Contract Red Flags and What to Get in Writing
What this post will cover
Missing or vague guaranteed-hours language.
Cancellation clauses: notice periods, housing reimbursement, and cancellation penalties.
Floating policies — what “floats to like units” actually means in practice.
Block scheduling, weekend requirements, holiday rotation, on-call expectations.
Extension language.
How to sense a good (or bad) contract
You can usually sense whether or not a contract will be a good one. Big hospital? Expect more difficult work conditions. Look at the demographics in the area — this will usually give you a good idea of what you are getting into. Look at the charting software. Meditech? Run. If the hospital manager is willing to speak with you on the phone before you sign a contract, that is always a good sign. I have never had an assignment where I did not get all my guaranteed hours, but be careful signing 48-hour contracts. You can always sign 36 hours and pick up that additional shift if you want. Most contracts in MS/Tele seem to be float positions, from what I have experienced.
Floating policies in practice
I find the variety to be good if they keep you on the floated floor for the whole shift. Sometimes the hospital will float you multiple times throughout the shift, giving you new patients on every floor, which I am not fond of. You could always ask your agency how they handle their floaters.
Scheduling: blocks, fill-ins, and swing shifts
Sometimes scheduling managers will give you the exact schedule you ask for; most of the time they do their best. Some contracts will assign you weekend blocks only, which I prefer. Some hospitals will use you as a fill-in and you have no say over your schedule. I find this difficult and frustrating. Make sure you look into the shift details and ask if they can swing you between day and night shift. It is still hard to believe that some hospitals have their nurses swing from days to nights and vice versa. And you wonder why there is burnout and low morale.
Extension language
If the hospital is good and you want to keep working in the area, put your extension in as soon as possible and let your manager and recruiter know. The earlier you sign an extension, the more likely you are to keep your same rate. Always check online to see if the hospital you are at has new travel positions open. If they are paying the new positions more, ask for the raise in the extension. If they are paying the new positions less, sign the extension ASAP.