3 Tips for Extending a Travel Nurse Contract

Travel nursing offers tremendous opportunities, great pay, career advancement, and the ability to explore new cities. Considering all of the perks, it is no wonder that so many nurses seek travel nurse assignments.

Many nurses on the fence about travel nursing worry about the stress of relocating every 3 months. However, travel nurse contracts can be extended. Don’t let the length of contracts deter you from taking advantage of this exciting career opportunity.

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There are many benefits to extending a travel nurse contract. You won’t have to worry about searching for a new assignment and interviewing, applying for new state licensing, credentialing, or relocating.

If you are interested in a travel contract extension, consider these 3 tips from Health Carousel Travel Nursing:

1. Talk to the current nursing manager.
2. Plan ahead and contact your recruiter.
3. Be a savvy negotiator.

Talk to your current nursing manager

Extending a travel nurse contract offers considerable benefits. Nurses can continue working in a job they love and skip the hassle of finding a new contract. As soon as you decide that you want to stay in the same location longer, have a discussion with the nursing manager. This gives you an opportunity to let them know you are interested before they put feelers out for another traveler and contact other travel nursing companies. This conversation can encourage your nursing manager to work with your recruiter in your favor. Waiting too long may result in your position already being posted and losing out on possible travel nursing contract extensions.

It is important to note that some healthcare facilities may have policies regarding the maximum length of travel nursing assignments and that extensions are not always guaranteed. Therefore, it is a good idea to begin the conversation about extending your current travel nurse assignment early, ideally a few weeks or even a month before your current contract ends, to allow enough time for negotiations and necessary paperwork.

Connect with your recruiter

If you think a travel assignment is a great fit for your personal and professional goals, contact your recruiter after you talk to the nursing manager about your interest in staying. At Health Carousel Travel Nursing, our recruiters have your back 100% and will work hard to get you the best travel nursing contract extensions.

Hospitals frequently have the same position open after a 12-week contract is complete. Your recruiter should be able to easily arrange a travel nursing contract extension for you. It is beneficial for travel nurse agencies because their out-of-pocket expenses are lowered with extensions rather than hiring a new traveler and paying for relocation costs. If you ask about an extension early, your application will be reviewed before the bulk of applications are submitted. By being proactive, nurses increase the odds of securing the contract they want and staying in their current travel nurse assignment.

Be a savvy negotiator

While contract extensions tend to be more straightforward than the original contract signing, there is still a negotiation process. Several terms are frequently open to discussion during travel nurse contract extension and renewal; these may include your schedule, housing, travel nursing pay, and contract duration.

In the current travel nursing job market, travel nurses can write their future. Don’t hesitate to negotiate what you want and request a contract extension. Nurses who are savvy negotiators can secure contract extensions that meet their personal and professional goals.

The Basics of a Travel Nurse Contract

A travel nursing contract is a legal agreement between a travel nurse and a healthcare facility., The contract is facilitated by travel nurse agencies and outlines the terms and conditions of the assignment, including the nurse's duties, compensation, and benefits.

Here are some of the key elements that are typically included in travel nursing contracts:

1. Assignment details: This section outlines the specifics of the assignment, including the start and end dates, location, and shift schedule.
2. Compensation: The contract should include information on the nurse's hourly rate of pay, any bonuses or incentives, weekly pay information, and how overtime pay is calculated.
3. Benefits: This section covers the benefits that the nurse will receive while on assignment, such as health insurance, travel nurse housing, and travel reimbursements.
4. Responsibilities: The contract should clearly outline the nurse's responsibilities and expectations for the assignment, including the scope of their duties and any special requirements or certifications.
5. Termination: The contract should include provisions for terminating the agreement, including notice periods and the circumstances under which either party may terminate the contract.
6. Confidentiality and non-compete clauses: These clauses protect the healthcare facility's confidential information and prevent the nurse from working for competitors for a certain period after the assignment ends.
   

It's important for both the nurse and the healthcare facility to carefully review and understand the terms of travel nursing contracts before signing. Any questions or concerns should be addressed with the recruiter for the travel nurse agency or healthcare facility representative before accepting the current travel nurse assignment contract.

Visit HCTN's travel nursing blog to learn more travel nursing job tips.

Why You Should Negotiate

Negotiating your travel nursing contract can be beneficial in several ways. Do you love your assignment, but are not sure if you want to commit to another 12 weeks? If hospitals have multiple open positions, the duration of your extension may be negotiable. One of the best ways to reap the benefits of travel nursing is to make your contract assignments mold to your ambitions. Don’t hesitate to ask for an extension that works with your personal life.

