contract broken, do I pursue it?

No, I don't...........personally, I would be inclined to just move on. JMO.

Most contracts include something about the hospital having the right to fire you at any time. You are not guaranteed to work there for your whole contract just because you signed a contract.

You'll spend more money on legal counsel than you'll reap.

Lesson learnt on your part. The hospital may or may not have learnt anything.

what is a contract for if both sides are not willing to abide by it...if they can terminate without cause it is not a contract

however, i would also move on...be sure that agency has a record of this breach..if they have a contract and then fill the vacancy with a newly hired nurse this needs to be in their file..

You are not alone. I highly doubt you'll get anywhere by suing. Never trust a hospital- they are in it for the money.

I also had a travel assignment once, with American Travelers. Don't use them. I had a phone interview with a hospital about an hour from me. Our telemetry units sounded very similar (basic). I moved out of my apartment, packed everything but necessaries into storage, paid the $250 deposit on the new apt much closer that AT set up. Moved in. Started work- first they sent me to the wrong hospital, so I was late arriving. Then they said I had to have a copy of my Virginian license- I had obtained it but it wasn't sent to me yet. Any other hospital would just call and confirm that my license was current. They made me drive to Richmond and back (4 hours) before I started. So then I started work. The pace of the floor was totally different. Much faster, in depth bedside procedures, and the vast majority of the nurses spoke Spainish. I can understand a little; I knew they were talking about me while I was standing right there! Anyway, to make a long story short, the manager came by on Thursday and asked how I was doing- I said fine and I look forward to working there. ( not entirely true) The next day I went to a computer class, my final day on orientation- I'd already put in close to 40 hours that week- and the teacher said I needed to go to HR. I went there, and they said they were canceling my contract. I asked if I could at least be transferred to Med-surg, since they had positions open for travel nurses there. They said no. Then they offered me, on the spot , a job in the critical care permanently. I said no, if you don't feel I have the skills for tele, (which I do) I don't want to work in your CCU. I had to move out of my apartment in 24 hours. I lost the deposit. I was never paid for any of the work I did.

You are not alone.

A contract is more than just "you will be employed these dates", they have things like hours of work, pay for housing, conditions of benefits, etc. Travellers contracts tend to include some language about what happens if a hospital chooses to end your contract.