Receiving 13wk contract offer without a phone interview?

NedRN · Oct 24, 2016

If you are an experienced seasoned traveler, no issue. If this is your first time, it is a red flag in my opinion. There is almost certainly a vendor manager (they act as a substitute HR for the hospital), and the hospitals that use them use large numbers of travelers. Those hospitals are at the point where they just want a warm body qualified on paper. They also don't want to pay a lot to orient you or be traveler friendly. Staff at such hospitals can get tired of constant new travelers and not be supportive as they expect you to be uber competent (you are, or are believed to be making more than they are). It could even be a hellhole that experienced travelers avoid as not being worth it no matter the money. Yes, big money is also a red flag.

If you are a first time traveler, you want to find a good recruiter that is interested in finding you a successful first assignment that is traveler friendly and a good fit for your experience, skills, and confidence. Money and location is secondary to this primary concern. It could well be that the assignment you are referring to fits the bill I've just described, but a vendor manager involvement and a manager that doesn't care enough about his/her unit to interview the best candidates makes it less likely.

You have been a nurse for a while. If your experience includes multiple facilities, discount some of what I said as that may be partially equivalent to a seasoned traveler.

tampanurse2000 · Oct 24, 2016

Hi NedRN, yes I am a seasoned traveler but was concerned over not getting a call from a nursemanager or HR for a phone interview. The facility is Sutter-Jackson CA. My recruiter said I got an "auto-offer". Now that I have gotten the contract, I am reading it over (many $figures not correct as quoted). Recruiter is pushing so hard-but I stated-- hey correct the errors to reflect the quote you sent, and while you do that also include the following bonuses........maybe then I will sign (by noon tomorrow). Just looking out for myself as a traveler. Thanks for your response.

Ginger45 · Oct 29, 2016

RUN! I want to talk to them about their facility etc. Not just an interview.

NedRN · Oct 29, 2016

Usually the only point to an interview is to let you ask questions and convince you to take the assignment. Occasionally the manager may need some skill or attribute clarified but usually if you are qualified in writing at a hospital that uses lots of travelers, that is sufficient.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2016

It is a weird feeling I know to be offered a contract without having talked to the manager, but it has happened to me before. Just make sure you get the contract to state exactly what you want it to say (pay, shifts, length etc) before you sign it. Also, if you have specific questions about the unit you will be working on, ask the recruiter/agency to get that information for you or even if you can speak to the manager yourself to get that information. You have a right to be prepared.

Z

tampanurse2000 · Oct 30, 2016

Hi zacarias and thanks for your reply. Yes, got everything in writing on my contract that i wanted, along with detailed explanations of all the specifics on the facility/unit. Thank you.

bagladyrn, RN · Oct 31, 2016

I'm going to do something I don't usually do and disagree with Ned this time.

I see the interview as much for my benefit as for the facility. There have been contracts I have declined simply on the results of my interview as well as things I need to clarify with the hiring person even if accepting the position.

NedRN · Oct 31, 2016

My opinion is just that! But I agree most interviews are for the benefit of the traveler (and secondarily for the manager to give a direct sales pitch). And in particular, newer travelers.

RaeMarieRN · Nov 11, 2016

Tampanurse2000, the first contract that my husband and I accepted here in CA was offered with no interview. It took a lot of work, but we finally managed to get them to send us information about the units that we would be working on (turned out to be a very basic bullet list that really gave no information at all, just bed count and ratios). In the end we did take the assignment, and loved it. Extended and even recommended the facility. I can understand why it would raise some red flags for you, especially if it hasn't happened before. Check with your recruiter if they have had other travelers at that facility in the past and what they thought about it. In the end, I would suggest to go with your gut.