canceling a contract

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Hello everyone, I have a question...I just started a new travel assignment and have had one day of orientation with a preceptor; I'd rather not go into details but I did not do well, had a lot of trouble staying caught up and on top of things, and I know that if I do not improve and demonstrate that I'm competent enough to work there then they will cancel my assignment. What are the consequences of this? I fear I won't be able to find another job with that on my record. My first assignment went well but I feel completely overwhelmed at this one. I don't think travel nursing is for me, I don't feel I'm cut out for it, I want more than anything to cancel this contract myself and go back to my old job, but I know that wouldn't look good. I just don't know what to do, I'm so scared that if I do stay at this assignment that I'll end up making some horrible error. I blame myself for getting in this mess, I just want to make the right decision about what to do...

Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Whether or not you will have a penalty if the contract is cancelled will be stated in your contract. If housing is being provided, you may have some penalty to pay which may be deducted out of your final check. If you are taking a housing stipend, then it is a lot harder for the agency to take money away from you because, by law, you must be paid for time worked.

If this contract gets cancelled early on, you can just act like it never happened & not tell anyone. If you chose to continue traveling, just find another agency and say nothing about this experience.

It just seems to me that you may be in a higher acuity or more demanding environment than you are used to. Your recruiter should have advised you of this and found the proper position for you being a new traveler. There are many good recruiters out there that can do a better job of finding you positions where you can get your feet wet. May I suggest that after this assignment is finished, try doing some local agency/registry work as preparation for the demands of having to hit the floor running. Actually, with agency work, you will not get more than a couple of hours orientation-which will make the day or two that you get as a traveler a blessing.

Also, about the first month or so, it is stressful for any traveler because of having to adjust to the new environment. During this time you have to fall back on your skills, ask lots of questions and admit if you don't know something. So, don't give up just yet.

Thanks so much loricatus, that's helpful; I love your name & avatar by the way. Things seem to be going somewhat better now, I'm really hoping I can just make it through this 11 weeks or so then find a non-travel job afterwards.

Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.
Thanks so much loricatus, that's helpful; I love your name & avatar by the way. Things seem to be going somewhat better now, I'm really hoping I can just make it through this 11 weeks or so then find a non-travel job afterwards.

Just remember the mantra of a travel nurse: " I can do anything for 13 weeks." It really helps to mark off each shift or week on a make shift calendar

BTW, thanks for the compliments. Wow, not many know what the name I picked stands for since it is Latin. I'm impressed. Found out early in my nursing career about having to protect myself from backstabbers & the name just seemed to fit. I can't take credit for the avatar---but, I am so proud of my daughter for taking it and winning a national photo contest with it, I use it in a sentimental way...

Good luck to you on whichever way you decide to go. You will learn a lot from this & become a better nurse in the long run.

Just remember the mantra of a travel nurse: " I can do anything for 13 weeks." It really helps to mark off each shift or week on a make shift calendar

BTW, thanks for the compliments. Wow, not many know what the name I picked stands for since it is Latin. I'm impressed. Found out early in my nursing career about having to protect myself from backstabbers & the name just seemed to fit. I can't take credit for the avatar---but, I am so proud of my daughter for taking it and winning a national photo contest with it, I use it in a sentimental way...

Good luck to you on whichever way you decide to go. You will learn a lot from this & become a better nurse in the long run.

Yes, only 10 weeks to go, I'm counting it out.

Oh actually I didn't know what it stands for, I just thought it sounded neat, lol...but that is really cool; yes you definently have to protect your self from backstabbers in this profession. Your daughter must be a great photographer, that pic looks professional to me.

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