Contracts Guide
Travel nurse contracts
what to check before you sign
Contracts are where good assignments become great and where bad ones reveal themselves. This page gives you a clear review checklist, negotiation points, and red flags to avoid.
The contract checklist
Use this in order. When something is missing, ask for it in writing. Clarity now prevents chaos later.
Section 1
Assignment basics
- Facility and unit
- Start date and end date
- Shift, weekend rotation, call details
- Floating expectations
Section 2
Pay package
- Taxed hourly rate
- Stipends and allowances
- Overtime rules
- Pay schedule and first check timing
Section 3
Hours and guarantees
- Guaranteed hours per week
- Cancellation policy
- Low census terms
- Mandatory float or shift changes
Section 4
Benefits and reimbursements
- Health coverage start date
- Travel reimbursements
- License and certification reimbursements
- Scrubs, parking, and other fees
Section 5
Housing and logistics
- Housing provided or stipend plan
- Deposit timelines and refund rules
- Commute reality and parking
- Meal breaks and unit workflow
Bonus
Get it in writing
If the recruiter says it, it should be written. Text and email count. Verbal promises vanish.
You are not being difficult. You are being safe.
Pay package basics
Compare packages using the same frame every time. The fastest way to get confused is to compare apples to vibes.
Questions to ask about pay
- What is the taxed hourly rate
- What are the weekly stipends and what triggers changes
- Is overtime paid at time and a half and on which base
- When does pay start and what is the pay schedule
Simple comparison rule
Start with weekly take home estimate, then subtract housing cost and add commute cost. That number is closer to reality than the headline pay.
- Weekly take home estimate
- Minus housing cost
- Minus commute and parking
- Equals usable weekly
Hours, schedule, and what guaranteed really means
This is where many contracts get messy. Be clear on minimum hours, cancellation, and floating rules.
Guaranteed hours
Confirm how many hours are guaranteed weekly and what happens if the unit cancels you.
Call and weekends
Get the exact expectations in writing. Call rules vary and can change your life fast.
Floating
Ask where you can float and what training support exists. Floating without support is a safety risk.
Pair this with interview prep
The best time to clarify schedule and expectations is during the facility interview.
Terms and protections
You do not need to be paranoid. You need to be prepared. These items protect you when things change.
Cancellation policy
How many shifts can be canceled, what notice is required, and what happens to housing or stipends when canceled.
Orientation expectations
Ask how long orientation is, who trains you, and what the unit expects on day one.
Floating and scope
You can protect yourself by clarifying which units are reasonable and which are not.
Extensions
If you want to extend, ask when the facility decides and whether the rate can change.
Negotiation that is worth doing
Strong opinion. Negotiate the levers that matter, then stop. Endless negotiation kills momentum.
Rate or weekly take home
If the package is below your floor, ask once for a clear improvement, then move on.
Guaranteed hours
If the facility is known for low census, push for clearer guarantees or choose a different assignment.
Schedule clarity
Shift, weekends, and call expectations should be clean. Confusing schedules create burnout fast.
Contract red flags
If you see these, slow down. You can still take the job, but only if you understand the risk.
Missing guaranteed hours
If there is no guarantee, your pay can swing hard.
Vague floating language
If it says float anywhere, clarify what that means in reality.
Pay package not itemized
If the numbers are not listed clearly, do not sign yet.
Unclear cancellation terms
Know what happens if they cancel you and what you still owe.
Pressure to sign immediately
Urgency is normal. Pressure without answers is not.
Orientation is unclear
If they cannot explain orientation, the unit may be unstable.
Still building your job search system
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FAQ
Short answers to the contract questions that come up constantly.