I am canceling my contract after one week

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I won't go into details, but I accepted a 6wk contract with a company that I know I shouldn't have because they are cold, greedy, and uncaring for their nurses. I had car troubles my first week and made it to all of orientation using many different buses, trains, begging rides and lots of walking. The company would not help in any way (such as giving me some financial assist-I needed $200 to get my car out and had already worked 25 hrs that week) by not staying in their office 10 extra minutes to help me and by not sending a promised advance of the above amount. Not only did they hinder me but also made sure to "remind" me that I needed to be on time every day - which I was even though it was VERY difficult.

I have already decided that I do not want to work for any company like this. The $1800 a week they were offering (for 48hrs/wk) blinded me and I went against my gut and integrity and I cannot do it any more. I know it looks bad, I know I signed the contract but I will not continue.

What I am asking is, even though they have not invested any money in me as far as travel, licensing, housing, etc. and the $200 advance can be taken from the 30 hrs I have already worked, can they sue me for anything? Knowing this company like I do, I will most likely not see any of the money I have already made-they will find something to charge me for but I don't know of any other legal consequences. The manager of the unit understands that it is not a issue with the unit but with my employer and althought she is disappointed, she says that she would welcome me back as staff or as a registry nurse.

Do I need to fear any consequences that I may not know about? I already have work in the area and my conscience will not let me give any more of my time to this company.

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Specializes in med-surg,sa,breast & cervical ca.

Not sure, but did they not follow through with their part of the written contract/ Seems like if they voided part of the agreement (that was in writing) that may be an out for you..keep us posted, I am just thinking of getting started in Travel nursing and while this is discouraging it serves as a warning to be careful..Hope things get better for you, I'm sorry this happened to you.

Ms.P

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there can be a bad reference and they probably can keep you from taking a staff position in this facility for a certain length of time [varies according to your contract]

hope you get your car fixed and that you find something that suits you

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My references come from my coworkers - charge nurses or lead nurses - usually. I already have two other agencies looking for contracts and I work for two local nursing registries that keep me real busy at the local hospitals. I am embarassed and feel bad about leaving them short and I call the unit and explained that I am truly sorry but I cannot work for this company anymore. Anyway, thanks for the reply, and travel nursing is great BUT - I do not recommend anyone to work for the "big" company that we all know about or any of it's subsidiaries. Send me a personal message and I will hook you up with the best recruiter and company I have worked for in 8 years.

Lisa

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Sorry to hear of your troubles. I dont mean to be mean but why is it your companies fault you dont have the money to fix your car?? Wife and I always keep back a certain portions of her earns for just these occasions.

If you have a contact with that hospital you may not be able to quit and then get hired by the hospital. You would have to ask for a contract release in order to be able to work for them. Depends on your original contract.

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"The company would not help in any way (such as giving me some financial assist-I needed $200 to get my car out"

Forgive me for being short, but would you like some cheese with that whine? I would have to agree with housemamma. A basic rule of personal finance is to have 3-6 months worth of expenses in a very liquid account as an emergency fund. I don't see how it is the travel company's responsibility to fix your car. I would say based on the limited amount of info in your post that you have a legal and moral responsibility to finish your contract.

"Do I need to fear any consequences that I may not know about?"

Yes! I would say your greatest fear should be that this flaw in your character might lead to a chain of events that will leave you forever having the responsibility of a 10 year old. It's time to grow up and take responsibility.

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

Was there anything in your contract that stated you could recieve cash advances for emergencies?

I cannot say that I have EVER worked for any company that gave cash advances.

