I am canceling my contract after one week

[lmessajumper]

I won't go into details, but I accepted a 6wk contract with a company that I know I shouldn't have because they are cold, greedy, and uncaring for their nurses. I had car troubles my first week and made it to all of orientation using many different buses, trains, begging rides and lots of walking. The company would not help in any way (such as giving me some financial assist-I needed $200 to get my car out and had already worked 25 hrs that week) by not staying in their office 10 extra minutes to help me and by not sending a promised advance of the above amount. Not only did they hinder me but also made sure to "remind" me that I needed to be on time every day - which I was even though it was VERY difficult.

I have already decided that I do not want to work for any company like this. The $1800 a week they were offering (for 48hrs/wk) blinded me and I went against my gut and integrity and I cannot do it any more. I know it looks bad, I know I signed the contract but I will not continue.

What I am asking is, even though they have not invested any money in me as far as travel, licensing, housing, etc. and the $200 advance can be taken from the 30 hrs I have already worked, can they sue me for anything? Knowing this company like I do, I will most likely not see any of the money I have already made-they will find something to charge me for but I don't know of any other legal consequences. The manager of the unit understands that it is not a issue with the unit but with my employer and althought she is disappointed, she says that she would welcome me back as staff or as a registry nurse.

Do I need to fear any consequences that I may not know about? I already have work in the area and my conscience will not let me give any more of my time to this company.

[LadyNASDAQ]

I am sorry for your troubles but I think you weren't prepared for this assignment. Most Travel Nurses don't leave without cash and credit cards in case of emergencies. To have what happened to you is costing you as a worker. I have driven to some assignments but not all. When I have driven, my car was checked out and I bought a new set of tires. The usual maintenace was done and also my cars I drive are NEVER older than 4 yrs. old and then I trade it in.

It seems to me that $200 should have been available for you . I wouldn't ever leave my hometown with even that little money.

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

Some of you guys need to totally chill with your judgemental attitude...give me a break:trout: :nono: . It probably took this person a great amount of courage to ASK for your help with this problem, and what do you do?? You tell her how irresponsible she is...and without knowing all the facts. Shame on you.

To the OP, I'm sorry you're having this issue. Is there no one who can send the money to you (relative,friend)??

I wish you the best of luck with your car...and your travel company!!

[Lisa CCU RN, RN]

I'm getting bored with this

I'm bored too and you can't convert everyone.

Some lessons are best learned personally.

Like I said, I pray these tragedies never happen to you.

[CRNI-ICU20]

medic15251,

the op DIDN'T expect the travel company to pay for her car repairs....she had already put in enough hours that the $200 would have been already earned!

geez louise, you are making some strong assumptions about people who don't "plan for the future"....ie, that they are subscribing to HBO and drinking latte's at Starbucks every morn.....which is NOT the case!

I can personally attest, that after paying for my attorney, which is why I work a second job, (he charges $500 per hour while in court, which is the going rate here in Chicago) and after my own expenses of hearth and home, I have exactly $200 left per paycheck for food, gas, and 'emergencies'....I don't spend it on lattes and HBO.....I live very frugally....ride my bike to work 14 miles round trip on days when the weather isn't sucky....and pack a lunch rather than buy one....

I know I am not unique....and...btw...you are wrong about divorce as well...it isn't just finances that break a marriage....many many rich well off people divorce.....DOES PAUL MCCARTNEY AND HEATHER MILLS ring a bell??? Many dirt poor people never divorce, despite their financial challenges....so it isn't just about money....it's about alot of other issues that money doesn't have anything to do with....

When I was in nursing school, after I put my first husband through four years of college and an internship program, he came home one day and left a note on the dining room table that he no longer wanted to be married...it had nothing to do with money...it had everything to do with his desire to go get high and spend time with another woman....he abandoned me and his two children and he never saw us again for ten years....he didn't pay one dime of child support....and YES, it was more important for me at that time to put food in my children's bellies than worry about a term life policy....duh.

I had no television...I lived in a 100 year old farm house, grew my own vegs. walked whenever I needed to go somewhere, and made my kids' clothes....bought what I could second hand....

I am sure you are really bored now, and that is sad....that you cannot bring yourself to empathize with anyone beyond your own self.

You can make all the deliberate plans in the world.....but God just smiles, Medic....while you may have planned for some things, you can never be prepared entirely for what life can throw you....

What if your wife decides to walk and take everything you have worked for?? She can in most states take half of that life insurance policy....and then some....your thinking is gullible and shortsighted....

Some of us here have learned in the school of hard knocks, which is quite a few more notches above fourth grade.

