Travel: Resumé Effects & Contract Cancellation?

[rowalker915]

I am thinking about Travel Nursing as a means to facilitate relocation, however, have a few concerns.

For one, I am wondering if doing that would hurt my resumé, to go from 5 years successfully climbing the same hospital's clinical ladder & serving on committees to suddenly being a temp.

Further, if I were to find a permanent position on location, is it possible to terminate a 13-week contract early and what is the penalty?

Any advice appreciated!

[NedRN]

You never want to enter into any employment contract with the intention of breaching it. In any case, the penalties are not worth it. Staff positions often take over two months from first contact to first day of work anyway. I'm not sure I'd want a staff job where they wouldn't wait for you to finish an existing employment contract (and the same is true with the shoe on the other foot - they wouldn't want someone that bails).

I think most managers would think travel experience is very helpful. Shows you are adaptable with skills that quickly translate into early productivity. HR may not be as positive, with travel assignments showing a potential lack of loyalty. However with a five year staff job on your resume, you should be able to get past any HR negativity.

[rowalker915]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up finding a permanent offer I liked before I signed on with an agency.