08/09/2021
Look for the following specific points in your contract, and ask your staffing agency as many questions as you feel are necessary.
1. Travel Expenses and Reimbursements
Travel nursing agencies will almost always cover travel expenses for nurses with commutes involving a cross-country road trip or plane ride. It can happen in one of three ways. One, you spend money out-of-pocket on initial travel expenses yourself and then are reimbursed by the agency later.Two, the agency purchases all tickets and gas for you as needed. Three, the agency pays out a set amount every pay period.
Option three is how some agencies does it: They give the maximum tax-free amount possible to traveling pros with each paycheck. This saves everyone money in the long run, and helps nurses maximize their payout. Your agency should give a very clear explanation of how this is expected to happen. In addition, you should know how your expenses will be covered or reimbursed should an assignment be cancelled before you depart.
2. Cancellation Policies
Speaking of cancellation. Especially in crisis situations, hospitals will sometimes overbook their travel nurses, and may need to pull their contract at the last minute. Know your agency’s policy regarding cancellations made by the hospital: will you receive a percentage of your pay? Will the agency expedite your assignments to find a new job for your right away? Will your travel expenses be reimbursed if you have not departed, or if you have just arrived and need to buy a potentially very expensive ticket back home?
3. Housing Policy
Some agencies offer or arrange housing either through an internal system, or via a number of dedicated housing sites for travel nurses. (Want more info on housing for travel nurses? Look no further and check out our other article: Housing for Travel Nurses.) The bottom line is you need to know what your agency is offering and what you’re responsible for. Who’s paying for what, and when? If they’re setting it up, what happens if the assignment is extended or ends early? If you’re setting it up, where do you find a good spot to stay during your next assignment?
4. Sick Pay
A top concern during the coronavirus pandemic, your agency should clearly spell out what happens if you get sick and can’t work. This should also include their quarantine policy as well.. You should know how many hours of quarantine pay or sick pay you’re entitled to for this assignment.
5. Health Insurance
Health coverage is a given for full time hospital staff, but how does it work when you’re finding contract employment through an agency? It’s actually very common for nurses to receive insurance through their agency as employees of the staffing company. Easy! Other staffing companies, partner with insurance agencies to provide their professionals with affordable, quality health insurance. Getting sick on the job is a prominent risk for travel nurses, and you should make extra sure that you’ll be able to meet any medical expenses.
Last Thoughts
Knowledge is power. Now that you’ve seen the five key things to look out for on a travel nursing contract, you’re ready to take on the world! That is, the world of travel nursing. You should know everything there is to know about your travel nursing contract. And if there’s something that doesn’t work for you, don’t be afraid to negotiate.