[Mulan]

I agree with the others Medic15251, and what if you get struck with a disease like MS, or Lou Gehrigs disease, or acute multiple myeloma, or become a quad or a para? What are your plans then?

[Lisa CCU RN, RN]

medic15251,

the op DIDN'T expect the travel company to pay for her car repairs....she had already put in enough hours that the $200 would have been already earned!

geez louise, you are making some strong assumptions about people who don't "plan for the future"....ie, that they are subscribing to HBO and drinking latte's at Starbucks every morn.....which is NOT the case!

I can personally attest, that after paying for my attorney, which is why I work a second job, (he charges $500 per hour while in court, which is the going rate here in Chicago) and after my own expenses of hearth and home, I have exactly $200 left per paycheck for food, gas, and 'emergencies'....I don't spend it on lattes and HBO.....I live very frugally....ride my bike to work 14 miles round trip on days when the weather isn't sucky....and pack a lunch rather than buy one....

I know I am not unique....and...btw...you are wrong about divorce as well...it isn't just finances that break a marriage....many many rich well off people divorce.....DOES PAUL MCCARTNEY AND HEATHER MILLS ring a bell??? Many dirt poor people never divorce, despite their financial challenges....so it isn't just about money....it's about alot of other issues that money doesn't have anything to do with....

When I was in nursing school, after I put my first husband through four years of college and an internship program, he came home one day and left a note on the dining room table that he no longer wanted to be married...it had nothing to do with money...it had everything to do with his desire to go get high and spend time with another woman....he abandoned me and his two children and he never saw us again for ten years....he didn't pay one dime of child support....and YES, it was more important for me at that time to put food in my children's bellies than worry about a term life policy....duh.

I had no television...I lived in a 100 year old farm house, grew my own vegs. walked whenever I needed to go somewhere, and made my kids' clothes....bought what I could second hand....

I am sure you are really bored now, and that is sad....that you cannot bring yourself to empathize with anyone beyond your own self.

You can make all the deliberate plans in the world.....but God just smiles, Medic....while you may have planned for some things, you can never be prepared entirely for what life can throw you....

What if your wife decides to walk and take everything you have worked for?? She can in most states take half of that life insurance policy....and then some....your thinking is gullible and shortsighted....

Some of us here have learned in the school of hard knocks, which is quite a few more notches above fourth grade.

Well, I see why I am going to be a nurse rather than a lawyer, I'm not very good at arguing people down, but this is EXACTLY the point I was trying to make.

Well stated.

[Medic15251]

CRNI-ICU20

First, let me give you a little pointer. If you will indent and/or space out your paragraphs in your posts, it is much easier to read. Especially when you ramble on and on!

Let me first address Mulan's question, then we can come back and explain why your flawed logic is wrong.

what if you get struck with a disease like MS, or Lou Gehrigs disease, or acute multiple myeloma, or become a quad or a para? What are your plans then?

I would take each day as it comes. If one of these unfortunate events happened I would have $25 k in my EF for deductibles, as mentioned in previous posts I have health insurance, and I also have long term disability insurance that pays 70% of my income. If I were to die I have life insurance to replace my income for my wife.

Now back to CRNI

the op DIDN'T expect the travel company to pay for her car repairs....she had already put in enough hours that the $200 would have been already earned!

Wrong! It is standard in the industry to be paid on a weekly or every other week schedule. This is a condition in the contract the OP signed. Unless the contract read she was supposed to be paid after each shift, she was not owed the money until the next payday.

you are making some strong assumptions about people who don't "plan for the future"....ie

Wrong again! There are numerous studies and literature on what a debt ridden, instant gratification laden society we live in. I can point you to some if you'd like. I base my assumptions on this info plus the info the Op has provided in her post.

I have exactly $200 left per paycheck for food, gas, and 'emergencies'.

I would challenge you to post your net pay and monthly budget here. I can help you with it if you like.

you are wrong about divorce as well...it isn't just finances that break a marriage

I never said it was, and I am not wrong. Again, numerous studies show money problems are the leading cause of divorce in north america. That's all I ever said.

She can in most states take half of that life insurance policy....and then some

Where are you getting your facts? That statement doesn't even make sense. That life insurance is worthless unless I'm dead. And last time I checked, If I'm dead it wouldn't matter if she had half. If I'm dead she's entitled to all of it being the sole beneficiary!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

For once I agree with the cranky person.

If you are a nurse, and have a job, I would assume you are reasonably healthy.

You must live within your means. If you don't, then your financial problems are your own fault.

If you are travelling any distance you should have a contingency plan for emergencies. Like car repairs, or needing to pay for food or shelter for a few days.

Almost any fool can get a credit card in America, and even if you HATE them, they do make a great get-out-of-jail-free card for emergencies just like the one you describe.

