Renewing your contract

It depends on the company, the unit that you are on and their needs, etc.

I have renewed for anywhere from 4 weeks to 13 weeks.

I've recently been asked to renew. I wouldn't consider it as the hospital is not exactly the safest facility I've worked at. But I asked what would happen if I did renew and they told met hey would have to drop my pay rate by .50 to 1.00USD...

I'm sure though that this varies from facility to facility and company to company...

No way I would stay if they were dropping my pay rate. They should be increasing it!! At least that is how it has been for me.

As they do not need to re-orient you and you now have experience on that unit, they should be increasing your pay rate, not lowering it. I suggest that you ask why your agency would even accept/allow that????

According to the nurses at delphi, it is a pretty common practice. They figure you like it so much you'd be willing to stay....Though I would think that not needing an orientation etc would increase your pay- after all you are then a known entity...

partly because of this, and some other small things, I'll be using a different company for my next assignment.

I have both renewed and extended my contracts. I typically take 13 week contracts ( 1 eight weeker though ).I have extended for just one additional week to fit into my holiday schedual, to renewing the entire 13 weeks.

On my last assignment I was asked to renew but the hospital normally would only renewed for eight weeks after the initial 13 weeks (why I dont know), now I wanted to stay and in fact I had negotiated w/ my company " ...if I stay then I'm moving closer to the hospital and I get to pick out the appartment... no problem my company says, but getting a appartment lease for 8 weeks only wouldn't cut it, 13 week lease at a min. So company talks to hospital, hospital agrees and I get to stay at a good assignment w/ an even better appartment Like a previous poster stated it depends on the company, BUT it also depends on you and your company. I hope this has helped, good luck.

Thank you for all the replies!

My wife is doing a travel contract right now. Pay is good, and they even give a housing allowance, which pays our rent. Both the company and the hospital said she can renew. They even said something about a $600 bonous for renewing! I just know that people will tell you anything and wanted to hear from others with experience of this. Apparently, there are 40 odd nurse positions that need filling the hospital. We just need this contract to last as long as possible-till I get through school really.

Thanks again.

#1... You should never take a reduction in pay to renew a contract.

#2... There are all kinds of varialbes in contracts and length. I have never had a 13+13 contract... something always changes and the lengths are never the same. Even had one that renewed every month.

#3... Watch how long you stay at an assignment because if it is over a year, then you will be considered a resident of that state and that you are not a temporary employee, but a permanent employee. Some states have an even shorter time (California). This also means that your tax home is at your assignment location; therefore, you will have to pay taxes on all your housing stipend and other travel related expenses.

Hope this helps!

I have renewed everywhere I have taken an assignment! I have never taken a cut in pay and never would! Typically I renew for 13 weeks at a time but this contract in Vermont I just extended for 17 weeks to get me thru the worst of the winter. I personally would not consider extending if I did not like most everything about the area of assignment! I need to like the hospital, the nurses I work with and where I live. If I am not happy in any of those areas I would not consider staying. So far I have been very lucky with the assignments I have taken and had a great experience at each place! Good Luck in your decision! Carol