First, are you happy with the travel staffing company? Have they fulfilled their promises and your expectations? If not, it may be time to shop around again for another company. First, let your recruiter know about the dissatisfaction. He or she may be willing to make some changes. Remember, the com- pany makes money when its travel nurses work. They will try their best to keep you on board and happy. If the recruiter or company are not willing or are unable to satisfy your needs, change companies. Find one that will accommodate your needs appropriately. However, keep this in mind when changing staffing companies, a full 13-week contract will most often be required from the new company chosen.
Notify your nurse manager of your intention and pro- gress, particularly if you would like to stay at that facility and/or unit. Ask the nurse manager what other companies the facility uses. If she does not know or feels uncomfortable pro- viding that information, check with the facility’s human re- sources, or personnel department, which should have a list of the companies with which the hospital contracts.
You’re pleased with the current travel company and love the benefits. Great! But what if you aren’t happy with the re- cruiter? It is acceptable to ask for a different recruiter, if yours doesn’t make the grade. Try to resolve any issue with him or her first. If a problem remains, or maybe you two just don’t
“click,” explain it to the recruiter and request that someone else handle your contracts. If the recruiter refuses, or you feel uncomfortable discussing the request with him, speak to an- other recruiter within the company. It is also okay to get in touch with a recruiting supervisor. Call the 1-800 number, and then ask for the supervisor or another recruiter. Problems with a recruiter almost never happen, but you would hate to leave a company because of one person and that company would hate to lose a great nurse.
Okay, the company and recruiter are fantastic and you are considering an extension, or renewal, of contract. What about the housing, pay, and shift? This is the perfect time for negoti- ations. If you chose company housing and would like a change or an upgrade; ask for it before signing the new contract or ex- tension. If you live in self-provided housing and would like to change to company housing, or vice versa, arrange it now. The same holds true for a pay increase or bonus.
By extending and/or renewing, you have eased the work- load of the recruiter, the company, and the facility. The re-
cruiter does not have to obtain a new person to fill a vacant spot. She does not need to schedule or perform interviews.
The company has less paperwork. The facility does not have to provide a new orientation, perform interviews, or train a new nurse. You have saved all parties’ involved time and moneyand should be able to negotiate some type of reward for the continued service. The facility must like your per- formance to ask for continued service, providing a warrant for a reward. A pay increase, bonus, or shift change may be pos- sible. Always ask for what you desire during negotiations for contract renewal or extension. You will probably get it.
Consider some time off between the end of the current contract and the extension, or renewal, start. If you would like some, arrange it in the contract. Ask the recruiter about paid time off. It usually is not available, but it never hurts to ask.
When taking time off between assignments, renewals, or extensions, be sure to consider your housing. Most compa- nies will not cover housing at the assignment locale for longer than two to three days before and after a contract ends. If you are planning a week off and will be staying at your temporary locale, or just leaving your possessions there, check with a re- cruiter about the company’s policy. Arrangements can usually be made to accommodate the timing. Maybe your belongings could be put in a storage unit, or perhaps, you could pay a portion of the housing cost for that month.
It is possible that time off could be arranged, stated in the contract of course, with a schedule at the facility that will al- low for several sequential days off. These days will be related to which days of the week are worked during the last week of current contract and the first week of the new one. Explore all the options. Recruiters are great at working the details out.
166 FAST FACTS FOR THE TRAVEL NURSE
Fast facts in a nutshell
• If you are dissatisfied with your current travel staffing company or recruiter, find another one to handle the contract renewal or extension.
• Contract extension or renewal is a great time to ad- dress housing changes, pay increases, time off, and/or a bonus.
• Clarify housing details when asking for time off be- tween assignments, renewals, and/or extensions.