Contract checklist
What to verify before you commit
Contracts look simple until they do not. Use this checklist to confirm pay, schedule, cancellations, compliance, and housing details before you sign. The goal is clarity, not perfection.
The contract checklist
Check every box before you sign. This is your pre flight system.
Pay and stipends
Reality check
A high weekly number can still be a weak contract if cancellations are common or housing is unrealistic. Evaluate stability and net, not hype.
Schedule and time off
Fast tip
Ask for a typical schedule example. It exposes hidden weekend rules and pattern expectations.
Unit, scope, and safety
Tell it like it is
Never take a contract where you cannot safely do the required skills on day one. Protect patients and protect your license.
Compliance and onboarding
Save, share, and protect yourself
This checklist is your paper trail system. Keep it boring. Boring prevents problems.
Educational content only. Policies vary by facility and agency. Always confirm details in writing and follow compliance requirements.
Questions to ask before you sign
Ask these calmly. Clear answers signal a clean contract.
Use these exact lines
Pay package
Can you send the full weekly breakdown and the overtime policy in writing
Guarantees
What are guaranteed hours and what counts as a cancellation
Stipend reductions
If I miss a shift or am cancelled, what happens to stipends
Float
Where can I float and where will I never float
Unit reality
What are typical ratios and what support staff are on the unit
Compliance
What compliance items are required and what are the deadlines
If answers keep shifting, treat it as a control risk. Your job is clarity.
Red flags that justify walking away
You are not being difficult. You are being professional.
Offer clarity problems
- Pay breakdown changes repeatedly
- Guaranteed hours are vague or missing
- Cancellation policy is not written
- Stipend reduction rules are unclear
Safety and scope problems
- Floating is unlimited or undefined
- Required skills do not match your competency
- Ratios and support are consistently avoided as topics
- No escalation path for unsafe assignments
Do this
- Ask for written confirmation
- Push for specifics: hours, float, cancellations
- Use the checklist every time
- Walk away if it stays vague
Avoid this
- Signing on vibes
- Assuming policies are standard
- Ignoring float risk
- Relying on verbal promises
Contract checklist FAQ
Quick answers before you commit.
What is the difference between a contract and a pay package
The contract usually covers assignment terms: dates, facility, schedule rules, and policies. The pay package explains money: taxable rate, stipends, reimbursements, and sometimes overtime. You should save both.
Should I accept a contract if guaranteed hours are missing
Treat it as a risk. Without clear guarantees and cancellation rules, your weekly pay can swing. Ask for the policy in writing before you sign.
How do I protect myself if something changes after I sign
Keep every document. If details change, ask for an updated written agreement. If the change is material, you may be able to renegotiate or decline. Follow your agency process and get guidance.
What is the fastest way to compare two offers
Compare guaranteed hours, cancellation rules, and net housing reality first. A slightly lower weekly number with stronger guarantees can be the better contract.
Make every contract a repeatable decision
Use this checklist every time. You will sign fewer shaky contracts and build a cleaner travel career.