Most of the time, a travel nurse or health worker is likely to be thinking about the potential for extending their contract with a hospital, clinic, or medical facility.
But there may come a time when it’s clear that the contract you’ve agreed to is not working. So, should you simply grin and bear it? Or should you take control to end it?
With the need for high-quality travel nurses and health professionals showing no signs of slowing, moving on from an undesirable working situation often means you could have another job in a matter of days. But there are ramifications to calling it quits early – so be sure to do your homework before making a decision.
Here are some examples:
It’s Not You, It’s Me
When it comes to breaking up with your hospital or medical facility, there’s a lot that comes into play. The first thing would be to think carefully about the financial consequences before you break your contract. That means taking a step back and really thinking if your situation is bad enough to make you take a potential financial hit.
Carefully read your contract, which should include the fees or penalties the hospital will charge for missed shifts or cancellations. It can be quite expensive to cancel a contract, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you walk out the door.
If you’re not sure if you really want to leave, and the problem is a clinical one, seek out the hospital’s nurse liaison whose job is to deal with staff clinical issues. If it’s something else such as butting heads with your shift supervisor or a coworker, see if it’s possible to get a change of shift or unit. While neither of these may help you stay put, you really want to exhaust all avenues before hitting the road.
Can We Still Be Friends?
There can be real consequences to canceling your contract. And not just for you.
Your hiring agency could be on the line for various expenses – the biggest is if the company provided housing. If they’ve signed a lease, they could be out thousands of dollars.
There can also be consequences at the hospital, and cancellations can harm the hospital/agency relationship. One example is that the hospital probably has you on the schedule, which makes it very difficult for them if they’re short-staffed. They will also likely have made an investment in getting you up to speed, which is time wasted when you leave.
For the health worker, along with monetary penalties, your reputation could be tarnished. The hospital may decide that they won’t work with you in the future – or the placement agency. And they may even go so far as to professionally blacklist you.
Before you Make a Move, Get Some Counseling
Whether you’re destined to leave your current position, searching for travel nurse jobs or other health jogs in a specific location, or just intrigued by the idea of “what is a traveling nurse?” a good move is to seek professional help. A top healthcare placement agency can discuss your current situation – and will offer a variety of ideas, opportunities, benefits, and contract types to help you further your nurse and healthcare career.
At Focus Staff, we provide some of the finest career guidance and career opportunities for clinical and non-clinical health-related professionals. To see what we can do for you, contact us today.
