Thinking about NOT signing another contract!

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Specializes in NICU, Vascular, Oncology, Telemetry.

So the facility that I've been at (finishing up my 2nd contract there now) is not the most desirable. Let's just say it's been tolerable. Fine. However, as you all know, travelers don't usually get treated the best and are first to float. Fine. Travelers always usually get the crappiest pt. assignment (No exaggeration, I had 2 swine flu patients, a TB, and a R/O influenza one night last week. These were 4 of the 5 Isolations on the floor - hey, why not give 'em all to the traveler?) This is my first travel assignment and I knew all of this going into it; I've been handling it alright and actually have come to enjoy the my "home" floor and the people I've been working with.

But lately I've been floating all the time, and more frequently, it's been to the "hell hole" of the hospital (aka, the 5th floor). The place NOBODY wants to go. The floor that when the manager tells you they have to send you there, they apologize. I've tried to have a good attitude, but two nights ago was the last straw. Without boring everyone to death with all the horrendous details, the nurses there are just plain VICIOUS. EVIL. Unkind human beings. Nurses who rip you apart and try to throw you under the bus, (while you are doing the very best you can and all patients are safe, clean, and comfortable) all within the first 5 minutes of report, should be tarred and feathered alive. Better yet, they should get OUT of the profession altogether.

I decided right then and there, when this contract is done (7/11), I'm 95% NOT signing on for another. The only way I'll stay on for another 8 weeks is if they put a clause in my contract stating I do not float to the 5th floor (I'll float anywhere else). My recruiter has been assuming all along I would sign on for another, we have even discussed the dates I will need off. She even put my contract online for me to sign. Which I have NOT YET SIGNED. When I spoke to her telling her of the issues I've been having, she was very sympathetic, but basically said I need to call so-and-so and talk to them, then I should call so-and-so, and talk to them and get advice. NO. I'm not calling all around, whining about how horrible this place is. I can't fix a broken system. I can't change rotten nurses' attitudes. I'm telling YOU because YOU are my advocate and if you want ME to sign up again, so that YOU can make money off of me, YOU will help me fix this problem. I shouldn't have to dread going to work -- or decide it's just NOT worth it and instead call off and pay my agency -- so I'm not subjected to the torture of the 5th floor.

Here's the kicker: When I told her I am seriously considering being done after this contract, she said something about me having to pay cancellation fees and we don't want to get into that. I reminded her I'm not obligated to anything after 7/11, that I've not signed my contract and I will not until I am comfortable with my contract. She said "Yeah, but you've verbally committed so we have you contracted with this facility." SO???:icon_roll

Am I wrong that I'm not obligated until I sign?? Any advice??

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Specializes in med-surg-ortho-.

You are correct - unless it was signed it does not exist! Verbal agreement?? Nice try on your recruiters behalf. I found that so many of them lie its insane! I too am very fed up with travel nursing but for other reasons.

Stand your ground - they cant do much if its NOT signed.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I am not a traveler ... but I have worked with contracts on the "other side," working for a hospital. So please take my minimal level of experience into consideration.

It seems to me that you are in a good position here. Your agency has strong motivation to get you to sign that contract. They have already made promises to the hospital that they cannot fulfill unless you agree to another contract. That's the ideal situation to be in for negotiating some improvements to the contract. With the employment picture not looking too good these days, you might want to sign another contract with them ... but take advantage of this opportunity to improve the terms of the contract.

My approach would be to say something like, "I never promised to sign that agreement. I said I would consider staying IF (and ONLY if) my conditions were met -- #1 being that I would no longer have to float to the 5th floor. If you want me to sign another contract to work at that hospital, you need to get me an amended contract that includes the following guarantees in writing ... "

Then, if they really want you to stay, they will meet at least some of your demands. If not, you can either sign or not sign depending on what you feel would be in your best interest.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

Oooh this post makes me so mad!!! Not at you of course...your company has nothing. She's a bluff. Once your contact ends it ends. Tell her your lawyer will be on this. You don't have to pay anything. If she's gets fired for not meeting quota or however these people get paid, that's not your problem.

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Specializes in ICU/PACU.

Umm...life is too short to continue to resign with poorly run hospitals and recruiters who don't have your best interest at heart. It's time to move on.

And...you haven't committed to a contract, so no you are not obligated to stay. You should really find another recruiter. Also, not every hospital floats you all the time and treats you like crap. Seriously...why put up with that?

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Specializes in ICU's,TELE,MED- SURG.

I have been a Nurse for 30 years and have been traveling on and off for the last 9 years so my advice is on the money...

you do NOT give verbal permission for an extension and you do NOT sign any extensions. Instead, you send a letter to your Recruiter and to this person's boss that as of July 11th, this is your last day at this facility and if there is another opportunity that sounds good to you in another facility you'll consider it.

You made a little boo boo so let me point this out to you...

NEVER say I'll etend woith this new criteria. What you are saying is that YES I will extend again. You can't easily refuse a float anywhere, trust me jobs in travel are super hard to come by. Instead you get done with this assignment and you have closure without egging anyone on. They being the agency can't make demands on this hospital for now.

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Specializes in NICU, Vascular, Oncology, Telemetry.

Thanks for the advice everyone!! So far, I haven't talked to anyone yet at either my agency or the hospital. It's been missed calls and voice mail messages. I didn't expect any resolution over the holiday weekend, but hopefully this week something will get decided. On one hand I want to stay, I'm familiar (I wouldn't use the word comfortable) with the facility/employees/etc. On the other hand, I'm ready to be done and not have to worry about it anymore. I'm also looking into doing some per diem work, have an interview/appointment this week to talk to the agency about which opportunities they have and where. I guess it boils down to turning down a contract (and almost guaranteed money) in this tough job market. I don't feel like I should be so risky...but I don't want to be miserable either. Hmmmm.....miserable with money or poor and happy?:D

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I think I'd rather be miserable with money- I could get hapy by going shopping and staring to look into another assignment( with another company) from the start of this contoversial extension. being poor and happy only lasts for a SHORT time- once the bills come due the unhappiness starts- been there done that got the Tee shirt. I do per deim now and assignments are few and far between- In May 2009- I worked "1" eight hour shift. poor and happy lasted only 1 day- my family is Peeved and I had to take a parttime staff position

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