Not being considered to "re-sign" contract

[mustang_convt]

Hi All!

I have a question for the more seasoned travel nurses. I am about to finish up my first assignment as a labor nurse. The hospital I am contracted at is very small (25 beds total) and the labor/post partem unit is VERY slow. However-they are in quite a bind because they are trying to keep up with the industry standard by having at least two fully-trained labor nurses in the building 24/7. The only problem is they cannot keep adequately trained staff due to the low volume of patients its almost impossible to "train" a labor nurse without patients. So they have corrected this problem by hiring experienced strong travel labor nurses to run their third shift while they hire and orient new staff.

My contract ends October 19th and there will still be a major need as none of the new staff will be fully trained by that time. In fact-this will probably be a major issue for them until next spring or so as the nurses they have hired are not only new labor nurses-they are so fresh to nursing two of them haven't even taken their boards yet! They still need to learn to be a NURSE-much less learn a specialty like labor/delivery.

Anyways-a few of the other travelers who started their contracts at the same time as me (give or take a week) were asked to extend their contracts. When my recruiter asked if they would be interested in extending mine they basically said "thanks but no thanks" and said there wouldn't be a need. Which couldn't be farther from the truth.

I have to admit-while my heart wasn't set on extending and I think I will be able to move on fairly quickly with such a sought-after specialty-I am still kind of hurt they did not want me to re-sign. But beyond that Im concerned for my next job. I am wondering what I did that makes them say they don't want me to stick around even though they are desperate for help. They are so slow I have only had 1 lady partsl delivery, 1 C/S, and 3 Mother/Baby couplets and their care was all fairly routine and there have not been any patient complaints, document issues, or disagreements with physicians.

Im just wondering if I should take this personally. I am pretty worried Im rubbing people the wrong way or something and have no clue that Im doing it! I don't want to bring any bad habits into my next job. I know its impossible for anyone to KNOW because none of you work with me-but Im just wondering from the more experienced travelers if there could be reasons Im not thinking of as to why they do not want to extend despite a major need! TIA if you have any constructive criticism :)

[NedRN]

I rub people the wrong way on assignment fairly often, at least until they get to know me better. But I never find out unless someone complains to the manager, and even then often not. I would suggest that you ask for guidance from the manager and if there is anything you could improve on. While I know pretty much what behavior on my part causes issues, it is helpful (and painful) when it is pointed out. I would also suggest that you get a written reference - your first assignment is the best place to start good habits. Your agency will get one on you, but will probably not share. Get at least one early in an assignment, that serves to protect you should a place as slow as this one make up some reason to terminate you to save money.

I'm going to send you a PM too.

[Psychcns]

I would try to get two written references to take with you. Charge nurse or manager.

I would ask the manager for feedback like Ned suggested if you think it would be helpful?

Who knows why they didn't ask you to recon tract? Others may have asked first---

[bagladyrn, RN]

Another possible scenario: They may have someone in mind who has been at that hospital previously, was unavailable, and now wants to come back. Some small facilities seem to really like to have repeat travelers they know well and will try to accomodate them.