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I wasn't going to comment anymore but I guess my pride is getting the best of me. No, we do not have an emergency fund right now. We lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, replaced everything that my husband and I needed for our house and replaced all my stepdaughters needed and took full-time care of them for a full year and just started traveling again last summer. This past winter, my husband was in the hospital for 2 weeks and I had to take some time off and then our car was broken into and all our phones and money was stolen. I know it sounds like a soap opera but I believe that nurses especially should not assume about someone's character as there could be extenuating circumstances. All I asked from them is a little support so that I could honor the contract. I have been traveling for 7 years and worked for them 48 hours per week for 3 months last summer. I took combinations of 2-3 buses plus trains to get to orientation classes every day that week along with paying for rides. That day I had NO way to get where I needed to be on time and when I said that I might be late I was "gently" reminded that I REALLY needed to be on time and that the recruiter could not stay in her office 10 extra minutes (after I would be spending 3 hours on public transportation to get there and 3 hrs back) so that I could pick up a very small advance to get my car key. So, I would appreciate no one else commenting on my character and giving obvious advice on emergency funds but if anyone has any info on the question I asked that would be appreciated.

Thank you

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It is up to the agency on an individual basis whether or not that they can provide emergency funds. The other thing that you need to look at is the cancellation clause of your contract. Many times there are penalties tacked on depending on the housing part of the contract.

And I usually seen nurses wait about three weeks to get any of their money from when they start working. Also depends on if you are paid weekly, or every two weeks.

And also be aware that in most contracts with travel companies, there is a clause that you cannot work for that facility for anywhere from six months to a year for another company, or even the hospital directly without a fee paid to the travel company. They were the ones that introduced you to the facility in the first place.

I am not saying anything about anyone, but just things that you need to be aware of.

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Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

:nono: medic: i believe that when the poster stated her particular situation, she was not looking for a slap on the hand, but seeking good advice on how to deal with a particularly unpleasant situation. i think support, not admonishment would be in her best interests in this situation. i do, in my opinion of course, speak for myself and no one else.

as for the poster: the company is a company period. they are in business to make a profit. if the recruiters and administrators must step on toes, take a harsh approach to individual circumstances, or appear 'heartless' in order to do so, they will indeed do so. if you develop a personal and friendly relationship, then of course it is to your advantage and that person will try extra hard to accomodate you. however, one mustn't forget that a company is a company and they are number crunchers and want their numbers to show a profit, and the travelers are a commodity, used in order to achieve the positive numbers. it is important that one not forget what the bottom line is and what their (the company) ultimate goal is.:twocents: :twocents:

as far as the unfortunate situation in which you find yourself: you may try public non-profit organizations (women's groups, family services, etc) and religious organizations (salvation army, methodist, mormon, catholic, etc) to float you a 'grant' or 'loan' in order to help with your situation. many of the religious organizations operate lending rooms (furniture, appliances, possessions etc) that aid and in addition, are able to provide short term transportation for people locally. you might have some luck there.

[color=olive]the hospital itself is under no obligation to assist you, but all hospitals have social workers who have a wealth of resources at their fingertips. approach them. ask them for their help, or at least they can provide you with the appropriate community resources that might assist you, and in the process you may develop a personal friendship in the process!

i hope that you have positive results and keep us 'posted' :flowersfo

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"Medic: I believe that when the poster stated her particular situation, she was not looking for a slap on the hand, but seeking good advice on how to deal with a particularly unpleasant situation. I think support, not admonishment would be in her best interests in this situation. I do, in my opinion of course, speak for myself and no one else."

moonrose:

Sometimes the best advice is a slap on the hand. ;)

All the events listed by the OP ,while unfortunate, were either preventable or manageable. I think the best advice would be to live on a budget, eliminate consumer debt, build an emergency fund, and for the OP to reevaluate her insurance needs.

end of story

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All the events listed by the OP ,while unfortunate, were either preventable or manageable. I think the best advice would be to live on a budget, eliminate consumer debt, build an emergency fund, and for the OP to reevaluate her insurance needs.

end of story

Not quite. Really bad things happen to people sometimes. And the OP is right, it isn't cool to assail someone else's character when you don't know the person or all the details of the person's circumstances. How do you know that the OP doesn't live on a budget? And how do you know that she has consumer debt?

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