Medely provided this article.
The New Year is synonymous with new beginnings, but what if you’re nearing the end of your winter travel assignment and aren’t ready to move on?
For a travel nurse or allied professional, a contract extension means:
- There’s no need to relocate. Sometimes the timing isn’t right for a move—maybe you’re enjoying yourself too much, or you just don’t have the energy right now. Whatever your situation, a longer assignment will allow you to hold off for a bit.
- Developing deeper relationships. Healthcare is a small world, especially if you tend to look for contracts within the same area. Stronger connections with managers, nurses, and other professionals can be an asset if (and when) you cross paths in the future.
- Gaining valuable knowledge. Traveling adds a great breadth of experience to your nursing resume, but extending the current assignment can be an opportunity to sharpen your skills. If you think there’s more you can learn in your current job, staying can support your next career move.
There are plenty of advantages for the facility, too. Among the top benefits is the one that brought you there in the first place: Having a professional on hand who’s committed to patient care and their work is an asset, particularly during an unprecedented shortage of nurses.
But is staying with the same facility the right move for you? And, if so, what can you do to help ensure the facility wants you to stay? That’s what we’ll explore in this blog post. Let’s get started!
Five questions to ask before you extend a travel nurse contract
Before asking for an assignment extension, take a moment to reflect on your recent experiences. Staying at a healthcare facility isn’t just about liking the neighborhood or being comfortable. It should also help you advance your career. Consider the following five questions…
1. How well do you fit with the team?
Travelers can feel like outliers, especially when they’re new and finding their footing. But caregiving is a team activity whether the individuals are permanent or not. Do you work well with the staff nurses? Do you feel valued and respected by the team—and is the feeling mutual? You may still be learning people and processes, but if you aren’t asked for your help or input, it may not be the right environment for you.
2. Is the pay commensurate with your duties?
While typical rates for travelers are still quite high, it’s important that you feel you’re being paid an appropriate amount considering the work that’s being asked of you in this travel nursing job.
3. How do you feel before and after your shifts?
Consider your typical shifts at this facility and how they make you feel. Nursing has its highs and lows, but that means it’s even more important for you to protect yourself. If you enjoy some aspects of an assignment but are left feeling mentally and physically drained, it might be better to prioritize your well-being with a change of scenery.
4. Can you continue to contribute here?
Introspection is often about what you get out of a travel nursing assignment, but it’s as important to consider the facility and its patients. Are you able to create the impact you want? Through your relationships, experiences, and commitment to care, it’s important for you to feel you can add something to the team.
5. How do you feel about staying—or going home?
Maybe you love your new community but are also struggling so far from family and friends. What will you miss at home if you extend your travel nurse contract? You can always negotiate if you need time off. But if a longer stay will leave you feeling lonely or even resentful, you may want to reconsider.
If you feel confident about your desire to stay put, let’s look at what you can do to put yourself in an optimum position before you make your request.
How to position yourself to extend your travel assignment
From day one, you prove yourself as an asset to an organization through your professionalism and approach to day-to-day activities. Here are seven things you can do proactively to position yourself for the extension you’re looking for.
1. Be an active part of the team
As someone who may be seen as an outsider, it can take extra effort—and pushing out of your comfort zone—to connect with other nurses and allied pros. If you’re invited to attend staff meetings, educational opportunities, and other activities, do what you can to show up and participate.
2. Be dependable
From sick days to family emergencies, call-outs happen. When they do, be accountable for the disruption and communicate with the facility as quickly as possible so they can address the impact as quickly as possible. And for your other shifts, be there on time and ready to go.
3. Flex your nursing muscles
Dedicate your attention to your work and push your nursing abilities by going above and beyond when the team needs the support. For example:
- Offer to work longer if the next nurse is running late
- Lend a hand when you see another nurse struggling
- Ask for help if you need it to ensure you’re providing the best care
- Go above and beyond for patients when it’s appropriate to do so
In short, be the nurse you would want to hire!
4. Find ways to be present with your colleagues
Building relationships at work doesn’t always come naturally, but sometimes it takes just a small step to break the ice. If the facility shares the team’s birthdays, drop off a card for the celebrant. Write a brief handwritten thank you note when another nurse goes out of their way to help you out. Ask a colleague how their day is going and pause to listen to their answer.
5. Get to know the decision-makers
You don’t need to go overboard, but familiarize yourself with the people in charge. Check-in regularly with the hiring manager during your current assignment. Learn the names of the management team. Introduce yourself to the human resources folks, the person in charge of scheduling, and the nursing management team, so you aren’t a stranger to them.
6. Don’t be shy to share your reasons for staying
Once you’ve decided to pursue a travel contract extension, don’t be afraid to tell the decision-makers why you’re enjoying your work at the facility. If you aren’t able to tell them in person, consider leaving a handwritten note or sending an email.
7. Be open about your expectations
As you start to discuss a possible extension, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the contract and be transparent about your needs and expectations, including dates, any pre-existing commitments, your hourly rate, and your schedule. These important details should be clearly communicated ahead of time so that any requests and adjustments can be addressed before the extension occurs.
Let your travel nursing agency know you’re interested in an extension!
Practically speaking, a conversation about extending your contract can be initiated by you and your recruiter or by your manager. Once you’ve decided you would like to stay, let your recruiter know in writing and in person (or by phone) as soon as possible. That way, they’ll have time to connect with the facility to negotiate and confirm details on your behalf.
What are your go-to tips for keeping your travel nurse contract or extending a travel nurse assignment? Tell us about them in the comments!
Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. You can search for what you are looking for.
