Travelers, can you pick your shifts?

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Hi there, travelers. I'm considering traveling and have a question about scheduling. I know that you often sign on for days or nights, but I'm curious how much flexibility you have in determining exactly which days you will work. I understand that PM positions are more common, and I love working nights (I know, it's weird). However, ideally I'd love to do three twelves in a row so that I can have my other four days to get my schedule flipped back around and explore new cities by day. In contrast, I think that traveling and working every other night would be miserable.

On your contracts, have you had any say on which days you'll work? Or is it more along the lines of, "We're paying you a ton of money, so show up when we tell you to"?

Thank you, thank you!

[Argo]

Best thing is to talk to them when you interview and put the shifts on the contract if they are agreeable to the terms. I have done this on all three of my contracts. I am sure it will not always be feasible but I probably wont do a contract if it isn't allowable. I try to work within 3 hours of home and drive my camper to work for sleeping there for the 2 nights/3 days I am working. If I was within 90 minutes of home I would possibly consider breaking up the days but I would want at least 2 days together.....

In other words, it is doable but if it is mandatory for you, get it in the contract at the start. I also avoid having call in my contract.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Best thing is to talk to them when you interview and put the shifts on the contract if they are agreeable to the terms. I have done this on all three of my contracts. I am sure it will not always be feasible but I probably wont do a contract if it isn't allowable. I try to work within 3 hours of home and drive my camper to work for sleeping there for the 2 nights/3 days I am working. If I was within 90 minutes of home I would possibly consider breaking up the days but I would want at least 2 days together.....

In other words, it is doable but if it is mandatory for you, get it in the contract at the start. I also avoid having call in my contract.

Awesome, thanks for the advice!

[Dinsey]

I agree with the poster above. You will see staffing done differently facility to facility. Some will have you sign up for the schedule the same way the staff does, some will just assign you according to their needs. It seems easier to just get it in writing. It's also worth noting that if you have specific dates (a wedding, friends in town, etc) those need to be in writing in your contract as well. Some facilities also post positions for rotating shifts, so if you want straight nights or days make sure that is in your contract too.

[NedRN]

Your recruiter(s) should know upfront too about your preferences. They will often know what is possible on different units so you don't waste everyone's time. Some nurses by the way, especially older ones, do not want to work three in a row. I know, hard to understand right?