left stranded by last minute contract canceled

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I was to start a contract at the Kaiser in Santa Clara. After my agency already moved me in I received the news that the contract was being cancelled. My agency received a confirmation that I had the job. A company named nursefinders was a middle man. I now here with my son and unsure were I stand. It cost me a pretty penny to move. Nothing in my contract said this could happen. My little agency never has had this happen before. They now want me to pay rent. I told them no, I didn't do anything wrong. The hospital said they could give me a position in two to three weeks. This nursfinders said maybe some per diem no guarentee. I have less then a 100 with no income. Has anyone ever had this happen to them. I've been traveling 3 years and this is a first. I have considered consulting an attorney. Why am I being made to sufer for some elses mistake. No one sems to care about the effect on me.:no::(

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Specializes in Hospice.

HI, I understand what you are going through. Not sure I know the answer. Your liason at your company should be able to help you. My husband's contract was cancelled at the last minute in NM. Fortunately we had not left home yet. I still had a job, but it wasn't fesiable for us to go 1400 miles from home with only one of us working. Our company got me out of my contract with no hassle.

Keep close contact with your company and see if they can help you out. They won't let you stay for free and you need a job. Make sure they understand this.

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yes this just happened to me as well but after having been injured on the job. you need to report this company to the local hbi where you are now located as being a scam because they may have received money up front already and this is a way that we can fight back. go get food from the salvation army and ask if they can help you with gas. get signed up with a major company and let me know if you need the name of a good company and recruiter.

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Specializes in OB.

Frediajean - I'm really sorry you found yourself in this situation and hope things are working out. What I am about to say is not meant as a criticism of you as many of us learn things the hard way (I once drove 2000 miles home stopping every hundred miles or so to add antifreeze and water to a leaky radiator before I could afford to get it fixed.). Just using this as an opportunity to bring this up to other new travelers.

This situation and other similar situations we have seen are why part of everyone's preparation to travel should be to put aside a couple of thousand dollars - either in cash in a checking account, an available balance on a credit card or an easily accessed line of credit. You should have enough to get you home from anywhere in the country if your contract goes bottom up, to pay a month or so of critical bills, or to make a major car repair (or rent a car to get you to work).

If you "can't afford" to do this, then you really can't afford to travel yet.

Frediajean - let us know if you are doing okay now and how things worked out.

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Update:

After much pleading and threatening an attorney I got to start a week later.

The only quirk I have now is with my company. They quoted me that I would make a certian amount before figuring the difference in rent for my son and the dog. Somehow they have nickled and dimed me to 6 dollars an hour less.

I went on line to check the difference in rent for the apt and furniture. I also, figured the dog deposit and rent. Still, somehow I'm getting the short end of the deal. whenever I confront my recruiter about this I get told administrative cost and fees. This is bull, they get a fee from the hospital on top of my salary and housing for this. I have to pay the utilities and only get reimbursed 100. What's the deal?

I've been a nurse for almost 18 years. I feel I could almost or can make more as a staff nurse. I'm ready to stop travelling it just doesn't seem to pay.

Well at least i'm woking now.

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Specializes in OB.
Update:

After much pleading and threatening an attorney I got to start a week later.

The only quirk I have now is with my company. They quoted me that I would make a certian amount before figuring the difference in rent for my son and the dog. Somehow they have nickled and dimed me to 6 dollars an hour less.

I went on line to check the difference in rent for the apt and furniture. I also, figured the dog deposit and rent. Still, somehow I'm getting the short end of the deal. whenever I confront my recruiter about this I get told administrative cost and fees. This is bull, they get a fee from the hospital on top of my salary and housing for this. I have to pay the utilities and only get reimbursed 100. What's the deal?

I've been a nurse for almost 18 years. I feel I could almost or can make more as a staff nurse. I'm ready to stop travelling it just doesn't seem to pay.

Well at least i'm woking now.

I'm really glad to hear that you got it worked out so that you are not stranded. It does sound like a poor deal on this contract though. I'd start checking out other companies for your next contract if you decide to continue traveling. I do pay extra when I request a larger apt. (the difference between a one and two bedroom apt. and the cost of rental of extra bedroom set). If there is a monthly fee for pet I pay that. I do not have a cap on utilities - the company pays all of that. Check around and see what other companies are offering.

Good luck!

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I've just had the exact thing happen to me by Oakland Kaiser. Went through a week of orientation just to be be called by my agency and told that Kaiser cancelled the contract leaving me high and dry. Of course my agency informed me that since I was in their housing I would need to work per diem until they found me another assignment. So does that mean the contract which guaranteed me work can not be enforced? Any suggestions from anyone whose ever experienced this would be appreciated.

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It seems the threat of a lawyer helped me.

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I have not travelled before but i plan on getting the $100 nso malpractice ins. I'm sure if you have this ins. which provides you a lawyer to stand up for you! that could help!

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This insurance only helps with malpractice. I have a nephew that was a lawyer. Check with relatives and friends. I never had to call. It sems the threat helped me. Good Luck. Your agency should be standing up for you. Mine threaten to charge the hospital. It depends on what their agreement says.

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I've just had the exact thing happen to me by Oakland Kaiser. Went through a week of orientation just to be be called by my agency and told that Kaiser cancelled the contract leaving me high and dry. Of course my agency informed me that since I was in their housing I would need to work per diem until they found me another assignment. So does that mean the contract which guaranteed me work can not be enforced? Any suggestions from anyone whose ever experienced this would be appreciated.

I almost took jobs with both of these hospitals (both Kaiser's). Wow, I am glad I did not. There is something wrong when you HAVE TO commit to a contract and drag your butt across the country only to have someone else back out.

I would not take anything less than what I was offered in my contract and find myself a new company and recruiter asap.

I really feel safe with my recruiter if you want her info and this makes me glad I did not go with Kaiser!

-andy

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