Traveling as a nurse could be a new chapter in your life full of excitement and enthusiasm. In this adventure, you will be excited about what lies ahead and want to start immediately. But many people do not check their travel nurse contract correctly at the beginning of their employment. Not seeing such minor details correctly could become a significant issue in the future.
Many first-time travel nurses may feel overwhelmed by the lengthy contracts that their agencies give them. Here’s everything you should know before signing the form.
What is it?
A travel nursing contract is a set of agreements between an allied professional, an agency, and a hospital. Every nurse has an employment contract with their agency, which deals with the hospital’s vendor sourcing manager. If it is a smaller healthcare facility, it may communicate directly with the agencies, eliminating the need for an intermediary.
Why is it important?
The travel contract between the nurse and the agency serves as the nurse’s tax document and sets the nurse’s obligations and working circumstances. It addresses various parameters, including salary, benefits, reimbursement, and much more. These benefits are directly linked to the hospital to which the nurse is assigned. Because these nurses’ placement may vary from one location to another, the contract will also change, making it critical for them to comprehend every feature of their form in depth.
What to look for in it?
Everybody should keep a few things in mind while negotiating a travel nurse contract with their agencies.
- Compensation for travel expenses
- Policies regarding cancellations
- Housing legislation
- Sick leave
- Health coverage
- Medical advantages
- Pay interval
How should one negotiate with the agency?
Researching before approaching an agency is always a good idea. In a nutshell, you should be fully prepared before the agent comes to you. You should research and write down all your queries before negotiating and signing the contract.
Here are a few ways that can help you at the time of negotiating with your agency:
- Ask the right question: The most critical element is to be knowledgeable. Aside from being informative, it is also critical to ask the appropriate questions at the right moment. This also boosts your and your agent’s confidence.
- Don’t say yes to anything: As a first-time travel nurse, you will likely want to say yes to your first project. But remember that this will not be your first or last assignment. Obtaining a project does not imply that you must agree to everything in the form. Instead, it would help if you fought for what was best for you. Don’t be embarrassed to say no, even if it means losing a contract.
- Adjust but do not compromise: Adjusting to the authorities’ demands and requirements and compromising with them are entirely different. Always remember that your position today is due to your abilities and achievements. So do not compromise before answering yes or no to any parameter in the contract.
Wrap up
Knowing the appropriate information is crucial in any job, not just this one. Everyone is eager for their first opportunity and wants to get started as soon as possible. So, if it is your first time or you are a seasoned nurse, always double-check and validate all information ahead of time.
