From verbal agreement to contract in hand - average time frame?

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Quick question,

What is the average time frame from when you verbally agree to a contract, and when you receive the written for your review? My recruiter said two days, and those are up as of today. Said yes on Friday, so not counting the weekend or holiday in that. The contract starts in a little over two weeks so I have time.

Thanks

[NedRN]

Never verbally agree to a contract you haven't seen. Say instead you will take the assignment pending contract review.

Agencies have contracts on a prefilled template. It takes only minutes to finalize. They may be playing some games behind the curtains, none of them good.

Perhaps the most cynical is that if they give you too much time to read the contract, you might actually read it! If they give it to you at the last minute, it is harder for the traveler to back out matter the terms.

Could be more innocent, like a lack of professionalism.

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Thanks Ned. I worded the above post a bit incorrectly. I did state I would take the contract pending review. I ended up choosing an AMN subsidiary. I had a decent rapport with the recruiter and they had more assignments in my preferred locations/shift. She did a brief "it's a verbal contract so now you need to do the contract" spiel, but it sounded scripted and once I informed her I knew that verbal contracts weren't binding and I won't be playing that game she dropped it. She did immediately send me an email outlining exactly what we talked about and all of the numbers were correct. I think ill call or email her today and find out what's up.

I just have to say I love allnurses. This forum in particular has been a great source of information and support while I attempt to do this travel nursing thing.

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

So, I was worried for nothing. The contract is in for my review. All the numbers are as we discussed. I'm going to have a buddy of mine who's been a traveler for awhile review it with me to make sure I'm not getting shafted in any way.

[NedRN]

Glad it worked out (so far). Sounds like a great recruiter who documented everything discussed in an email for your record. Very professional.

They do have a record and notes of every conversation with you in their contact database (something similar to Sales Force software). Which is a good reason to be as professional as possible when dealing with an agency, especially big ones. You really don't want to talk about problems at work, and really really should never talk about any personal problems.

[NedRN]

Oh, great job in handling the recruiter's script!