Yea, another cancelled contract, calling Ted!

[DRZmaui]

I'm writing to see where I stand with a cancelled contract (calling Ted!).

Background: After working full time as a RN for the past 30 years, I'm retiring in June. I decided to give Travel Nursing a go.

Plan: Take a celebratory trip with my wife to Japan, and then return to work as a traveler. See different parts of the county, work part time. My specialty is psych, thus I'm limited to the big agencies. I signed a contract (9 weeks Aug to Oct) to backfill for staffing at a facility for EMR conversions. Has spent over $300 of my own money to obtaining an out of state RN license.

Today, I received the news that the EMR conversation is cancelled, and thus I'm not needed (contract cancelled). If I was interested, there might be some summer vacation relief spots this summer or in September.

Where I'm at now, should the agency whom I signed the contract, reimburse me in full, or am I out that money. I've received promises of getting some” of my expenses back. They seem eager to sing me a new contract, but I'm a bit reluctant. I want to see them try and make some accommodations before committing to a new contract. Trust is a very big thing for me, and right now, I'm not getting that warm and fuzzy feeling right now.

My question is this, is it unreasonable that I demand full reimbursement for my expenses. I held up my end of the contract. IF I was to break a contract, I'm sure there would be a penalty. Yes, I do understand about my at will” employee status.

I'm not too surprised. Have followed this site pretty closely, and have read Highway Hypodermic. This site has been of great help, again, thank you Ted.

[Argo]

I think you meant NED.

[DRZmaui]

Sorry, your right. See if I can to back and edit it

[NedRN]

Do you have an actual signed contract in hand? What does it say?

[DRZmaui]

Have one, but it was signed electronically. I could PM you a copy. Don't want to share my dirty laundry.

BTW, I added up my expenses, $435. Don't think I'll commit anything till I see some reimbursement. Presently I'm courted for staff position elsewhere.

[DRZmaui]

Ned, PM sent

[NedRN]

What you pasted was a copy of your assignment letter - nothing to see there. The language of interest is in your employee handbook. Look for a section on termination, and another on what the agency will pay for if you are accepted for an assignment, and under what conditions will they not pay for what they promised.

No matter what the handbook says (which is part of your contract), I don't like your recruiter being fuzzy on the details. You shouldn't have to look it up. This happens all the time and they know the ramifications. Of course they would like to get you into another assignment so all costs are amortized by revenue no matter what your rights under the contract.

[DRZmaui]

thanks, Will do.

[DRZmaui]

I've scanned all the documents, can't find anything re: cancellation or reimbursement. Mostly standards, code of conduct, usually H.R. type stuff.

[NedRN]

Did they tell you at any time that you would be reimbursed for your lunch costs? Kind of standard.

[DRZmaui]

Giving things a couple of weeks. Waiting to hear back from a few Staff positions I've interviewed for. Feel I'm going to get burned on my $430 Spent on getting a RN license. My first impression and subconscious telling me to forget about perusing traveling. Would prefer traveling, but getting a bit gun shy. Defiantly a learning curve.

I do plan to keep everybody updated, stay tuned……

[NedRN]

Sorry you got burned. Those expenses are tax deductible if you are still itemizing and the agency won't reimburse you.

You may have a wider choice of agencies than you think. Besides the really big ones like CC, AM, and RN Network, Supplemental (now very large) and Worldwide (founded by former Supplemental staff) are good choices for psych.

P.S. My last post should have read license cost, not lunch. Darn spell checkers!