Here are some reasons to consider negotiating your contract:

• Higher pay: Negotiating your contract can potentially result in a higher hourly pay rate or sign-on bonus, which can significantly increase your earning potential. Pay rates and bonuses can fluctuate depending on the current travel nursing job market, but having a prior relationship with the healthcare facility and proving your worth will help you in our travel nursing contract extensions. Be sure to include your travel nursing weekly pay information in your negotiations
• Better benefits: You may be able to negotiate better benefits, such as a more comprehensive health insurance plan or a higher travel nurse housing stipend.
• Flexibility: Negotiating your contract can help you secure a schedule that fits your needs and preferences, such as working fewer days per week or having more time off. Nurses requesting a travel contract extension are more likely to get premium shifts over new travel nurses. The hospital already knows what an awesome nurse you are, so they may be willing to offer different shifts. Take inventory of what is important to you, and ask for a schedule that fits your needs.
• Time off: Think of any important time-off dates you would need before you accept the extension offer, and notify both the nurse manager and recruiter to see if they can accommodate your requests. Sometimes nurses can negotiate time to visit home or take a short vacation even before their travel nursing contract extension begins.
• Clarification of expectations: Negotiating your contract allows you to clarify your role and responsibilities, ensuring that both you and the healthcare facility are on the same page in your current nursing assignment.
  

Keep in mind that negotiating your contract requires some skill and preparation. It's important to do your research beforehand and know your worth as a travel nurse. You should also be willing to compromise and find common ground with the healthcare facility. Ultimately, negotiating your travel nursing contract can lead to a more rewarding and fulfilling experience for both you and the healthcare facility.

Learn More about Health Carousel Travel Nursing

Whether you are thinking about an extension for your current travel nurse contract or looking for your next travel nurse job, Health Carousel Travel Nursing recruiters always have your back. Our travel nurse recruiters are well-versed in extending travel nurse contracts and negotiating on your behalf. HCTN offers full circle support and comprehensive benefits packages to help travel nurses further their careers and improve their quality of life. Our recruiters are here to make sure you have the most successful travel nurse experience possible! Overall, travel nursing contract extensions can be a great way to continue to enjoy a positive work experience and explore new locations while also maintaining job security and stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you extend a travel nurse contract?

Yes, it is often possible to extend your travel nurse contract if both you and the healthcare facility are interested in continuing the assignment. Extending your contract can be a great option if you are enjoying the location and work environment, and if the healthcare facility is satisfied with your performance.

How do I ask for an extension travel nurse?

You want to start by speaking to the nurse manager at your current travel nurse contract about how to extend your travel nurse contract. Then, you want to contact your recruiter to start the process of them negotiating your travel nursing contract extension for you. It should be an easy process if the hospital still needs a traveler. Travel nurse agencies will take care of extending travel nurse contracts for you. Visit our travel nursing blog for more tips on how to ask for an extension and other travel nursing job tips.

How to negotiate travel nurse pay extension

There are several things to consider and steps to take when negotiating your travel nursing pay extension. First, research the average pay rates for your specialty in the area where you are working, taking into account factors such as the cost of living and demand for your skills. This information will help you make a strong case for a pay increase. You will also want to highlight your performance in your current travel nurse job. Provide examples of your positive contributions to the healthcare facility, such as excellent patient outcomes, successful teamwork, or innovative solutions to problems. This can help you demonstrate your value and justify a pay increase.

If you are in high demand and the healthcare facility is having difficulty finding a replacement, you may have more leverage to negotiate for higher pay. While it's important to advocate for fair compensation, it's also important to be realistic and consider factors such as the facility's budget, the cost of living in the area, and the rates paid to other nurses at the facility. It is helpful to be open to other forms of compensation such as additional paid time off, an increased housing stipend, or reimbursement for continuing education. Speak with your recruiter about how to navigate your travel nursing pay negotiation.

Does the IRS audit travel nurses?

Yes, like any other individual taxpayer, travel nurses may be audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that they have accurately reported their income and expenses. The IRS may audit a travel nurse's tax return if they suspect that the nurse has underreported their income, claimed excessive deductions or credits, or failed to report taxable income.

Travel nurses may be subject to additional scrutiny because of the unique nature of their work and travel nursing pay, which often involves earning income in multiple states and claiming various deductions and credits related to travel expenses, housing, and meals.

To minimize the risk of an IRS audit, nurses with travel nursing jobs need to maintain accurate and detailed records of their income and expenses, including all receipts and documentation related to their travel assignments. Working with a qualified tax professional can also help ensure that your tax returns are accurate and compliant with all applicable tax laws and regulations.

Nurse Bio

Lauren Rivera is a nationally certified neonatal intensive care nurse with over 15 years of experience. She serves as a nurse expert offering support and educational classes for women from preconception through childhood. Lauren is also a freelance health and wellness writer with works published on several nursing sites. She develops and curates content for various healthcare companies, and writes continuing education modules for other healthcare professionals.