Does this sound fishy?

I was offered a position at a peds hospital in San Diego over the summer. I need to fly out to California to apply for a temp license. My recruiter emailed me today and asked whether or not I booked my flight so she could submit my contract. When I asked her if I could see my contract before I book the flight (so I know what the terms are), she said she needed my co pay for my upgraded housing and my flight itenerary before she can submit my contract. However I don't want to pay for a flight if this falls through or the contract isn't exactly what we discussed. This sounds a bit fishy to me. How can she submit a contract that I haven't seen or signed. When she told me about the official offer she told me that if I agreed, my verbal commitment was the primary agreement and my signed contract was the secondary. However the verbal agreement only included 10-hour days, not weekend or call. So please tell me what you think I should do about this.Thanks in advance

[sdlane]

This does sound odd, why would you book a flight without reading and signing the contract first. Just because she needs you co-pay infromation that does not mean you can not see the contract 1st. How hard is it to see/sign the contract 1st, then book flight and give him/her the amount you paid for the flight. Just seems odd!

[79Tango]

Verbal agreements are all fun and games until you dont have something in writing! The thing that sounds fishy to me is needing a Co-Pay for upgraded housing.. Huh?

[napalmer927]

It sounds like she's trying to pull something over on you. Like there's something in the contract that she knows you won't like or won't agree to, so if you're already invested in the job, i.e. a plane ticket, you're less likely to back out. I would beware of that recruiter and maybe try talking to another one, either with the same company if you really want the unit and area, or just another company altogether.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I would require seeing and reading the contract first

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

If they are willing to be transparent, you would have seen and signed the contract first. I was hired sight unseen. There was no way I would have packed up and moved 2000 miles without a signed contract. Don't book the flight until you have the contract.

[RNPB10]

So I talked to my recruiter and she said that the contract she was sending to the hospital was a proposal for the hospital to agree to then once they got approval from the hospital they would give me a contract to sign. The co-pay for the upgraded housing was for a two bedroom. The company's standard is a one bedroom. But I have chosen to do the stipend instead because the co-pay was $450. She also said I needed to book my flight so she could submit for my reimbursement. So what do you think?

[EmergencyNrse]

They usually submit you as a file not a contract. Your

experience, references, history, and credentials. To

"contract" you before you're licensed as a provisonal

traveler seems odd to me. I know it happens sometimes

but not "contracted".

Anyhow,

Most of your travel costs are paid by you up front. You are

reimbursed later for your expenses. Contracts usually pay

a set amount for travel both ways $500-$600/RT. Are they

just offering to cover your ticket? (That would short you).

You either have a newbie recruiter or a company that is not

on the level. You should book your flight, pay for your temp

license and get everything lined up before you contract.

You negotiate reimbursement in your contract before you

sign (License, ACLS/PALS, Rental Car)

I have never entered into a contract without first knowing

where I would be working. The department I would be

working. (definitely the shift I would be working).

(Oh, and Rady is a great children's hospital and San Diego

is a marvelous place. Good luck and have fun)

[gsusavz]

Sounds odd, never had an issue like that in over 20 contracts.

[hgrimmett]

San Diego is a lovely city (tons of things to do) but VERY expensive housing there, FWIW.