Need some advice

[Autumndove]

I am a first time traveler. I recently decided on a travel agency and was in the midst of negotiations on the contract they gave me and they were unwilling to meet my needs on the contract. I had already interviewed and was offered the job from the hospital. I haven't signed the contract and have decided to not go with this company since they decided to not budge on the most important points of my needs. I decided to go with a different company who can also get me a job at the same hospital I was offered. This company is willing to meet my needs. I just found out that company A had already told the hospital I will be starting there in 2 weeks, even though I had assumed we (me and the travel company) were still in negotiation and it was not confirmed to the hospital. So Travel Company B, my preference, can not do anything until I've been released. I was told that if Company A doesn't release me, the hospital will be deem me as no show and I won't be able to work at that hospital for at least 13 weeks. Currently Company A is really giving me a hard time and I'm not sure if they are going to release me. I'm not sure what to do here. Any advice would be most appreciated.

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Company A should not have told them you would be there in 2 weeks.

Don't know what to tell you otherwise. Good luck to you.

[MsPiggy]

If there was no contract signed why would they need to release you?

I'm really curious about this as I am talking to a few different travel co.s and haven't settled on an assignment just yet.

I don't see how they can do that?

~MsP

[Reigen]

The contract should specify your start date as well as your ending date. This way there is no misunderstanding as to when your assignment starts and ends. The agency should NOT have told the hospital that you would be there on a certain date , if in fact NO contract agreement has been reached by you and the agency.

Your contract does include the date your contract begins and when it

ends?

If you have NOT signed and returned the contract to the agency so that ALL parties are in agreement with the contract terms, then there is NO contract. In this case I would call the agency, and explain that since there are items/issues with the contract as it is presently, you are willing to take the assignment provided that a contract agreement can be reached.

Take the contract write in a bright RED color on it what you want changed, and send it overnight registered mail to the agency. Also give them a time deadline to make the contract negotiations (such as 24 to 48 hours) and get the new updated contract to you for your persusal.

Once you get the new contract call the agency and tell them that you are checking to see that all issues have been addressed and that you agree with them.

Just a few items that I like to make sure are addressed and agreed on in my contracts are:

Pay rate is one of the most important items to include on

a contract. The contract should specifically state how

much you will be paid per hour, for overtime and if

you’re required to be on-call. Make sure you know how

overtime is defined (after eight hours per day or after

40 hours per week).

Any bonuses, license reimbursement and travel pay should

also be mentioned.

What else are they going to provide besides your pay?

Health Insurance , Travel , Deposits etc.

What type of accommodations can you expect?

Guaranteed hours

Most agencies negotiate with the hospitals for guaranteed

hours. For example, your contract may state that you are

guaranteed 36 or 40 hours per week. You need to make sure

you have a guarantee of some sort and have it in writing.

With guaranteed hours, the hospital must still pay you

even if they send you home early.

If you only want to work a particular shift, have it in

writing. Otherwise, if the hospital decides to change

their mind about your shift when you get there, you may

not have any recourse to change the situation.

Floating expectations

Finally, it is important that your contract addresses

whether or not you are expected to float and to where you

will float. You don’t want to be thrown into situations

you aren’t comfortable with.

You also need to know what the conditions are for not

meeting the guaranteed requirements in the event that you

get sick while on assignment and are unable to work the

full 40 hours for a week. What if /any penalties for

missing hours.

The contract specifies what city, state and hospital you

have been assigned to work at and when you’re expected to

be at work for your first day.

Also the start and end dates as I outlined above

Any requests you specifically negotiate for should also

be included in the contract.

Happy contract negotiating!

Reigen