I'm sorry you went through Katrina, it was horrible and badly handled, but it is over a year later. Nurses are needed everywhere, and you need to pick yourself up somewhat, have a plan other than just asking someone else to help, and giving up when they don't.

Most people can get on their feet (barely) with just their two hands and their health. I don't wish that situation on you or my worst enemy, but come on, your car broke down. Life sucks. Take a cab, or a rental, and put the repairs on the credit card, and think about how resilient and dependable you will look to the agency and your employer when you tell them what happened.

[Boltthrower]

Well, I guess its settled. There is only one course of action left to us. We have to find the OP and put her to death. Afterall, we cant have people going around making mistakes in this day and age now can we?

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Puh-leeze.

An execution would be overkill. I think a swift kick in the can would suffice.

[newlife30]

I know I shouldn't but here goes....I re-read the post and the major question was, if ' she would be held accountable if she broke her contract', i didn't realize in asking questions, you were entitled to a lecture and a reprimand. I'm a rookie at this, but I should have know that even on the net, we need to bring people down....I thought as a nurse you need to be cautious about your "judgements", I guess that only applies to your patients and not to your colleagues....interesting!

[CRNI-ICU20]

medic.....

I will indent....so you can....read....easier....

Since I consider myself a pretty saavy person on divorce law, and since I have researched those particular laws in several states, ANY insurance policy is considered an ASSET assets, a.items of ownership convertible into cash; total resources of a person or business, as cash, notes and accounts receivable, securities, inventories, goodwill, fixtures, machinery, or real estate (opposed to liabilities). ...and by virtue of that, can be petiitioned by either the petitioner or the plaintiff in a divorce proceeding. You don't have to die in order for your spouse to "collect" on the term life policy. In some states, all debts and ASSETS are split 50/50 regardless of the earnings contributed by either party. In other states, such as Illinois, debts and assets are decided via equitable distribution at the judge's discretion or via prior agreement by both parties. At any rate, insurance policies can be divided, even term life policies....they can be ordered to be either cashed out, and the proceeds divided, or at the time of death of the insured, it can be ordered by the court to be paid to the divorced spouse. The reason for this is that, under the law, any monies that contributed toward a purchase of something, whether it was a house, a boat, a car, an insurance policy is considered marital money. Anything that marital money went to buy becomes fair game in a divorce. The only exceptions are monies, valuables, or assets that were inherited and specifically labled to one party only, or were PRE-marital. I hope you research this for yourself. You may be quite surprised. In addition, there is prevention in something like this, and that is a pre-nuptial agreement. However, many pre-nups are not iron clad.

A marriage is not just two people who fall in love, have a ceremony and run off into the sunset. Under the law, it is a binding contract. As such, if one party breaches the contract, ie, adultery, brings home an STD, mentally or physically abuses, economically defaults, or dissapates marital assets, the contract is broken, and that is grounds for "law suit" or divorce. Your emergency fund would barely cover the lawyer's fees....let me tell you!

As for the OP who wondered whether she could be held accountable if she broke her contract....the answer is, OF COURSE SHE CAN. However, there were, and are, other tangents to her question and she shouldn't be slammed against the wall for being some kind of schlump in your eyes because she doesn't subscribe to YOUR way for financial stability.

In your opinion, people who get themselves into fiancial hot water, are the same people who most likely will divorce. This is simply not the case. While financial stress can be ONE of the contributing factors that breaks a marriage, your "numerous studies" that you allude to, will also mention the myriad other complexities that tear down a marriage. It would follow that if 50% of all marriages fail in this country, it is doubtful that it is ONLY because they are all poor money managers! If that were the case, then instead of marriage counseling, we should all be running to MorganStanley!

The OP came here looking for advice, good or bad. I don't think she was looking for someone to bully her and give her a stern lecture on how inept she was! She is, a human being, after all; and as far as I know, if you count yourself in the human community, you have just as many faults. Unless, you have bought an insurance policy for that too!

As for your offer to "help" me with my financial stuff. My attorney happens to be a well qualified CPA, and that is what I am paying him for right now. I believe, that despite your own success with your own finances, your methodology would wilt under the burden of court room motions and countermotions in my current situations. Believe me, you have no idea to what extent some so called human beings will go to, to get a free meal off of another! It woudn't matter if I made $300K a year, this person would see to it that I am financially punished for life! We were only married seven years, and five of which he sat on his dead butt and earned NOTHING. He has petitioned for spousal support for LIFE! and just might get it....

is there anything in your financial planning crystal ball for that one??

The point of this rambling is to hopefully help you look beyond your self and your own experience. Not everyone has been as fortunate as you.