march contracts already?

Specialties Travel

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Specializes in Psych.

So I'm wrapping up my first contract in the northwest and heading home to work for a few months. I told all the recruiters I had been getting quotes from that I would be available for another contract sometime in March. Just got a message today from one asking where I'd like to go in cali as they are starting to get March start orders.

My question can you really get a contract for March this early? Benefits/potential problems with this? Just curious too if any of you have booked a contract this far in advance.

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It is certainly possible for hospitals to know needs that far out and it used to be commonplace until the economy tanked. Things are improving quickly with more assignments than travelers so smart managers may well try to lock in travelers early.

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Specializes in Psych.

Thanks Ned. Good to know.

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Specializes in OB.

This occasionally happens when a facility can anticipate a need such as "I have 3 nurses going out on maternity leave in March" or someone is scheduled for elective surgery or taking a sabbatical. More frequently I see it in places where there is a season change in patient census which can be anticipated, such as snowbirds heading south.

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As to downsides, you might hear about an assignment you like better in the long interim - which presents an ethical dilemma if you have committed. Or pay goes up dramatically when they cannot fill positions and you may be working side by side with someone getting paid a lot more. Or the hospital changes their mind at the last second leaving you without a Plan B because you did not (understandably) continue to look.

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Specializes in Psych.

I personally don't like the idea of booking this far ahead. I think ill leave my options open.

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