Breaking a travel contract

[DavidRN]

First off, I’d like to preface my comments by saying that in my fourteen years as a traveler, I have had two contracts terminated by facilities. I would also like to say that before I chime in with my two-cents worth, something you said really struck me. It was when you mentioned being on the job for one shift and deciding that an assignment was not right for you.

I am puzzled at how you could possibly know that travel nursing is not for you based on one shift, or even one assignment for that matter? We are all here to try to help you answer your questions on travel nursing, but I think the question that we might ask of you is what makes you think you would enjoy this career if you are already this concerned with how to back out of it?

Please don’t feel defensive at my remarks. No one can know exactly how they will feel about traveling until they have experienced it firsthand. However, you should most definitely know what it entails before you make such a career decision.

I just recently published a how-to book on the process of becoming a travel nurse and devote large portions of the first two chapters on outlining the positives and negatives of the profession. It is definitely not all a bowl of cherries, but for me, it is a professional that I would not give up for anything.

However, if you have never lived on your own, been 2000 miles away from all your family and friends, or had to start over in a new city where you didn’t even have a clue where the nearest grocery store might be located, then you need to seriously contemplate whether or not this would be something you want to try.

I do mention ways in my book to “start lite” like taking assignments close to home or in a state where you have relatives, but even I, with over 30 completed contracts and 14 yrs in the profession, still occasionally find myself on contracts that I dislike or downright hate.

My point here is that you need to first examine your reasons for travel and then take a long assessment of whether this is the career for you. Read up as much as you can on the lifestyle and go into it well prepared. If you do so, even if your work assignment sucks, you can still enjoy your assignment exploring the area on your days off. Rarely do you find a traveler that lives for the work; it’s the days off we cherish.

With that said, I can tell you that some of what people have written on here is correct, as far as I know, but then again, who am I? Really, who are any of us to speak to matters of legality unless we are an attorney? I guess this is my convoluted way of saying that any legal questions will ALWAYS be best answered by those in that profession.

I do agree with what Amanda has to say in that it will depend heavily on what your contract states. I have traveled with several different companies and no two contracts are exactly the same. However, while I would have to go back and look at the exact wording, my current contract states that I may break it, without penalty, by giving 30 days notice. Even so, my company could charge me with “fees” that they might incur as a result of having to break my housing lease (obviously not an issue if you provide your own housing).

Without being able to take a direct look at a contract, and not having the good fortune to have passed the state bar, it would be hard to state exactly what you would be looking at if you cancelled your contract. However, if you paid for your own housing, your own travel, and your own license, then there is really not much else to penalize you for other than breaking your word. To charge you for this, the company would have to take legal action and I doubt that most would be willing (the cost of litigation would probably pale in comparison to the judgement they would receive and most companies don't really want to get the reputation of suing their travelers). In case you are unaware, your contract is between you and your company, NOT you and the hospital.

I know that from talking to my recruiter, people do break their contracts. When they do, the company is entitled to levy “fees” (since my contract words it this way, I assume there is a legal distinction between the word “penalty” and “fee”). If they paid for your housing, travel, etc, then they would be entitled to possibly withhold this amount from your paycheck. However, if they did not pay for any of this, they could not arbitrarily decide a “cancellation fee” and enforce it unless it was clearly stated in the contract. They legally owe you for any hours that you worked and if they hold back this pay, then they might be the ones who are on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

Once again, I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. These are the laws as I understand them and how they pertain to MY contract with MY travel company. While this certainly varies from company to company, it should all be spelled out in the contract you will sign to accept an assignment.

As I mentioned before, I cannot help but feel that someone looking for all the legal ways out of a travel assignment, before even completing one, might not be ready for the lifestyle of a traveler. And again, I mean no condescension; I just think you might need to rethink things and do some more research before considering your first travel assignment. I hope this helps.

[DollySATX]

Now, if you feel like your license is in danger

Could you elaborate on that please? :nurse-hang:

[ppanchorage]

I've had one assignment I wanted to walk out on. But I didn't. I stuck it out. And it's true that some are really bad. If they are abusive to you - giving you crazy amounts of call, repeated shifts of evening to day, etc, etc,, bad pt assignments, verbal abuse, etc, - then your recruiter, account manager and travel company should go to bat for you. If all that's been done and you don't get any results, you know to not work with that company again!!!
Oh, and let us all know the hospital and company so we don't get the same treatment!
One shift is nothing. There is an end to the contract and it is over before you know it. Stay focused and you'll get through it.
Then you can go get a permanent job and stop your thoughts of travelling.

[claudia1953]

The penalties for breaking a contract should be specified in your contract. More importantly is that signing a contract is giving your word to perform work that the facility needs and has agreed to pay for. Breaking a contract for any but the most severe reasons is unprofessional and makes all travel nurses look bad.

[displacedgarn]

Just wanted to followup on my original post.
My friend left, sadly I'm still here.
Since no one here knew for sure what happens when a contract is broken, I thought I'd let you know what happened to her. Since she hadn't actually been reimbursed for anything, nothing really happened. A few threats and phone calls, but nothing else.
This may not be the case for everyone. And contracts, as we all know, are VAGUE on everything, so don't look there for help.

And, Amanda and David, you guys should be aware that some people just want a direct answer, not counseling.

[venturaangelrn]

A travel nurse I know is going to break her contract. She has been on the job for less than 2 weeks of a 13wk contract. She commutes to the job site and spends one or two nights a week away from home. She takes care of her own housing. There are no problems at the job site. She is going to break the contract because one of her children is having a tough time dealing with her mother being away. Besides having to pay back pre-employment costs, physicals, license fees, etc. What will she likely have to pay to the travel agency for breaking a contract?

First of all she should not have taken the contract or any travel contract - (young kids) it seems she let her desire to travel overtake her concerns for her kids Sorry in this case the Travel Company would be right in seeking compensation How much I can't answer that. I would if I was her seek legal advise. And think long and hard about traveling

[AmandaWIRN]

Just wanted to followup on my original post.
My friend left, sadly I'm still here.
Since no one here knew for sure what happens when a contract is broken, I thought I'd let you know what happened to her. Since she hadn't actually been reimbursed for anything, nothing really happened. A few threats and phone calls, but nothing else.
This may not be the case for everyone. And contracts, as we all know, are VAGUE on everything, so don't look there for help.

And, Amanda and David, you guys should be aware that some people just want a direct answer, not counseling.

If you do not want to hear advice or opinions from experienced travelers, then please do not ask for our advice or opinions...

[Kdog]

I left a travel assignment on my 1st night off orientation because the hospital was very short staffed and the charge nurse assigned me 11 patients on a med-surg-tele floor....... UNSAFE to say the least. The charge nurse and other staff nurse had 13 patients each. Where was I going to get resource help from and there would be no one at the desk to watch the telemetry.
I refused the assignment,left the hospital, packed my bags and left. The company backed me.

[ppanchorage]

I saw that DavidRn reported having his contract cancelled in 2 assignments. It's devastating in this recession time but I know I'll get another assignment.

My questions are this:
the hospital and company have a contract allowing them 30 days written notice for any reason
But my contract does not saying anything to that effect
What will happen to the remainder of the contract re: lost wages and housing?
I am on the hook for this lease.

Also, this hospital was a bizarre experience anyway. Actually, I am relieved but still was willing to complete my assignment.

No breaks, sabotage of equipment and rooms, shaking fingers in the face for requesting information or assistance. That sort of thing. They have gone through 6 directors I think within 3 years. It is an odd place. Hence, the travelers.

so, what, if anything can I expect from my company?

ps. It would not surprise me if they "invented" a reason to terminate me before the 30 days.