HELP! Break in contract

[BASE1966]

After working in a MICU for 3.5 years, I decided I was ready to travel. I chose to go with American Mobile based on some coworkers because they have had good experiences with them. I've always worked straight nights and wanted to keep it that way, especially learning a new charting system and getting situated at a new place. I accepted a contract for straight nights, but after getting to the hospital found they put me on straight days. I spoke with the nurse manager first and she said I needed to cover the shifts of an injured nurse that worked days. I then contacted American Mobile, who said they would contact the hospital. Today I spoke with the nurse manager again and said she's sorry, but she only needs travelers for days. My recruiter told me there's nothing else he can do.

How is this possible? Isn't this what contracts are for? Are we the only ones that are legally bound to these contracts? Leaving the travel agency and hospitals to do as they please?

Any advice? At this point, I don't think I will even bother with a second assignment if contracts are useless.

[NedRN]

Contracts are a way to get all parties on the same page. So they are useful even though you don't really want to litigate one. Did your assignment letter designate the shift? If so, there is a clear breach of contract (although your main contract or employee's handbook may muddy the waters). As such, you should be able to walk at any time without penalty.

It sounds like you are going to complete this contract anyway. Kudos for sticking with it, even though you have been wronged. I think since your shift preference is nights, you have good odds of this not happening again. Most travel needs are night shifts. Be sure to clarify during the interview the manager's expectations and your own expectations for shift worked, and make sure that any such agreement makes it to your assignment confirmation letter.

The worst case scenario for shifts here for both day or night shift workers is rotating shifts. There will be hospitals where that is required contractually, and may happen during your assignment. Good schedulers who have to rotate shifts to meet staffing goals will ensure that rotations happen infrequently and that days off occur between the transition. Disastrous hospitals (to work in) are constantly shuffling staff and rotating shifts are worked back to back. That is unsafe and unfair, and generally these hospitals are well known to agencies and travelers. If you are placed at such a hospital unknowingly, it is likely because both the hospital and agency lied to you. Rat them out here so others have a shot at avoiding such a bad assignment. Sometimes a red flag may be revealed if for no apparent reason, a facility is paying substantially higher pay - they may have to pay more to overcome a bad reputation and the bad working conditions.

[BASE1966]

Thanks for taking the time to reply! The contract I agreed to and signed specifically states night shift. Even during my phone interview the nurse manager stated she needs two night shifts covered (1530-0400, 1930-0800), both of which I was willing to work. Then after arriving for my first day I'm told she only has a need for day shift. I was boggled. I understand that units may need help every now and then, but to find out I was scheduled for the next 2 months for the complete opposite shift that we had agreed upon was definitely a surprise.

It seems that there is a lot of miscommunication as well. After finding out my schedule, I contacted my agency (American Mobile) and was told they were going to contact the hospital. American Mobile contacted me the following day stating it was being handled by somebody. Then when I returned to work, the manager and the person in contact with my agency were pointing fingers at each other saying it was being taken care of by the other person.

Although American Mobile finally stated I could leave without penalty, I've decided just to stick it out. It's not ideal, but I also don't want to deal with the stress of going through this all over again so soon. I'm just going to be certain to make it perfectly clear what shifts I'm accepting at my next assignment.

[NedRN]

It does sound clear. I don't know how you can do better next time. Hopefully this never happens again. Sorry that it happened on your first assignment.