing /email so i have proof of when I sent in my notice. Is it worth it to call the recruiter and discuss the issues I'm having at this facility first, or no?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure how anything that happens will reflect badly on your references. Do you think the facility or agency will call their employer about a lapse in judgment? Pretty darned unlikely. But you shouldn't be dependent on a phone reference anyway - get written references.

Really, no penalties in the contract? Ask your recruiter. In any case, two weeks notice seems a reasonable requirement, but if there are no penalties, you could walk now. There can be some gotchas not spelled out in the contract. For example, if you walk now and breach your contract terms, they do have to pay you for hours worked. But legally all they will have to pay is minimum wage!

I think it is certainly worthwhile to talk to the DON. She needs to be aware that it is a hostile workplace and she certainly doesn't want you to file a related lawsuit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You would give notice to your recruiter. I left a contract once. I had been documenting the problems from day one and there was no problem from my agency.

As each contract is different, I would have a lawyer look it over first. Report these issues NOW.. while you are reviewing the contract.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not sure how anything that happens will reflect badly on your references. Do you think the facility or agency will call their employer about a lapse in judgment?

no, more like worried they might call my current employer and be like "this nurse you recommended sucks". I really like my PRN job and I've been there for most of my nursing career and that's my main source of income, so I want to keep a good reputation with them.

Really, no penalties in the contract?

honestly this facility is bad enough that I would be willing to let the agency keep every dollar I've earned from the two weeks I've been here so far - that's how much I don't want to work there. in the contract it doesn't say anything about penalties; it just states that I need to give 2 weeks' notice if i want to terminate the contract.

I left my recruiter a message saying the contract isn't going well and she said to call her tomorrow, so I'm going to tell her what's going on and see what she says.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think your current employer knows your value and would discount almost anything absent BON involvement.

If the penalties don't matter, the assignment is over! Enjoy your freedom as of now.

Depending, you may have to find another agency for your next travel assignment. If that is necessary, do not list this current agency (or assignment) on your work history.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Sounds like it has been time to leave. Sounds like you learned a lot of life lessons and such from this job. Turn in your badge and bounce.

What agency is the contract through?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Depending, you may have to find another agency for your next travel assignment. If that is necessary, do not list this current agency (or assignment) on your work history.

i definitely agree on both counts! also i learned that i need to ask one very important question in interviews: WHY are you looking to hire a traveler? because in this facility's case i learned the answer to that is "because we can't keep regular staff and we just had 4 nurses quit at the same time".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Assignments that are literally for maternity leave are fairly rare. The usual case are hospitals that are chronically short staffed, which is usually bad management, but is sometimes is location based, an area that has a hard time attracting any medical professional.

So you are cherry picking! Good for you, but it can limit choices of assignments. No reason to go all the way down to HCA assignments, but there is a happy middle ground when all the cherries are gone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I think we may have worked at the same place! Call the company that sent you there. Review the contract and if you have no penalty for leaving, give a notice and get out the door. I've gotten a call 5 times about an interim position for an ADON position. They told me up front they expect the ADON to work the floor and do the rest of her duties. It's no wonder they can't keep staff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
They told me up front they expect the ADON to work the floor and do the rest of her duties. It's no wonder they can't keep staff.

LMBO..

Is this Kindred? Come one guys give up the agency and name of facility so others will avoid the headache.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

so I gave two weeks' notice, and then got an email from the recruiter saying "the client is requesting 3 weeks". I replied that I want to stay with the two weeks specified in the contract. She then sent me another email saying "i just want this to be done so i'm going to tell them you'll do the three weeks". WHAT THE ****?! I'm absolutely livid about this. I did NOT agree to work there an extra week!

I really want to tell the recruiter that I will not be in past my stated date and that she needs to tell the company she made a mistake and I only ever agreed to two weeks. This is not the first incident where she has taken liberties that benefit her and screw me over, either without asking me what I want to do OR completely disregarding what I said I wanted. Part of me also really just wants to tell her I'm ending the contract NOW- because I tried to be professional and give the required notice and she used it to steamroll me. But I'm still worried about the fact she has my PRN supervisor's contact info on file. They can't take money from my bank account, because I use a separate checking account at a bank near my apartment only for contract work, and my regular checking/savings accounts are at a credit union. And like I said, I would be totally fine with forfeiting my earnings from this contract. How likely would it be for the company to try to sue me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You have repeated your concerns. Are you expecting different answers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment