Perfect Contract

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2008

Well, you could review the many threads in the travel nursing section.

There is a wealth of information there.

neurorn6 · Sep 12, 2008

I'm not a senior traveler by any means but I'm am learning quite abit from this forum as well as several others out in cyperspace. I can tell you this, you absolutely need to talk with several companies and let them know that you are doing so.

Decide what can of pay you need. If you are traveling make sure you are making aleast 2-3 dollars more than you present job. Look really carefully at taxed vs untaxed dollars. Don't fall for the "taxed $12.00" you'll owe money to the IRS. Remember that if you live in a state that has income tax that you are responsible for that tax.

May a list of your must have's. May sure you get paid if you are "called off". You don't get paid for sick days. Look at which states are compact states. Waiting for license can take several weeks.

Personally, I'm money motivated. I have a mortage and 2 kids in college. Traveling to see the world is not my primary interest. If I can work extra that's even better and if it's per diem at another facility, that's even better.

It everything in writing!! Recruiters and facilities can and will try to change things on you. If you don't have it in writing it makes your life harder.

Hope this helps. Good luck in your future travels.

bagladyrn, RN · Sep 12, 2008

The "perfect contract" would have whatever factors are essential to you included in the contract IN WRITING. For example, in addition to the obvious such as payrate, call pay, charge pay, etc., you may also want to detail such things as what shift you are contracted for and whether or not you will float and to what units (if this is an important factor for you). If you need specific dates off during the contract, and have already discussed this with the interviewer and gotten an agreement, this should be included. Description of provided housing (whether 1 bdrm apt., extended stay or stipend) should be included.

Finally, make sure that the costs and obligations to you are also detailed in the contract and are what you understood and agreed them to be. ("Nobody told me about that" is not going to get you out of anything if it is in the contract and you didn't read/understand it before signing)